LEXUS GX! · model year

2004 LEXUS GX!

28 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004LEXUSGX! carries 28 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 GX! is structure:body with 7 filings, followed by suspension (4) and unknown or other (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2004 GX!. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

28
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

28 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STRUCTURE:BODY7
SUSPENSION4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
AIR BAGS3
STRUCTURE2
TIRES:SIDEWALL2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1

Recent Complaints

20250611AIR BAGS

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

20250611UNKNOWN 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

20250425STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

20250425SUSPENSION

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.

20250425UNKNOWN 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.

20230513STRUCTURE: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.

20211027STRUCTURE: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.

20210806TIRES: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.

20210707CrashTIRES: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.

20201029STRUCTURE: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.

Mileage: 115,800

20200930STRUCTURE: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

Mileage: 115,800

20200714SUSPENSION

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.

20200429UNKNOWN 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.

20190924STRUCTURE: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

20190729STRUCTURE: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.

20180403VISIBILITY/WIPER

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.

20180403UNKNOWN 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.

20161227AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS GX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT HAD NECK INJURIES AND WAS TREATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE BODY DAMAGES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

20160809VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I OWN A 2004 LEXUS GX470. IN JUNE 2016, I WAS TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY AND THE CAR VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM KICKED IN AND CAUSED THE CAR TO JERK BACK AND FORTH, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED AND IN IDEAL ROAD CONDITIONS, NO REASON FOR THE VSC TO KICK IN. THE VSC LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS SINCE REMAINED ON. SINCE THAT EVENT, THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM HAS KICKED IN FOR NO REASON NUMEROUS TIMES. JUST A FEW EXAMPLES, IN JULY, WHILE I WAS TRAVELING 25 MPH ON AN EXIT RAMP, SUDDENLY THE VSC TOOK OVER AND IT CAUSED THE CAR TO SWERVE BACK AND FORTH, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO RUN OFF THE RAMP INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND WHILE GOING OVER A SPEED BUMP, IT KICKED IN AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO SWERVE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IN EACH CASE, THE ROAD AND WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE NOT AN ISSUE. THE CAR DOES NOT FEEL STABLE, AS IT DID BEFORE. I HAVE TO DRIVE SLOWER, TAKE TURNS SLOWER, AND ADJUST HOW I APPROACH STANDARD DRIVING.I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP AND AFTE

Mileage: 153,537

20160809ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I OWN A 2004 LEXUS GX470. IN JUNE 2016, I WAS TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY AND THE CAR VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM KICKED IN AND CAUSED THE CAR TO JERK BACK AND FORTH, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED AND IN IDEAL ROAD CONDITIONS, NO REASON FOR THE VSC TO KICK IN. THE VSC LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS SINCE REMAINED ON. SINCE THAT EVENT, THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM HAS KICKED IN FOR NO REASON NUMEROUS TIMES. JUST A FEW EXAMPLES, IN JULY, WHILE I WAS TRAVELING 25 MPH ON AN EXIT RAMP, SUDDENLY THE VSC TOOK OVER AND IT CAUSED THE CAR TO SWERVE BACK AND FORTH, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO RUN OFF THE RAMP INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND WHILE GOING OVER A SPEED BUMP, IT KICKED IN AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO SWERVE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IN EACH CASE, THE ROAD AND WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE NOT AN ISSUE. THE CAR DOES NOT FEEL STABLE, AS IT DID BEFORE. I HAVE TO DRIVE SLOWER, TAKE TURNS SLOWER, AND ADJUST HOW I APPROACH STANDARD DRIVING.I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP AND AFTE

Mileage: 153,537

Compare 2004LEXUSGX! to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 LEXUS GX! have?
The 2004 LEXUS GX! has 28 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 LEXUS GX!?
The most-complained component for the 2004 LEXUS GX! is STRUCTURE:BODY with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SUSPENSION and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2004 LEXUS GX! safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.