2003 Lexus LX470: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10037094 · 2003-09-02 (September 2, 2003)
INCOMPATIBILITY WITH HIGHER-WEIGHT-LIMIT HARNESSED CHILD RESTRAINTS AND VEHICLE ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS. SPECIFICALLY TETHER ANCHOR WEIGHT LIMITS. MOST VEHICLES HAVE A 40 LB. WEIGHT LIMIT FOR TETHER ANCHORAGE (AS MANDATED IN FMVSS 213), WHILE THERE ARE SEVERAL CR ON THE MARKET WHOSE HARNESSED WEIGHT LIMIT EXCEEDS 40 LBS, UP TO 80 LBS (SPECIFICALLY THE HUSKY, MARATHON & WIZARD MODELS BY BRITAX). THE CR MFR STATES THAT THE CR MUST BE TETHERED ABOVE 50 LBS. WHILE THE VEHICLE MFRS STATE A 40 LB WEIGHT LIMIT ON TETHER ANCHORAGES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10037094 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049369 · 2003-12-07 (December 7, 2003)
HEAD-ON COLLISION WHERE NO AIR BAGS WERE RELEASED. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10049369 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10061799 · 2004-03-05 (March 5, 2004)
THE CONSUMER COULDN'T SEE OUT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY SNOW. *PH A NIGHT VISION SYSTEM, WHICH IS A FACTORY ADD ON, WAS INSTALLED IN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. THE PLACEMENT OF THE HOUSING FOR THIS SYSTEM BLOCKED THE AIR FLOW. AS A RESULT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH SPACE TO ALLOW THE AIR TO FLOW IN THE VOLUME NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING WITHIN THE ENGINEERING GUIDELINES AND THAT NO CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL BE TAKEN. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10061799 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 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 10535774 · 2013-08-16 (August 16, 2013)
I STARTED THE CAR UP AFTER DINNER. ABOUT 2 MINUTES LATER FOUR WARNINGS LIGHTS RELATED TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM WENT OFF (ABS VTRAC BRAKE VSC) FOLLOWED BY A LONG WARNING BUZZ AND THEN A COMPLETE LOST OF BRAKING POWER FROM THE PEDAL AND THE HANDBRAKE. I WAS ABLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THEN TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND SO FOR SAFETY REASON I CALLED FOR A TOW TO THE CLOSEST LEXUS DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER AT FIRST TOLD ME I HAVE TO REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WHICH COSTS ABOUT $3…
Owner-reported narrative. 155,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10535774 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V434000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Reported: 2004-09-08 (September 8, 2004)
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS DO NOT MEET LUMINOUS INTENSITY STANDARD.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD BLIND THE DRIVER OF A VEHICLE DRIVING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RESISTOR, WHICH WILL DECREASE THE LUMINOUS INTENSITY OF THE DRL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE JUNE 10, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
NHTSA campaign record ↗10V346000 · Steering:Gear Box:Shaft Pitman
Reported: 2010-07-29 (July 29, 2010)
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2007 LEXUS LX470 VEHICLES. THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE STEERING SHAFT IS SUCH THAT THE SNAP RING ON THE SHAFT MAY DISENGAGE WHEN THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES AN UNUSUALLY SEVERE IMPACT TO THE FRONT WHEELS. IF THE SNAP RING BECOMES DISENGAGED AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS THEN REPEATEDLY TURNED TO THE LOCKED POSITION, OVER TIME THE STEERING SHAFT MAY BECOME DISCONNECTED.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SNAP RING WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE AND INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL COMPONENT WHICH WILL PREVENT SEPARATION OF THE STEERING SHAFT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V065000 · Air Bags:Side/Window
Reported: 2016-02-05 (February 5, 2016)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX470, 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, 2004-2006 Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX470 vehicles equipped with side curtain-shield-air bags. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.
Consequence: If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module with one that has improved programming, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-271-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0C and GLB.
NHTSA campaign record ↗