RoadVitals

2000 Lexus GS300

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
35
Latest May 8, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
5
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 35 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2000 Lexus GS300, most frequently naming the driver assistance, suspension and brakes categories. 49 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Suspension716.7%
  • Brakes716.7%
  • Electrical49.5%
  • Engine49.5%
  • Airbags37.1%
  • Other / unspecified24.8%
  • Tires & wheels12.4%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed May 8, 2019
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS GS300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY A PASSERSBY WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ID
11206321
Incident
May 8, 2019
Mileage
135,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Sep 21, 2016

WHILE DRIVING, RAN OVER A POT HOLE FILLED WITH WATER AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON WHICH ULTIMATELY AFFECTED THE BRAKING SYSTEM. TOOK TO TOYOTA AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED THE SYSTEM REPLACED WHICH WOULD COST OVER 3500 DOLLARS. AT THIS TIME, WE ARE STILL WORKING ON THIS MATTER!!!!! IT HAPPENED NOV. 2015

NHTSA ID
10908434
Incident
Nov 20, 2015
Mileage
136,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 16, 2016

RECALL.

NHTSA ID
10859848
Incident
Apr 15, 2016
Suspension
Filed Jan 12, 2015

THE LOWER BALL JOINT IS MAKING SQUEAKING NOISES. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FACED BY OWNERS OF LEXUS GS300 MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 1998-2002. THERE MIGHT BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT OR IMPROPER LUBRICATION CAUSING THE BALL JOINT TO BREAK. THERE ARE SEVERAL LIFE THREATENING INCIDENTS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE SO FAR: HTTP://WWW.CHRISANDNAT.COM/PROJECTS/LEXUSBALLJOINT/BALLJOINT.HTM HTTP://WWW.CLUBLEXUS.COM/FORUMS/SUSPENSION-AND-BRAKES/340101-LOWER-BALL-JOINT-FAILED-TODAY-WITH-PICS-9.HTML HTTP://WWW.CLUBLEXUS.COM/FORUMS/SUSPENSION-AND-BRAKES/340101-LOWER-BALL-JOINT-FAILED-TODAY-WITH-PICS-8.HTML HTTP://WWW.CLUBLEXUS.COM/FORUMS/SUSPENSION-AND-BRAKES/340101-LOWER-BALL-JOINT-FAILED-TODAY-WITH-PICS-7.HTML HTTP://WWW.CLUBLEXUS.COM/FORUMS/SUSPENSION-AND-BRAKES/340101-LOWER-BALL-JOINT-FAILED-TODAY-WITH-PICS.HTML I REQUEST NHTSA LOOK INTO THIS AND REQUEST LEXUS TO REPLACE ALL BALL JOINTS FOR ALL LEXUS GS 300 THAT HAVE SIMILAR ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10671736
Incident
Jan 12, 2015
Mileage
122,888 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 17, 2014
Fire reported

WHILE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE IT WAS TRYING TO START UP ON IT'S OWN WITH NO KEYS. THE DASH LIGHTS WERE BLINKING AND THE CAR WAS MAKING A LOUD CRANKING, BANGING NOISE AND WE COULD SMELL THE SMOKE. AFTER LIFTING UP THE HOOD WE COULD SEE THE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND IT WAS STILL TRYING TO CRANK UP. SMOKE BEGIN TO FILL THE GARAGE AND IT WAS GETTING WORSE. WE WERE FINALLY ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH THE EXTINGUISHER AND WERE ABLE TO REMOVE THE BATTERY TO GET THE CAR TO STOP TRYING TO START UP. WHAT WOULD CAUSE SUCH A DANGEROUS THING TO HAPPEN. CAR IS STILL IN THE GARAGE AT THIS TIME NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH IT BECAUSE I AM NOT SURE OF THE ENGINE DAMAGE THE FIRE CAUSED. IS THIS SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION? *TR

NHTSA ID
10611153
Incident
Jul 15, 2014
Mileage
178,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Dec 15, 2013

REGARDING MY 2000 GS 300 LEXUS. BRAKE, ABS, VSC, VSC OFF LIGHTS ALONG WITH LOUD ALARM DISPLAYED. ALSO HAS HAD AN ANNOYING ON AND OFF CHIRPING NOISE BEFORE THIS ALARM SOUNDED. THE BREAKS APPEAR TO BE WORKING WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. THE CHIRPING NOISE IS HEARD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER WHETHER CAR IS MOVING OR DRIVING AND SOMETIMES IS NOT HEARD AT ALL AND THE CAR DRIVES FINE WITHOUT ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. BUT WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON IT WAS ACCOMPANIED WITH A SHRILL ALARM THAT SOUNDED FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND WENT OFF. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT WAS THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE PUMP AND WOULD COST $3700 TO FIX. THIS IS A LOT OF MONEY AND I AM AFRAID THE BRAKES WILL GO OUT AND AFRAID TO DRIVE IT SINCE MY BRAKES MAY SUDDENLY GO OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10556126
Incident
Nov 15, 2013
Mileage
114,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 7, 2012

