2011 Lexus GX460 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 Lexus GX460, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags1965.5%
- Engine26.9%
- Powertrain (other)26.9%
- Driver assistance13.4%
- Electrical13.4%
- Fuel system13.4%
- Steering13.4%
- Body & structure13.4%
- Brakes13.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS GX460. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (LEXUS OF TOWSON, 1040 YORK RD, TOWSON, MD 21204, (410) 769-9400) DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *BF CONSUMER STATED THE CLAIM NEEDS TO BE DISREGARD AT THE DEALER, LEXUS OF TOWSON; THE TAKATA PARTS ARE AVAILABILE NOW THEY ARE REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 8/3/18*JB
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS GX460. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (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 (LEXUS OF PALM BEACH, 5700 OKEECHOBEE BLVD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33417 (561) 291-6004) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
LEXUS GX460 & TOYOTA 4.6L EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKS AND POTENTIAL CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. THE SYMPTOMS I IDENTIFIED WERE A DIESEL-LIKE CLATTER ON COLD START WHICH WENT AWAY WHEN THE ENGINE WARMED UP. I DID FEEL ABOVE NORMAL FATIGUE WHEN SITTING IN THE CAR FOR LONG PERIODS. MY MULTIPLE REPAIR ATTEMPTS WITH THE LEXUS DEALER SHOULD BE DOCUMENTED WITH LEXUS. LEXUS AND TOYOTA 4.6L V8 EXHAUST MANIFOLDS HAVE CHRONIC CRACKING PROBLEMS. THESE CRACKS COULD EXPOSE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS, INCLUDING YOUNG CHILDREN, THE ELDERLY AND PEOPLE IN POOR HEALTH, TO CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING WHEN THE CAR IS IN TRAFFIC OR STATIONARY WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. IT TOOK OVER 2 YEARS OF COMPLAINTS WITH MY LOCAL LEXUS DEALER AND ME, THE OWNER, SUGGESTING THE 'HIGHLY TRAINED AND CERTIFIED LEXUS TECH' CHECK OUT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. IT WAS DETERMINED THERE WAS A CRACK. THE NOISE WAS CAUSED BY THE CRACK VIBRATING/RATTLING/EXHAUST GASES ESCAPING WHICH REDUCED THE NOISE AFTER THE ENGINE HEATED UP. MY CONCERN IS THE TECHS DID NOT RECEIVE SUFFICIENT TRAINING TO IDENTIFY A POTENTISL,Y INJURIOUS OR FATAL PROBLEM. THE SITUATION IS SIMILAR TO THE CARBON MONOXIDE ISSUE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FORD EXPLORERS. RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET I IDENTIFIED A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FROM INDIVIDUALS WITH THE 4.6L TOYOTA V8 ENGINE WHO ALSO HAD EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKS. IT WAS ALSO APPARENT, PEOPLE WITH THE GX470, THE GX460S PREDESSOR, HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THEIR 4.7L TOYOTA V8. UNSURE IF THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM, MANUFACTURING DEFECT OR BROKEN QUALITY PROCESS WITH LEXUS & TOYOTA OR THEIR VENDORS.
THROTTLE ACTUATOR VALVE STUCK OPEN, REPAIRED 3 DIFFERENT TIMES & NOW SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM SWITCHING VALVE IS STUCK OPEN BANK 1 CAR STALLS OUT & GOES INTO LIMP MODE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, 4LO, TRAC LIGHT- VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. CODES P2440 & P2442 THIS IS A FAULTY PART ON TOYOTA TUNDRA & SEQOUIA.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THROTTLE ACTUATOR VALVE STUCK OPEN, REPAIRED 3 DIFFERENT TIMES & NOW SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM SWITCHING VALVE IS STUCK OPEN BANK 1 CAR STALLS OUT & GOES INTO LIMP MODE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, 4LO, TRAC LIGHT- VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. CODES P2440 & P2442 THIS IS A FAULTY PART ON TOYOTA TUNDRA & SEQOUIA.
