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1998 Lexus GS300

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
60Owner complaints

Model-year median: 6

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
9
19952
19960
199760
199838
199935
200017
2001
Compare all GS300 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Vehicle Speed Control
25Suspension
10Service Brakes, Hydraulic
5Tires
5Electrical System
4
All reported categories
Structure
4Engine And Engine Cooling
3Exterior Lighting
3Air Bags
2Electronic Stability Control
2Electronic Stability Control (esc)
2Power Train
2Service Brakes
2Steering
2Engine
1Equipment
1Interior Lighting
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Unknown Or Other
1Visibility
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

24 reports with mileage · 36 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

3 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2001
Exterior LightingVehicle Speed Control

THE PATTERN OF THE LOW BEAM DOES NOT PROJECT WELL AND DO NOT HAVE A SHARP CUT-OFF. TOO MUCH LIGHT PROJECTS "UP" IN POOR VISIBILITY CONDITIONS, SUCH AS FOG. FOG LIGHTS ARE QUITE USELESS AS WELL. THE CAR HAS THE WORST HEAD LIGHTS OF ANY CAR I'VE HAD.*AK

NHTSA ODI #753319

Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 1999
Exterior LightingPower Train

1) HEADLIGHTS LEFT "ON" - CAR WAS STOPPED AND KEYS REMOVED FROM IGNITION, HEADLIGHT SWITCH IN AUTO AND ALL DOORS CLOSED. HEADLIGHTS SHOULD HAVE AUTOMATICALLY TURNED OFF AFTER 30+ SECS, HOWEVER, HEADLIGHTS REMAINED ON EVEN AFTER USING REMOTE TO LOCK AND TURN OFF HEADLIGHTS. SOLUTION: OPEN DOOR AND SET HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO OFF. 2)…

Read full complaint

1) HEADLIGHTS LEFT "ON" - CAR WAS STOPPED AND KEYS REMOVED FROM IGNITION, HEADLIGHT SWITCH IN AUTO AND ALL DOORS CLOSED. HEADLIGHTS SHOULD HAVE AUTOMATICALLY TURNED OFF AFTER 30+ SECS, HOWEVER, HEADLIGHTS REMAINED ON EVEN AFTER USING REMOTE TO LOCK AND TURN OFF HEADLIGHTS. SOLUTION: OPEN DOOR AND SET HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO OFF. 2) CAR LURCHES - CAR LURCHES FROM STANDING START.

NHTSA ODI #712118

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHT SENSOR FAILED. *YC

NHTSA ODI #607119

Official recalls

1

98V080000 · Electronic Stability Control:automatic (asc)

Apr 17, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT OF THE YAW RATE SENSOR FOR THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL (VSC), THE VSC CAN OPERATE IMPROPERLY IF THE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY CERTAIN ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES, SUCH AS FROM A CELLULAR PHONE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE BRAKE MAY OPERATE UNEXPECTEDLY, AFFECTING STEERING AND SPEED CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE YAW RATE SENSOR.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.