What is the 2007-2011 Lexus GS Hybrid Inverter Coolant Pump Failure - GS 450h (P0A93)?

The GS 450h carries a second, completely separate cooling circuit for the power inverter, consisting of an electric water pump, its own radiator and a fan. That electric pump fails - it is a known wear item on the S190 hybrid - and when circulation stops the inverter overheats. T… Repairs typically run $400-$900. Severity: high.

What is the 2006-2011 Lexus GS ECB Brake Actuator Pump Motor Failure - GS 430 / GS 450h / GS 460?

S190 GS models fitted with the electronically controlled brake (ECB) system - the GS 430, GS 450h and GS 460 - use a brake actuator assembly containing an electric pump motor that maintains accumulator pressure. The pump motor's commutator wears, and once worn the motor can stop… Repairs typically run $900-$4,500. Severity: high.

What is the 2006-2007 Lexus GS Aluminum Fuel Rail Internal Corrosion from Ethanol Fuel (Recall 09V020000)?

Early S190 cars (2006-2007 GS) were built with aluminum fuel delivery pipes. Ethanol-blended gasoline with low moisture content attacks the internal surface of the aluminum rail. The corrosion progresses until it eats a pinhole through the pipe wall, at which point gasoline leaks… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.

What is the 2006-2012 Lexus GS Dashboard Melting and Sticky Surface?

The GS dashboard suffers from the same melting and sticky surface defect as other Lexus models of this era. Heat exposure causes the dashboard material to chemically degrade, resulting in a shiny, tacky surface that creates dangerous glare on the windshield. This was a widespread… Severity: medium.

What is the 2013-2020 Lexus GS Water Pump Premature Failure?

The water pump on the GS models fails prematurely, typically between 60,000-100,000 miles. Coolant leaks from the weep hole as the internal seal deteriorates, and the pump bearing develops play causing a whining noise. If not addressed, overheating and potential engine damage can… Repairs typically run $500-$1,200. Severity: medium.

What is the 2006-2015 Lexus GS Power Steering Rack Seal Leak?

The power steering rack develops internal seal leaks that cause power steering fluid loss. The leak typically appears at the inner tie rod boots where fluid seeps past the rack seals. Low fluid levels lead to increased steering effort and pump whining noise, and eventually the ra… Repairs typically run $800-$2,000. Severity: medium.

What is the 1998-2005 Lexus GS S160 Valve Cover Gasket, Cam Seal and VVT-i Gear O-Ring Oil Leaks?

The second-generation S160 GS (1998-2005) develops age-related oil leaks at three related points on both engines sold in the body - the 2JZ-GE inline six and the 3UZ-FE V8 of the GS 400/430. The valve cover gaskets harden and weep, the camshaft seals behind the timing covers leak… Repairs typically run $300-$1,600. Severity: medium.

What is the 2013 Lexus GS Variable Gear Ratio Steering Software Error - Steering Wheel Off-Center After Restart (Recall 12V221000)?

Early 2013 GS 350 vehicles equipped with variable gear ratio steering (VGRS) shipped with a programming error in the steering control software. On restart, the system can fail to re-reference the steering wheel position, leaving the wheel misaligned relative to the road wheels -… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.

What is the 2013 Lexus GS Brake Pedal Load-Sensing Switch Malfunction - 2013 GS 350 (Recall 14V270000)?

On 2013 GS 350 vehicles built 8 June 2012 through 26 December 2012, the switch that measures how hard the driver is pressing the brake pedal can fail. A failed load-sensing switch feeds the pre-collision and brake-control systems bad data, which can produce braking the driver did… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.

What is the 2006-2020 Lexus GS Front Timing Chain Cover and Cam Housing Oil Leak - 2GR-FSE (FIPG Sealant Failure)?

The 2GR family V6 - including the 2GR-FSE fitted to the S190 GS 350 / GS 450h and the L10 GS 350 - seals its front timing chain cover and cam housings with FIPG (formed-in-place gasket) sealant rather than a solid gasket. Over years of heat cycling the sealant hardens, shrinks an… Repairs typically run $2,400-$4,000. Severity: medium.

