2005 Lexus LX470: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 8 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train; the 2004 model year looks more trouble-free.
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 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2016
“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. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2009
“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. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2009
Show 3 more owner reports
“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. *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2005
“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.*ak”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2005
“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. *jb”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 LX470 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 2005 Lexus LX470 reliable?
NHTSA has 8 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Lexus LX470. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2005 Lexus LX470 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. 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.