Lexus GX Complaints (2004)

53 consumer complaints on file.

#11666410June 11, 2025
AIR BAGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am writing to formally request an investigation into a safety defect affecting the dashboard on my 2004 Lexus GX470. Over the past several months, I have observed significant cracking along the top of the instrument panel. I believe this defect poses a serious safety hazard: if the dashboard material fractures or delaminates, it could interfere with proper expansion and deployment of the front passenger airbag in the event of a collision. Despite the severity of this condition, Lexus has only issued a “limited-service campaign” rather than a full safety recall. Under that campaign, Lexus offers repair assistance only to owners located within certain regions and only if they pay a service fee. I contacted Lexus Headquarters, and requested a complete, no-cost replacement of the defective dashboard assembly, and was declined without satisfactory justification. I consider this response inadequate because: 1.Safety Risk to Occupants oThe dashboard crack traverses the airbag deployment zone. oIf the material fails, the passenger airbag may not be deployed correctly or on time. 2.Insufficient Remedy oA limited-service campaign does not guarantee replacement or cover all affected vehicles. oOwners outside specified regions or who have previously paid for dashboard repairs receive no assistance. 3.Regulatory Precedent oFederal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208 mandates reliable airbag deployment. oA comprehensive recall would ensure all affected vehicles receive robust, no-cost repairs. I respectfully request that NHTSA open an investigation under 49 U.S.C. § 30162(a) to determine whether this dashboard cracking constitutes a safety-related defect warranting a nationwide recall. I am prepared to provide photographs, service records, and any additional information needed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656859April 25, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Rusted out frame, missing entire sections of it in the rear end, body mounts are floating, Lexus inspected the car at 144,000~ miles and deemed it unsafe to drive, was owned by a friend of mine and now it is up for sale at morse road auto sales inc in columbus ohio.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11536018August 2, 2023
SEATS, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
The contact owns a 2004 Lexus GX470. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the driver’s side seat heater was activated on the high setting. The contact stated that the following morning he noticed small blisters on his back; medical attention was needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage 67,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11521836May 13, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
2004 Lexus GX470 factory-installed Blizzard White paint is peeling off in sheets. Was told by certified body shop that there is a clear defect with the primer. The areas affected are the hood, roof, and near back windows - no impact or other damage is present. This is unsafe as it will lead to the corrosion of the body of the car. There was a recall for the 2008-2009 models with this paint color, but this needs to be extended to the 2004 model year as well. There were no warning messages and the car is available for inspection.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438407October 27, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
Vehicle maintained per manual. Frame rusted thru in numerous places, viable holes obvious. Vehicle deemed unsafe from Pep Body service personnel. Attached a frame picture from passenger side.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11427975August 6, 2021
TIRES:SIDEWALL
BL 265/65R17 110S THIS TIRE EXPLODED AS I was existing the Harbor Fwy going south at Adams Blvd. The Lexus has an automatic system that prevents instant breaking when the tire pressure exceptionally low tire pressure or wet pavements due to weather conditions and or slippery pavements. Therefore as I was existing the Lexus did not allow me to stop as I normal did for over 17 years. The Lexus then hit the rear of the car stop at the stop light. These defective tires must be recalled so other life's will be spared. Many folks have loss there life in USA and many foreign countries. I have purchased new tires from Firestone for over 16 years. Firestone is the only tires company we allowed to replace all our tires. This is for our 2004 gx 470. Please assist the American consumers to stop these defective tires that could kill someone while you are reading this complaint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11423850July 7, 2021
