2009 Lexus GS 350 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
58/100
#6 most-complained of 13 GS 350 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2009 Lexus GS 350 has a Complaint Index of 58, ranking 6th among 13 model years, with a Caution verdict. Engine issues account for 63% of complaints, including unintended acceleration reports, and the year carries 3 recalls covering fuel system and VVT components.
- Complaints
- 8
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18.5 city / 25.5 hwy
Top 2009 Lexus GS 350 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine5 (63%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (25%)
- Brakes1 (13%)
- Electrical System1 (13%)
- Fuel System1 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (13%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration, including cases where the vehicle surged forward and could only be stopped by shifting into neutral.
- Some owners describe the accelerator pedal behaving unpredictably, in one case leading to a low-speed crash into a garage.
- Engine knocking noises were reported during startup, idle, and stop-light situations, appearing around 9,500 miles.
- Headlights were reported as aiming too low, with illumination reaching only a short distance ahead at night, noticed around 1,200 miles.
- Tire sidewalls developed blisters on the front passenger and rear driver side tires at 6,224 miles.
- A fuel system odor entering the cabin during acceleration was reported at 155,000 miles, persisting even after a recall repair.
2009 Lexus GS 350 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V432000Jun 26, 2018Fuel System114,998 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Lexus GS350 and GS450h, 2006-2013 Lexus IS350 and 2010-2014 Lexus IS350C vehicles, equipped with 3.5L V6 2GR-FSE gasoline engines. The diaphragms in the fuel pulsation dampers may harden over time and develop cracks, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery pipe with a new pipe that has improved pulsation dampers, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2018. Owners may contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's number for this recall is JLF.
- NHTSA 14V647000Oct 15, 2014Fuel System422,509 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Lexus LS vehicles manufactured May 9, 2006, to July 20, 2010, 2006-2011 Lexus GS vehicles manufactured January 6, 2005, to September 10, 2010, and 2006-2011 Lexus IS vehicles manufactured August 30, 2005, to September 10, 2010. Due to anti-corrosion plating remnants, fuel may leak from where the fuel pressure sensor is attached to the fuel delivery pipe.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will clean and reseal the fuel pressure sensor mounting area, free of charge. The recall began March 3, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
- NHTSA 13V395000Sep 4, 2013Engine101,584 vehicles
Engine
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Lexus GS350 vehicles manufactured June 19, 2006, through July 12, 2011; and model year 2006-2011 Lexus IS350 vehicles manufactured May 27, 2005, through July 13, 2011; and model year 2010-2011 Lexus IS350c vehicles manufactured November 25, 2009, through July 19, 2011. These vehicles, equipped with the 2GR-FSE engine, use bolts to secure the housing and sprocket of the Variable-Valve Timing (VVT) system gear assembly. These bolts could become loose due to abnormal impacts generated within the gear assembly immediately after a cold start-up.
Risk: The loose bolts could cause the VVT gear housing and sprocket to separate and result in the engine stopping while the vehicle is being driven, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and Lexus dealers will replace the VVT unit free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
2009 Lexus GS 350 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18.5 MPG
- Highway
- 25.5 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,825
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other GS 350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Lexus GS 350 reliable?
- It carries a Caution verdict with a Complaint Index of 58, ranking 6th out of 13 model years for this model. Engine problems, including reports of unintended acceleration, make up 63% of its complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Lexus GS 350?
- Engine issues lead with 5 complaints (63% share), including unintended acceleration reports and knocking noises. Transmission & Powertrain, brakes, electrical, fuel system, and suspension issues each account for smaller shares.
- Does the 2009 Lexus GS 350 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this year: two fuel system campaigns (2014 and 2018) and one 2013 recall to replace the VVT unit on the engine.
- How does the 2009 model compare to other GS 350 years?
- The 2009 model's Complaint Index of 58 is lower than 2007 (100) and 2008 (83), both rated Avoid, but higher than 2011 (33) and 2016 (25). It ranks 6th worst out of 13 years.
- What is the median mileage for engine complaints in the 2009 GS 350?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 9,500 miles for engine-related complaints on this model year.