What are the most common problems with the 2006 Lexus GS?

Exterior lighting has the most complaints at 41. Engine follows with 32. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe headlights switching off on their own.

How many recalls does the 2006 Lexus GS have?

NHTSA lists 8 recalls. They cover fuel leaks, the accelerator pedal, the brake master cylinder, seat belts and air bags.

What is the gas mileage of a 2006 Lexus GS?

EPA lists 22 combined mpg for the 3.0L rear-wheel drive version, 21 for the 3.0L all-wheel drive and 19 for the 4.3L 8-cyl.

Is 2006 a bad year for the Lexus GS?

It has the most complaints (180) and recalls (8) of any GS year on file. The counts are not adjusted for sales, so they are a signal to inspect a car carefully.

2006 Lexus GS Problems, Recalls and MPG

The 2006 Lexus GS has 180 owner complaints on file with NHTSA^[1] and 8 recalls^[2]. That is more of both than any other GS model year in our data, so it is worth checking a specific car's recall history.

180owner complaints^[1]

8recalls^[2]

19–22MPG combined (EPA)^[3]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Exterior lighting is the biggest complaint group, with 41 complaints and a median mileage at failure of 77,500^[4]. Engine follows with 32 complaints^[5], then the electrical system with 19^[6], brakes with 17^[7], power train with 16^[8], speed control with 16^[9], steering with 14^[10] and unknown or other with 13^[11]. One complaint can name several groups, so these do not add up to the total.

These are unverified owner reports. We read a small sample from each group.

Headlights. In a sample of 12 lighting complaints we read, 10 describe a headlight that switches off on its own while driving, often at night^[4]. Owners say it comes back after they flip the switch, and some say the dealer could not reproduce it. Two texts are about low beams that seem aimed too low. The electrical group shows the same pattern, with 9 of 12 sampled texts about headlights going out^[6].
Engine oil. In a sample of 12 engine complaints, 6 mention oil use or oil leaks^[5]. The engine group has median mileage at failure of 108,325^[5].
Brakes. In a sample of 12 brake complaints, 8 are about the brakes themselves^[7]. They describe noise, pulling to one side, and in a few cases brakes that did not respond or locked up before a crash.

Speed control stands out for severity more than size. Its 16 complaints include 6 crashes and 5 injuries, at a median of 28,000 miles^[9]. Across all groups, 13 complaints mention a crash, 2 a fire, 8 injuries and 1 a death^[1].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 8 recalls for this model year^[2]. Newest first:

Fuel pressure sensor area (14V647). Covers certain 2006-2011 GS cars, among other Lexus models. Leftover plating material can let fuel leak where the fuel pressure sensor meets the fuel pipe. A leak near a spark source raises fire risk. Dealers clean and reseal the area at no charge, and the recall began March 3, 2015^[12].
Accelerator pedal (11V115). Covers certain 2006 and 2007 GS 300 and GS 350 all wheel drive cars, 19,647 units^[13]. A plastic pad in the floor carpet can interfere with the pedal, which may stay partly pressed. That can mean unwanted speed and trouble stopping. Dealers modify the pad at no charge. The record says Toyota had not yet provided an owner notification schedule^[13].
Fuel pressure sensor (11V029). Covers certain 2006 and 2007 GS cars, along with IS models, 244,779 units^[14]. The sensor can loosen over time and let fuel leak, which raises fire risk. Dealers check for a leak and tighten the sensor, or replace the gasket if there is a leak. The recall began March 7, 2011^[14].
Brake master cylinder (10V499). Covers 2006 GS cars, among other models, 728,544 units^[15]. If brake fluid without the right lubricating polymers is used, a seal can dry out and curl. A small amount of fluid can leak, which can change pedal feel and over time weaken braking. Dealers replace the seal with a new design. The recall began November 15, 2010^[15].
Fuel rails (09V020). Covers certain 2006 and 2007 GS cars, among other models, 214,570 units^[16]. Low-moisture ethanol fuel can corrode the inside of the aluminum fuel rails and eventually cause a pinhole leak and fire risk. The check engine light may come on. Dealers inspect and replace the pipes at no charge. The record says the recall was expected to begin in February 2009^[16].
Fuel pipes (07V545). 34,343 units^[17]. Two fuel pipes in the engine bay may have stress points that can crack over time and leak fuel, which raises fire risk. Dealers replace both lines with a new design. The recall began December 15, 2007^[17].
Front seat belts (06V121). 28,947 units^[18]. The front belt retractors can stay locked, so an occupant may not be able to fasten the belt properly, which raises injury risk in a crash. Dealers replace the front belt assemblies. The recall began April 21, 2006^[18].
Air bag inflators (06V096). 133 units^[19]. Some inflators for the side, curtain and knee air bags were built with too little of the heating agent, so a bag may not inflate properly in a crash. Dealers replace the air bag. The recall began April 6, 2006^[19].

