2003 Lexus GX470 recalls and problems

The 2003 Lexus GX470 has 2 recalls and 46 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is power train.

Pictured: a 2004 model; the 2003 may differ in details. Photo: 2004 Lexus Gx 470 by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How the 2003 compares

High

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

High complaint count among 7 GX470 model years — 2nd most.

2recalls

46complaints

5crashes

1fires

2injuries

33,102median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

2 recalls

Seats

Mar 10, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V088000 · 3,666 vehicles

Problem: On certain vehicles equipped with the Lexus link system, it May be difficult to lock one of the two latches on the bottom of the middle row left rear seat (larger side of the bench seat directly behind the driver). Due to the thickness of the Lexus link system storage case, the stopper on the bottom of the seat is slightly elevated. This elevated position misaligns the latch to the striker.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE LEXUS LINK SYSTEM, IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO LOCK ONE OF THE TWO LATCHES ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MIDDLE ROW LEFT REAR SEAT (LARGER SIDE OF THE BENCH SEAT DIRECTLY BEHIND THE DRIVER). DUE TO THE THICKNESS OF THE LEXUS LINK SYSTEM STORAGE CASE, THE STOPPER ON THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT IS SLIGHTLY ELEVATED. THIS ELEVATED POSITION MISALIGNS THE LATCH TO THE STRIKER.

Risk: If the vehicle is operated with only one latch locked, the occupant of the seat May be improperly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Original NHTSA wording

IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED WITH ONLY ONE LATCH LOCKED, THE OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT MAY BE IMPROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will remove the lls case panels around the seat stopper. Owner notification began April 8, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Lexus at 1-888-333-9376.

Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Equipment

Feb 11, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V031000 · 5,878 vehicles

Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of part 567, "certification." the incorrect gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) data was printed on the certification regulation label. The GVWR is incorrectly reflected on the label as 6,100 LBS. The correct GVWR should be 6,000 LBS.

Original NHTSA wording

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, "CERTIFICATION." THE INCORRECT GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR) DATA WAS PRINTED ON THE CERTIFICATION REGULATION LABEL. THE GVWR IS INCORRECTLY REFLECTED ON THE LABEL AS 6,100 LBS. THE CORRECT GVWR SHOULD BE 6,000 LBS.

Risk: The certification label does not meet the information requirements as described in the regulations.

Original NHTSA wording

THE CERTIFICATION LABEL DOES NOT MEET THE INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS AS DESCRIBED IN THE REGULATIONS.

Remedy & notes

As each label is vehicle identification number specific, owners will be requested to contact their local Lexus dealer first to place an order for the corrected label. Once the label has arrived at the dealership, the owner will be contacted for label replacement. Owner began April 10, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.

Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Unknown or other5

Vehicle Speed Control4

Electronic Stability Control3

Fuel System3

Steering3

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2003 vs. other Lexus GX470 years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2003. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2003 Lexus GX470 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns covering the 2003 Lexus GX470, the latest from Mar 10, 2003 (seats). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Lexus GX470?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention power train (11), suspension (7), engine (6). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.