VehicleVerdict

1998 Lexus GS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 7 complaints on file for the 1998 Lexus GS — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

7

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other GS years?

GS NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted60 complaints1995: 3 complaints1996: 2 complaints1998: 7 complaints1999: 9 complaints2000: 0 complaints2001: 5 complaints2002: 1 complaints2003: 6 complaints2004: 2 complaints2005: 2 complaints2006: 60 complaints2007: 30 complaints2008: 16 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 13 complaints2011: 3 complaints2012: 1 complaints2013: 25 complaints2014: 3 complaints2015: 7 complaints2016: 5 complaints2017: 3 complaints2018: 2 complaints2019: 1 complaints2020: 0 complaints
GS NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all GS years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Lexus GS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes343%
Suspension229%
Speed Control114%
Transmission114%

Does the 1998 Lexus GS have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES ILLUMINATED, AND AUDIBLE CHIMES SOUNDED. BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED. NO BRAKES, NO ADVANCE WARNING. THIS OCCURRED ON LOCKWOOD ROAD, ELGIN TX ON OCTOBER 4, 2019 AROUND 8 PM. LEXUS PUT OUT A SAFETY RECALL ON THEIR 2019/2020 VEHICLES WITH THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 4, 2019

“ANOTHER LEXUS GS-300 OWNER FILED THIS REPORT ON MARCH 6, 2007: "WE OWN A 1998 LEXUS, MODEL GS 300. THIS SATURDAY MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE LEXUS AND THE ENTIRE WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAME OFF THE VEHICLE DUE THE FAILURE OF THE LOWER BALL JOINT. IN REVIEWING RECALL INFORMATION FOR LEXUS\TOYOTA, IT IS VERY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · December 23, 2007

“ On July 29th at approximately 8:30pm, I got into my car after exiting the Meijer store and noticed the car making strange noises and was hard to get in gear. I park so I don’t have to back up, so I put the car in drive and it went fast in reverse, when it went forward, it went crazy and I ran…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 29, 2022

“ On July 29th at approximately 8:30pm, I got into my car after exiting the Meijer store and noticed the car making strange noises and was hard to get in gear. I park so I don’t have to back up, so I put the car in drive and it went fast in reverse, when it went forward, it went crazy and I ran…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 29, 2022

1998 Lexus GS — common questions

Is the 1998 Lexus GS reliable?

The record is thin — 7 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 1998 Lexus GS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1998 Lexus GS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Lexus GS years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the GS years to avoid are 2006, 2007. The cleanest record among GS years belongs to 2020.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.