Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 8 of 20 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Structure. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
20 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2025
Air BagsUnknown 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, …
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11666410
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2025
StructureSuspensionUnknown 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.
NHTSA ODI #11656859
Mileage unknown · May 13, 2023
Structure
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 ca…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11521836
Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2021
Structure
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.
NHTSA ODI #11438407
Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2021
TiresInjury
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 …
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11427975
Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2021
TiresCrashInjury
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 …
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11423850
115,800 miles · Oct 29, 2020
Structure
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 …
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11366987
115,800 miles · Sep 30, 2020
Structure
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 TH…
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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
NHTSA ODI #11362013
Mileage unknown · Jul 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.
NHTSA ODI #11339358
Mileage unknown · Apr 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 WH…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11322694
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2004 Lexus Gx Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year