BOUGHT A 2000 CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED IN 2005 FROM LEXUS DEALER. IN 2007 ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, A DRIVER WAS DRIVING VERY SLOW AND STARTED TO PULL OVER. I QUICKLY WENT AROUND HER TO PASS, AT ABOUT 35 MPH, BUT AFTER RELEASING THE GAS PEDAL, CAR SPED UP INSTEAD. TRIED TO SLOW DOWN WITH THE BRAKES, BUT IT SPED UP MORE. THEN SLAMMED THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH BOTH FEET AND PUT IT ON PARK TO AVOID HITTING STOPPED CARS AHEAD. IT STOPPED IN "PARK" BUT WAS STILL REVVING HIGH. I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS STILL REVVING OVER 6 RPM! I BENT UNDER THE DASH AND TRIED TO LOOSEN THE GAS PEDAL WITH MY HAND THINKING IT WAS STUCK BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP REVVING SO I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. BEFORE TURNING ENGINE ON AGAIN, I MADE SURE NO CARS WERE AHEAD OF ME AND PREPARED TO PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL/PARK IMMEDIATELY THIS TIME. DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. TOOK IT TO LEXUS (SEE INVOICE). THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE PROBLEM; CLAIMED PEDAL GOT STUCK IN RUBBER FLOOR MAT. I TOLD THEM I PULLED GAS PEDAL WITH MY HAND WHILE THE CAR WAS IN PARK AND REVVING ON ITS OWN, AND PEDAL WAS NOT STUCK MAT. IN 2009 (NOW WITH 117K MILES) ON 60 MPH HIGHWAY WHEN MY DAUGHTER DROVE IT AND FLOORED THE PEDAL TO PASS SOMEONE. AFTER RELEASING PEDAL, IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN TO 95 MPH. FORTUNATELY HER LANE WAS EMPTY AS SHE TRIED TO SLOW DOWN WITH THE BRAKES, BUT THIS DIDN'T WORK. THEN SHE STOMPED ON GAS PEDAL TO DISENGAGE IT. AFTER A MINUTE THE ACCELERATION STOPPED. I CALLED DEALER TO REPORT THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THE GS300 WAS NOT NOTED FOR THIS AND DIDN'T HAVE RECALL. I STILL HAVE CAR BUT NOW NEVER FLOOR THE PEDAL AND I'M ON GUARD TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. I CANNOT GET RID OF IT BECAUSE I CAN'T SELL IT KNOWING THIS PROBLEM, AND I CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10478899
Incident
Apr 24, 2007
Mileage
86,650 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 20, 2012

I WAS TURNING ONTO THE FREEWAY (UPHILL ONRAMP) I STEPPED ON THE GAS GOING ABOUT 20 MILES AN HR WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR WOULDN'T STOP. ACCELERATED SO QUICKLY. AT FIRST I THOUGHT MY FOOT WAS TOUCHING THE GAS ACCIDENTLY SO I MOVED AND APPLIED THE BRAKE WHICH WAS NO HELP, AFTER I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE IT ACCELERATED FASTER I WAS TERRIFIED. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES WITH BOTH MY FEET AND THE CAR SLOWED ENOUGH THAT I WAS ABLE TO TURN IT OFF. EVEN WHILE I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE CAR WAS STILL TRYING TO PULL FORWARD AS I TURNED IT OFF THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THIS WAS THE WORST EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD AFRAID TO DRIVE IT I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION TO HAVE IT CHECKED. I'M HOPING THAT THEY WILL FIND THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I DON'T WANT THIS TO EVER HAPPEN AGAIN. THANKFULLY IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT AND THE FREEWAY WASN'T THAT CROWDED. I HAVE A 2000 LEXUS GS300. *JS

NHTSA ID
10462361
Incident
Jun 19, 2012

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

Safety Recall 22

EQUIPMENT

Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022

Lexus PRO19-02 -

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; TIRES; WHEELS

POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Lexus. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. Customers can find this information on the Owner?s section of Lexus.com. Dealers can locate a copy of this guide on the Claims Processing & Resource Center in Dealer Daily as well.

L-SB-0002-20 Rev

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT

TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. Cases that are determined to be a ?leak? should be repaired accordingly and will be covered under warranty if applicable. Cases that are determined to be a ?seep? should be documented on the repair order and inspected at the next service interval. Follow the Repair Information in this bulletin to determine if the concern in question is a fluid leak or fluid seep and review the Repair Procedure section to address this condition.

L-SB-0002-20 Rev

ENGINE; POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:LUBRICANT

TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. Cases that are determined to be a ?leak? should be repaired accordingly and will be covered under warranty if applicable. Cases that are determined to be a ?seep? should be documented on the repair order and inspected at the next service interval. Follow the Repair Information in this bulletin to determine if the concern in question is a fluid leak or fluid seep and review the Repair Procedure section to address this condition.

Lexus Safety Re

EQUIPMENT

Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements

L-SB-0008-20

EQUIPMENT

TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-97, PG003-93, PG002-90, L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-97, PG003 93, and PG002-90. The aforementioned bulletins are obsolete, and any printed versions should be discarded. Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1990 ? 2020 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Lexus GS300 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020000
2019020
2018010
2017000
2016000
2015000
2014100
2013100
2009000
2008000
2007011
20061242150.3
2005200
2004600
2003120037.7
2002130033.1
2001170036.7
2000Viewing350039.2
1999380042.4
1998601044.9
1997010
1996210
1995910
1994610
1993710

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.