RoadVitals

2005 Lexus LX470

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Sep 20, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Feb 5, 2016
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Lexus LX470, most frequently naming the suspension, body & structure and driver assistance categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 82 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Suspension220.0%
  • Body & structure110.0%
  • Driver assistance110.0%
  • Fuel system110.0%
  • Exterior lighting110.0%
  • Powertrain (other)110.0%
  • Steering110.0%
  • Airbags110.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
16V065000

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Feb 5, 2016
320,409 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.
The 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.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number G0C, GLBView on NHTSA.gov
10V346000

STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN

Jul 29, 2010
39,159 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The 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.
TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
04V434000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Sep 8, 2004
75,395 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD BLIND THE DRIVER OF A VEHICLE DRIVING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The 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.
TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.Manufacturer number SSC 5LBView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Sep 20, 2017

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 CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
11024623
Incident
Feb 2, 2016
Fuel system
Filed Nov 1, 2016

VEHICLE WAS TOPPED OF WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS PRIOR TO GOING ON A OFF ROAD DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN MODESTLY UP SILVER CANYON TRAIL WITH NO MECHANICAL ISSUES UNTIL GAS FUMES BECAME APPARENT. I INITIALLY THOUGHT THE RIG WAS RUNNING RICH IN FUEL AND CONTINUED THE CLIMB. THEN ON A BREAK I NOTICED GAS SPEWING FROM THE VEHICLE'S GAS CAP. THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS PRESSURE BUILD UP. ONCE I REACHED THE TOP OF THE TRAIL THE ISSUE WAS PHOTOGRAPHED AND RECORDED. I WAITED TILL THE SPEWING OF GAS STOPPED THEN DROVE BACK DOWN. THE ISSUE WAS BROUGHT TO LEXUS KEARNY MESA AND BECAUSE THE ISSUE COULD NOT BE RECREATED NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CONDITIONS WERE NOT PROPERLY RECREATED TO MAKE THE PROBLEM REAPPEAR. MY CONCERN IS POSSIBLE GAS IGNITION AND EXPLOSION.

NHTSA ID
10920617
Incident
Jun 9, 2016
Mileage
90,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 2, 2010
Crash reported

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 CAR WAS TOTALED HE HAD NO SKID MARKS AND THE LEXUS TIRE WAS HIT. NO ONE EVER KNEW WHAT HAPPENED. THEN LAST MONTH MY GOD SON WAS DRIVING ON THE LA FREEWAY IN STOP AND GO 5 MILES AN HOUR TRAFFIC. THE CAR ACCELERATED INTO THE FLATBED TRUCK INFRONT OF HIM AND HE WAS OK BUT THE CAR TOTALED. IT IS HARD TO HURT A LEXUS 470 AND THE ONLY EXPLANATION WAS THAT THE CAR ACCELERATED INTO THE FLATBED CRUSHING THE RADIATOR. IT WAS BIZARRE AND THE CAR RUINED. I THINK TOYOTA AND LEXUS HAVE NOT FULLY EXAMINED THE LEXUS CAR FOR THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD. ANYONE OF THE PEOPLE INVOLVED COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED NO ONE WAS DRIVING FAST AND THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION FOR THE ACCIDENTS EXCEPT THE LEXUS MALFUNCTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10328462
Incident
Apr 16, 2010
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Apr 27, 2009

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 HEIGHT CONTROL PROBLEM. BECOMING FEARFUL OF DRIVING SUV. *TR

NHTSA ID
10266828
Incident
Apr 26, 2009
Mileage
86,200 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 23, 2009

2005 LEXUS LX 470 HAS ONGOING HEIGHT CONTROL PROBLEM. FIRST APPEARED AT 24, 590 MILES. HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR PROBLEM 5 TIMES. LAST TIME, LEXUS PAID FOR PART ONLY. I HAVE SCHEDULED A 6TH REPAIR APPOINTMENT. VEHICLE ALSO PULLS TO THE LEFT SIGNIFICANTLY, EVEN AFTER 4-20-09 REPAIR. BECOMING FEARFUL OF DRIVING VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10266481
Incident
Mar 10, 2009
Mileage
85,300 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 11, 2005

VIBRATION OCCURS FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL WHEN THE RPM ~1900 AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING FROM 4TH TO DRIVE; DEALER IS SWAPPING OUT REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAVE NOT RECEIVED VEHICLE BACK YET; DEALER NOW SAYS VIBRATIONS ARE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION AND HAS ADVISED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION; ORIGINAL COMPLAINT DID NOT HAVE NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10142468
Incident
Sep 15, 2005
Mileage
12,500 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 11, 2005

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 THE STALK IS MOVED FROM AUTO TO ON OR PARKING LIGHTS TO ON; USUALLY OCCURS AT NIGHT; USUALLY CLEARS UP BY MORNING; RESULTED IN A DEAD BATTERY TWICE; MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO RAIN. *JB

NHTSA ID
10142467
Incident
Apr 1, 2005
Mileage
9,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 24, 2005
Crash reported

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 CHILDREN IN VEHICLE. THIS CAN HAPPEN WHILE IT IS IN PARK WITHOUT THE KEY IN IT. DEALER SAID ALWAYS USE EMERGENCY BRAKE. MANUFACTURER JUST TOOK NOTES, AND SAID THEY WOULD GET BACK TO HER IN 48 HOURS. CALLER HAS A LEXUS GX470.*AK

NHTSA ID
10126495
Incident
Jun 24, 2005
Mileage
3,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

Safety Recall 22

EQUIPMENT

Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022

L-SB-0004-22

AIR BAGS

TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year 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 the interior of the vehicle prior to an odor remediation being performed, as well as contact information for an approved vendor who will arrange the remediation, and instructions on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle for reassembly once the remediation has been completed. 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.

Lexus PRO19-02 -

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; TIRES; WHEELS

POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Lexus. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. Customers can find this information on the Owner?s section of Lexus.com. Dealers can locate a copy of this guide on the Claims Processing & Resource Center in Dealer Daily as well.

L-SB-0002-20 Rev

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT

TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. Cases that are determined to be a ?leak? should be repaired accordingly and will be covered under warranty if applicable. Cases that are determined to be a ?seep? should be documented on the repair order and inspected at the next service interval. Follow the Repair Information in this bulletin to determine if the concern in question is a fluid leak or fluid seep and review the Repair Procedure section to address this condition.

L-SB-0002-20 Rev

ENGINE; POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:LUBRICANT

TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. Cases that are determined to be a ?leak? should be repaired accordingly and will be covered under warranty if applicable. Cases that are determined to be a ?seep? should be documented on the repair order and inspected at the next service interval. Follow the Repair Information in this bulletin to determine if the concern in question is a fluid leak or fluid seep and review the Repair Procedure section to address this condition.

L-SB-0174-08 Obs

STEERING

TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE June 23, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0023-20.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Lexus LX470 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2007310—
2006930—
2005Viewing830—
2004123045.0
2003183043.4
2002510—
2001510—
2000171042.6
1999141038.1
1998510—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.