2003 Lexus LX470 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
142,150 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 18 complaints (22.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 6 | 33.3% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 27.8% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 16.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Child Seat | 1 |
Steering: 4; Electrical System: 3; Engine: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Air Bags: 1; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Child Seat: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 6
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 6 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 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2009: 1; 2011: 3; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 5; 2017: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 10393632 · 2011-03-29 (March 29, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS LX470. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR RECALL 10V346000 (STEERING: GEAR: SHAFT PITMAN). AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE CONTACT BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE ISSUES WITH THE STEERING. THE STEERING FAILED AT TIMES AND THE VGRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT ONLY RECALL REPAIRS HAD BEEN PERFORMED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO SENT TWO REPRESENTATIVES TO INSPECT THE VEHICLES. THE REPRESENTATIVES STATED THAT THE VEHICLE W…
Owner-reported narrative. 129,299 miles reported. Look up ODI 10393632 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10427288 · 2011-09-23 (September 23, 2011)
2003 LEXUS LX 470. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING SAFETY RECALL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, HE/SHE NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SLIGHTLY OFF CENTERED AND THE VGRS INDICATOR LIGHT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATED AND WOULD THEN DISAPPEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITHOUT ANY RECTIFICATION OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER THEN RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL REGARDING A STEERING PROBLEM. WORK WAS PERFORMED ON THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE FLUID WAS FLUSHED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED NO INDICATOR…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10427288 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10294102 · 2009-12-01 (December 1, 2009)
WE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC BRAKING SYSTEM ON OUR LEXUS LX 470 SUV WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. SHORTLY AFTER THE INITIAL REPAIR (GROUNDING WIRE?) THE SYSTEM AGAIN FAILED. THE SYSTEM WAS AGAIN REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP, WITH SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM FOR A THIRD TIME ALMOST RESULTING IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT (CHILDREN ON BOARD). THE DEALERSHIP CALLED IN THE FACTORY TECHNICIAN WHO DIAGNOSED A PROBLEM WITH THE ACTUATOR?AS OF THIS TIME THE BRAKES ARE STILL NOT WORKING EVEN AFTER REPAIR OF THE ACTUATOR. THIS VEHICLE…
Owner-reported narrative. 77,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10294102 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10373780 · 2011-01-02 (January 2, 2011)
LEXUS LX 470 2003 DRIVER FOOT REST BREAKS AWAY AND GETS LODGES UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL PREVENTING SAFE STOP. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 91,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10373780 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10906948 · 2016-09-15 (September 15, 2016)
I TOOK THE CAR TO LEXUS OF GLENDALE FOR ROUTINE SERVICE, WHICH WAS COMPLETED, AND THREE DAYS LATER, AS I WAS DRIVING ON 5 FREEWAY FROM COALINGA TO LOS ANGELES, ALL OF A SUDDEN, I HEARD A GRINDING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE, AND THE CAR STALLED, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TA DS A NEARBY SERVICE STATION (CHEVRON) IN VALENCIA. I NOTED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND THE VEHICLE BECAME UNDRIVEABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LEXUS OF GLENDALE, WHO DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS HAD COME LOOSE AND LODGED IN THE ENGINE SHALT, THUS BREAKING ONE OF THE PISTO…
Owner-reported narrative. 260,401 miles reported. Look up ODI 10906948 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10906953 · 2016-09-15 (September 15, 2016)
I TOOK THE CAR TO LEXUS OF GLENDALE FOR ROUTINE SERVICE, WHICH WAS COMPLETED, AND THREE DAYS LATER, AS I WAS DRIVING ON 5 FREEWAY FROM COALINGA TO LOS ANGELES, ALL OF A SUDDEN, I HEARD A GRINDING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE, AND THE CAR STALLED, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TA DS A NEARBY SERVICE STATION (CHEVRON) IN VALENCIA. I NOTED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND THE VEHICLE BECAME UNDRIVEABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LEXUS OF GLENDALE, WHO DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS HAD COME LOOSE AND LODGED IN THE ENGINE SHALT, THUS BREAKING ONE OF THE PISTON …
Owner-reported narrative. 260,401 miles reported. Look up ODI 10906953 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10637844 · 2014-09-21 (September 21, 2014)
ENTIRE UNDER CARRIAGE AND FRAME FOUND TO HAVE EXTENSIVE RUST EFFECTING STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY / SAFETY, CRITICAL SAFETY SYSTEMS (BRAKE LINES, SUSPENSION STRUCTURE), FRAME, FUEL LINES, FUEL TANK, AND STEERING LINKAGE. THIS IS GENERAL ATTACK CORROSION WITH STRUCTURAL FAILURE, CORROSION FATIGUE, ETC. THERE WERE / ARE NO EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER ANY DEFINITION OF NORMAL USE TO EXPLAIN THIS DEGREE & EXTENT OF CORROSION OTHER THAN A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 101,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10637844 at NHTSA ↗