2009 Lexus Gs 350 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Lexus Gs 350, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Driver assistance327.3%
- Engine218.2%
- Powertrain (other)218.2%
- Tires & wheels19.1%
- Fuel system19.1%
- Brakes19.1%
- Exterior lighting19.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
2009 LEXUS GS 350. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, HE WAS PULLING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY, WHEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, BUT COULD ONLY STOP THE VEHICLE BY PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS ADEQUATE SPACE AND TIME TO TAKE ACTION AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND EVENT TOOK PLACE NEARLY A YEAR LATER, AS THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE TIME OR ADEQUATE SPACE AND CONSEQUENTLY, HE STRUCK A BIKE RACK AND SEVERAL BICYCLES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE THIRD EVENT HAPPENED LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER PICKING THE VEHICLE UP FROM THE REPAIR SHOP. THE CONSUMER WAS BRAKING TO SLOW DOWN AS HE WAS COMING OFF A BRIDGE RAMP. ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THE WAY DOWN, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE ONCE MORE. HE INADVERTENTLY STUCK THE SIDE OF AN UNOCCUPIED PARKED TRUCK TO AVOID REAR-ENDING A CAR WAITING THE TURN OF A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE POLICE REPORT STATED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE PAID AN EARLY TERMINATION FEE OF $3,000 AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO LEXUS. *JB UPDATED 01/05/12.
2009 LEXUS GS350. CONSUMER STATES THAT CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK WHEN GOING UP OR DOWN A HILL OR INCLINE. *KB THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT WAS THE WAY THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKED ON THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT WORK WHILE GOING UP OR DOWN A HILL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE OR DECELERATE DEPENDING UPON WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING UP OR DOWN AN INCLINE. THE CONSUMER STATED ON THREE OCCASIONS, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BEFORE CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE GAS PEDAL.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
2009 LEXUS GS 350. CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, HE WAS PULLING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY, WHEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, BUT COULD ONLY STOP THE VEHICLE BY PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS ADEQUATE SPACE AND TIME TO TAKE ACTION AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND EVENT TOOK PLACE NEARLY A YEAR LATER, AS THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. I'M QUOTING AN EXCERPT FROM ANOTHER REPORT THAT I FOUND DOCUMENTED ON YOUR WEBSITE WHICH IS ALMOST THE EXACT SAME HISTORY AS MINE. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE LAST AND MOST RECENT EPISODE RESULTED IN A MINOR CRASH. I WAS GOING TO WORK IN PHILA ON A TUES MORNING AT ABOUT 6:45 WHEN I SAW THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT AND PROCEEDED TO BRAKE, ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR LURCH FORWARD WHEN I HAD MY FOOT FULLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE AND THE SPEED HAD ALREADY DECLINED TO ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR. MY FRONT BUMPER MADE CONTACT WITH THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT AND AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, AGAIN SURGED FORWARD TO HIT THE CAR A SECOND TIME. BOTH DRIVERS GOT OUT TO EXAMINE IF THERE WAS ANY DAMAGE AND FINDING NONE EXCEPT FOR A POSSIBLE MINOR SCRATCH TO THE REAR BUMPER OF THE CAR I HIT, WE DECIDED NOT TO FILE A POLICE REPORT. THE WEATHER THAT MORNING WAS BITTERLY COLD BUT THE RECENT SNOW FALL IN PHILA HAD BEEN CLEARED AND THE ROAD WAS DRY. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO LEXUS AND AN INCIDENT REPORT WAS FILED WITH TOYOTA WHO SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO RECOVER THE EDR WHICH I HAVE ON A THUMB DRIVE AND IS BEING ANALYZED BY TOYOTA. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT ASSURED ME THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. I'M REQUESTING AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE DATA. *TR
LEXUS GS350: EXPERIENCING ONGOING ENGINE KNOCKING NOISES DURING STARTUP, IDLE, AND STOP LIGHT SITUATIONS. DEALER SERVICE ASSURED THAT IT WAS NORMAL OPERATION, HOWEVER THE NOISES DID NOT COME UNTIL ABOUT 9500 MILES. IT DOES NOT SOUND NORMAL.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
