VehicleVerdict

2006 Lexus GS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 60 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 20.0 times the median GS year — the 2006 model ranks #1 of 25 GS years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 3 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across visibility & wipers (10), engine (9), and electrical system (9), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

60

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

1

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other GS years?

See all GS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Lexus GS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers1017%
Electrical System915%
Engine915%
Fuel System610%
Lighting610%
Other58%
Transmission35%
Airbags23%
Speed Control23%
Steering23%
Suspension23%
Brakes23%
Seat Belts12%
Driver Assistance12%

Does the 2006 Lexus GS have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V029000Fuel SystemJanuary 26, 2011 · 244,779 units

Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 LEXUS IS AND MODEL YEAR 2006-2007 LEXUS GS VEHICLES. DUE TO INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING OF THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR CONNECTED TO AN ENGINE FUEL DELIVERY PIPE WITH NICKEL PHOSPHORUS PLATING, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT, OVER TIME, THE PRESSURE SENSOR COULD LOOSEN. IF LOOSENING OCCURS, FUEL COULD LEAK PAST A GASKET USED IN THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SENSOR AND THE PIPE AND THROUGH THE THREADED PORTION OF THE SENSOR.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE THREADED PORTION OF THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR AND IF A FUEL LEAK IS NOT CONFIRMED, DEALERS WILL FURTHER TIGHTEN THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR WITH THE PROPER TORQUE. IF A FUEL LEAK IS CONFIRMED, THE GASKET BETWEEN THE SENSOR AND THE FUEL DELIVER PIPE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE, AND THE SENSOR WILL BE TIGHTENED WITH THE PROPER TORQUE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

10V499000BrakesOctober 21, 2010 · 728,544 units

Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 LEXUS RX, AND MODEL YEAR 2006 LEXUS GS AND IS VEHICLES. BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING POLYMERS IS USED THAT ACTS AS LUBRICANTS FOR CERTAIN BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF REPLACEMENT BRAKE FLUID IS USED THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN SUCH POLYMERS, OR THAT CONTAINS ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS, A PART OF THE RUBBER SEAL LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY BECOME DRY, AND THE SEAL MAY CURL DURING MOVEMENT OF THE PISTON. IF THIS OCCURS, A SMALL AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID COULD SLOWLY LEAK FROM THE SEAL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Consequence

A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID COULD LEAD TO A CHANGE IN BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND OVERTIME A DEGRADATION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAL WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 AND LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

09V020000EngineJanuary 16, 2009 · 214,570 units

Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING 214,570 MY 2006-2008 LEXUS IS, MY 2006-2007 GS AND MY 2007-2008 LS PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ALUMINUM FUEL DELIVERY PIPES (FUEL RAILS). ETHANOL FUELS WITH A LOW MOISTURE CONTENT WILL CORRODE THE INTERNAL SURFACE OF THE FUEL RAILS. AS THIS CONDITION PROGRESSES, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE.

Consequence

OVER TIME, THE CORROSION MAY CREATE A PINHOLE RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FUEL DELIVERY PIPES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA/LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

07V545000Fuel SystemNovember 28, 2007 · 34,343 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, HIGH STRESS AREAS MAY HAVE BEEN CREATED IN TWO SPECIFIC FUEL PIPES LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. COMBINED WITH OTHER FACTORS SUCH AS THE PRESENCE OF CORROSIVE AGENTS IN FUEL, A CRACK MAY FORM OVER TIME LEADING TO FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE FUEL LINE(S).

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO INVOLVED FUEL LINES WITH NEWLY DESIGNED LINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

06V121000Seat BeltsApril 13, 2006 · 28,947 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, IF THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS (BOTH DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER) BECOME LOCKED, THEY MAY NOT RELEASE DUE TO A COMPONENT OF THE EMERGENCY LOCKING SYSTEM. IF THE SEAT BELT IS LOCKED IN THIS CONDITION, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY FASTEN THE SEAT BELT.

Consequence

AN OCCUPANT NOT PROPERLY WEARING A SEAT BELT MAY HAVE AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY DURING A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

06V096000AirbagsApril 3, 2006 · 133 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.

Consequence

THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPECIFIC SRS AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371, SCION AT 1-866-548-1851, OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

REAR VIEW MIRROR REFLECTION IS DEGRADING AND CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY, THEREFORE AFFECTING SAFETY AND RESALE VALUE OF VEHICLE. LEXUS ISSUED A TSB 0186-09 BUT NO RECALL. IT IS A $2000 REPAIR. WE HAVE OWNED 5 LEXUS VEHICLES, 3 PURCHASED NEW, AND ONLY THE 2006 GS 300, PURCHASED NEW, IS EXHIBITING THIS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · December 31, 2011

Car wouldn’t start. Had it diagnosed and found out my fuel pressure sensor had melted and was leaking fuel had it replaced bug still smell gas in and around car. Car was under recalm for same issue years back and was serviced at the dealership. So I don’t see how im liable for repairs if it was…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 1, 2021

Car wouldn’t start. Had it diagnosed and found out my fuel pressure sensor had melted and was leaking fuel had it replaced bug still smell gas in and around car. Car was under recalm for same issue years back and was serviced at the dealership. So I don’t see how im liable for repairs if it was…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 1, 2021

I HAVE A LEXUS GS300 2006. THE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN SHUTTING OFF, TURNING OFF INTERMITTENTLY. IT IS USUALLY THE RIGHT SIDE BUT ALSO HAPPENS ON THE LEFT SIDE. YOU CAN FIX THE PROBLEM BY TURNING THE ON OFF SWITCH. HOWEVER IT WILL CONTINUE TO SHUT OFF RANDOMLY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · April 5, 2014

Car wouldn’t start. Had it diagnosed and found out my fuel pressure sensor had melted and was leaking fuel had it replaced bug still smell gas in and around car. Car was under recalm for same issue years back and was serviced at the dealership. So I don’t see how im liable for repairs if it was…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 1, 2021

2006 Lexus GS — common questions

Is the 2006 Lexus GS reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 60 complaints put the 2006 model at #1 of 25 GS years. It is one of the GS years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 GS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (10 complaints), engine (9 complaints), electrical system (9 complaints).

Does the 2006 Lexus GS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Lexus GS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Lexus GS under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

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.