MajorCommonSuspension

Lexus GS: Rear Air Suspension Bladder Leak

Rear Air Suspension Bladder Leak is a common suspension fault on the Lexus GS on the 2005–2012 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $900 to $2,400 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 19 documented faults on the Lexus GS.

Vehicle: Lexus GS
Years: 2005–2012
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: auto
System: Suspension

This page covers the Lexus GS as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Lexus GS faults19 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Air suspension strut yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The S190 GS uses air spring bladders (air bags) at the rear suspension in addition to the compressor-driven system. The rubber bladders crack at the fold points or at the top and bottom crimped seals as they age, allowing air to escape. The car sags at the rear corners overnight and the compressor runs hard to compensate. By the time the bladder has failed completely, the compressor itself is often damaged from overwork. Bladder failure and compressor failure commonly occur together on high-age examples.

What you would notice

Rear of the car sitting noticeably lower after being parked overnight
Car returning to correct height after running but then sagging again when off
Hissing sound audible from rear suspension area
Compressor running continuously trying to maintain rear ride height
Uneven rear ride height — one corner lower than the other

How to check it

Where to look. Rear air spring bladders inside the rear suspension strut assemblies, one per rear corner

Park the car on level ground, note rear ride height, then return in the morning and compare.
Spray soapy water around the air bladder fold points and crimped edges while the system is pressurised — look for bubbling.
Inspect rubber bladder outer surface for cracking or abrasion damage.

Parts involved: Air suspension strut.

What it costs to put right

$900 to $2,400 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Does the rear of the car sit level after being parked overnight?”
“Has the air suspension ever been serviced or any parts replaced?”
“Has the compressor been recently replaced — if so, were the bladders checked?”

Now check the Lexus GS you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Lexus GS buyer questions

Is rear air suspension bladder leak serious on a Lexus GS?

We rate it major and common on the Lexus GS. The S190 GS uses air spring bladders (air bags) at the rear suspension in addition to the compressor-driven system. The rubber bladders crack at the fold points or at the top and bottom crimped seals as they age, allowing air to escape. The car sags at the rear corners overnight and the compressor runs hard to compensate. By the time the bladder has failed completely, the compressor itself is often damaged from overwork. Bladder failure and compressor failure commonly occur together on high-age examples.

How much does it cost to fix on a Lexus GS?

$900 to $2,400 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Lexus GS years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2005–2012 Lexus GS. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Park the car on level ground, note rear ride height, then return in the morning and compare. Spray soapy water around the air bladder fold points and crimped edges while the system is pressurised — look for bubbling. Inspect rubber bladder outer surface for cracking or abrasion damage. Look here: Rear air spring bladders inside the rear suspension strut assemblies, one per rear corner