2004 Lexus GX470: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 32 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (33% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2021
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2018
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2016
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2016
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2016
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2016
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2016
“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. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2016
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
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.
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 2004 Lexus GX470 reliable?
NHTSA has 32 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2004 Lexus GX470. The most complained-about area is air bags (33% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Lexus GX470 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 88,403 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Lexus GX470 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning air bags:side/window. 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.