Owners have filed 10 complaints
about the 2005 Lexus LX470 with NHTSA between 2005 and 2017.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 4 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 30
Against the median year of the Lexus LX470. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
20% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 64
38% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2005 Lexus LX470
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Suspension
220.0%
Median failure at 85,750 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
220.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 7,750 mi
Fuel & Propulsion
110.0%
Median failure at 90,000 miles
Lights
110.0%
Median failure at 9,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
110.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Body & Structure
110.0%
Median failure at 86,200 miles
Steering
110.0%
Median failure at 85,300 miles
Airbags
110.0%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
225.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
112.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
562.5%
When owners complained
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.
Jun 2005peak 4Sep 2017
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Laguna Beach, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAD A 2005 LEXUS 470 CAR AND IT WAS INVOLVED IN TWO ACCIDENTS THAT NEITHER I NOR THE OTHER DRIVER COULD NEITHER ONE HAS EVER HAD AN ACCIDENT AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING 35 YEARS. THE CAR IN THE FIRST ACCIDENT I DO NOT EVEN KNOW WHAT HAPPENED THERE WAS A COLLISION ON A ROAD I TAKE EVERY DAY. THE OTHER CAR WAS TOTALED HE HAD NO SKID MARKS AND THE LEXUS TIRE WAS HIT. NO ONE EVER KNEW WHAT HAPPENED. THEN LAST MONTH MY GOD SON WAS DRIVING ON THE LA FREEWAY IN STOP AND GO 5 MILES AN HOUR TRAFFIC. THE CAR ACCELERATED INTO THE FLATBED TRUCK INFRONT OF HIM AND HE WAS OK BUT THE CAR TOTALED. IT IS HARD TO HURT A LEXUS 470 AND THE ONLY EXPLANATION WAS THAT THE CAR ACCELERATED INTO THE FLATBED CRUSHING THE RADIATOR. IT WAS BIZARRE AND THE CAR RUINED. I THINK TOYOTA AND LEXUS HAVE NOT FULLY EXAMINED THE LEXUS CAR FOR THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD. ANYONE OF THE PEOPLE INVOLVED COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED NO ONE WAS DRIVING FAST AND THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION FOR THE ACCIDENTS EXCEPT THE LEXUS MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA complaint #10328462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesBasking Ridge, NJCrash
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
DT: CALLER SAYS WHEN 4-WHEEL DRIVE CONTROL IS BUMPED IT KNOCKS VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE ROLLS AWAY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE CONTROL OVERRIDES THE PARK GEAR, AND THIS CAN HAPPEN WITH NO ONE IS IN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CALLER HAS CONCERNS ABOUT HER FAMILY SHOULD THIS HAPPEN WITH CHILDREN IN VEHICLE. THIS CAN HAPPEN WHILE IT IS IN PARK WITHOUT THE KEY IN IT. DEALER SAID ALWAYS USE EMERGENCY BRAKE. MANUFACTURER JUST TOOK NOTES, AND SAID THEY WOULD GET BACK TO HER IN 48 HOURS. CALLER HAS A LEXUS GX470.
NHTSA complaint #10126495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
OAK Hill, VA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS LX470. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V065000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #11024623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesChula Vista, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
VEHICLE WAS TOPPED OF WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS PRIOR TO GOING ON A OFF ROAD DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN MODESTLY UP SILVER CANYON TRAIL WITH NO MECHANICAL ISSUES UNTIL GAS FUMES BECAME APPARENT. I INITIALLY THOUGHT THE RIG WAS RUNNING RICH IN FUEL AND CONTINUED THE CLIMB. THEN ON A BREAK I NOTICED GAS SPEWING FROM THE VEHICLE'S GAS CAP. THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS PRESSURE BUILD UP. ONCE I REACHED THE TOP OF THE TRAIL THE ISSUE WAS PHOTOGRAPHED AND RECORDED. I WAITED TILL THE SPEWING OF GAS STOPPED THEN DROVE BACK DOWN. THE ISSUE WAS BROUGHT TO LEXUS KEARNY MESA AND BECAUSE THE ISSUE COULD NOT BE RECREATED NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CONDITIONS WERE NOT PROPERLY RECREATED TO MAKE THE PROBLEM REAPPEAR. MY CONCERN IS POSSIBLE GAS IGNITION AND EXPLOSION.
