My 2008 GS 450h only has 107,000 miles on it, so I think it still has life. It’s in great shape and I love the car.

I started to get an intermittent “Check VSC / VGRS” message along with all the lights. At first it was intermittent. Restarting the car would make it go away.

Eventually it became more persistent, so I took it to an independent Lexus shop. They diagnosed a faulty speed sensor on the front right.

We replaced the Speed Sensor and that code cleared, but then the car generated a code for a faulty Steering Control Module. $$

I waited, but decided to replace that too. Once that was cleared, the car generated a code for a faulty Steering Angle Sensor.

We replaced the Steering Angle Sensor, those codes cleared but now it’s throwing codes for the ABS Break Actuator. $$$

This is out of control now. Is there another diagnostic process that this shop should be using? I feel like all they know to do is fix the next thing in the list, but I don’t think they can see around the corner.

I feel like I’m in over my head in Vegas right now. Throw a few more thousand at it or walk away with a deep loss at this point? All the same error messages and lights are still lit. Any insight appreciated!

thanks!

 

Be sure you're using Lexus specialists who are using TechStream. There's a whole set of calibrations for the steering angle and yaw sensor zero point calibration etc. If those aren't set right then it will throw random codes. Once that's all done, see what codes you have left.

 

Shop is using Techstream. They did the calibrations, but cannot calibrate the brake actuator. They say the code correlates to the break actuator. That part is north of $2000 as best I can tell. The only problem is the next device in the flow is the skid sensor / module. That part is no longer in production apparently. So it looks like even if I sprung for the Brake Actuator, I might hit a wall on the next module and still be left with all of the error messages and lights on the dashboard. :-(

Anyone in the market for a beautiful 2008 GS450h with 107K miles on it? I probably can't even recover what I've spent on it in the last few weeks.

 

I think I’d take it to another mechanic. Mb the dealer.

 

How's your 12v battery, did the shop load test that ?

 

Excellent question. I doubt they did, but I replaced it last year so it is relatively new. I'll add that to the list.

 

Really sorry to hear this. I think used parts is the only economical way to keep these cars going. But I guess with garage labour rates you're still looking at putting thousands into it and you've already put in more than it's worth.

It must be tempting to just cut your losses but only you can decide on that. If you do sell to an enthusiast who solves the issue they'll be getting a bargain. It doesn't sound ready for the scrap heap for sure. Good luck whichever way you go.

 

Well I’m $5800 into this repair now. The dash says “Check ABS, Check VSC, Check ECB, and Brake Malfunction”. When I took it to the shop for round two, my brakes worked just fine. Now after replacing the steering control module and the steering angle sensor, the car is nearly undrivable. The brakes don’t engage immediately. They grab, and the release is sometime delayed by a two seconds. The car feels really unstable, and pulling into a parking spot is nearly impossible.

How could the brake actuator fail during a repair? Is there any repair that can be done to that component, or does it have to be replaced? They want $3500 to replace the brake actuator.

 

Imo, it's pretty suspect that what was previously fine is suddenly malfunctioning AFTER a repair. How much do you trust this shop? It could be that they knocked a connector loose or damaged wires when they were working on it. its pretty weird that as soon as you pay to have one thing fixed, something else fails. usually doesn't work that way.

 

I thought you replaced these 3 things on your first post ? Sounds like these guys will keep replacing parts until you give up or they eventually find the problem...are these all used parts again ?

 

New revelation! While in the shop, they reported to me that the car no longer starts and that they have to jump it to start it. They say the faulty brake actuator is causing the battery to drain. Now I’m wondering we’ve been chasing codes due to low voltage? 😡

 

Sorry, it's been drawn out for so long. More than a month. All NEW parts. Right front Speed Sensor. Took a break. Did the Steering Control Module and the Steering Angle Sensor. Took a break. The car was underivable. They want to replace the brake actuator. I took it back to them looking for some kind of compromise, but none. I have the Brake Actuator now, but while the car was in their possession, they called and said the battery was now dead. They blame it on the Brake Actuator running while the car is off. That's expected behavior - at least a little before start and after shut down.

Now I'm insisting we replace the battery before we put the Brake Actuator in. As you suggested, perhaps all of these problems were being caused by lower than expected voltage? As an independent Lexus shop, I'm really concerned about their diagnostic abilities.

 

Do you know if fault codes on a Lexus are all visible at once? A Honda shop told me that Honda's stack all codes visible at the same time. Does the Lexus diagnostic tool only reveal one set of codes until you clear those codes - only to reveal more codes you couldn't see before? That's what's killing me. It seems like they had no way of knowing that new codes were going to show up after each part replacement. It doesn't sit right with me.

 

AFAIK, any scan tool, techstream or not, should show you all stored and pending codes that the ECU has registered.

 

I drove a GS460 from 2016 until 10/2025 where the ABS would make that stupid hissing sound 24/7/360 days and my battery never drained...so not sure I'm buying that excuse from the shop. My ABS finally died last year and had to bite the bullet and buy a new one from Lexus. Considered buying a used one off ebay, but you never really know what you are buying and it's not like they sell for $100...most of the used ones go for $600-$900. Love the car and will continue to drive it until it's no longer affordable. Best of luck...been there and know what you are going through.