Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Vehicle safety record

2003 Lexus GS300 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 2003 Lexus GS300 with NHTSA, most often about the acceleration & cruise control (5) and the wheels & tires (4). Those complaints describe 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury. There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 2002 has 19 and the 2004 has 8.

NHTSA data checked

DMore problems than a typical GS300 year, for its age

#210 most complained-about 2003 vehicle

Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Most common 2003 Lexus GS300 problems

Share of all 17 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

No recalls for the 2003 Lexus GS300

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003 Lexus GS300. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.

What owners say

Be the first GS300 owner to share.

Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now

17 complaints about the 2003 Lexus GS300

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

SteeringSuspensionEngine & cooling

car stalls when trying to accelerate like its going to turn off...The Wheel alighnment is not correct.Doors will not lock Bad lighting i cant see because front lights are doll

Filed Incident Steering · Suspension · EngineNHTSA 11631543
Transmission & drivetrain

Acceleration pedal problem. Car fails to respond to acceleration pedal sometimes while in motion. Car can stop moving in traffic or during turns (especially left turns). This is very dangerous and life threatening. Although pedal sensor was changed given the error code, the car still show the same issue. Lexus must take responsibility for dangerous design as it lacks a fail safe mechanism to their drive by wire. Failure in acceleration is as dangerous as failure in braking.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11282559
Transmission & drivetrainBrakesEngine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident Power train · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11230207
Body, doors & 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.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 10807984
Airbags

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

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10661735
Acceleration & cruise control

When backing into a parking space with my foot on the brake, the rpms surged causing speed to increase suddenly. I place the car in neutral and the rpms continued to surge for about three seconds and then returned to normal. While waiting at a traffic signal, with my foot on the brake, the rpms suddenly surged and I again placed the car in neutral. The surge continued for about three seconds again. On one other occasion, when shifting from reverse to drive while exiting a parking space, the rpms surged for about two seconds and then returned to normal. The vehicle seems to accelerate suddenly on its own without depressing the gas pedal. *Tr

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10565554
Electrical systemAcceleration & cruise 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 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.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10525475
Wheels & tires

I own a 2003 lexus gs and all four rims are chrome and have become a safety hazard according to where we have our service. I own another lexus auto and my rims are in good shape . I have never experience rims chrome plate pealing causing newer tires to lose air before. I was interested to find out if any other owners have or are experiencing the same problem with this models rims. Thanks *tr

Filed Incident WheelsNHTSA 10348175
Body, doors & structure

Door lock actuator failure making the door not lock and/or not open. *Tr

Filed Incident Latches / locks / linkagesNHTSA 10327967
Acceleration & cruise controlCrash1 injury

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

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10314246
Acceleration & cruise controlBrakes

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

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Service brakes, electricNHTSA 10305865
Wheels & 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 warranty implied. Had to buy 4 new tires. Very upset! *Tr

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 10262490
Transmission & drivetrain

When the consumer attempted to accelerated, the vehicle would hesitate. Please provide additional details. *Jb

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10096584
Wheels & tires

Passenger side back tire blew up on pa81 at speed of 60 mph.*Ak

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 10093154
Wheels & tires

While driving 65 mph, the rear passenger side tire blew out. No impact reported. *Ak the tire blewout on the highway. *Tc *jb

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 10088055
Acceleration & cruise control

Unexpected acceleration. On several occasions, primarily while stopped at a traffic signal, my vehicle would lunge forward. I took it to the dealer and was told they had no record of a problem of this nature for this vehicle. They could not find anything wrong. I saw a article on the internet that the nhtsa was investigating similar problems with other toyota products. *Ak

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10060884
SteeringEngine & cooling

While driving 45mph car cut off, causing loss of power steering.*Ak

Filed Incident Steering · Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 8016454

Lexus GS300: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20070100-A
20060200-A
20048010Acceleration & cruise controlB
200317021Acceleration & cruise controlD
200219010Acceleration & cruise controlF
200117020Engine & coolingD
200035032Acceleration & cruise controlF
199938080Acceleration & cruise controlF
All GS300 years

2003 Lexus GS300 vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

Own a 2003 Lexus GS300? Share your experience.

Your experience goes live straight away and helps every owner and buyer who checks this vehicle. Anonymous, free, no account.

Overall, how would you rate it? *

0/4000 · Please leave out names, phone numbers and your full VIN.

By posting you confirm it's your own, honest experience and agree to the rules. Safety defect? Also report it to NHTSA - that's how recalls start.

Questions about the 2003 Lexus GS300

Does the 2003 Lexus GS300 have any recalls?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003 Lexus GS300 right now. Recalls can be announced at any time, and this page checks NHTSA every day. You can also check your exact vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Lexus GS300?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the acceleration & cruise control (5), wheels & tires (4), transmission & drivetrain (3).

How many complaints has the 2003 Lexus GS300 had?

17 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on August 15, 2002 and the latest on December 19, 2024. Of these, 2 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.

Is the 2003 Lexus GS300 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 27 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Lexus GS300 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Lexus GS300 years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 2003 Lexus GS300 has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience