2004 Lexus GX470 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
87,702 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 32 complaints (37.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 15.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 12 |
| Structure | 4 |
| Structure:Body | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
| Power Train:Driveline | 2 |
Air Bags: 12; Structure: 4; Structure:Body: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Suspension: 3; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2; Power Train:Driveline: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 10 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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2010: 3; 2011: 4; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 7; 2015: 2; 2016: 8; 2017: 2; 2018: 2; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 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 10326065 · 2010-04-16 (April 16, 2010)
PROBLEM WITH VSC ON MY 2004 LEXUS GX470. I WAS DRIVING FROM A SKI RESORT ON SNOW COVERED ROAD AT APPROX 35-37 MPH. THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL HIT A POTHOLE AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SHOT SIDEWAYS AND WE WERE HEADED OFF THE ROAD TO THE RIGHT, THEN TRACTION CONTROL OR SOMETHING KICKED IN AND WE SHOT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I TRIED TO STEER BACK INTO OUR LANE AND THE REAR LEFT AGAIN SENT US INTO A SIDEWAYS SKID ACROSS THE RIGHT LANE AND HEADED OFF OF THE ROAD UNTIL THE RIGHT REAR HIT A POLE. THE CAR CONTINUED TO MOVE AND SHOT US BACK INTO THE RIGHT TR…
Owner-reported narrative. 74,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10326065 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10365928 · 2010-11-16 (November 16, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS GX470. HE EXPERIENCED A RECURRING FAILURE IN WHICH THE BRAKES WOULD ENGAGE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TOWARDS THE RIGHT. DURING THE FAILURE THE VSC LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10365928 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10342845 · 2010-07-13 (July 13, 2010)
ARRIVING AT THE BANK DRIVE THROUGH, I PULLED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR DOWN AND ALL THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT. LATER, AFTER MY HUSBAND INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM, HE FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE SUN VISOR WIRING. HE HAD TO REMOVE THE SUN VISOR FROM THE ROOF TO PREVENT THE FUSE FROM BURNING EVERY TIME THE VISOR IS MOVED. THIS PREVENTS ME FROM USING THE VISOR WHEN THE SUN IS DIRECTLY IN MY EYES. IF I LEAVE THE VISOR IN, THE FUSE FOR THE INTERIOR LIGHTING WILL BURN AND RESULT IN THE LOSS OF LIGHTS AND T…
Owner-reported narrative. 54,132 miles reported. Look up ODI 10342845 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10933892 · 2016-12-08 (December 8, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS GX470. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AT 5 MPH AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT, THE POWER ASSIST FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10933892 at NHTSA ↗