FaultScore report
Owners have filed 48 complaints about the 2004 Lexus GX470 with NHTSA between 2010 and 2021. The largest single group is the airbags. Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 6 worst.
FaultScore 65/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Lexus GX470.
How this is worked out48
Complaints
8
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
87,000 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
13%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 95,180 mi
Median failure at 121,000 miles
3 crashes, 0 fires · median 67,118 mi
Median failure at 86,000 miles
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 80,000 mi
Median failure at 80,000 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 72,000 mi
Median failure at 27,068 miles
Median failure at 100,000 miles
Median failure at 90,000 miles
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
AIR BAGS
BRAKES TOTALLY FAILED WHILE DESCENDING A STEEP INCLINE ON A CITY/ STATE HIGHWAY CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND IMPACT WITH A TREE. AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #11024646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES TOTALLY FAILED WHILE DESCENDING A STEEP INCLINE ON A CITY/ STATE HIGHWAY CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND IMPACT WITH A TREE. AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #11024646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAVE A 2004 GX470 SUV. TODAY I WAS IN A PARKING LOT, TRYING TO BACK OUT AND LEAVE. WITH ONE FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR, I FOUND IT STUCK, WHICH WAS ODD, AS I HAD NOT EXPERIENCED IT BEFORE. SO I PRESSED ON IT AGAIN, I THOUGHT, LIGHTLY. I WAS TAKEN COMPLETELY BY SURPRISE, AS I SEEMED TO HAVE FLOWN BACKWARDS, AS I HAVE A V8 ENGINE, MY ACCELERATION WAS QUICK AND MY CAR IMMEDIATELY RAMMED INTO 2 PARKED CARS BEHIND ME. I WAS IN A STATE OF SHOCK AND VERY SCARED, SINCE IT WAS SO FAST AND SUDDEN. HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE? THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10820589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I HAVE A 2004 GX470 SUV. TODAY I WAS IN A PARKING LOT, TRYING TO BACK OUT AND LEAVE. WITH ONE FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR, I FOUND IT STUCK, WHICH WAS ODD, AS I HAD NOT EXPERIENCED IT BEFORE. SO I PRESSED ON IT AGAIN, I THOUGHT, LIGHTLY. I WAS TAKEN COMPLETELY BY SURPRISE, AS I SEEMED TO HAVE FLOWN BACKWARDS, AS I HAVE A V8 ENGINE, MY ACCELERATION WAS QUICK AND MY CAR IMMEDIATELY RAMMED INTO 2 PARKED CARS BEHIND ME. I WAS IN A STATE OF SHOCK AND VERY SCARED, SINCE IT WAS SO FAST AND SUDDEN. HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE? THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10820589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR SUV AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK IT IN A BANK PARKING LOT IN NILES, IL. THE SUV ACCELERATED SUDDENLY WITHOUT MY WIFE PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL CAUSING HER TO DRIVE OVER A GREEN SPACE, HIT A SIGN ON BANK'S PROPERTY, DRIVE OVER A LARGE BUSH AND A WIRE FENCE AT AN ADJACENT PARK AND FINALLY STOP AFTER REPEATEDLY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. WE TOWED THE CAR TO THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP AND FROM THERE TO A BODY SHOP. WE HAD THE CAR FOR 8 YEARS AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS ISSUE OCCURRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DAMAGE WAS ASSESSED BY OUR INSURANCE COMPANY.
NHTSA complaint #10480321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR SUV AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK IT IN A BANK PARKING LOT IN NILES, IL. THE SUV ACCELERATED SUDDENLY WITHOUT MY WIFE PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL CAUSING HER TO DRIVE OVER A GREEN SPACE, HIT A SIGN ON BANK'S PROPERTY, DRIVE OVER A LARGE BUSH AND A WIRE FENCE AT AN ADJACENT PARK AND FINALLY STOP AFTER REPEATEDLY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. WE TOWED THE CAR TO THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP AND FROM THERE TO A BODY SHOP. WE HAD THE CAR FOR 8 YEARS AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS ISSUE OCCURRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DAMAGE WAS ASSESSED BY OUR INSURANCE COMPANY.
NHTSA complaint #10480321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD
The contact owns a 2004 Lexus GX470. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when he noticed there was a crack on the dashboard. The contact was not sure what caused the dashboard to crack. The dealer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer informed the contact that there had been a Customer Support Program for the dashboard failure which expired in 2017. The contact had not been made aware of the special program. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.
