2006 Lexus GS300 Problems & Complaints

Avoid6.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the GS300 at the same age

Owners have filed 124 complaints about the 2006 Lexus GS300 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 6.5× as many as a typical GS300 model year at the same age, which makes the 2006 one of the GS300 years to avoid. The most reported problem area is the lights (35 complaints, typically around 77,000 miles). 2 recalls cover this model year.

124complaints
2recalls
9crashes
1fires
6injuries
0deaths

Most common 2006 Lexus GS300 problems

  • Lights~77,000 miles
    3528%
  • Engine & cooling~112,000 miles
    2218%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~122,000 miles
    1310%
  • Electrical system~90,000 miles
    1210%
  • Speed control & acceleration~30,000 miles
    1210%
  • Brakes~57,000 miles
    119%
  • Steering~100,000 miles
    108%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~125,000 miles
    97%
  • Other / not specified~84,000 miles
    76%
  • Body & structure~16,000 miles
    76%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~92,000 miles
    76%
  • Wheels & tires~30,000 miles
    54%
  • Stability & traction control~100,000 miles
    43%
  • Locks & latches~100,000 miles
    32%
  • Suspension~75,000 miles
    32%
  • Seat belts~3,000 miles
    22%
  • Air bags~160,000 miles
    22%

Share of the 124 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Lexus GS300 complaints by model year

199519981999200020012002200320042006201996038351713126124
Owner complaints per model year, Lexus GS300. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best GS300 years: 2019, 2004. Years to avoid: 2006, 1998, 2000. Compare all years →

2006 Lexus GS300 recalls (2)

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

NHTSA recall 14V-647 · Oct 15, 2014 · 422,509 vehicles

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.

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.

Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal

NHTSA recall 11V-115 · Feb 24, 2011 · 19,647 vehicles

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 and 2007 Lexus gs300 and gs350 all wheel drive (AWD) vehicles. There is a possibility that the plastic pad embedded into the floor carpet May interfere with the operation of the accelerator pedal.

Remedy: Dealers will modify the plastic pad on the floor carpet free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule. Owners May contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2006 Lexus GS300:

Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration

NHTSA investigation RQ10003 · opened Feb 16, 2010 · closed Mar 1, 2011 · led to recall 11V-112

On February 16, 2010, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened RQ10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior Toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, Toyota recalls 07E-082, 09V-388, 10V-017, and 10V-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles.I.

What 2006 Lexus GS300 owners say

Lights all 35 →

For model year 2006 and 2007 in the USA there is no side indicators to let other drivers know your gonna make a turn. In Japan there was/is fender indicators not sure if they function as signal indicators however were removed or not included in the USA release. I was almost blind sided on the freeway a few days ago cause the driver to my right didn't/couldn't see my signal indicators. Other drivers have to be directly behind or directly in front to see the turn indicators. For model year 2008 to 2011 identical body and style only with the addition of turn signal lights on the rear view mirrors that have a full 180 degree visibility.

117,000 miles · Jun 2017

When I was driving at night, all of a sudden driver side headlight (low beam) turned off and I was driving with one light all alone. I tried switching on and off but still didn't resolved. Next day morning both lights were glowing but the driver side light went off after 10-15 min. Then I turned off and on, it came back. Not sure whether its a faulty light bulb or something else.

102,000 miles · Oct 2016

Engine & cooling all 22 →

Faulty ECU computer resulting in hard jerk when shifting between first and second gear. The engine repair unit goes bad after 100,000 miles. Multiple vehicles reported the issue after experiencing fuel induction problems and oil loss related to bad .gaskets. Car started jerking on the highway cause a rear end bumper collision while intraffic.

138,000 miles · Feb 2017 · crash

I purchased my vehicle (used) in 2014. I have experienced a rebuilt transmission ($4200), new alternator and now I'm currently experience oil consumption. My car is burning oil at-at-a rapid pace. I have replaced my oil two times in two months. My mechanic has informed me that it's the engine (manufacturer issue) and it is due to carbon build up due to a standard for this make, model and year. It's burning alot of oil that is causing the build up in the engine. It was advised that I should replace the engine (who can afford that) or have it rebuilt. If this a manufacturer defect it is not the responsibility of the owner. This is my only vehicle and I'm a mother of two young children. It's very unsafe for me to drive and is jerking; while I drive. I just topped off my oil again this weekend; due to the oil light coming on. I only have 146,461 miles on the vehicle. …

0 miles · Mar 2019

Transmission & drivetrain

Faulty ECU computer resulting in hard jerk when shifting between first and second gear. The engine repair unit goes bad after 100,000 miles. Multiple vehicles reported the issue after experiencing fuel induction problems and oil loss related to bad .gaskets. Car started jerking on the highway cause a rear end bumper collision while intraffic.

138,000 miles · Feb 2017 · crash

I have a problem with my 2006 GS300 that I purchased new, I'm the original owner and have my car regularly serviced. Back in 2013 I had my transmission replaced by Lexus of westminster at about 80,000 miles, I was shocked when recently while driving my car starts to pull whenever I start braking whether I'm going slow or fast, I get an extra thump. I took my car to the Lexus of cerritos who stated I need my transmission replaced again. My car only has 169,000 miles on it. So that would make this the 3rd transmission. I feel like I have a lemon car. I have replaced the headlights excessively, I have replaced ECU sensors and even tire pressure sensors as well as starter. I don't believe I should have to replace my transmission so often, I am not a hard driver and the last transmission was replaced less than 60,000 miles ago. …

160,000 miles · Mar 2018

2006 Lexus GS300 engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
3.0L 6-cyl6-speed automaticRWD19 / 27 / 22
3.0L 6-cyl6-speed automatic4WD/AWD19 / 25 / 21
4.3L 8-cyl6-speed automaticRWD16 / 23 / 19

EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 Lexus GS300 a good car?

Based on 124 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 GS300 rates avoid: 6.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the GS300 at the same age. It is one of the GS300 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2006 Lexus GS300?

The lights — 35 complaints, 28% of all complaints for this model year, most often about headlights. Next are the engine & cooling (22) and transmission & drivetrain (13).

How many recalls does the 2006 Lexus GS300 have?

There are 2 recalls for the 2006 Lexus GS300, the most recent from October 15, 2014 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Lexus GS300?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2019 and 2004. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006, 1998 and 2000. See the full Lexus GS300 years comparison.

At what mileage do 2006 Lexus GS300 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 76,000 miles; 35% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.