1996 Lexus GS300 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 1996 Lexus GS300, and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 1996 Lexus GS300
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Suspension: lower ball joint
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Due to inadequate lubrication of the inside of the lower ball joints, excessive wear can occur causing damage to the lower ball joints. Separation of the lower ball joints from the steering knuckle arms could occur.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lower ball joints.
2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1996 Lexus GS300 have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Reports cite 3 injuries and 0 deaths. Complaints peaked in 1997 with 1 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration hitting a tree, resulting in injuries. *yc”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 19, 1999 · Vehicle speed control
“Halogen headlamps only shine downward and are not effective in the dark rural roads. *ak”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, November 25, 1997 · Exterior lighting
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1996 Lexus GS (GS 300). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 18 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 16 / 22 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars |
| Engine | 6 cyl, 3 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd |
Compare Lexus GS300 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Lexus GS300 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 Lexus GS300 | 1 | 7 |
| 1994 Lexus GS300 | 1 | 6 |
| 1995 Lexus GS300 | 1 | 9 |
| 1996 Lexus GS300 | 1 | 2 |
| 1997 Lexus GS300 | 1 | 0 |
| 1998 Lexus GS300 | 1 | 60 |
| 1999 Lexus GS300 | 0 | 38 |
| 2000 Lexus GS300 | 0 | 35 |
| 2001 Lexus GS300 | 0 | 17 |
| 2002 Lexus GS300 | 0 | 13 |
| 2003 Lexus GS300 | 0 | 12 |
| 2004 Lexus GS300 | 0 | 6 |
| 2005 Lexus GS300 | 0 | 2 |
| 2006 Lexus GS300 | 2 | 124 |
| 2007 Lexus GS300 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 Lexus GS300 | 0 | 1 |
| 2014 Lexus GS300 | 0 | 1 |
| 2018 Lexus GS300 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 Lexus GS300 | 2 | 0 |
Checking a specific 1996 Lexus GS300
How do I know if my 1996 Lexus GS300 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 1996 Lexus GS300; your car may already have been repaired under it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Lexus dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 99V125000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Lexus models
- ES3501,365 complaints
- RX957 complaints
- RX350808 complaints
- RX300722 complaints
- IS 250719 complaints
- ES300681 complaints
- ES668 complaints
- IS596 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.