NHTSA complaint #11426443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. THE DASHBOARD IS ALL CRACKED BUT MY PROBLEM IS THAT I DRIVE MY KIDS AND THERE IS A RECALL PROBLEM WITH SIDE CURTAIN-SHIELD-AIRBAGS (CSAS) WHICH DEPLOY FROM THE ROOF RAILS IN THE EVENT OF CERTAIN TYPES OF CRASHES. I HAD CALL 2 DIFFERENT LEXUS AND THE HEADQUATERS AND THEY ALL THEM ME DIFFERENT THINGS. I JUST WANT THE DASHBOARD AND AIRBAGS TO BE FIX AS THIS IS A FAMILY BAG.
NHTSA complaint #11155696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. THE DASHBOARD IS ALL CRACKED BUT MY PROBLEM IS THAT I DRIVE MY KIDS AND THERE IS A RECALL PROBLEM WITH SIDE CURTAIN-SHIELD-AIRBAGS (CSAS) WHICH DEPLOY FROM THE ROOF RAILS IN THE EVENT OF CERTAIN TYPES OF CRASHES. I HAD CALL 2 DIFFERENT LEXUS AND THE HEADQUATERS AND THEY ALL THEM ME DIFFERENT THINGS. I JUST WANT THE DASHBOARD AND AIRBAGS TO BE FIX AS THIS IS A FAMILY BAG.
NHTSA complaint #11155696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
THE CAR HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO 2 RECALLS. FIRST, A RECALL FOR THE SELF-DESTRUCTING DASHBOARD AND FOR THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIRBAGS. THE COMPANY HAS REFUSED TO PROVIDE ME WITH THE PART IN ORDER TO PROCEED TO A REPLACEMENT OF THE AFFECTED PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #11064316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE CAR HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO 2 RECALLS. FIRST, A RECALL FOR THE SELF-DESTRUCTING DASHBOARD AND FOR THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIRBAGS. THE COMPANY HAS REFUSED TO PROVIDE ME WITH THE PART IN ORDER TO PROCEED TO A REPLACEMENT OF THE AFFECTED PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #11064316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
BRAKES TOTALLY FAILED WHILE DESCENDING A STEEP INCLINE ON A CITY/ STATE HIGHWAY CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND IMPACT WITH A TREE. AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #11024646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES TOTALLY FAILED WHILE DESCENDING A STEEP INCLINE ON A CITY/ STATE HIGHWAY CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND IMPACT WITH A TREE. AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #11024646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS GX470. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED, WHICH COULD EXPOSE THE AIR BAGS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD AN INTERNAL SAFETY RECALL FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000. ..UPDATED 03/08/17 *BF
NHTSA complaint #10947799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS GX470. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V065000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10937254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10933892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
THE ENTIRE DASH BOARD IS CRACKED. THERE ARE SPOTS ON MY LEATHER SEATS AND ARM RESTS ARE CRACKED AND TORN. ALSO TOLD THE TRUCK DOESN'T HAVE SHOCKS BUT I CAN FEEL EVERY BUMP
NHTSA complaint #10924388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE ENTIRE DASH BOARD IS CRACKED. THERE ARE SPOTS ON MY LEATHER SEATS AND ARM RESTS ARE CRACKED AND TORN. ALSO TOLD THE TRUCK DOESN'T HAVE SHOCKS BUT I CAN FEEL EVERY BUMP
NHTSA complaint #10924388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
THE ENTIRE DASH BOARD IS CRACKED. THERE ARE SPOTS ON MY LEATHER SEATS AND ARM RESTS ARE CRACKED AND TORN. ALSO TOLD THE TRUCK DOESN'T HAVE SHOCKS BUT I CAN FEEL EVERY BUMP
NHTSA complaint #10924388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS GX470. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V065000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10897981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS GX470. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V065000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10883994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS GX470. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V065000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10863065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER GAUGES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON, WILL EITHER ACTIVATE RIGHT AWAY OR FLICKER OR DO NOTHING. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND IS HARD TO DIAGNOSE OR EVEN FIX. HAVE SEEN ON LEXUS FORUMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND SEEMS MANY OF US ARE DRIVING "SPEED BLIND". I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE CLUSTER SENT OUT AND "REPAIRED", ONLY TO HAVE PROBLEM COME BACK. I FEEL THIS PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS AND THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10822194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER GAUGES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON, WILL EITHER ACTIVATE RIGHT AWAY OR FLICKER OR DO NOTHING. