Lexus GS — the 8 years we've written up
2010–2018, side by side: what goes wrong on each, what the fix costs, and what they typically ask. 7 of the 8 carry a high-severity issue.
What this page is
These are the 8 Lexus GS model years Kestrel has done the homework on — not every year Lexus built one. A year that isn't listed here isn't a year we're warning you off; it's one we haven't written up yet. Ranking a whole model run would mean telling you about years we've never looked at.
Lexus GS by year
How many owner complaints NHTSA holds. A big number usually means a lot were sold; the shape matters more than the total.
Year by year
Looking for a particular engine or trim?
Dated infotainment / mouse controller — $0-$400
Low-pressure fuel pump can fail and stall the engine (recall 26V222000) — $0 with the recall — verify it was performed
Low-pressure fuel pump can fail and stall the engine (recall 26V222000) — $0 with the recall — verify it was performed
Electric steering stiffens and locks on-center after 30 minutes at speed — $1,800–$3,400 for a steering rack, parts and alignment
Steering sticks or binds on-center at highway speed, and jolts free — $1,800–$3,400 for a steering rack, parts and alignment
Electric steering goes notchy or locks straight-ahead above about 60 mph — $1,800–$3,400 for a steering rack, parts and alignment
Brake warning message with ABS and traction lights, and braking that goes weak — $1,500–$3,500 for a brake actuator or booster assembly fitted; $250–$600 if it is only a sensor or switch
Takata airbag inflator — owners spent years waiting for the replacement part — $0 with the recall — verify it was performed
1 of these 8 have no high-severity issue in our write-up. That means we didn't find an expensive recurring fault — not that one cannot exist on the specific vehicle you're looking at.
Looking at one in particular?
This page covers the Lexus GS in general. The Kestrel report covers the one you're looking at — the asking price against the market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.
Get My Verdict — $7.99Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for that year.
Known issues are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.
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