2003 Lexus Gx470 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Seats
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. 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.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2003 GX470.
- Book a repair at any authorized Lexus dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 03V088000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-888-333-9376.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
Summary: 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.
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.
Notes: CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
2. Equipment
What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. 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.
What could happen: THE CERTIFICATION LABEL DOES NOT MEET THE INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS AS DESCRIBED IN THE REGULATIONS.
The fix: 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 V…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2003 GX470.
- Book a repair at any authorized Lexus dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 03V031000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-255-3987.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Summary: 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 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.
Notes: CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2003 Lexus Gx470 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (12), Suspension (8), Unknown Or Other (8), Engine (7), Body / structure (6).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
07/26/2021 · Suspension
FRAME IS ROTTING FROM INSIDE OUT, EXCESSIVE CORROSION. 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 RECALLS, BUT SO FAR HAS NOT DONE A RECALL ON THE 4RUNNER OR GX470.
06/28/2021 · Unknown Or Other
Structure problem. Went to the mechanic for a routine oil change. He said the frame is rotted, rusted away so bad he could stick his finger through the frame. They said it was unsafe, couldn’t even hoist it up on the lift. The body, exterior looks fine, no rust at all, but the frame is evidently rotted away. Faulty metal or treatment??
09/24/2019 · Unknown Or Other
TOOK MY 2003 GX470 TO DEALERSHIP FOR OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION. IT HAS 128,000 MILES ON IT. THEY ADVISED AFTER REVIEWING FRAME STRUCTURE THAT THE VEHICLE CAN NO LONGER BE PUT ON A LIFT BECAUSE THE FRAME IS CRUMBLING AND ALSO ADVISED VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO BE DRIVEN. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND A FRAME SHOP FOR THEIR OPINION. THEY WERE AMAZED HOW TH…
03/20/2019 · Fuel system
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 ON THE BRAKE TRYING TO STOP IT IT FELT LIKE I HIT SOMETHING…
02/05/2019 · Body / structure
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 THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, THAT THE WHERL OR THE BACK END CO…
01/22/2019 · Suspension
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 RECALLS, BUT SO FAR HAS NOT DONE A RECALL ON THE 4RUNNER OR…
08/27/2018 · Suspension
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
08/08/2018 · Brakes
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 HONDA OF FREDERICKSBURG, 60 S GATEWAY DR., FREDERICKSBURG, VA…