2012-2020 Lexus GS Reliability Score: 9.6 out of 10

99 NHTSA Complaints

6 Recalls

1 Fire Reports

16 Crash Reports

Data covers 5 NHTSA model names

GSGS200TGS300GS350GS450H

Reliability Score

9.6 / 10

Reliability score

Very few owner complaints against similar midsize sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 21 powertrain complaints. A typical midsize sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 140.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.1 points in the typical case.

Covers the 2013 to 2020 model years only (the generation ran 2012 to 2020).

Breakdown

Complaints overall21 complaints against about 140 for similar vehicles

9.6

Last three years1 complaints against about 32 for similar vehicles

9.6

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced0 complaints against about 31 for similar vehicles

10.0

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year

20139.6
20149.5
20159.7
20169.6
20179.6
20189.7
2019n/a
2020n/a

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

2GR-FSE

3.5L 6-cyl

87 complaints 18.0 per year Gasoline

1 fire report

View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering

other

fuel system

body

brakes

Same engine used in

LEXUS IS (2006-2013)LEXUS IS (2014-2025)LEXUS GS (2006-2011)LEXUS RC (2015-2025)

Show 4 additional engine variants with limited data

These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

Lexus GS Unidentified Engine

6 complaints 1.5 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

electrical

steering

transmission

brakes

2UR-GSE

5.0L 8-cyl / 467 hp

2 complaints 1.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

fuel system

other

Same engine used in

LEXUS IS (2006-2013)LEXUS IS (2014-2025)LEXUS LC (2018-2025)LEXUS RC (2015-2025)

8AR-FTS

2.0L 4-cyl / 241 hp

2 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

other

electrical

Same engine used in

LEXUS IS (2014-2025)LEXUS NX (2015-2021)LEXUS RC (2015-2025)

2GR-FSE+1KM

3.5L 6-cyl

2 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes

other

Same engine used in

LEXUS GS (2006-2011)

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Lexus GS, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Steering: 22 owner complaints

Fuel System: 14 owner complaints

Brakes: 12 owner complaints

Body/Trim: 11 owner complaints

Electrical System: 11 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2012-2020 Lexus GS

On a used 2012-2020 Lexus GS, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the steering (22), the fuel system (14) and the brakes (12). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 22 owner complaints on the 2012-2020 Lexus GS about the steering.
Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 14 owner complaints on the 2012-2020 Lexus GS about the fuel system.
On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 12 owner complaints on the 2012-2020 Lexus GS about the brakes.
Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 11 owner complaints on the 2012-2020 Lexus GS about the body and structure.
Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 11 owner complaints on the 2012-2020 Lexus GS about the electrical system.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2012-2020 Lexus GS

Recalls (6)

26V222000Apr 8, 2026serious

Fuel System

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

20V682000Nov 4, 2020serious

Fuel System

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

20V012000Jan 13, 2020serious

Fuel System

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

18V107000Feb 14, 2018serious

Fuel System

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lexus GS F, 2018 LC500, and 2015-2018 Lexus RC F vehicles, equipped with 5.0L V8 2UR-GSE engines with two high pressure fuel pumps. Specific operating conditions may result in damage to the pulsation damper in one of the high pressure fuel pumps, possibly causing a fatigue crack in the fuel pump cover.

14V270000May 22, 2014serious

Service Brakes

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013 Lexus GS 350 vehicles manufactured June 8, 2012, through December 26, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the switch that senses the amount of pressure that the driver is applying to the brake pedal may fail.

Show 1 older recall

12V221000May 16, 2012serious

Steering

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 LEXUS GS350 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 12, 2011, THROUGH FEBRUARY 7, 2012. THE STEERING CONTROL ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) PROGRAMMING FOR THE VARIABLE GEAR RATIO STEERING (VGRS) SYSTEM COULD CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME OFF-CENTERED WHEN RESTARTING IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED.

All Generations

S1602000-2005 S1902006-2011 L102012-2020

Alternatives in Midsize Sedan

4 engines / 35 complaints

3 engines / 178 complaints

2 engines / 134 complaints

2 engines / 126 complaints

6 engines / 2,048 complaints

3 engines / 139 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2012-2020 Lexus GS complaints?

Owners have filed 99 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012-2020 Lexus GS. The systems they name most often are the steering, the fuel system and the brakes.

Is the 2012-2020 Lexus GS a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 99 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012-2020 Lexus GS. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012-2020 Lexus GS have?

NHTSA has 99 owner complaints on file for the 2012-2020 Lexus GS as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2012-2020 Lexus GS?

NHTSA lists 6 recalls covering some 2012-2020 Lexus GS vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Lexus GS?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the steering, the fuel system and the brakes, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the GS have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2012-2020 Lexus GS. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 99 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-10-12.