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND IS HARD TO DIAGNOSE OR EVEN FIX. HAVE SEEN ON LEXUS FORUMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND SEEMS MANY OF US ARE DRIVING "SPEED BLIND". I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE CLUSTER SENT OUT AND "REPAIRED", ONLY TO HAVE PROBLEM COME BACK. I FEEL THIS PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS AND THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10822194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAVE A 2004 GX470 SUV. TODAY I WAS IN A PARKING LOT, TRYING TO BACK OUT AND LEAVE. WITH ONE FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR, I FOUND IT STUCK, WHICH WAS ODD, AS I HAD NOT EXPERIENCED IT BEFORE. SO I PRESSED ON IT AGAIN, I THOUGHT, LIGHTLY. I WAS TAKEN COMPLETELY BY SURPRISE, AS I SEEMED TO HAVE FLOWN BACKWARDS, AS I HAVE A V8 ENGINE, MY ACCELERATION WAS QUICK AND MY CAR IMMEDIATELY RAMMED INTO 2 PARKED CARS BEHIND ME. I WAS IN A STATE OF SHOCK AND VERY SCARED, SINCE IT WAS SO FAST AND SUDDEN. HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE? THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10820589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I HAVE A 2004 GX470 SUV. TODAY I WAS IN A PARKING LOT, TRYING TO BACK OUT AND LEAVE. WITH ONE FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR, I FOUND IT STUCK, WHICH WAS ODD, AS I HAD NOT EXPERIENCED IT BEFORE. SO I PRESSED ON IT AGAIN, I THOUGHT, LIGHTLY. I WAS TAKEN COMPLETELY BY SURPRISE, AS I SEEMED TO HAVE FLOWN BACKWARDS, AS I HAVE A V8 ENGINE, MY ACCELERATION WAS QUICK AND MY CAR IMMEDIATELY RAMMED INTO 2 PARKED CARS BEHIND ME. I WAS IN A STATE OF SHOCK AND VERY SCARED, SINCE IT WAS SO FAST AND SUDDEN. HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE? THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10820589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
MY 2004 LEXUS GX470 IS GARAGE KEPT AND THE DASH HAS SEVERAL CRACKS. ONE AROUND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ONE ABOVE THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS AND ONE THE PASSENGER SIDE. I KEEP MY DASH CONDITIONED AND MY CAR IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED. DESPITE MY EFFORTS THE CRACKS CONTINUE TO GET WORSE. THIS STARTED A FEW YEARS AGO AND CONTINUES TO PROGRESS. I AM AFRAID THAT WILL EFFECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE AIRBAGS SHOULD THEY DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10788246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY 2004 LEXUS GX470 IS GARAGE KEPT AND THE DASH HAS SEVERAL CRACKS. ONE AROUND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ONE ABOVE THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS AND ONE THE PASSENGER SIDE. I KEEP MY DASH CONDITIONED AND MY CAR IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED. DESPITE MY EFFORTS THE CRACKS CONTINUE TO GET WORSE. THIS STARTED A FEW YEARS AGO AND CONTINUES TO PROGRESS. I AM AFRAID THAT WILL EFFECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE AIRBAGS SHOULD THEY DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10788246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
WHEN STOPPING OR DECELERATING GET A CLUNKING NOISE IN REAR OF VEHICLE. DEALER IDENTIFIED DRIVESHAFT NEEDED REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10713760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED ALL NIGHT, PUT KEY IN IGNITION TURNED KEY TO 'ON' PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING AND WAS NOT MOVING, SHIFT WAS IN "PARK".
NHTSA complaint #10660097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM A LOCAL LEXUS DEALERSHIP IN JANUARY 2008 AND SINCE THEN HAS BEEN GARAGED DURING THE DAY AT MY OFFICE AND GARAGED OVERNIGHT IN MY BUILDING'S ENCLOSED PARKING STRUCTURE. THE VEHICLE RARELY SAT IN THE SUN FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME, BUT IN NOVEMBER 2012, CRACKS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH BEGAN APPEARING. THEY WERE RAZOR THIN AND BY THE END OF 2013, THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE DASH WAS COVERED IN CRACKS, DIRECTLY ABOVE THE AIR BAG. THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE WAS NO OPEN RECALL, ANY REPAIR WOULD BE AT MY EXPENSE, WHICH WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $2,500. I SEARCHED MULTIPLE ONLINE FORUMS (CLUBLEXUS.COM, LEXUSOWNERSCLUB.COM) AND THIS SAME PREMATURE CRACKING OF THE GX470 DASH WAS BEING EXPERIENCED BY HUNDREDS OF OWNERS. I ALSO OWN A LEXUS LS430 AND I HAVE TREATED IT EXACTLY LIKE MY GX470, BUT THANKFULLY THE LS HAS NOT EXHIBITED ANY DASH CRACKING. I FEEL THAT THE GX470 DASH CRACKING ISSUE IS A SAFETY RISK, SINCE THE INTEGRITY OF THE DASH IS BEING COMPROMISED AND IT MAY NEGATIVELY EFFECT THE FUNCTIONING OF THE VEHICLE AIR BAGS. I FEEL THAT THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO POOR QUALITY MATERIALS AND THAT LEXUS SHOULD PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT AT NO COST TO THE VEHICLE OWNER.
NHTSA complaint #10644097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.