1996 Lexus GS
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Visibility & Lighting
Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 2 of 3 complaints (67%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Driver Assistance & Speed Control include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 11 in 1995 to 3 in 1996.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | vs. 1996 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,300 | 4,300 | 4,300 | 4,100–4,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18–19 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16 / 22 | 16 / 22 | 16 / 22 | 15–17 / 21–23 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494 | 494 | 494 | 468–494 | |
| Complaints filed | 11 | 3 | 0 | 95 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 3 | 0 | 0 | 20 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 3 | 0 | 16 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1996 Lexus GS have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Lexus GS get?
EPA rates it 18 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1996 Lexus GS?
EPA estimates $4,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg | 22 mpg | 18 mpg | $4,300 | 494 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT · Campaign 99V125000 · May 21, 1999
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS.