The 2001 Lexus LX470 has 1 safety recall and 5 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is vehicle speed control (3 complaints).
Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD BLIND THE DRIVER OF A VEHICLE DRIVING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
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.
Fuel economy
LX 470
13mpg combined
City / highway
12 / 15 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/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
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Vehicle speed control
3
1
0
0
95,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
1
0
0
0
—
Electronic stability control (esc)
1
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jan 28, 2017 · 149,000 milesUnknown or other SO THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ORIGINALLY AND IT WAS SO LOUD THAT NOT ONLY DID IT EFFECT MY HEARING, BUT IT ALMOST MADE ME RUN OFF THE ROAD. IT THEN PROCEEDED TO GET WORSE JUST WHEN THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION AND WASN'T EVEN STARTED. IT IS A LOUD POPPING, CRACKING NOISE COMING FROM THE SPEAKER AREAS, AND FROM WHAT I HAVE NOW DETERMINED IT IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE MARK LEVINSON AMPLIFIER NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT BASICALLY RENDERS THE VEHICLE USELESS (DUE TO THE SOUND) UNTIL YOU PULL THE AMPLIFIER OUT, PULLING THE STEREO FUSE DIDN'T GET RID OF IT EITHER. THESE AMPS AND THESE STEREOS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED LONG AGO AS THEY ARE TRULY A DANGER TO THE MOTORIST WHO OWNS THEM. THERE IS…
Nov 15, 2009 · 139,000 milesVehicle speed control I HAVE A 2001 LEXUS LX 470 ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE VSC HAS ACTIVATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND ALMOST AN ACCIDENT. EVERY TIME IT WAS ON DRY ROADS WITH NICE WEATHER. THE VSC LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR A BRIEF SECOND AND THE VSC OFF LIGHT AND CENTER DIFFERENTIAL LIGHT WOULD STAY ON UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE AND A LOUD POP THEN THE LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF. DURING THIS TIME THE STEERING WOULD BE TIGHT. *TR
Sep 1, 2009 · 95,000 milesVehicle speed control I HAVE LEXUS LX470 2001 WHICH SUDDENLY STOPPED ACCELERATING AFTER I MADE A STOP AT A CORNER WHICH HAD A STEEP UPHILL TO CLIMB AND IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD BUT STARTED TO ROLL BACK WHEN I ACCELERATED THE VEHICLE. I HEAR THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE BUT IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. I TOOK IT TO LEXUS BUT THEY SAID EVERYTHING IS FINE. IT HAPPENED AGAIN TWO TO THREE TIMES AND FINALLY LEXUS SAID THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE IS MALFUNCTIONING AND CHANGED IT FOR AROUND APPROXIMATELY $2000. SO PLEASE LOOK INTO THE MATTER IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF SIMILAR NATURE TO MAKE THESE VEHICLES SAFER TO DRIVE. THANKS. I AM GIVING APPROXIMATE DATES. *TR
Apr 1, 2005Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEELS LOCKED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO JERK HARD TO THE RIGHT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, AND IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE DUE TO SKID CONTROL.*AK
Mar 22, 2004 · 26,000 miles · crashVehicle speed control WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THEN THE VEHICLE SURGED ERRATICALLY WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO RUN INTO A PARKED VEHICLE.*AK *NM
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.