Total Complaints
7 filings
LEXUS LX470 · model year
2002 LEXUS LX470
7 NHTSA complaints, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2002LEXUSLX470 carries 7 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 0 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 2002 LX470 is service brakes, air:antilock:abs warning light with 1 filings, followed by service brakes, air:disc:pads (1) and service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:hydraulic (1). 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. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2002 LX470. 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.
7
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 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 |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:PADS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
Recalls (1)
04V43400008/09/2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
Recent Complaints
20190822SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS LX470. WHILE DRIVING ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S WARNING SENSOR BEGAN BEEPING AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED ABRUPTLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT DROVE 15 MPH UNTIL SHE REACHED HER DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SOUTH BAY LEXUS (3215 PACIFIC COAST HWY, TORRANCE, CA 90505, 310-325-9999), BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE DEALER NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE DEFECT; HOWEVER, THEIR DIAGNOSTICS SHOWED NO FAILURES RELATED TO THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 164,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Mileage: 164,000
20190822ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS LX470. WHILE DRIVING ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S WARNING SENSOR BEGAN BEEPING AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED ABRUPTLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT DROVE 15 MPH UNTIL SHE REACHED HER DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SOUTH BAY LEXUS (3215 PACIFIC COAST HWY, TORRANCE, CA 90505, 310-325-9999), BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE DEALER NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE DEFECT; HOWEVER, THEIR DIAGNOSTICS SHOWED NO FAILURES RELATED TO THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 164,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Mileage: 164,000
20120417FirePOWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. A LOUD BANG, GRINDING AND SMELL OF BURNING TRANSMISSION FLUID. SMALL FIRE FROM LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. HIGHER RATE OF THESE TYPES OF FAILURES FOR 2000 - 2002 LX470 SUV'S *JS
Mileage: 110,000
20040614STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
WATER WAS LEAKING INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AND SOAKING THE INTERIOR. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE BY THE DEALERSHIP, THEY THOUGHT THE LEAK WAS DUE TO THE SPOILER. THEY PATCHED THE HOLES IN SPOILER AND REPLACED THE ENTIRE HATCH. BUT THE LEAK RECURRED. CURRENTLY, DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE WATER WAS SEEPING THROUGH THE LIGHT IN THE THIRD DOOR HATCH WHICH HAD A LEAK. *AK
Mileage: 5,704
20040211SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY TRACTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE LOST BRAKE POWER AND STEERING FOR A PERIOD OF ONE MINUTE. DURING THAT TIME VEHICLE SWERVED LEFT TO RIGHT, BUT DID NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLES OR OBJECTS ON THE ROAD. TRACTION LIGHT WENT OFF, AND VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. IT WAS FOUND THAT HYDRAULIC UNIT ON THE BRAKE BOOSTER WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, AND WAS REPLACED. *AK
Mileage: 30,800
20030930SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
AT THE 20K SERVICE ON OUR 2002 LEXUS LS430 WE WERE INFORMEDTHAT WE NEEDED THE FRONT AND REAR BARK PADS REPLACED AND THE DICS TURNED AT OUR COST OF $588. WE WERE TOLD THAT LEXUS REDESIGNED THE SENSORS AND WE WOULD NEED TO REPEAT THIS EACH 20K. HOW CAN A CAR THAT SELLS FOR OVER 60 THOUSAND DOLLARS HAVE SUCH A BAD REDESIGN?
Mileage: 22,792
20030930SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:PADS
AT THE 20K SERVICE ON OUR 2002 LEXUS LS430 WE WERE INFORMEDTHAT WE NEEDED THE FRONT AND REAR BARK PADS REPLACED AND THE DICS TURNED AT OUR COST OF $588. WE WERE TOLD THAT LEXUS REDESIGNED THE SENSORS AND WE WOULD NEED TO REPEAT THIS EACH 20K. HOW CAN A CAR THAT SELLS FOR OVER 60 THOUSAND DOLLARS HAVE SUCH A BAD REDESIGN?
Mileage: 22,792
Compare 2002LEXUSLX470 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2002 LEXUS LX470 have?▼
The 2002 LEXUS LX470 has 7 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 LEXUS LX470?▼
Yes, the 2002 LEXUS LX470 has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 LEXUS LX470?▼
The most-complained component for the 2002 LEXUS LX470 is SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:PADS and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC.
Is the 2002 LEXUS LX470 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.