1998 Lexus GS300: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1998 Lexus GS300: 1 recall, 60 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electronic Stability Control Vehicle recall #98V080000 · 1998 · 14,855 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Should this occur, the brake May operate unexpectedly, affecting steering and speed control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the yaw rate sensor.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 5 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Speed control / throttle (25): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (7), warning light on (4).
- Suspension (10): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Brakes (hydraulic) (5): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Tires (5): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (5).
The 1998 Lexus GS300 has 60 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 19 GS300 model years for complaints (3.4× the average GS300 year). Complaints peaked in 1999 (15 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 123,500 miles. Neighboring years: 1997 (0 complaints, 1 recalls), 1999 (38 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | Premium |
| 4.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 18 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1998 Lexus GS300.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1998 Lexus GS300 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1998 Lexus GS300. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1998 Lexus GS300 problems?
Owners have filed 60 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are speed control / throttle (25), suspension (10), brakes (hydraulic) (5).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Lexus GS300 get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1998 Lexus GS300 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.