VehicleVerdict

2005 Lexus Lx470 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 10 complaints on file for the 2005 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.

10

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Lx470 years?

Lx470 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 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, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Lx470 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Lexus Lx470 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension220%
Transmission220%
Lighting110%
Speed Control110%
Airbags110%
Body & Structure110%
Steering110%
Fuel System110%

Does the 2005 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.

“DT: CALLER SAYS WHEN 4-WHEEL DRIVE CONTROL IS BUMPED IT KNOCKS VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE ROLLS AWAY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE CONTROL OVERRIDES THE PARK GEAR, AND THIS CAN HAPPEN WITH NO ONE IS IN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CALLER HAS CONCERNS ABOUT HER FAMILY SHOULD THIS HAPPEN WITH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 24, 2005 · crash

“2005 LEXUS 470 HAS ONGOING HEIGHT CONTROL PROBLEMS. SERVICED 5 TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE, LAST TIME ON 4/20/09. ON 4/26/09, VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIVE VERY ROUGHLY AND THE REAR OF VEHICLE RAISED ONE INCH HIGHER THAN FRONT OF VEHICLE. ON 4/27/09, SUV RETURNED TO LEXUS DEALER FOR 6TH REPAIR APPOINTMENT FOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · April 26, 2009

“I HAD A 2005 LEXUS 470 CAR AND IT WAS INVOLVED IN TWO ACCIDENTS THAT NEITHER I NOR THE OTHER DRIVER COULD NEITHER ONE HAS EVER HAD AN ACCIDENT AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING 35 YEARS. THE CAR IN THE FIRST ACCIDENT I DO NOT EVEN KNOW WHAT HAPPENED THERE WAS A COLLISION ON A ROAD I TAKE EVERY DAY. THE OTHER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 16, 2010 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS LX470. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V065000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 2, 2016

“HEADLIGHTS COME ON AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME (2 MIN TO 20 MIN) AFTER VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND THE KEY BOB BUTTON IS PRESSED TWICE AND TRUCK BEEPS; HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF EVEN IF THE STALK IS ON AUTO/LIGHTS ON/PARKING LIGHTS/OFF; IN ADDITION THE HEAD LIGHT STALK WILL CONTROL THE DOOR LOCKS WHEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · April 1, 2005

2005 Lexus Lx470 — common questions

Is the 2005 Lexus Lx470 reliable?

The record is thin — 10 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 2005 Lx470 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (2 complaints), suspension (2 complaints), speed control (1 complaints).

Does the 2005 Lexus Lx470 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 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.