VehicleVerdict

2003 Lexus Lx470 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 24 complaints on file for the 2003 Lexus Lx470 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

24

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Lx470 years?

Lx470 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted24 complaints1998: 5 complaints1999: 14 complaints2000: 18 complaints2001: 6 complaints2002: 7 complaints2003: 24 complaints2004: 2 complaints2005: 10 complaints2006: 9 complaints2007: 6 complaints
Lx470 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Lx470 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Lexus Lx470 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering521%
Brakes417%
Electrical System417%
Engine28%
Airbags28%
Body & Structure14%
Suspension14%
Visibility & Wipers14%
Child Seat14%
Lighting14%
Other14%
Speed Control14%

Does the 2003 Lexus Lx470 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns 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.

10V346000SteeringJuly 29, 2010 · 39,159 units

Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2007 LEXUS LX470 VEHICLES. THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE STEERING SHAFT IS SUCH THAT THE SNAP RING ON THE SHAFT MAY DISENGAGE WHEN THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES AN UNUSUALLY SEVERE IMPACT TO THE FRONT WHEELS. IF THE SNAP RING BECOMES DISENGAGED AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS THEN REPEATEDLY TURNED TO THE LOCKED POSITION, OVER TIME THE STEERING SHAFT MAY BECOME DISCONNECTED.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SNAP RING WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE AND INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL COMPONENT WHICH WILL PREVENT SEPARATION OF THE STEERING SHAFT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

04V434000LightingSeptember 8, 2004 · 75,395 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD BLIND THE DRIVER OF A VEHICLE DRIVING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RESISTOR, WHICH WILL DECREASE THE LUMINOUS INTENSITY OF THE DRL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE JUNE 10, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS LX470. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN AND GPS DID NOT FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, SOME OF THE WARNING INDICATORS DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GPS COMPUTER SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · November 10, 2010

“IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT ALOT OF THESE MADE ARE MISSING THE RELAYS FOR THE FOGLIGHTS AND REAR HEAT, AND PARKING BRAKES FREEZE UP.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 1, 2003

“IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT ALOT OF THESE MADE ARE MISSING THE RELAYS FOR THE FOGLIGHTS AND REAR HEAT, AND PARKING BRAKES FREEZE UP.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 1, 2003

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS LX470. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V065000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED SEVERAL DEALERS WHO WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 9, 2017

“I TOOK THE CAR TO LEXUS OF GLENDALE FOR ROUTINE SERVICE, WHICH WAS COMPLETED, AND THREE DAYS LATER, AS I WAS DRIVING ON 5 FREEWAY FROM COALINGA TO LOS ANGELES, ALL OF A SUDDEN, I HEARD A GRINDING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE, AND THE CAR STALLED, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TA DS A NEARBY SERVICE STATION…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 29, 2016

2003 Lexus Lx470 — common questions

Is the 2003 Lexus Lx470 reliable?

The record is thin — 24 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2003 Lx470 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (5 complaints), electrical system (4 complaints), brakes (4 complaints).

Does the 2003 Lexus Lx470 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Lexus Lx470. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.