Is the 2006 Lexus GS300 reliable?

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 GS300 has the highest reported problem rate of any GS300 year, led by electrical system issues (40 complaints) and engine issues involving stuck accelerator pedals and sudden shaking (33 complaints).

Are there any good years for the Lexus GS300?

No GS300 year earns a Good or Best verdict in this data. Years like 2007, 2018, and 2019 show the fewest reported complaints, with complaint indexes of 0, 17, and 33 respectively.

Does the Lexus GS300 have recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns across the GS300 model years covered, including two tied to the 2006 model year covering the fuel system and an engine-area floor pad interference problem.

What problems are most common on the Lexus GS300?

Across all years, electrical system complaints are most common at 40 reports (31% of all complaints), followed by engine complaints at 33 reports (26%), then brakes and transmission/powertrain tied at 14 reports each (11%).

Lexus GS300 Best and Worst Years (2005–2019)

The 2006 Lexus GS300 is the only year rated Avoid, with 124 complaints and a complaint index of 100, driven mainly by electrical system and engine problems. No year is rated Good or Best, but 2007, 2018, and 2019 show far fewer reported problems.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2006

Model years: 7; 2005–2019
NHTSA complaints: 128
Recall campaigns: 4
Crashes reported: 10
Fires reported: 1
Top problem area: Electrical System

GS300 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.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Lexus GS300 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	No verdict	67	2	0	0	0	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	—	—
2006	Avoid	100	124	9	1	2	Electrical System	21	—
2007	No verdict	0	0	0	0	1	—	—	—
2013	No verdict	83	1	1	0	0	Structure & Body	—	—
2014	No verdict	50	1	0	0	0	Fuel System	—	—
2018	No verdict	17	0	0	0	1	—	25	—
2019	No verdict	33	0	0	0	2	—	25	—

GS300 years to avoid: what went wrong

2006 Lexus GS300 Index 100 · 124 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2006 GS300 has by far the most reported problems of any year, with 124 complaints and a complaint index of 100, the highest in the lineup. Electrical system complaints lead at 40 reports (32%), with a median failure mileage of 76,000. Engine problems follow at 33 reports (27%), median mileage 88,000, then brakes at 14 reports (11%), median mileage 66,250, and transmission/powertrain at 13 reports (10%), median mileage 117,000. NHTSA also lists two recalls for this year, one covering the fuel system and one covering an engine-related floor pad interference issue. Owners describe stuck accelerator pedals, brake lockup during slippery conditions, sudden shaking with warning lights, and one crash where airbags failed to deploy. NHTSA data for this year also shows 9 crashes, 1 fire, and 6 injuries linked to complaints.

2006 electrical system problems →2006 engine problems →

Most common Lexus GS300 problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Electrical System40 (31%)
Engine33 (26%)
Brakes14 (11%)
Transmission & Powertrain14 (11%)
Fuel System10 (8%)
Steering10 (8%)
Structure & Body10 (8%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (6%)
Other7 (5%)
Visibility & Wipers7 (5%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Lexus GS300 should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to 2006 as the year to avoid, with 124 complaints and a complaint index of 100, the highest of any GS300 year, plus two recall campaigns.
Is the 2006 Lexus GS300 reliable?: Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 GS300 has the highest reported problem rate of any GS300 year, led by electrical system issues (40 complaints) and engine issues involving stuck accelerator pedals and sudden shaking (33 complaints).
Are there any good years for the Lexus GS300?: No GS300 year earns a Good or Best verdict in this data. Years like 2007, 2018, and 2019 show the fewest reported complaints, with complaint indexes of 0, 17, and 33 respectively.
Does the Lexus GS300 have recalls?: NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns across the GS300 model years covered, including two tied to the 2006 model year covering the fuel system and an engine-area floor pad interference problem.
What problems are most common on the Lexus GS300?: Across all years, electrical system complaints are most common at 40 reports (31% of all complaints), followed by engine complaints at 33 reports (26%), then brakes and transmission/powertrain tied at 14 reports each (11%).