Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 10 of 12 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Tires. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
12 reports
214,000 miles · Jul 8, 2019
EnginePower TrainService Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS GS300. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE ENGINE MADE AN UNUSUAL REVVING NOISE. IN ADDITION, THREE UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND DID NOT TURN OFF. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL STIFFENED, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO MAKE A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS GS300. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE ENGINE MADE AN UNUSUAL REVVING NOISE. IN ADDITION, THREE UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND DID NOT TURN OFF. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL STIFFENED, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO MAKE A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 214,000.
NHTSA ODI #11230207
80,000 miles · Dec 2, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS GS300. WHILE THE HOOD WAS OPEN, IT SUDDENLY FELL DOWN ON ITS OWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10807984
Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2014
Air Bags
LETTER FROM SENATOR NELSON ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2003 GS300 LEXUS AIRBAG. *SMD THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF THE AIR BAGS WERE SAFE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10661735
89,000 miles · Jul 17, 2013
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed ControlCrashFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS GS300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT AS A M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS GS300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT AS A MECHANIC TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL WIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
NHTSA ODI #10525475
58,000 miles · Apr 28, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages
DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURE MAKING THE DOOR NOT LOCK AND/OR NOT OPEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10327967
28,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS GS300. WHILE DRIVING HIS VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CRASHED INTO A PARKING SIGN AND A FIRE HYDRANT. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A TREE. HE SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO HIS RIGHT SHOULDER AND KNEE. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS GS300. WHILE DRIVING HIS VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CRASHED INTO A PARKING SIGN AND A FIRE HYDRANT. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A TREE. HE SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO HIS RIGHT SHOULDER AND KNEE. THE BOYNTON BEACH SHERIFF REPORT 09802709 WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,000. UPDATED 3/30/10 *CN UPDATED 05/10/10*JB
NHTSA ODI #10314246
80,000 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Service Brakes, ElectricVehicle Speed Control
WHILE STOPPING THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES THE BRAKE DISTANCE IS EXTENDED AS THE CAR IS SLOW TO STOP. ON A REGULAR BASES THE VEHICLE BRAKE PEDAL STICKS TO THE FLOOR WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT, I THEN HAVE TO PULL THE PEDAL UP WITH MY LEFT FOOT TO BEGIN ACCELERATION. WHEN APPROACHING SLOWER TRAFFIC AS THE TRAFFIC RESUMES AT REGULAR SPEED…
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WHILE STOPPING THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES THE BRAKE DISTANCE IS EXTENDED AS THE CAR IS SLOW TO STOP. ON A REGULAR BASES THE VEHICLE BRAKE PEDAL STICKS TO THE FLOOR WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT, I THEN HAVE TO PULL THE PEDAL UP WITH MY LEFT FOOT TO BEGIN ACCELERATION. WHEN APPROACHING SLOWER TRAFFIC AS THE TRAFFIC RESUMES AT REGULAR SPEEDS THE BRAKE PEDAL STICKS AND CONTINUES STOPPING THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10305865
70,000 miles · Mar 19, 2009
Tires
DOT PJ8N GRAND SPIRIT TOURING HR 225X55X16 TIRES [4] FAILED ON THE INSIDE WALL TWO INCHES FROM THE RIM. LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. PROBLEM FROM INJECTION MOLDING OF TIRE AT FACTORY. HAVE PICTURES TO SHOW IF NEEDED. NO RECALL YET! TWO THOUSAND MILES ON TIRES. BRAND NEW CONDITION. INSIDE WALLS CRUMBLED, AND LOST AIR PRESSER. NO WAR…
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DOT PJ8N GRAND SPIRIT TOURING HR 225X55X16 TIRES [4] FAILED ON THE INSIDE WALL TWO INCHES FROM THE RIM. LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. PROBLEM FROM INJECTION MOLDING OF TIRE AT FACTORY. HAVE PICTURES TO SHOW IF NEEDED. NO RECALL YET! TWO THOUSAND MILES ON TIRES. BRAND NEW CONDITION. INSIDE WALLS CRUMBLED, AND LOST AIR PRESSER. NO WARRANTY IMPLIED. HAD TO BUY 4 NEW TIRES. VERY UPSET! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10262490
4,000 miles · Oct 12, 2004
Power Train
WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL DETAILS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10096584
13,270 miles · Sep 24, 2004
Tires
PASSENGER SIDE BACK TIRE BLEW UP ON PA81 AT SPEED OF 60 MPH.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10093154
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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.
2003 Lexus GS300 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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