TIRES:SIDEWALL
Once existing the car the Officernoticed that my rear driver tire had expolded. This is what caused the accident and caused me tremendously back pain problems. The tires were purchase new from Firestone Complete Auto Care as we only purchased Firestone tires beginning with our first replacement tires until present.Thank God my life was spared. Unfortunately this is the second major conflict with Firestone and there defective products and maintenance schedules. Lexus rear automatic lowering up and down rear end system has product defects also. The brakes systems would not stop the Lexus 2004 GX 470. They would not stop as many times of previous stops.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11366987October 29, 2020
STRUCTURE:BODY
VEHICLE MAINTAINED PER MANUAL. FRAME RUSTED THRU IN NUMEROUS PLACES, VIABLE HOLES OBVIOUS. VEHICLE DEEMED UNSAFE UPON INSPECTION. LEXUS HDQTRS IN PLANO, TX AND PARSIPPANY NJ REFUSED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOSS OF VEHICLE. I MAILED A PACKAGE OF CORRESPONDENCE AND PHOTOGRAPHS TO YOUR ADDRESS VIA CERTIFIED MAIL OCT 7,2020, RETURN RECEIPT NOT REC'D. FRUSTRATED WITH LACK OF RESPONSE.. TOYOTA REPLACED OR REPURCHASED TRUCK W/SAME FRAME, LEXUS REFUSED RECEIVED CASE # 11362013, YOURAGENCY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11362013September 30, 2020
STRUCTURE:BODY
DICSCOVERED DURING MINOR REPAIR,FRAME OF VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY DETERIORATED DUE TO RUST T.FRAME PERFORATED IN NUMEROUS PLACES. RATED UNFIT TO DRIVE ,LEXUS DENIES ANY RESPONSIBILITY. VEHICLE IS IN NEED OF COMPLETE FRAME REPLACEMENT . VEHICLE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. RUST APPEARS AT BOX FRAME AND WELDS THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11339358July 14, 2020
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE HAS EXTENSIVE RUST THROUGH IN MANY PORTIONS OF THE FRAME. VEHICLE SAID TO BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE . VEHICLE WAS IN SHOP FOR OTHER SERVICE WHEN DAMAGE WAS DETECTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11322694April 29, 2020
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TOYOTA HAS A RUSTY FRAME RECALL AND NOW THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT I HAVE A RUST ON MY FRAME THAT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. WHEN I OBTAINED MY VIN ON THE SIDE OF MY VEHICLE, IT SAYS MFD BY TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION. THE RUST HAS LEAD TO ME HAVING TO CHANGE OUT THE ENTIRE SUSPENSION AND THIS WAS TOLD TO ME NOW WHEN I SERVICE MY CAR EVERY 5K MILES WITH THE DEALERSHIP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11257785September 24, 2019
STRUCTURE:BODY
2004 LEXUS GX 470. HAS FRAME ROT DUE TO THE CONDINSATION HOSE RELEASED ON TOP OF THE PASSANGER SIDE FRAME. IT RUNS DOWN THE PASSANGER SIDE FRAME AND PUT HOLES IN IT DUE TO INPROPER PLACEMENT. NOW THE PASSANGER SIDE DOOR IS SLIGHLY OUT OF ALIGNMENT WHEN CLOSED. I HAVE HAD TO WRAPP STEEL AROUND THE FRAME. FROM FRONT DOOR TO FRONT OF BACK WHEEL. CONTACTED LEXUS AT 1800-255-3987 IN PLANO TEXAS FOR CASE NUMBER [XXX]. THEN SAID ONLY A MINOR WARRANTY FOR CORRESION AND IT IS NOT COVERED. ALSO THE PERSON ON THE PHONE REFUSED TO GIVE ME TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS MAILING ADDRESS. THIS RUST IS ON TOP OF THE FRAME AND I BELIEVE WOULD TAKE 10-15 YEARS TO SHOW UP. THERE IS NOW MANY HOLES IN ONLY THE PASSANGER SIDE FRAME. HERE ARE PICTURES PICTURE 6100 SHOWS THE HOSE OVER THE FRAME. IS IT POSSIABLE THE CAR COULD BRAKE WHEN DRIVING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11240345July 29, 2019
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE PAINT ON THE PLASTIC FENDERS, BUMPERS, AND THE METAL ROOF HAS BEEN FADING FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS. THE FADING STARTED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ABOUT 1-2 YEARS OLD, EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE OVERNIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN VA AND HAS BEEN USED IN CA SINCE 2006. WE HAVE ABOUT 110,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE SEEN SIMILAR MAKE/MODEL LEXUS GX 470S THAT APPEAR TO HAVE THE SAME FADED PAINT IN THE SAME ARES ON THE VEHICLE AS OURS. IN ADDITION, THE PAINT APPEARS TO BE DETERIORATING AND DISAPPEARING FROM THE ROOF AND ON THE EDGES OF THE DOORS. THIS COULD LEAD TO RUST PROBLEMS. OUR EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THIS WITH THE LEXUS DEALERS HAVE NOT MET WITH SUCCESS; THE DEALERS MORE OR LESS DISMISSED OUR COMPLAINT. OUR BODY SHOP MECHANIC TOLD US HE BELIEVES THE PAINT IS DEFECTIVE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11194294April 6, 2019