NHTSA complaint #10920617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laguna Beach, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAD A 2005 LEXUS 470 CAR AND IT WAS INVOLVED IN TWO ACCIDENTS THAT NEITHER I NOR THE OTHER DRIVER COULD NEITHER ONE HAS EVER HAD AN ACCIDENT AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING 35 YEARS. THE CAR IN THE FIRST ACCIDENT I DO NOT EVEN KNOW WHAT HAPPENED THERE WAS A COLLISION ON A ROAD I TAKE EVERY DAY. THE OTHER CAR WAS TOTALED HE HAD NO SKID MARKS AND THE LEXUS TIRE WAS HIT. NO ONE EVER KNEW WHAT HAPPENED. THEN LAST MONTH MY GOD SON WAS DRIVING ON THE LA FREEWAY IN STOP AND GO 5 MILES AN HOUR TRAFFIC. THE CAR ACCELERATED INTO THE FLATBED TRUCK INFRONT OF HIM AND HE WAS OK BUT THE CAR TOTALED. IT IS HARD TO HURT A LEXUS 470 AND THE ONLY EXPLANATION WAS THAT THE CAR ACCELERATED INTO THE FLATBED CRUSHING THE RADIATOR. IT WAS BIZARRE AND THE CAR RUINED. I THINK TOYOTA AND LEXUS HAVE NOT FULLY EXAMINED THE LEXUS CAR FOR THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD. ANYONE OF THE PEOPLE INVOLVED COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED NO ONE WAS DRIVING FAST AND THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION FOR THE ACCIDENTS EXCEPT THE LEXUS MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA complaint #10328462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,200 milesBirmingham, MI
SUSPENSION
2005 LEXUS 470 HAS ONGOING HEIGHT CONTROL PROBLEMS. SERVICED 5 TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE, LAST TIME ON 4/20/09. ON 4/26/09, VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIVE VERY ROUGHLY AND THE REAR OF VEHICLE RAISED ONE INCH HIGHER THAN FRONT OF VEHICLE. ON 4/27/09, SUV RETURNED TO LEXUS DEALER FOR 6TH REPAIR APPOINTMENT FOR HEIGHT CONTROL PROBLEM. BECOMING FEARFUL OF DRIVING SUV.
NHTSA complaint #10266828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,200 milesBirmingham, MI
STRUCTURE
2005 LEXUS 470 HAS ONGOING HEIGHT CONTROL PROBLEMS. SERVICED 5 TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE, LAST TIME ON 4/20/09. ON 4/26/09, VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIVE VERY ROUGHLY AND THE REAR OF VEHICLE RAISED ONE INCH HIGHER THAN FRONT OF VEHICLE. ON 4/27/09, SUV RETURNED TO LEXUS DEALER FOR 6TH REPAIR APPOINTMENT FOR HEIGHT CONTROL PROBLEM. BECOMING FEARFUL OF DRIVING SUV.
NHTSA complaint #10266828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,300 milesBirmingham, MI
STEERING
2005 LEXUS LX 470 HAS ONGOING HEIGHT CONTROL PROBLEM. FIRST APPEARED AT 24, 590 MILES. HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR PROBLEM 5 TIMES. LAST TIME, LEXUS PAID FOR PART ONLY. I HAVE SCHEDULED A 6TH REPAIR APPOINTMENT. VEHICLE ALSO PULLS TO THE LEFT SIGNIFICANTLY, EVEN AFTER 4-20-09 REPAIR. BECOMING FEARFUL OF DRIVING VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10266481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,300 milesBirmingham, MI
SUSPENSION
2005 LEXUS LX 470 HAS ONGOING HEIGHT CONTROL PROBLEM. FIRST APPEARED AT 24, 590 MILES. HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR PROBLEM 5 TIMES. LAST TIME, LEXUS PAID FOR PART ONLY. I HAVE SCHEDULED A 6TH REPAIR APPOINTMENT. VEHICLE ALSO PULLS TO THE LEFT SIGNIFICANTLY, EVEN AFTER 4-20-09 REPAIR. BECOMING FEARFUL OF DRIVING VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10266481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,000 milesRockville Centre, NY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
HEADLIGHTS COME ON AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME (2 MIN TO 20 MIN) AFTER VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND THE KEY BOB BUTTON IS PRESSED TWICE AND TRUCK BEEPS; HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF EVEN IF THE STALK IS ON AUTO/LIGHTS ON/PARKING LIGHTS/OFF; IN ADDITION THE HEAD LIGHT STALK WILL CONTROL THE DOOR LOCKS WHEN THE STALK IS MOVED FROM AUTO TO ON OR PARKING LIGHTS TO ON; USUALLY OCCURS AT NIGHT; USUALLY CLEARS UP BY MORNING; RESULTED IN A DEAD BATTERY TWICE; MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO RAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10142467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,500 milesRockville Centre, NY
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
VIBRATION OCCURS FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL WHEN THE RPM ~1900 AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING FROM 4TH TO DRIVE; DEALER IS SWAPPING OUT REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAVE NOT RECEIVED VEHICLE BACK YET; DEALER NOW SAYS VIBRATIONS ARE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION AND HAS ADVISED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION; ORIGINAL COMPLAINT DID NOT HAVE NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #10142468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesBasking Ridge, NJCrash
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
DT: CALLER SAYS WHEN 4-WHEEL DRIVE CONTROL IS BUMPED IT KNOCKS VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE ROLLS AWAY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE CONTROL OVERRIDES THE PARK GEAR, AND THIS CAN HAPPEN WITH NO ONE IS IN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CALLER HAS CONCERNS ABOUT HER FAMILY SHOULD THIS HAPPEN WITH CHILDREN IN VEHICLE. THIS CAN HAPPEN WHILE IT IS IN PARK WITHOUT THE KEY IN IT. DEALER SAID ALWAYS USE EMERGENCY BRAKE. MANUFACTURER JUST TOOK NOTES, AND SAID THEY WOULD GET BACK TO HER IN 48 HOURS. CALLER HAS A LEXUS GX470.
NHTSA complaint #10126495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.