2007 Lexus GS 350 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2007 Lexus GS 350 most often describe sudden or unintended acceleration, often at low speed while parking or starting the car, and some mention floor mats near the accelerator pedal. Other frequent themes are recall repair parts that were not yet available, engine stalls or power loss while driving, airbags that did not deploy in crashes, and intermittent headlights. Mileage in these complaints ranges from a few hundred miles to over 200,000, with acceleration complaints clustering between about 12,000 and 38,000 miles.

1. 1
   Vehicle speed control

   Sudden or unintended acceleration, often at low speed

   • 15 complaints (26%)
   • median 23,000 mi at 3.1 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2019

   Owners describe sudden acceleration without pressing the pedal, or with only light pressure, often while parking, pulling out of a driveway, or starting the car. Some say the car kept accelerating with the brake pressed, and some report crashes into walls, curbs, or other vehicles. Some suspect a floor mat was stuck or shifted against the accelerator pedal, and some say disconnecting the battery for a few minutes temporarily stopped the surging. Dealers reportedly could not find the reason, and some say the vehicle was found mechanically sound. Mileage ranges from a few hundred to about 73,000 miles, with several reports between about 12,000 and 38,000 miles, and many happen at low speed while parking or starting the car.

   Recall 11V1150001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the accelerator floor-pad recall applies to the VIN, and check that the floor mats are secured and cannot slide toward the pedal. On a test drive, check throttle response when pulling away from a stop and when putting the car into drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving at 55mph when Lexus 2007 Lexus gs350 suddenly accelerated. The g-forces pinned me to the seat. I was able to shift to neutral and hit brake in less than a second. I then disconnected negative pole on battery for 5 minutes and this resets the computer and surge temporarily ends. The process was described to me by a Lexus dealer service manager for a previous Lexus I owned.”

   NHTSA complaint #10323599, filed 2010-04, 31,000 miles

   “I was driving in traffic when the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly accelerated. When I applied the brakes, it did not seem to have any effect. The vehicle kept speeding up out of control. The consumer stated she listed the incorrect failure mileage at the time of the accident. Updated 06/29/10.”

   NHTSA complaint #10331281, filed 2010-05, 2,742 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Recall repair not completed or parts unavailable

   • 10 complaints (18%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 4.1 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2009–2019

   Owners describe receiving recall notices, such as for fuel pressure sensor leaks or valve-related parts, but being told the repair parts were not available. Some say the dealer could not give a date for the parts and that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable time for the repair. Some describe repeated dealer calls with no replacement made, and some note that the recall notice describes a fire risk. Mileage is not given in these complaints, and a few state that the vehicle had not yet failed.

   Recall 14V647000Recall 18V432000Recall 13V395000

   What to check: Check the VIN against the NHTSA recall list for each open recall, and ask the dealer for the parts status and expected date before buying. Ask for the status in writing and keep a record of the dealer's answers.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I received a recall notice about two months ago and after numerous calls to my local dealer, akron canton Lexus, nothing has been resolved, no replacement has been made and have not received any help from my local dealer. The recall involves a potential fuel pressure sensor leak which I might think may be a serious issue to address especially since important safety recall notice is written in red ink!!”

   NHTSA complaint #10701311, filed 2015-03

   “I received an urgent safety recall from Lexus/ toyota motors regarding a no-charge replacement for a 2gr-fse intake vvt actuator gear. When I contacted Lexus, they indicated that parts will not be available until march of 2014, (with no guarantee that they will have them at that point,) and that they would place my name on a waiting list. I find it unacceptable that I'm informed of a dangerous safety issue, then told I have to wait 4+ months for resolution. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10550963, filed 2013-11
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbags that did not deploy or deployed unexpectedly

   • 6 complaints (11%)
   • median 70,900 mi at 8.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2018

   Owners describe airbags that did not deploy in crashes, including crashes at about 21 mph and a crash in which the driver was injured. Others describe a passenger or curtain airbag deploying with no impact, while driving on a highway or while parked with the engine on. Some say the dealer found the vehicle mechanically sound, and an investigation reportedly found the deployment was not a manufacturer fault. Mileage ranges from about 12,000 to 135,000 miles in the reports that give it, and the non-deployment crashes described were at low to moderate speed, such as about 21 mph.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask the dealer to scan for airbag and restraint system codes, and check whether the airbag service bulletin for customer concerns applies to the VIN. On a test drive, confirm the airbag warning light turns off after startup.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall my car was involved in a accident and I was hit by the right side panel and thrown up against another vehicle and then slammed into a pavement wall on the freeway I was only traveling about 10 miles when I was struck by a car traveling 70 miles and my airbags did not deploy causing injuries to my arm resulting in me having to have surgery and now I have a rod in my arm for life don't understand why these airbags didn't deploy and if not then what wasn't the GS 350 on the list cause somewhere mines went faulty”