SEAT BELTS, SUSPENSION, WHEELS
MY GX470 2004 HAS RUST ON FRAME, SHOCKS AND SUSPENSION. HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY WILL NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY WILL COST MORE THAN VEHICLE. LEXUS SHOULD REALLY CONSIDER THESE FRAMES FROM DANA OHIO IN THE RECALLS AS THE OTHERS. OVER THE YEARS I HAVE HAD THE RADIATOR, EMERGENCY BRAKE AND RIMS ALL RUST OUT AND REPLACED AS WELL AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT EVEN IN SNOW OR BEACH AREAS. THESE VEHICLES ALSO HAVE THE SEAT BELT ISSUE WHICH MAKES THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAY ON. AS NICE AND RELIABLE THESE VEHICLES WERE I BELIEVE LEXUS SHOULD BACK THEIR PRODUCT!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11186563March 13, 2019
STRUCTURE:BODY
VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO RUST HOLE IN FRAME AND TRANSMISSION SUPPORT. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE REST OF THE FRAME IS IN GOOD CONDITION WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT MUST BE A DEFECT WITH MATERIALS USED FOR THE FRAME, I WOULD EXPECT SAME TYPE OF DAMAGE TO THE REST OF THE FRAME. THE CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED, AND IT IS IN GREAT CONDITION OTHERWISE, AFTER CLOSE TO 103,000 MILES. THIS MAY BE RELATED TO THE TOYOTA FRAME RUST ISSUES THAT WERE REPORTED SINCE, TO MY KNOWLEDGE THE GX SHARES THE SAME FRAME AS OTHER TOYOTA SUVS/TRUCKS. LEXUS REFUSED TO HELP W/ THE REPAIR ETC. AND THEY DEEMED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE, I HAVE TO TOW IT OUT OF THEIR DEALERSHIP. ATTACHED, MY SHOP REVIEW, LEXUS REVIEW AND PICTURES FROM MY MECHANIC. I AM ASKING LEXUS FOR THE PICTURES THEY TOOK WHILE THE CAR WAS IN SHOP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11173320January 31, 2019
STRUCTURE:BODY
PEARL WHITE PAINT IS PEELING OFF LIKE PAPER ON MY 2004 GX 470 WHAT IS GOING ON WITH LEXUS PAINT I HAVE OWNED 3 LEXUS CARS NEVER HAD THIS TO HAPPEN TO THE OTHER CARS NEEDS HELP IN SANFORD NC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11164595January 2, 2019
POWER TRAIN
THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AVAILABLE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE TRANSMISSION, TRANSFER CASE "ACTUATOR" REPLACEMENT PART # 36100-6D190, IS CRACKING AROUND 90,000 TO 100,000 MILES AND LEAKING OIL ON STREETS AND ANYWHRE YOU PARK. THE CAUSE IS FROM LEXUS SERVICE AT THE 100,000 MILE TUNE UP, IN MANY CASES, IF A OWNER HAS NEVER USED THEIR 4 WHEEL DRIVE, AND SERVICE ENGAGES 4 WHEEL DRIVE DURING SERVICE AND THEN CRACKING THIS DEFECTIVE PART THAT HAS NOT BEEN USED IN 10 YEARS. THAT WAS MY SITUATION, WHERE I DLEIVERED A PERFECT VEHICLE TO LEXUS OF GREENVILLE SC FOR 100,000 TUNE UP SERVICE, AND THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME LEAKING. IT WAS REPORTED IMMEDIATLY WITH NO RESULT TO FIX. $3500 PART. I HAVE HAD A FEW MEETINGS WITH LEXUS CORPORATE OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS TOO, CASE# 1706011926. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11082666April 3, 2018
VISIBILITY/WIPER, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASHBOARD HAS BECOME STICKY, CRACKED, AND IS NOW SO SHINY WE HAVE TO DRAPE A TOWEL OVER THE DASH AS HEADLIGHT GLARE MAKES DRIVING AT NIGHT VERY DANGEROUS. LEXUS ACKNOWLEDGES THEY HAD A BAD BATCH OF DASHBOARDS AND NO LONGER USES THAT VENDOR. LEXUS CORPORATE HAS RESPECTFULLY DECLINED REPAIR CLAIMING THE ISSUE DID NOT SURFACE UNTIL LIMITED WINDOW EXPIRED. PREVIOUS CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11010283July 24, 2017
STRUCTURE:BODY, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ENTIRE FRAME OF THE CAR IS RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT ALMOST NOTHING IS HOLDING THE CAR TOGETHER AND WE'VE BEEN TOLD IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. HAS BEEN MAINTAINED ON REGULAR BASIS AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN PARKED IN GARAGE AT NIGHT AND ON MOST WEEKDAYS. CAR SHOULDN'T BE RUSTED OUT WHEN CARED FOR METICULOUSLY (DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10966752March 22, 2017
AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE
2004 LEXUS GX 400. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT DASHBOARD NOT AVAILABLE TO REPLACE CURTAIN-SHIELD AIRBAG MODULE AND CRACKED DASHBOARD. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED, A YEAR PASSED AND THE AIR BAG AND DASHBOARD WERE NOT REPLACED. UPDATED 03/22/2017 *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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