Model year record
2008 Lexus GX470 recalls & problems
The 2008 Lexus GX470 has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 13 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (4 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2008 Lexus GX470.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2008 Lexus GX470 4-DR w/SAB
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
GX 470
| City / highway | 14 / 18 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
4.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,500/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip | 4 | 30,000 mi |
| Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal | 3 | — |
| Service brakes, electric | 2 | — |
| Air bags | 2 | — |
| EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner | 1 | — |
| Electrical system | 1 | — |
| Service brakes | 1 | — |
| Power train | 1 | — |
| Suspension | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS GX470. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BECAME UNSTABLE AND SWAYED BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOWSON LEXUS (1040 YORK RD, TOWSON, MD) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
- Air bags
TAKATA RECALL CAR RIDE WAS LIKE RIDING A WILD BRONCO
- Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS GX470. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HERB CHAMBERS LEXUS OF HINGHAM (141 DERBY ST, HINGHAM, MA 02043 (781) 210-5200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVETRAIN AND DRIVE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
- Service brakesCrash
I WAS DRIVING AND MERGING FROM THE LOCAL LANES ON MARYLAND I-270 SB TO THE MAIN LANES. IN ORDER TO MOVE SLOWLY FROM ONE LANE TO ANOTHER, I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AND MOVE TO THE LANE ON MY LEFT. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE, I HEARD A STRANGE SOUND AND THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECELERATE, THEREFORE I ATTEMPTED TO RE-APPLY THE BRAKES ONCE MORE. AT THIS POINT, THE BRAKES DID NOT SEEM TO BE WORKING AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE BEYOND MY CONTROL. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE SPEED USING THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE HIT SEVERAL CARS TO MY LEFT AND RIGHT. AFTERWARDS, MY VEHICLE HIT A LARGE TRACTOR TRAILER AT WHICH POINT THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP.…
- Electrical system
I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE KEY IGNITION, I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL HADN'T LOCKED IN PLACE. I TRIED TWO OTHER KEYS AND FINALLY THE IGNITION TURNED AND THE CAR STARTED. I DROVE TO MY DESTINATION AND TURNED OFF THE CAR AND LOCKED THE DOORS. I WENT OUT TO RESTART THE CAR AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION AGAIN. I CALLED LEXUS OF CONCORD AND THEY ADVISED ME TO BRING IT IN. I FINALLY GOT IT STARTED AND DROVE IT THE 15 MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP, AT THE END OF THE DAY I RECEIVED A CALL SAYING THAT I NEEDED A NEW IGNITION STARTER CYLINDER AND ALL THE KEYS NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED TO MATCH THE NEW CYLINDER THEY WOULD INSTALL. IT WOULD TAKE A DAYS LABOR…
- Service brakes, hydraulic
FOR THE THIRD TIME, THE BRAKES ON OUR 2008 LEXUS GX FAILED. THIS TIME, WHEN PUT IN REVERSE IN THE GARAGE, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTED MOVING--HITTING OUR GARAGE DOOR AS IT WAS GOING UP. THE CAR THEN CONTINUED ANOTHER 40 FEET, INTO A RETAINING WALL--REPEATED PRESSING OF THE BRAKES DID NOTHING--AS IN EARLIER TIMES. *TR
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1 injury
2008 LEXUS GX470. S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- EMAIL TO THE SECRETARY FROM RE TOYOTA LEXUS PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH HE SUDDENLY CAME UPON OTHER VEHICLES AHEAD OF HIM. HE WAS ABLE TO STOP IN TIME, BUT SOMETHING MISFIRED IN THE ABS AND THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A BUCKING MODE. THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE WOULD SEIZE AND THEN RELEASE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD COAST FOR 2-3 SECONDS. THE CONSUMER STATED HIS SON RECEIVED A MILD WHIPLASH FROM THE SEVERE LURCHING OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS EXPERIENCED THE SEIZING AND RELEASING OF THE BRAKES ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB
- Service brakes, electric
ON MARCH 22, 2010, WHILE BACKING OUT OF OUR GARAGE, OUR LEXUS GX470 EXPERIENCED A BRAKE FAILURE. THE DRIVER, [XXX], EVEN OPENED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND PUT HER FOOT DOWN TO TRY TO STOP THE CAR. INSTEAD THE DOOR WAS ALSO DAMAGED WHEN THE CAR HIT A RETAINING WALL. LATER THAT SAME DAY, THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN, BUT THE CAR WAS ABLE TO BE STOPPED WITH THE PARKING BRAKE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.