Lexus · Known Issues

1998-2020 Lexus GS Problems: 15 Known Issues

1998-2020 model years · 4,700+ owner reports · Updated August 2026

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According to Au7o's analysis of 4,700+ owner reports, the 1998-2020 Lexus GS has 15 documented known issues, with 8 rated critical. The most serious are Recall 06V096000: 2006 Lexus GS SRS Air Bag Inflator May Not Deploy With Full Force, Hybrid Inverter Coolant Pump Failure - GS 450h (P0A93) ($400-$900 repair), ECB Brake Actuator Pump Motor Failure - GS 430 / GS 450h / GS 460 ($900-$4,500 repair), Denso Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Impeller Swells and Stops the Pump (Recalls 20V012 / 20V682 / 26V222) ($0-$0 repair), Aluminum Fuel Rail Internal Corrosion from Ethanol Fuel (Recall 09V020000) ($0-$0 repair), Fuel Pulsation Damper Diaphragm Cracks and Leaks Fuel - 2GR-FSE (Recall 18V432000) ($0-$0 repair), VVT Gear Assembly Bolts Loosen and Sprocket Separates - 2GR-FSE (Recall 13V395000) ($0-$0 repair) and Engine Valve Spring Fracture from Contaminated Spring Material (Recall 10V309000).

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Lexus GS problems?

According to Au7o's analysis of 4,700+ owner reports, the 1998-2020 Lexus GS has 15 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Recall 06V096000: 2006 Lexus GS SRS Air Bag Inflator May Not Deploy With Full Force, Hybrid Inverter Coolant Pump Failure - GS 450h (P0A93), ECB Brake Actuator Pump Motor Failure - GS 430 / GS 450h / GS 460. Of these, 8 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Lexus GS reliable?

The 1998-2020 Lexus GS has 15 known issues documented across 4,700+ owner reports. 8 issues are rated critical: Recall 06V096000: 2006 Lexus GS SRS Air Bag Inflator May Not Deploy With Full Force and Hybrid Inverter Coolant Pump Failure - GS 450h (P0A93) and ECB Brake Actuator Pump Motor Failure - GS 430 / GS 450h / GS 460 and Denso Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Impeller Swells and Stops the Pump (Recalls 20V012 / 20V682 / 26V222) and Aluminum Fuel Rail Internal Corrosion from Ethanol Fuel (Recall 09V020000) and Fuel Pulsation Damper Diaphragm Cracks and Leaks Fuel - 2GR-FSE (Recall 18V432000) and VVT Gear Assembly Bolts Loosen and Sprocket Separates - 2GR-FSE (Recall 13V395000) and Engine Valve Spring Fracture from Contaminated Spring Material (Recall 10V309000). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Lexus GS problems?

Repair costs for known Lexus GS issues range from $0 to $4,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What year Lexus GS is the most reliable?

Reliability varies across model years of the Lexus GS. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 1998-2020 Lexus GS with 15 documented issues documented across 4,700+ owner reports.

All 15 Known Issues

Other Lexus Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Lexus GS problems?

Is the Lexus GS reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Lexus GS problems?

What year Lexus GS is the most reliable?

When Issues Typically Appear

Denso Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Impeller Swells and Stops the Pump (Recalls 20V012 / 20V682 / 26V222)#

Aluminum Fuel Rail Internal Corrosion from Ethanol Fuel (Recall 09V020000)#

Fuel Pulsation Damper Diaphragm Cracks and Leaks Fuel - 2GR-FSE (Recall 18V432000)#

VVT Gear Assembly Bolts Loosen and Sprocket Separates - 2GR-FSE (Recall 13V395000)#

Engine Valve Spring Fracture from Contaminated Spring Material (Recall 10V309000)#

S160 Valve Cover Gasket, Cam Seal and VVT-i Gear O-Ring Oil Leaks#

Front Timing Chain Cover and Cam Housing Oil Leak - 2GR-FSE (FIPG Sealant Failure)#

Hybrid Inverter Coolant Pump Failure - GS 450h (P0A93)#

Water Pump Premature Failure#

ECB Brake Actuator Pump Motor Failure - GS 430 / GS 450h / GS 460#

Brake Pedal Load-Sensing Switch Malfunction - 2013 GS 350 (Recall 14V270000)#

Recall 06V096000: 2006 Lexus GS SRS Air Bag Inflator May Not Deploy With Full Force#

Power Steering Rack Seal Leak#

Variable Gear Ratio Steering Software Error - Steering Wheel Off-Center After Restart (Recall 12V221000)#

Dashboard Melting and Sticky Surface#

What is the 2006 Lexus GS Recall 06V096000: 2006 Lexus GS SRS Air Bag Inflator May Not Deploy With Full Force?