2003 Lexus GX470: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 46 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (27% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2003
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Vehicle was in low range going in reverse with a trailer very slow when out of nowhere it engaged faster and wouldn't stop accelerating for 15 feet of this and it stopped my foot was not on the gas so there was no reason why it should have engaged in the manner that it did in fact I had both feet on the brake trying to stop it it felt like I hit something when it stopped but I didn't hit anything. This all occurred while I was backing a boat into my driveway which is level ground”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2019
“Rear suspension arm broke a way from a frame section that appears rotted. No other rust on vehicle. This happened while driving on smooth road and made very difficult to control. Scared to think if this happened at highway speed. Again..this is a clean..no rust vehicle”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2018
“Front air bags did not deploy in 35 mph rear end collision with another stationary vehicle on a busy interstate. The other car was totaled out. There was a passenger in the vehicle as well.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Frame is rotting from inside out, excessive corrosion on an otherwise spotless vehicle. This is a known issue that was common to the early/mid 2000's toyota tundra, tacoma, and 4runner, the latter of which shares frame components. Toyota, for whatever reason, covered the tundra and tacoma through recalls, but so far has not done a recall on the 4runner or gx470.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2016
“It is possible to simultaneously depress the gas pedal when braking, this causes sudden uncontrollable acceleration I reported the incident too toyota and requested upgraded ecu software that disables the gas pedal while braking toyota refused to provide a simple software fix my wife is a witness. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2014
“When I was driving my lexus gx470 (2003) with my family on a local street at around 35 mph, my vehicle suddenly stopped by itself. The brakes engage by itself and the vehicle stability control activated with beeps. Fortunately, no one was behind me. I took my car to the local mechanic, he checked the brakes, calipers..etc, he said everything is fine but he couldn?t find any reason why it happened, he asked me to contact lexus dealer. I called the lexus dealer service center, I explained the service representative about what happened, he told me to check the brake calipers, I told him the mechanic already checked it. Anyway, even the lexus dealer couldn't explain why it happened. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2013
“I have been waiting over 3 years to get the cracked / melting dashboard repaired under the recall I received over 3 years ago. I spoke to the local lexus dealer and they said I was still # 49 in line to get this done. Really ? After 3 years. How patient does one need to be ? I believe a civil suit is in order here. With the time and trips to the dealer for this and it's still not handled - someone with some authority needs to press this issue with lexus.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2012
“Tl*the contact owns a 2003 lexus gx470. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle hydroplaned and crashed into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was injured and was taken to the hospital. A police report was not filed. The insurance company towed the vehicle to a body shop; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were notified and a report was filed. The failure and current mileage was 104,805.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2011
“I was driving my 2003 lexus gx470 on my way to the hospital with my three year old son ' who was experiencing breathing problems. I lost control of the suv near the exit for the hospital ' as I was preparing to take the exit from the freeway. The vehicle went off-balance and did a 360 degree rollover from the exit ramp. I ended up in the median between the off ramp and the on ramp. My son and I were intact after the accident. The vehicle behaved erratically during the episode ' and I could not figure out what was happening with the controls. I would like for NHTSA to look into the stability system of this vehicle ' based on this experience and recent news of similar vehicles from lexus. *tr”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · May 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 2003 lexus gx470. When she attempted to drive the vehicle into a parking space, it suddenly accelerated and crashed in to a parked vehicle. A police report was not taken and there were no injuries. A local mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000 and the current mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · May 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE LEXUS LINK SYSTEM, IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO LOCK ONE OF THE TWO LATCHES ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MIDDLE ROW LEFT REAR SEAT (LARGER SIDE OF THE BENCH SEAT DIRECTLY BEHIND THE DRIVER). DUE TO THE THICKNESS OF THE LEXUS LINK SYSTEM STORAGE CASE, THE STOPPER ON THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT IS SLIGHTLY ELEVATED. THIS ELEVATED POSITION MISALIGNS THE LATCH TO THE STRIKER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE LLS CASE PANELS AROUND THE SEAT STOPPER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 8, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-888-333-9376.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, "CERTIFICATION." THE INCORRECT GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR) DATA WAS PRINTED ON THE CERTIFICATION REGULATION LABEL. THE GVWR IS INCORRECTLY REFLECTED ON THE LABEL AS 6,100 LBS. THE CORRECT GVWR SHOULD BE 6,000 LBS.
Remedy: AS EACH LABEL IS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER SPECIFIC, OWNERS WILL BE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THEIR LOCAL LEXUS DEALER FIRST TO PLACE AN ORDER FOR THE CORRECTED LABEL. ONCE THE LABEL HAS ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE OWNER WILL BE CONTACTED FOR LABEL REPLACEMENT. OWNER BEGAN APRIL 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
How other years compare
Check your exact GX470 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Lexus GX470 reliable?
NHTSA has 46 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Lexus GX470. The most complained-about area is power train (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Lexus GX470 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 59,500 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Lexus GX470 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seats:mid/rear assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.