VehicleVerdict

2004 Lexus Gx470 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2004 Lexus Gx470 sits mid-pack among Gx470 years: 48 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 38, with a single recall and no defect investigations.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 12 reports (25% of the total).

48

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Gx470 years?

Gx470 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted64 complaints2003: 64 complaints2004: 48 complaints2005: 38 complaints2006: 38 complaints2007: 34 complaints2008: 16 complaints2009: 1 complaints
Gx470 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Gx470 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Lexus Gx470 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1225%
Body & Structure919%
Speed Control48%
Other48%
Brakes36%
Transmission36%
Electrical System36%
Suspension36%
Engine24%
Visibility & Wipers24%
Tires & Wheels12%
Seats12%
Steering12%

Does the 2004 Lexus Gx470 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V065000AirbagsFebruary 5, 2016 · 320,409 units

Defect

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 control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.

Consequence

If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module with one that has improved programming, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-271-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0C and GLB.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 25, 2017 · crash

“I HAVE A 2004 GX470 SUV. TODAY I WAS IN A PARKING LOT, TRYING TO BACK OUT AND LEAVE. WITH ONE FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR, I FOUND IT STUCK, WHICH WAS ODD, AS I HAD NOT EXPERIENCED IT BEFORE. SO I PRESSED ON IT AGAIN, I THOUGHT, LIGHTLY. I WAS TAKEN COMPLETELY BY SURPRISE, AS I SEEMED TO HAVE FLOWN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 15, 2016 · crash

“I HAVE A 2004 GX470 SUV. TODAY I WAS IN A PARKING LOT, TRYING TO BACK OUT AND LEAVE. WITH ONE FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR, I FOUND IT STUCK, WHICH WAS ODD, AS I HAD NOT EXPERIENCED IT BEFORE. SO I PRESSED ON IT AGAIN, I THOUGHT, LIGHTLY. I WAS TAKEN COMPLETELY BY SURPRISE, AS I SEEMED TO HAVE FLOWN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · January 15, 2016 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · December 1, 2018

“WHEN STOPPING OR DECELERATING GET A CLUNKING NOISE IN REAR OF VEHICLE. DEALER IDENTIFIED DRIVESHAFT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 28, 2015

2004 Lexus Gx470 — common questions

Is the 2004 Lexus Gx470 reliable?

It is close to typical for the Gx470: 48 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2004 Gx470 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (12 complaints), body & structure (9 complaints), speed control (4 complaints).

Does the 2004 Lexus Gx470 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2004 Lexus Gx470. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Lexus Gx470 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Gx470 years to avoid are 2003. The cleanest record among Gx470 years belongs to 2009.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.