Lexus GS 350 Best and Worst Years (2006–2019)
Avoid 2007, 2008, 2013, and 2014 Lexus GS 350 model years — they carry the highest complaint indexes (100, 83, 92, 75) and multiple recall campaigns. No GS 350 year earns a Good or Best verdict because recalls cap every year; 2009, 2010, and 2015 are the lowest-risk choices among a weak field.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2007Avoid 2008Avoid 2013Avoid 2014Lowest-risk years:Caution 2009Caution 2010Caution 2015
- Model years
- 13
- 2006–2019
- NHTSA complaints
- 161
- Recall campaigns
- 9
- Crashes reported
- 31
- Fires reported
- 1
- Top problem area
- Engine
GS 350 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Lexus GS 350 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | No verdict | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | — | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 100 | 57 | 11 | 1 | 5 | Engine | 21 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 83 | 19 | 4 | 0 | 4 | Engine | 21 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 58 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 21 | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 50 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 21 | — |
| 2011 | No verdict | 33 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 20.5 | — |
| 2013 | Avoid | 92 | 26 | 4 | 0 | 3 | Structure & Body | 22 | — |
| 2014 | Avoid | 75 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 22 | — |
| 2015 | Caution | 67 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Steering | 22 | — |
| 2016 | No verdict | 25 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fuel System | 22 | — |
| 2017 | No verdict | 42 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Seat Belts | 22 | — |
| 2018 | No verdict | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Structure & Body | 22 | — |
| 2019 | No verdict | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | 22 | — |
GS 350 years to avoid: what went wrong
2007 Lexus GS 350 Index 100 · 57 complaints · 5 recalls
2007 has the highest complaint index (100) of any GS 350 year and ranks worst overall. Engine complaints make up 39% of its issues, with a median failure mileage of 29,000 miles. Electrical System problems follow at 18%, with owners reporting failures around a median of 65,975 miles. NHTSA lists five recall campaigns for this year, covering fuel system and engine VVT concerns. Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration events while parking, some resulting in crashes into walls or objects, and some reports of airbags failing to deploy in low-speed crashes.
2013 Lexus GS 350 Index 92 · 26 complaints · 3 recalls
2013 has a complaint index of 92, the second highest of any GS 350 year. Structure & Body complaints lead at 23% of reports, with a median failure mileage of 74,000. Brakes and Engine problems each made up 19% of complaints, with brake issues appearing at a median of 7,207 miles. Three recall campaigns cover fuel system, brakes, and steering. Owners describe loss of control on slick roads, sudden unintended acceleration reaching high speeds, and airbags that failed to deploy during rear-end or low-speed collisions.
2008 Lexus GS 350 Index 83 · 19 complaints · 4 recalls
2008 carries a complaint index of 83, the third worst among GS 350 years. Engine complaints account for 47% of reports, with failures reported at a median mileage of 143,000. Electrical System, Structure & Body, and Suspension issues each made up 16% of complaints. Four recall campaigns apply to this year, including fuel system and engine repairs. Owners describe unintended acceleration or surging while parking or shifting into reverse, sometimes leading to crashes, along with reports of airbags not deploying during collisions.
2014 Lexus GS 350 Index 75 · 16 complaints · 1 recalls
2014 shows a complaint index of 75, the fourth highest among GS 350 years. Engine complaints are the top category at 25%, with a median failure mileage of 23,600. Brakes, Fuel System, and Steering problems each account for 19% of complaints. One recall campaign, covering the fuel pump, applies to this year. Owners describe loss of traction with warning lights illuminated, sudden acceleration up to nearly 100 mph, and brake failures on hills that forced drivers to strike objects to stop.
Most common Lexus GS 350 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine49 (30%)
- Electrical System25 (16%)
- Fuel System21 (13%)
- Brakes19 (12%)
- Other17 (11%)
- Airbags16 (10%)
- Structure & Body16 (10%)
- Steering13 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (8%)
- Visibility & Wipers7 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Lexus GS 350 should I avoid?
- NHTSA complaint and recall data point to 2007, 2008, 2013, and 2014 as the Avoid years for the GS 350, based on complaint indexes of 100, 83, 92, and 75 respectively, along with multiple recall campaigns each.
- Is there a Best or Good year for the Lexus GS 350?
- No. Every GS 350 model year is capped by recall campaigns, so none qualifies as Good or Best. The lowest-risk years are 2009, 2010, and 2015, all rated Caution.
- What is the most common problem area for the Lexus GS 350?
- Across all years, the Engine is the top problem area, accounting for 49 complaints and 30% of the total, followed by Electrical System at 16% and Fuel System at 13%.
- How many recall campaigns affect the Lexus GS 350?
- NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns across the GS 350's 2006-2019 model years, spanning fuel system, engine, brakes, steering, and other components.
- Which GS 350 year has the most complaints?
- The 2007 model year has 57 complaints, the highest of any GS 350 year, and the highest complaint index at 100.