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2004 Lexus Gx

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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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 · Sep 24, 2019
Structure

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #11257785

Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2019
Structure

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 V…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11240345

Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2018
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/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 UNTI…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11082666

Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2016
Air 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 DAMAGE…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10937667

153,537 miles · Aug 9, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle 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 REM…

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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 AFTER $2500 WORTH OF REPAIRS, THE VSC CONTROL LIGHT IS STILL ON AND THE CAR IS STILL UNSTABLE. THEY CLAIMED THEY FIXED A HEIGHT CONTROL ISSUE AND REPLACED A SENSOR, HOWEVER IT DID NOT FIX THE VSC ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND CAN CAUSE A LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENT. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS SPECIFIC CAR AND MODEL YEAR, FROM OTHER COMPLAINTS. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE AND RECEIVE PRIORITY. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS MATTER, IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT! THIS PROBLEM CAN CAUSE A FATALITY IF LEFT UNADDRESSED. THANK YOU! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10894264

85,000 miles · Oct 21, 2015
Suspension

AT START UP THE REAR HEIGHT GOES UP AND STAYS UP. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY MANUALLY BLED THE AIR. SAID SENSOR GO OUT ALL THE TIME AND COST A LOT TO REPLACE. CURRENTLY STAYING LEVEL BUT RIDES A LITTLE TIGHT. DEFINITELY DON'T WANT TO PAY $3000 FOR A FIX.

NHTSA ODI #10783874

50,000 miles · Jun 2, 2014
Air BagsStructure

THE DASH IS CRACKING ALL OVER THE PLACE(BETWEEN 20-30 PACES). THE MOST CRACKING HAS OCCURRED IN FRONT OF AND AROUND THE PASSENGERS AIRBAG. THIS IS PARTICULARLY CONCERNING BECAUSE I FEAR IT THE AIRBAG NEEDED TO DEPLOY, IT WOULD NOT PROPERLY DO SO, AND ALSO THAT IT MAY BE EXTRA DANGEROUS IF THE CRACKED PIECES OF THE DASH GO FLYING…

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THE DASH IS CRACKING ALL OVER THE PLACE(BETWEEN 20-30 PACES). THE MOST CRACKING HAS OCCURRED IN FRONT OF AND AROUND THE PASSENGERS AIRBAG. THIS IS PARTICULARLY CONCERNING BECAUSE I FEAR IT THE AIRBAG NEEDED TO DEPLOY, IT WOULD NOT PROPERLY DO SO, AND ALSO THAT IT MAY BE EXTRA DANGEROUS IF THE CRACKED PIECES OF THE DASH GO FLYING IN ALL DIRECTIONS UPON AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF SUCH CONDITIONS REPORTED THROUGHOUT THE US HERE: HTTP://WWW.CLUBLEXUS.COM/FORUMS/GX-FIRST-GENERATION/427349-CRACKED-DASHBOARD.HTML IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER IF THE VEHICLE WAS GARAGE KEPT, OR PARKED IN THE SUN. ALSO CLIMATE TEMPERATURE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A FACTOR. THIS CONDITION IS BEING REPORTS ALL OVER THE US. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10595631

72,000 miles · Mar 17, 2014
Structure

THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2004 LEXUS GX 470 STARTED TO SHOW A FEW CRACKS BACK IN 2011. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. THE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS GARAGE-STORED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A REAL PROBLEM THAT LEXUS REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10572772

1,000 miles · Jun 10, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSuspension

A CLUNKING NOISE HAPPENS ALMOST ALL TIMES WHEN COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. MY WIFE REPORTED PROBLEM TO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED EXCESSIVE ODORS SMELL LIKE REAR BRAKE PADS BURNED. REPORTED TO DIFFERENT LEXUS WITHOUT BEING FIXED UNTIL NOW. RECENTLY HEARING POPPING NOISE WHEN AIR CONDITIONER USED. WILL REP…

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A CLUNKING NOISE HAPPENS ALMOST ALL TIMES WHEN COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. MY WIFE REPORTED PROBLEM TO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED EXCESSIVE ODORS SMELL LIKE REAR BRAKE PADS BURNED. REPORTED TO DIFFERENT LEXUS WITHOUT BEING FIXED UNTIL NOW. RECENTLY HEARING POPPING NOISE WHEN AIR CONDITIONER USED. WILL REPORT TO LEXUS DEALER NEXT SERVICE TIME. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10159499

22,300 miles · Jun 2, 2006
Power Train

WHEN DOWNHILL, VEHICLE SHIFTS DOWNWARD FROM D TO 4. MUST WAIT A FEW SECONDS BEFORE ACCELERATING, THEN VEHICLE SHIFTS BACK TO D. IF I ACCELERATE WHILE IN 4TH GEAR, VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT TO D. I HAVE SEEN AN IDENTICAL COMPLAINT FILED IN THIS SERVICE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10158885

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.