2006 Lexus GX

I am reporting a serious paint peeling and delamination issue on my 2006 Lexus GX470, painted in Blizzard Pearl (paint code 070). The clear coat and base coat are separating from the body, especially on the hood, roof, and other exposed panels. The paint is flaking off in large sections and continues to deteriorate. Lexus and Toyota have acknowledged this as a known manufacturing defect for several vehicles painted in Blizzard Pearl under Customer Support Program ZKG. However, my vehicle was not included in the recall or program despite showing the exact same failure pattern and paint code. This paint issue significantly affects the safety of the vehicle’s structure (exposing metal to the elements) and visibility, and may impact resale and long-term durability. This is clearly a widespread issue that should be addressed for all affected vehicles, regardless of production year.

NHTSA ID

11655516

Incident

Feb 1, 2025

After removing the third row seating mechanism, it was noticed that significant rust has occured at the forward mounting point for the hinge device around the welds and heat affected zone of the mounting bracket. No rust was visible from the wheel well due to the textured undercoating until the undercoating was removed. Rust had penetrated through the body and seat mount, resulting in a potentially unsafe condition for third row passengers. Recommend owners have this area checked on a regular basis to prevent safety concerns and remediate corrosion as necessary.

NHTSA ID

11651507

Incident

Mar 29, 2025

I PURCHASED A 2006 GX470 LEXUS SUV BECAUSE OF SAFETY RATINGS. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS THE PAINT PEELS OFF EVERYWHERE. IT STARTED ON THE TOP THEN ON THE OUTSIDE WINDOW SEALS NOT THE HOOD PAINT IS PEELING AWAY. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A SHOTTY PAINT JOB BY THE MANUFACTURER. WHY ARE THEY NOT RECALLING THESE VEHICLES AND FIXING THE PAINT PEELING? I CAN NOT GET EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER THE PAINT. MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING. FORUM WHERE MANY OWNERS OF THE 2006-2007 HAVE THE EXACT SAME DEFECT IN PAINT/PRIMER. AND, LEXUS DID RECALL AND OFFER TO REPAINT FIX 2008 AND HIGHER BUT NOT 2006 OR 07. OWNERS ARE DRIVING AROUND IN A CAR WITH PAINT CHIPPING DAILY!

NHTSA ID

11353236

Incident

Mar 14, 2020

AS I WAS DRIVING ON A NORMAL SIDE STREET THE FRAME FULLY FELL OFF OF MY CAR AND HIT THE BREAK FLUID/GAS PIPE AND CAUSED A LEAK THAT COULD HAVE LEAD TO A DANGEROUS EXPLOSION. I HAD TO TAKE IT TO A SHOP AND THEIR THEY TOLD ME THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THATS WHY IT HAD BROKE OFF

NHTSA ID

11352018

Incident

Jul 12, 2020

Mileage

182,000 mi

SIGNIFICANT FRAME COMPROMISED DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. REAR CROSSMEMBER COMPLETELY DESTROYED.

NHTSA ID

11328811

Incident

Jun 11, 2020

Mileage

150,000 mi

THIS IS A 2006 LEXUS GX470. THE PAINT IS PEELING PROFUSELY AND FOR NO REASON. WE DO NOT LIVE AROUND SALT WATER, THE WEATHER HAS NOT GOT TO EXTREME COLD LEVELS. I HAVE SEEN SINCE THIS CAR ROLLED OUT THAT LEXUS HAS TAKEN NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PAINT PEELING. LIKE HUNDREDS OTHERS, IT IS PEELING ON THE TOP OF THE CAR, TOP OF THE DOOR UNDER ALL WINDOWS, AND VARIOUS PLACES ON THE HOOD. I HAD A PAINT SPECIALIST EVALUATE IT AND WAS TOLD OTHERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE AND IT HAD A BAD PRIMER WHICH CAUSES THE PAINT TO PEEL THIS BAD.

NHTSA ID

11297506

Incident

Aug 1, 2019

Mileage

121,000 mi

I HAVE REPEATEDLY CONTACTED LEXUS REQUESTING THEY HONOR AN EARLIER COMMITMENT TO REPLACE THE CRACKING OF MY DASHBOARD ' I AM ESPECIALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CRACKING WHERE THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG WOULD DEPLOY ' THE CRACKING COULD RELEASE SMALL PROJECTILES FROM THE DASHBOARD THAT COULD FUNCTION LIKE BULLETS IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT THAT DEPLOYED THE AIRBAG AND ITS FORCE

NHTSA ID

11253054

Incident

Mar 1, 2019

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS GX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V065000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10863604

Incident

Feb 23, 2015

Some 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to all model and model year specific Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to all model and model year specific Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: •Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. •Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. •Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. While the quality and durability of paint on Lexus vehicles is continuously being improved, it remains the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.