RoadVitals

2003 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.
12
Latest Jul 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.
3
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Lexus GS300, most frequently naming the driver assistance, tires & wheels and brakes categories. 52 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

  • Driver assistance425.0%
  • Tires & wheels318.8%
  • Brakes212.5%
  • Powertrain (other)212.5%
  • Interior & seats16.3%
  • Electrical16.3%
  • Body & structure16.3%
  • Airbags16.3%

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

BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 8, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS GS300. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE ENGINE MADE AN UNUSUAL REVVING NOISE. IN ADDITION, THREE UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND DID NOT TURN OFF. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL STIFFENED, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO MAKE A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 214,000.

NHTSA ID
11230207
Incident
Jul 8, 2019
Mileage
214,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 2, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS GS300. WHILE THE HOOD WAS OPEN, IT SUDDENLY FELL DOWN ON ITS OWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID
10807984
Incident
Nov 25, 2015
Mileage
80,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 3, 2014

LETTER FROM SENATOR NELSON ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2003 GS300 LEXUS AIRBAG. *SMD THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF THE AIR BAGS WERE SAFE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10661735
Incident
Dec 1, 2014
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jul 17, 2013
Crash reportedFire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS GS300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT AS A MECHANIC TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL WIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA ID
10525475
Incident
Mar 9, 2011
Mileage
89,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Apr 28, 2010

DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURE MAKING THE DOOR NOT LOCK AND/OR NOT OPEN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10327967
Incident
Feb 15, 2010
Mileage
58,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 25, 2010
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS GS300. WHILE DRIVING HIS VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CRASHED INTO A PARKING SIGN AND A FIRE HYDRANT. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A TREE. HE SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO HIS RIGHT SHOULDER AND KNEE. THE BOYNTON BEACH SHERIFF REPORT 09802709 WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,000. UPDATED 3/30/10 *CN UPDATED 05/10/10*JB

NHTSA ID
10314246
Incident
Jul 29, 2009
Mileage
28,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Feb 4, 2010

WHILE STOPPING THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES THE BRAKE DISTANCE IS EXTENDED AS THE CAR IS SLOW TO STOP. ON A REGULAR BASES THE VEHICLE BRAKE PEDAL STICKS TO THE FLOOR WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT, I THEN HAVE TO PULL THE PEDAL UP WITH MY LEFT FOOT TO BEGIN ACCELERATION. WHEN APPROACHING SLOWER TRAFFIC AS THE TRAFFIC RESUMES AT REGULAR SPEEDS THE BRAKE PEDAL STICKS AND CONTINUES STOPPING THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10305865
Incident
Apr 1, 2009
Mileage
80,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Mar 19, 2009

DOT PJ8N GRAND SPIRIT TOURING HR 225X55X16 TIRES [4] FAILED ON THE INSIDE WALL TWO INCHES FROM THE RIM. LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. PROBLEM FROM INJECTION MOLDING OF TIRE AT FACTORY. HAVE PICTURES TO SHOW IF NEEDED. NO RECALL YET! TWO THOUSAND MILES ON TIRES. BRAND NEW CONDITION. INSIDE WALLS CRUMBLED, AND LOST AIR PRESSER. NO WARRANTY IMPLIED. HAD TO BUY 4 NEW TIRES. VERY UPSET! *TR

NHTSA ID
10262490
Incident
Feb 15, 2009
Mileage
70,000 mi

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.

L-SB-0174-08 Obs

STEERING

TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE June 23, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0023-20.

L-SB-0023-20

WHEELS

TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. ST004-01, SU001-08, and L-SB-0174-08. The aforementioned bulletins are obsolete, and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this service bulletin before proceeding. This Service Bulletin provides best practice procedures for vehicle pulling complaint, diagnosis, and repair for 2002 ? 2021 model year Lexus vehicles. This information supplements Repair Manual procedures when the symptoms are: ?Vehicle Pulling: The vehicle moves to the right or left when the driver holds the steering wheel while driving straight ahead without exerting steering effort. ?Steering Wheel Off Center: The vehicle travels straight, but the steering wheel is not pointed straight ahead. The vehicle is not pulling. Before repairing a vehicle pulling to one side, it is necessary to clearly identify the cause of the pulling condition. Frequently, pulling to one side is diagnosed as a wheel alignment concern. However, the actual cause may be related to the lateral force generated by the tires, vehicle damage, road crown or worn components. Performing a wheel alignment when tire force is the cause could result in the wheel alignment being set at a value outside of specifications. This could then cause other problems such as uneven tire wear, etc. A customer may notice a pull to the left when in the left lanes of travel and notice a pull to the right or no pull when traveling in the right lanes of travel on the very same section of roadway. This road crown effect is environmental and cannot be corrected with suspension adjustments or any other wheel or tire modification discussed in this 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
2003Viewing120037.7
2002130033.1
2001170036.7
2000350039.2
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.