   NHTSA complaint #11074166, filed 2018-02, 117,000 miles

   “2007 Lexus gs350 with unintended acceleration. The consumer stated while pulling into a parking space, the vehicle took off and jumped the cement divider and curb. It stopped only when it rammed the wall. The consumers foot was on the brake and the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was purchased. After inspecting the vehicle to establish what happened, they determined that the vehicle was mechanically perfect. The consumer indicated the possibility of the floor mat shifting, but that was rejected. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10315405, filed 2010-03, 12,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine stalls or loses power while driving

   • 6 complaints (11%)
   • median 31,500 mi at 4.4 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2014

   Owners describe the engine stalling or losing power while driving, in turns, on highways, or during a cold start before the engine warms up. Some report warning lights or a sudden loss of acceleration first, and some describe a fuel line or connector that came loose, with fuel dripping under the engine. Some say the dealer could not reproduce the stall, and others report a recall repair that the dealer said had missing screws before an engine failure. Mileage ranges from about 3,000 to 210,000 miles, and several happen while turning, on a highway, or after a cold start.

   Recall 10V309000Recall 18V432000

   What to check: Check whether any recall repair for the valve spring, actuator, or fuel line has been completed on the VIN, and look for stored engine or warning codes. On a test drive, check for hesitation or stalling on a cold start and when turning.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I bought a pre-owned certified 2007 Lexus GS 350 in sept 2010, I was driving on a major highway when I heard a pop and the engine lost power. Luckily I was able to move to the corner lane to avoid a tractor trailer hitting me from behind. The car was then towed to the nearest Lexus dealer, I was told by that dealer that a recall was performed just prior to my purchase of the vehicle and some screws were missing from the repair. Which cause an engine failure while I was driving. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10396990, filed 2011-04, 17,000 miles

   “My car had several recalls on it I just recently started getting mail on the recall I got the first letter in feb and the second at the end of march and it had to do with 3 parts valve spring , actuator, valve varient timing the week after I got my 2nd recall letter my car just stopped working when I filled it with gas, but 2 days before that I was driving then vsc, engine , ABS lights all came on and I lost power with no acceleration ,I took it to toyota and it was diagnosed and I was told I needed the recall items (3) replaced, I then was …”

   NHTSA complaint #10587777, filed 2014-05, 210,000 miles
5. 5
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights that switch off or flicker intermittently

   • 5 complaints (9%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2011–2016

   Owners describe low-beam headlights, or a single headlight, switching off or flickering intermittently, sometimes leaving the car nearly dark at night. Several say the lights come back after the switch is turned off and back on, and some describe the problem as starting gradually. Some say the dealer suggested bringing the car in, but the lights worked the next day, so no visit was made. Some describe the failures as a safety concern, especially at night and when oncoming traffic cannot see them around a curve. Mileage ranges from about 50,000 to over 100,000 miles, and the lights are described as intermittent, mostly in the evening or at night.

   What to check: Ask the dealer to test the headlight circuit and relays for intermittent faults, and check whether any service bulletin or recall applies to the VIN. On a test drive at night, switch the low beams on and off and confirm both headlights stay on.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I noticed the next day after I purchase the vehicle, that the right headlight was out but the rest were on. I called the dealer and told them about the problem and they told me to bring it in. The next day the lights were on so I didn't take it back. Since then, it happens every time I turn the lights on in the evening. I bought the car without an extended warranty, so I didn't take it back. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10616126, filed 2014-07, 61,950 miles

   “I also have a headlight that has intermittently not worked. I run my lights on the auto feature. In the last 6 months, I have noted that the left headlight only turns on some of the time. I need to check it, turn the lights off, then back on to get it to work. Happens about 20% of the time and is a safety issue. About 3 years ago, someone followed me into a store and told me that my left headlight was out. When I left and turned the car on, then checked the headlights, they were working. I now realize that this is when it started.”

   NHTSA complaint #10855590, filed 2016-04, 90,000 miles

Buying note. Someone considering a 2007 Lexus GS 350 should check whether the accelerator floor-pad recall applies to the VIN, make sure the floor mats are secured, and test throttle response from a stop. Ask the dealer for the status of any open recall parts before buying, and check the headlights and warning lights during a test drive.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 55 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.