Lexus GS: common faults & what to check

Which Lexus GS are you looking at?

7 generation variants documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

Petrol

4 variants documented

2005–2013S1902005–2013S1903.0 V6 petrolPetrolDocumented issues6 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Dinkun Chen via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

2005–2013S1902005–2013S1904.6 V8 petrolPetrolDocumented issues5 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Dinkun Chen via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

2012–2021L102012–2021L102.0 turbo petrolPetrolDocumented issues2 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Motohide Miwa from USA via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.

2012–2021L102012–2021L103.5 V6 petrolPetrolDocumented issues3 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Motohide Miwa from USA via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.

Hybrid

2 variants documented

2005–2013S1902005–2013S1903.5 hybridHybridDocumented issues7 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Dinkun Chen via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

2012–2021L102012–2021L103.5 hybridHybridDocumented issues4 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Motohide Miwa from USA via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.

Engine not documented

1 variant documented

1997–2006S1601997–2006S160Engine not documented for this generationEngine not documentedDocumented issues3 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: IFCAR via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Start your free check on this Lexus GS

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

The checks worth doing on a Lexus GS before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

• Serious issue

  With the car running, listen near the inverter (under the bonnet, near the firewall) for the quiet hum of the electric coolant pump.

  See why

  GS450h HV Inverter Electric Coolant Pump Failure

  The GS450h uses an electric coolant pump to circulate coolant through the high-voltage inverter and MG drive units, separate from the engine cooling circuit. This pump is driven by a small electric motor that fails silently — there is typically no warning light until the inverter overheats. Overheating of the inverter causes the hybrid system to enter limp mode or shut down, and sustained overheating can damage the inverter unit itself, which is extremely expensive. Pump failure rate increases after 10 years of age.

  What you would notice

  • Hybrid system warning or 'Check Hybrid System' message on dash
  • Loss of power or entry to electric-only limp mode on steep hills
  • Inverter temperature reading elevated on a scan tool
  • Pump not audible (should be faintly audible on startup near the inverter)
  • Coolant level dropping in the HV cooling reservoir

  Typically $700–$1,900 to put right.

• Serious issue

  Demand documented belt replacement history.

  See why

  1UZ-FE Timing Belt Critical Failure (GS400/GS430)

  The GS400 and GS430 use Toyota's 1UZ-FE and 3UZ-FE V8 engines, both belt-driven interference designs. The service interval is 100,000 km but many JDM-import GS models arrive in NZ with no documented belt history. Belt failure is catastrophic — all eight pistons contact valves simultaneously, requiring a complete cylinder head rebuild on both banks. The 1UZ/3UZ have two banks with separate belt paths and two tensioners, making correct service more involved and more expensive than an inline engine.

  What you would notice

  • No warning — engine stops immediately if belt snaps at speed
  • Ticking or rattling from timing area if tensioner is failing
  • Oil leak from front cam seals can indicate belt contamination
  • Engine cranks but will not start (valves held open after belt jump)

  Typically $900–$1,700 to put right.

• Serious issue

  Measure the rear ride height with a tape measure from the centre of the wheel to the wheel arch — it should be level with the front.

  See why

  GS450h rear self-levelling air suspension strut failure

  GS450h models fitted with the rear adaptive air suspension system suffer from air spring bladder failure, air line leakage, and compressor wear. Once air pressure is lost the rear of the vehicle sags and the compressor runs continuously in an attempt to recover pressure until it burns out. Height sensor linkage corrosion further corrupts ride-height data. NZ and AU independent workshop forums document this as expensive to repair, with many owners opting for a coilover conversion to eliminate the ongoing cost.

  What you would notice

  • Rear of the vehicle visibly sitting lower than the front, especially after being parked overnight
  • Suspension warning light on the instrument cluster
  • Audible compressor running from beneath the rear seat or boot area at unusual times
  • Harsh or bouncy ride quality from the rear axle

  Typically $2,500–$7,000 to put right.

• Serious issue

  Ask the seller for the recall completion record or a dealer service invoice showing the recall work.

  See why

  L10 GS low-pressure fuel pump can fail, stall with no restart (2020 recall, GS 350, 250, 200t, 300h, 450h)

  L10 generation GS models built from September 2013 to April 2019, including the GS 350 3.5 V6, were recalled in 2020 (campaigns VGG17 and VGG05, PRA 2020/18243) because the low-pressure fuel pump in the tank can stop working. The engine may run roughly, show warning lights, or stall while driving and not restart. Lexus replaces the pump free under the recall. Recall lists cover cars sold new in Australia, so for an NZ-new or imported car ask a franchise dealer to check the VIN.

  What you would notice

  • Engine stumbles or runs roughly
  • Check engine or other warning lights
  • Engine stalls while driving and will not restart

  Typically $0–$1,800 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Park the car overnight and check ride height at the rear corners in the morning.

  See why

  Air Suspension Compressor Motor Failure (S190 GS)

  The S190 GS300, GS430, and GS460 use a Wabco-supplied air suspension compressor as standard equipment. The compressor motor's carbon brushes and internal reed valves wear out with age, causing loss of pumping capacity. The car sags at the rear or sits unevenly. On cold mornings the compressor may run for several minutes to achieve correct height, eventually failing to reach target pressure at all. This is one of the most commonly reported faults on S190 GS models worldwide and is considered near-certain at 15+ years of age.

  What you would notice

  • Car sitting low at the rear, especially after being parked overnight
  • Compressor running continuously for more than 2–3 minutes after startup
  • Soft or wallowing ride quality — suspension not returning to correct height
  • Suspension fault warning on the multi-information display
  • Compressor making a laboured, struggling motor noise

  Typically $1,600–$3,500 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Check ride height at all four corners visually — the car should sit level and at correct height.

  See why

  Air Suspension Compressor Pump Failure (S160 GS)

  The S160 GS300 and GS400 equipped with electronically controlled air suspension use an air compressor to maintain ride height. The compressor motor and its internal reed valves wear out with age and use, causing the car to sag at one or more corners or to sit permanently low. The compressor may be heard running continuously as it attempts to compensate for pressure loss. Replacement compressors are expensive new; quality rebuilt units are available but fitment is labour-intensive.

  What you would notice

  • Car sitting noticeably lower at one corner or the entire rear
  • Compressor running for extended periods or continuously after starting
  • Handling that feels soft, vague, or bouncy compared to factory spec
  • Height sensor fault codes or suspension warning light on dash

  Typically $1,200–$2,800 to put right.

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Lexus GS’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

• Cambelt Replacement Cost

Other Lexus models