2009 LEXUS GS 350. CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, HE WAS PULLING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY, WHEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, BUT COULD ONLY STOP THE VEHICLE BY PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS ADEQUATE SPACE AND TIME TO TAKE ACTION AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND EVENT TOOK PLACE NEARLY A YEAR LATER, AS THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. I'M QUOTING AN EXCERPT FROM ANOTHER REPORT THAT I FOUND DOCUMENTED ON YOUR WEBSITE WHICH IS ALMOST THE EXACT SAME HISTORY AS MINE. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE LAST AND MOST RECENT EPISODE RESULTED IN A MINOR CRASH. I WAS GOING TO WORK IN PHILA ON A TUES MORNING AT ABOUT 6:45 WHEN I SAW THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT AND PROCEEDED TO BRAKE, ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR LURCH FORWARD WHEN I HAD MY FOOT FULLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE AND THE SPEED HAD ALREADY DECLINED TO ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR. MY FRONT BUMPER MADE CONTACT WITH THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT AND AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, AGAIN SURGED FORWARD TO HIT THE CAR A SECOND TIME. BOTH DRIVERS GOT OUT TO EXAMINE IF THERE WAS ANY DAMAGE AND FINDING NONE EXCEPT FOR A POSSIBLE MINOR SCRATCH TO THE REAR BUMPER OF THE CAR I HIT, WE DECIDED NOT TO FILE A POLICE REPORT. THE WEATHER THAT MORNING WAS BITTERLY COLD BUT THE RECENT SNOW FALL IN PHILA HAD BEEN CLEARED AND THE ROAD WAS DRY. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO LEXUS AND AN INCIDENT REPORT WAS FILED WITH TOYOTA WHO SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO RECOVER THE EDR WHICH I HAVE ON A THUMB DRIVE AND IS BEING ANALYZED BY TOYOTA. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT ASSURED ME THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. I'M REQUESTING AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE DATA. *TR
LEXUS GS350: EXPERIENCING ONGOING ENGINE KNOCKING NOISES DURING STARTUP, IDLE, AND STOP LIGHT SITUATIONS. DEALER SERVICE ASSURED THAT IT WAS NORMAL OPERATION, HOWEVER THE NOISES DID NOT COME UNTIL ABOUT 9500 MILES. IT DOES NOT SOUND NORMAL.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS GS350 EQUIPPED WITH DUNLOP SPORT P225/50/R17 TIRES. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRES DISPLAYED BLISTERS ON THE SIDEWALLS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 6,224. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBERS WERE UNAVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS GS 350. WHEN ACCELERATING, THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ABNORMAL ODOR ENTERING THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V432000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AT THE END OF AUGUST 2018, BUT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COLISEUM LEXUS OF OAKLAND (LOCATED AT 7273 OAKPORT ST, OAKLAND, CA 94621, (510) 858-2658), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
2009 LEXUS GS 350. CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, HE WAS PULLING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY, WHEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, BUT COULD ONLY STOP THE VEHICLE BY PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS ADEQUATE SPACE AND TIME TO TAKE ACTION AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND EVENT TOOK PLACE NEARLY A YEAR LATER, AS THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. I'M QUOTING AN EXCERPT FROM ANOTHER REPORT THAT I FOUND DOCUMENTED ON YOUR WEBSITE WHICH IS ALMOST THE EXACT SAME HISTORY AS MINE. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE LAST AND MOST RECENT EPISODE RESULTED IN A MINOR CRASH. I WAS GOING TO WORK IN PHILA ON A TUES MORNING AT ABOUT 6:45 WHEN I SAW THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT AND PROCEEDED TO BRAKE, ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR LURCH FORWARD WHEN I HAD MY FOOT FULLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE AND THE SPEED HAD ALREADY DECLINED TO ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR. MY FRONT BUMPER MADE CONTACT WITH THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT AND AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, AGAIN SURGED FORWARD TO HIT THE CAR A SECOND TIME. BOTH DRIVERS GOT OUT TO EXAMINE IF THERE WAS ANY DAMAGE AND FINDING NONE EXCEPT FOR A POSSIBLE MINOR SCRATCH TO THE REAR BUMPER OF THE CAR I HIT, WE DECIDED NOT TO FILE A POLICE REPORT. THE WEATHER THAT MORNING WAS BITTERLY COLD BUT THE RECENT SNOW FALL IN PHILA HAD BEEN CLEARED AND THE ROAD WAS DRY. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO LEXUS AND AN INCIDENT REPORT WAS FILED WITH TOYOTA WHO SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO RECOVER THE EDR WHICH I HAVE ON A THUMB DRIVE AND IS BEING ANALYZED BY TOYOTA. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT ASSURED ME THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. I'M REQUESTING AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE DATA. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS GS350. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SHINING TOO LOW TO THE GROUND. THE FARTHEST THEY SHINE IS 15 FEET IN FRONT HIM WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED AS FAR AS THEY CAN WITHIN THE NHTSA SPECIFICATIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200. UPDATED 02/1710 *BF UPDATED 02/19/10.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .