2006 Lexus GS
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2006 models.

- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 300 4dr Sedan AWD, 300 4dr Sedan RWD, 430 4dr Sedan RWD
- Engines
- 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.3L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 22 combined · 19 city / 27 hwy
- Length
- 190.2 in
- Curb weight
- 3,616–3,759 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 24 similar 2006 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2006 Lexus GS is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (3.0L 6-cyl and 4.3L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 190 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,759 lb (300 4dr Sedan AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (19 city / 27 highway), 7% better than the 2006 midsize car average of 20.5 MPG, for an estimated $3,750 a year in fuel.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 91 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2006
- New body dimensions: 0.8 in longer, wheelbase +1.6 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- All-wheel or four-wheel drive now available
- Best combined MPG up from 19 to 22
Compared with 2005; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2005 GS →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 4dr Sedan AWD | 190.2 in | 71.7 in | 56.3 in | 111.8 in | 60.6 / 60.2 in | 3,759 lb | 55/45 |
| 300 4dr Sedan RWD | 190.2 in | 71.7 in | 56.3 in | 111.8 in | 60.6 / 60.2 in | 3,616 lb | 53/47 |
| 430 4dr Sedan RWD | 190.2 in | 71.7 in | 56.3 in | 111.8 in | 61 / 61 in | 3,748 lb | 54/46 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS 300/GS 430 | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | +7% | $3,750 | 404 |
| GS 300 4WD | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 21 | +2% | $3,900 | 423 |
| GS 300/GS 430 | 4.3L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 19 | -7% | $4,350 | 468 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2006 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2006 Lexus GS under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2006 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Lexus GS (this car) | 22 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2006 BMW 5 Series | 21 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 27 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2006 Lexus IS | 24 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
| 2006 Audi A4 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2006 Audi A6 | 21 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2006 Lexus LS | 19 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (4)
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings · Oct 15, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V647000 · 422,509 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Lexus LS vehicles manufactured May 9, 2006, to July 20, 2010, 2006-2011 Lexus GS vehicles manufactured January 6, 2005, to September 10, 2010, and 2006-2011 Lexus IS vehicles manufactured August 30, 2005, to September 10, 2010. Due to anti-corrosion plating remnants, fuel may leak from where the fuel pressure sensor is attached to the fuel delivery pipe.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will clean and reseal the fuel pressure sensor mounting area, free of charge. The recall began March 3, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal · Feb 24, 2011
NHTSA campaign 11V115000 · 19,647 vehicles
- Problem
- TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 AND 2007 LEXUS GS300 AND GS350 ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) VEHICLES. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE PLASTIC PAD EMBEDDED INTO THE FLOOR CARPET MAY INTERFERE WITH THE OPERATION OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
- Risk
- THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL COULD TEMPORARILY BECOME STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION RATHER THAN RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION. A STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN UNINTENDED AND SUSTAINED VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE PLASTIC PAD ON THE FLOOR CARPET FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery · Jan 26, 2011
NHTSA campaign 11V029000 · 244,779 vehicles
- Problem
- TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 LEXUS IS AND MODEL YEAR 2006-2007 LEXUS GS VEHICLES. DUE TO INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING OF THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR CONNECTED TO AN ENGINE FUEL DELIVERY PIPE WITH NICKEL PHOSPHORUS PLATING, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT, OVER TIME, THE PRESSURE SENSOR COULD LOOSEN. IF LOOSENING OCCURS, FUEL COULD LEAK PAST A GASKET USED IN THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SENSOR AND THE PIPE AND THROUGH THE THREADED PORTION OF THE SENSOR.
- Risk
- FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE THREADED PORTION OF THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR AND IF A FUEL LEAK IS NOT CONFIRMED, DEALERS WILL FURTHER TIGHTEN THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR WITH THE PROPER TORQUE. IF A FUEL LEAK IS CONFIRMED, THE GASKET BETWEEN THE SENSOR AND THE FUEL DELIVER PIPE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE, AND THE SENSOR WILL BE TIGHTENED WITH THE PROPER TORQUE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder · Oct 21, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V499000 · 728,544 vehicles
- Problem
- TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 LEXUS RX, AND MODEL YEAR 2006 LEXUS GS AND IS VEHICLES. BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING POLYMERS IS USED THAT ACTS AS LUBRICANTS FOR CERTAIN BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF REPLACEMENT BRAKE FLUID IS USED THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN SUCH POLYMERS, OR THAT CONTAINS ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS, A PART OF THE RUBBER SEAL LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY BECOME DRY, AND THE SEAL MAY CURL DURING MOVEMENT OF THE PISTON. IF THIS OCCURS, A SMALL AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID COULD SLOWLY LEAK FROM THE SEAL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
- Risk
- A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID COULD LEAD TO A CHANGE IN BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND OVERTIME A DEGRADATION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAL WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 AND LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Not every 2006 Lexus GS is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2006 Lexus GS buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 26 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 13 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Power Train — 12 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 117,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2006 Lexus GS. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other GS years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 GS | 23 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 GS | 26 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 1 |
| 2018 GS | 31 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 4 | 4 |
| 2017 GS | 31 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 6 |
| 2016 GS | 31 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 10 |
| 2015 GS | 31 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 19 |
| 2014 GS | 31 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 19 |
| 2013 GS | 31 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 37 |
| 2011 GS | 23 | 190.2 in | Not rated | 3 | 7 |
| 2010 GS | 23 | 190.2 in | Not rated | 3 | 15 |
| 2009 GS | 23 | 190.2 in | Not rated | 3 | 3 |
| 2008 GS | 23 | 190.2 in | Not rated | 4 | 34 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lexus. How we calculate this →