Fuel economy

EPA lists three versions, all on premium fuel with an automatic (S6)^[20]^[3]^[21]. EPA's annual fuel cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Version	City / Highway / Combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
3.0L 6-cyl, rear-wheel drive^[3]	19 / 27 / 22	$3,750
3.0L 6-cyl, all-wheel drive^[20]	19 / 25 / 21	$3,900
4.3L 8-cyl, rear-wheel drive^[21]	16 / 23 / 19	$4,350

Engine and size

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so they can differ slightly from US cars. All three versions are listed at 190 inches long, 72 wide, 56 high, with a 112 inch wheelbase^[22]^[23]^[24].

Version	Curb weight
GS 300 sedan, all-wheel drive^[22]	3,759 lb
GS 300 sedan, rear-wheel drive^[23]	3,616 lb
GS 430 sedan, rear-wheel drive^[24]	3,748 lb

How 2006 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each GS model year. The 2006 is highlighted^[2].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	11	1
1996	3	1
1997	0	1
1998	64	1
1999	42	0
2000	36	0
2001	24	0
2002	17	0
2003	21	0
2004	9	0
2005	4	0
2006	180	8
2007	106	7
2008	45	4
2009	10	3
2010	18	3
2011	9	3
2013	48	3
2014	20	1
2015	19	1
2016	10	2
2017	6	3
2018	4	4
2019	1	3

NHTSA has more complaints and more recalls for 2006 than for any other GS model year in our data: 180 complaints and 8 recalls^[2]. The 2007 model year is next with 106 complaints and 7 recalls^[2]. 2008 has 45 complaints and 4 recalls, and 2005 has 4 complaints and no recalls^[2].

These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show where reports and recalls pile up, not how likely a single car is to have trouble.

Should you buy a used 2006 GS?

The record for this year is busy. It has the most complaints and recalls of any GS year^[2], and owners describe headlights that cut out and engine oil problems in the complaint samples we read^[4]^[5]. Several recalls involve fuel leaks and fire risk^[12]^[14]^[16]^[17], so confirm with a Lexus dealer that every recall on a specific car was completed, and note that one record says an owner notification schedule was still pending^[13]. Fuel economy is 19 to 22 combined mpg depending on version^[20]^[3]^[21]. Complaint counts do not show how many cars were sold, so treat them as a prompt for a careful inspection, not a verdict.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Lexus GS?: Exterior lighting has the most complaints at 41^[4]. Engine follows with 32^[5]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe headlights switching off on their own^[4].
How many recalls does the 2006 Lexus GS have?: NHTSA lists 8 recalls^[2]. They cover fuel leaks, the accelerator pedal, the brake master cylinder, seat belts and air bags^[12]^[13]^[14]^[15]^[16]^[17]^[18]^[19].
What is the gas mileage of a 2006 Lexus GS?: EPA lists 22 combined mpg for the 3.0L rear-wheel drive version, 21 for the 3.0L all-wheel drive and 19 for the 4.3L 8-cyl^[3]^[20]^[21].
Is 2006 a bad year for the Lexus GS?: It has the most complaints (180) and recalls (8) of any GS year on file^[2]. The counts are not adjusted for sales, so they are a signal to inspect a car carefully.

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 180 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Lexus GS (13 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 8 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Lexus GS model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for GS 300/GS 430, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
41 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,500). NHTSA vehicle records
32 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 108,325). NHTSA vehicle records
19 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,150). NHTSA vehicle records
17 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,000). NHTSA vehicle records
16 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 122,000). NHTSA vehicle records
16 complaints name the speed control component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 28,000). NHTSA vehicle records
14 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,089). NHTSA vehicle records
13 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 14V647, filed October 15, 2014: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
Recall 11V115, filed February 24, 2011: Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal. NHTSA recall database
Recall 11V029, filed January 26, 2011: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V499, filed October 21, 2010: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder. NHTSA recall database
Recall 09V020, filed January 16, 2009: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
Recall 07V545, filed November 28, 2007: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
Recall 06V121, filed April 13, 2006: Seat Belts › Front. NHTSA recall database
Recall 06V096, filed April 3, 2006: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for GS 300 4WD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for GS 300/GS 430, 4.3L 8-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GS 300 4DR SEDAN AWD: length 190 in, width 72 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,759 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GS 300 4DR SEDAN RWD: length 190 in, width 72 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,616 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GS 430 4DR SEDAN RWD: length 190 in, width 72 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,748 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2006 Lexus GS: problems, recalls and fuel economy