2009 Lexus GS350

The 2009 Lexus GS350 is a mid-size luxury sedan known for its comfortable ride, refined interior, and reliability. The primary engine option is a 3.5L V6 producing 303 horsepower and 274 lb-ft of torque. A 4.6L V8 engine producing 342 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque was available in the GS460, and a hybrid 3.5L V6 was available in the GS450h. The GS350 uses a 6-speed automatic transmission. Owners often praise the car’s smooth power delivery and comfortable seats, but some dislike the somewhat dated technology and smaller rear seat compared to competitors. Common complaints involve navigation system issues and some electrical gremlins.

Engine

3.5L 2GR-FSE V6

• Oil Leaks from Valve Cover Gaskets
  • Description/Symptoms: Oil seepage or drips on the engine block, burning oil smell, low oil level.
  • Solution: Replacement of the valve cover gaskets.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $600+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Variable Valve Timing (VVT-i) System Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Rough idling, decreased fuel economy, engine stalling, check engine light with codes related to VVT-i system.
  • Solution: Diagnosis and repair or replacement of faulty VVT-i components, such as the VVT-i oil control valve or camshaft phasers.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $400 - $1200+
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

A760E 6-Speed Automatic

• Torque Converter Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Shuddering or vibrations at low speeds, especially when accelerating from a stop. Can also cause rough shifting or slipping.
  • Solution: Replacement of the torque converter.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $2000+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Slipping or Harsh Shifting
  • Description/Symptoms: Delays in gear changes, abrupt or jerky shifts, transmission slipping out of gear, or failure to shift properly.
  • Solution: Typically requires transmission rebuild or replacement if fluid changes don’t resolve the issue. Sometimes caused by a faulty valve body.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 (fluid change) - $4000+ (rebuild/replace)
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Control Arm Bushing Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Clunking noises from the front or rear suspension, especially when going over bumps. Vehicle may feel loose or unstable.
  • Solution: Replacement of worn control arm bushings. Often, the entire control arm is replaced.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $800+ per control arm
  • Recalls: None Found
• Damper (Shock) Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Bouncy ride, excessive body roll in corners, bottoming out over bumps, visible leaks from the shock absorbers.
  • Solution: Replacement of the shock absorbers or struts.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $1000+ per pair
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Navigation System/Radio Failure or Malfunction
  • Description/Symptoms: Blank screen, inability to input destinations, system freezes, no sound, or intermittent functionality.
  • Solution: Replacement of the navigation unit or radio head unit, or repair of wiring harness issues.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 (wiring repair) - $2000+ (unit replacement)
  • Recalls: None Found
• Bluetooth Connectivity Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Difficulty pairing devices, dropped connections, distorted audio during calls.
  • Solution: Software update (if available), replacement of the Bluetooth module.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $500+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Power Window Motor Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Window moving slowly or not at all, clicking sound when attempting to operate the window.
  • Solution: Replacement of the power window motor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Headlight Condensation/Clouding
  • Description/Symptoms: Moisture buildup inside the headlight housings, reducing visibility.
  • Solution: Replacement of the headlight assemblies, or resealing the existing housings (often a temporary fix).
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $1000+ per headlight
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Dashboard Cracking
  • Description/Symptoms: Cracks appearing on the dashboard surface, especially in warmer climates due to sun exposure.
  • Solution: Dashboard replacement or installation of a dashboard cover.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $50 - $200 (cover) - $1500+ (replacement)
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary:

The 2009 Lexus GS350 is a generally reliable vehicle, but owners should be aware of potential issues with valve cover oil leaks and VVT-i system issues on the engine side, as well as possible torque converter or shifting issues with the transmission. Electrical problems, particularly those affecting the navigation system, are also common. Suspension component wear, such as control arm bushings and shocks, can contribute to ride quality issues over time. Dashboard cracking is a known problem that affects the vehicle’s aesthetics. The severity of these issues varies, with some being relatively inexpensive to fix (e.g., fluid changes) while others can be more costly (e.g., transmission rebuild or navigation system replacement). Overall, careful inspection and preventative maintenance can help minimize the impact of these potential problems.