1.WHEN GOING DOWN HILLS IN D GEAR, UPON REACHING 55-60 MPH, WHEN THE BRAKE IS TAPPED TO SLOW DOWN THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY SHIFTS DOWN FROM 6TH GEAR TO 4TH GEAR AND THE RPM SPIKES TO AROUND 4,000 RPMS. 2.THIS PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF BERLIN CITY AUTO GROUP, IN PORTLAND, MAINE, ON OCTOBER 13, 2013. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN BY A MECHANIC ON A FLAT ROAD (EVEN THOUGH TOLD THAT ANY TEST NEEDED TO BE ON A HILL WHERE SPEEDS OF 55-60 MPH COULD BE REACHED); THE REPORT WAS THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE; NO PROBLEM. 3.ON OCTOBER 17, 2013 A LEXUS AREA REPRESENTATIVE DROVE THE CAR WITH A COMPUTER CONNECTED TO IT AND THE SAME PROBLEM AS NOTED IN NUMBER 1 WAS OBSERVED. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED AND REPLACED ON TWO SUBSEQUENT VISITS; PROBLEM NOT SOLVED. ANOTHER LEXUS GX 460 WAS BROUGHT TO THE AREA AND WITH A COMPUTER HOOKED TO IT TESTS WERE MADE; IT DID NOT AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT DOWN FROM SIXTH GEAR TO FOURTH GEAR. ON JUNE 26, 2014 THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID IT WOULD BE TESTED TRAVELING DOWNHILL AT 50-60 MPH. LATER I WAS INFORMED NO PROBLEM WAS DETECTED. MILEAGE RECORDS SHOW THERE WAS NO TEST RUN MADE. AN ACCELERATOR SENSOR ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, APPARENTLY ORDERED SOME MONTHS AGO AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION THE PROBLEM.THE NEW PART MADE NO DIFFERENCE, THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE, AS THIS AUTOMATIC DOWN SHIFTING FROM SIXTH GEAR TO FOURTH GEAR NOW HAPPENS AT LOWER SPEEDS, SUCH AS BETWEEN 40-50 MPH. 4.THIS PROBLEM CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS IN THE WINTER TIME, WITH SNOWY, ICY AND SLIPPERY ROADS WHENEVER THERE IS A DOWN SHIFTING FROM SIXTH GEAR TO FOURTH GEAR AND THE VERY SUDDEN SURGE IN RPMS. BECAUSE OF THIS SUDDEN, ABRUPT DOWN SHIFTING THERE IS THE HIGH RISK OF A SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE; THIS DEFINITELY IS A LIFE AND SAFETY ISSUE PLUS A DECREASE IN MPG. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
THROTTLE ACTUATOR VALVE STUCK OPEN, REPAIRED 3 DIFFERENT TIMES & NOW SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM SWITCHING VALVE IS STUCK OPEN BANK 1 CAR STALLS OUT & GOES INTO LIMP MODE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, 4LO, TRAC LIGHT- VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. CODES P2440 & P2442 THIS IS A FAULTY PART ON TOYOTA TUNDRA & SEQOUIA.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR PUMP INJECTION, AIR PUMP VALVE GONE BAD ON MY 2011 LEXUS GX460. COST OVER $2000 TO REPLACE. THIS APPARENTLY SEEMS TO BE A REOCCURRING ISSUE IN TOYOTA ENGINES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR PUMP INJECTION, AIR PUMP VALVE GONE BAD ON MY 2011 LEXUS GX460. COST OVER $2000 TO REPLACE. THIS APPARENTLY SEEMS TO BE A REOCCURRING ISSUE IN TOYOTA ENGINES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE DRIVES FINE AT LOW SPEEDS. AT HIGHWAY SPEED 65 MPH AND UP STEERING WHEEL FEELS LIKE TRYING TO MOVE A SPINNING GYRO. THE VEHICLE WANTS TO CONTINUE IN THE DIRECTION IT IS GOING. REQUIRES BOTH HANDS TO MAKE SMALL CORRECTIONS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE WITH ONE HAND. HAD LEXUS INVESTIGATE PROBLEM THEY RECENTLY GAVE UP. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE PROBLEM SINCE IT WAS NEW. I HAVE DRIVEN OTHER GX460 VEHICLES WITHOUT THIS PROBLEM. VEHICLE NOW HAS 28,000 MILES STILL SAME PROBLEM. WE STOPPED DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. WE ONLY USE THIS VEHICLE AROUND TOWN WORKS OK AT LOW SPEEDS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THERE IS FRAME RUST.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS GX460. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD EXHIBIT A LOUD SQUEALING SOUND WHEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ROTORS WOULD HAVE TO BE SHAVED TO REMOVE CRYSTALLIZATION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT AFTER REPAIRS, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INSTALLED A CLIP TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND RECOMMENDED ADDING WEDGES AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .