The 2003 Lexus Gx470 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 9,544 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEATS03V0880002003-03-103,666 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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
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.
EQUIPMENT03V0310002003-02-115,878 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
THE CERTIFICATION LABEL DOES NOT MEET THE INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS AS DESCRIBED IN THE REGULATIONS.
Remedy
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…
Complaints by component
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5
POWER TRAIN
4
1injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
4
1crashes
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
3
1crashes
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
3
SERVICE BRAKES
3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
3
STRUCTURE
3
STRUCTURE:BODY
3
Total complaints64
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Vehicle was in low range going in reverse with a trailer very slow when out of nowhere it engaged faster and wouldn't stop accelerating for 15 feet of this and it stopped my foot was not on the gas so there was no reason why it should have engaged in the manner that it did in fact I had both feet…”
“We took it to a dealership service center to have brakes and rotors replaced. It was reported to us by the shop that when they raised the truck, it made noises and they felt it was unsafe to continue. They reported to us that the frame was rusted or rotted, especially near the right rearend, and…”
“Rear suspension arm broke a way from a frame section that appears rotted. No other rust on vehicle. This happened while driving on smooth road and made very difficult to control. Scared to think if this happened at highway speed. Again..this is a clean..no rust vehicle”
“Rear suspension arm broke a way from a frame section that appears rotted. No other rust on vehicle. This happened while driving on smooth road and made very difficult to control. Scared to think if this happened at highway speed. Again..this is a clean..no rust vehicle”
“Front air bags did not deploy in 35 mph rear end collision with another stationary vehicle on a busy interstate. The other car was totaled out. There was a passenger in the vehicle as well.”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 lexus gx470. The contact stated that the brake warning indicator illuminated. Also, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard when it was depressed. The contact activated the hazard lights and engaged the emergency brake when the failure occurred. The dealer (pohanka…”
“The headlight lens covers slowly became fogged over time causing gradually decreasing light output. The manufacturer wants to charge to polish out the fogged lens but this would not happen if the manufacturer did due diligence in engineering and design development materials selection. This safety…”
“Frame is rotting from inside out, excessive corrosion on an otherwise spotless vehicle. This is a known issue that was common to the early/mid 2000's toyota tundra, tacoma, and 4runner, the latter of which shares frame components. Toyota, for whatever reason, covered the tundra and tacoma through…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Lexus Gx470 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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