Lexus GX470 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
177 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
68,918 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 to 2009 model years. Data snapshot: . 130 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 36 of 177 complaints (20.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 45 | 25.4% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 6.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 2.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 1.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.6% |
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 | 36 |
| Structure:Body | 19 |
| Unknown Or Other | 19 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 19 |
| Structure | 17 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 12 |
| Power Train | 10 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 9 |
Air Bags: 36; Structure:Body: 19; Unknown Or Other: 19; Vehicle Speed Control: 19; Structure: 17; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 12; Power Train: 10; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 32 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 14 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 25 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 18 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 27 |
| 150,000 and above | 14 |
Under 25,000: 32; 25,000 to 49,999: 14; 50,000 to 74,999: 25; 75,000 to 99,999: 18; 100,000 to 149,999: 27; 150,000 and above: 14
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (32). 47 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 | 5 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 24 |
| 2011 | 16 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 21 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2016 | 18 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2021 | 2 |
2003: 12; 2004: 11; 2005: 1; 2006: 5; 2007: 4; 2008: 1; 2009: 4; 2010: 24; 2011: 16; 2012: 1; 2013: 9; 2014: 21; 2015: 12; 2016: 18; 2017: 15; 2018: 12; 2019: 9; 2021: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 45 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 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 ↗
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 10730786 · 2015-06-27 (June 27, 2015)
WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE VSC,ABS,AND ETC LIGHTS CAME ON,THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS HAD HAPPENED,THE LIGHTS HAS CAME ON BEFORE WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT AND IN PARK.THE VEHICLE NOW WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR IT ONLY STAYS IN PARK.IT STILL WILL START BUT CAN'T DRIVE BECAUSE IT WON'T GO INTO GEAR. THE CAR ALSO WAS PULLING TO THE SIDE WHILE DRIVING AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL FOR WHATEVER REASON .I SEARCHED GOOGLE AND YOUTUBE AND SOMEONE SAID TO UNPLUG THE BATTERY FOR 30 MINUTES AND IT SHOULD START AND IT DID. I FO…
Owner-reported narrative. 120,230 miles reported. Look up ODI 10730786 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11184806 · 2019-03-07 (March 7, 2019)
I HAVE AN 2006 LEXUS GX470 AND THESE LIGHTS CAME ON: ABS, VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, SKID, AND CHECK ENGINE. THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A HUMMING NOISE AT START UP AND NOW DRIVES IN STALLED MODE. HAD CODES CHECK AND IT TURNS OUT I HAVE THE DREADED SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM (EMISSIONS) DEFECT P0412, P0418 ,P1440/P1443, P1441/P1444, P2440, P2445, P1442/P1145 , WHICH IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. REPLACEMENT IS A NIGHTMARE FOR SELF REPAIR OR A $2000+ REPAIR.
Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11184806 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 |
2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 0; 2008: 0; 2009: 0