2003 Lexus GX470 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
46 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
33,102 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 39 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 46 complaints (10.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 32.6% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 8.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 6.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 |
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Power Train: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 16 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 16; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 8
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 12 |
| 2004 | 11 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 |
2003: 12; 2004: 11; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2010: 5; 2011: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 4; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 3; 2019: 3
Pattern summary
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10020954 · 2003-06-03 (June 3, 2003)
WHEN RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE MAKES A THUMPING NOISE. AT TIMES IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE IS TAPPING ME IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE AND EACH TIME I AM TOLD IT IS A "NORMAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VEHICLE." *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020954 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038467 · 2003-09-09 (September 9, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AND AT ANY BRAKING CONDITIONS WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE FEELS LIKE SOMEONE IS HITTING THE REAR OF VEHICLE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10038467 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042653 · 2003-12-02 (December 2, 2003)
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES AND THE VEHICLE SHAKES. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THERE WAS A PERSISTENT VIBRATION IN THE STEERING AND IT WAS HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10042653 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10047387 · 2003-11-22 (November 22, 2003)
2003 GX470 LEXUS HAS A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END AND STEERING WHEEL BETWEEN 1700 AND 2200 RPM'S. HAS HAD IT SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED 18,000 MILES AGO. DEALER AND MFG DO NOT HAVE A WAY TO FIX THE VIBRATION. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10047387 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049633 · 2003-12-12 (December 12, 2003)
WHEN DESCENDING A HILL AT 40-45 MPH IN DRIVE AND GENTLY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAINTAIN SPEED TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTS TO "4" AND OFTEN TO "3". THIS OCCURS REPEATEDLY, BUT IS NOT PREDICTABLE. WHEN REACHING THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL AND ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE TOP GEAR, I MUST EITHER (1) DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL HALFWAY AND RELEASE IT OR (2) MANUALLY MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER FROM "D" TO "4" AND BACK.THIS DOWNSHIFTING IS ABRUPT AND UNPREDICTIBLE. I AM CONCERNED IF IT HAPPENS ON SNOW OR ICE, THAT THE VEHICLE WILL LOSE TRACTION AND SLIDE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049633 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056669 · 2004-02-06 (February 6, 2004)
THE TRANSMISSION DESIGN IS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE LUNGES AND THRUSTS FORWARD WHILE THE BRAKE IS FIRMLY ENGAGED AS A RESULT OF THE DEFECT WHICH IS QUITE STARTLING. THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT ALLOWS THE FULL WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE FORWARD CAUSING A LOUD THUMP AND PROPELLING THE VEHICLE IN A FORWARD MOTION SEVERAL INCHES DESPITE HAVING THE BRAKE ENGAGED. THE SPLINES ON THE SLIP YOKE FOR THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT ARE NOT DESIGNED APPROPRIATELY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 15 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056669 at NHTSA ↗