Total Complaints
91 filings
Lexus Gx470 · model year
2004 Lexus Gx470
91 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash reports, and 1 recall campaign listed for this cohort. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
- Complaints
- 91
- Recalls
- 1
The verdict
The 2004 Lexus Gx470 posts above-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.
- 14th pctile
- complaint volume, own model years
- 1
- recall campaign
The 2004LexusGx470 carries 91 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 14 crashes, 0 fires, 12 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2004 Gx470 is air bags with 17 filings, followed by unknown or other (8) and vehicle speed control (7). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 1 NHTSA recall campaign listed below. Enter a VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2004 Gx470. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
91
Complaints
14
Crashes
0
Fires
12
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
2004 Lexus Gx470
PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.
NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.
Crashes Reported
14 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 17 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 8 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 7 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 7 |
| STRUCTURE | 7 |
| SUSPENSION | 6 |
| POWER TRAIN | 4 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT | 3 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 2 |
| VISIBILITY | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 2 |
| WHEELS | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| SEATS | 2 |
Recalls (1)
16V06500005/02/2016
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
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 c
Recent Complaints
20230802SEATS
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.
Mileage: 67,000
20230802SEATS: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.
Mileage: 67,000
20210726STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD
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.
Mileage: 105,000
20190406SEAT BELTS
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!
20190406SUSPENSION
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!
20190406WHEELS
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!
20190313STRUCTURE: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.
Mileage: 102,877
20190131STRUCTURE: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
20190102POWER 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
Mileage: 100,000
20181203AIR BAGS
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.
20181203UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
20180123AIR BAGS
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.
Mileage: 121,000
20180123UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Mileage: 121,000
20170920CrashAIR BAGS
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.
Mileage: 128,000
20170920CrashSERVICE BRAKES
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.
Mileage: 128,000
20170724STRUCTURE:BODY
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).
Mileage: 120,000
20170724ENGINE
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).
Mileage: 120,000
20170724UNKNOWN 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).
Mileage: 120,000
20170322AIR BAGS
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
20170322STRUCTURE
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
Compare 2004LexusGx470 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Vehicle Safety Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2004 Lexus Gx470 have?▼
The 2004 Lexus Gx470 has 91 NHTSA complaints, 14 crashes, 0 fires, 12 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 Lexus Gx470?▼
Yes, the 2004 Lexus Gx470 has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Lexus Gx470?▼
The most-complained component for the 2004 Lexus Gx470 is AIR BAGS with 17 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 2004 Lexus Gx470 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.
Data vintage: August 2026. 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.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2004 Lexus Gx470; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.