Model year record

2004 Lexus LX470 recalls & problems

The 2004 Lexus LX470 has 3 safety recalls and 12 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is suspension (3 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints12filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Air bagsFeb 5, 2016

Side/window

Recall 16V065000320,409 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.
Fix: 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.

SteeringJul 29, 2010

Gear box › Shaft pitman

Recall 10V34600039,159 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingSep 8, 2004

Headlights

Recall 04V43400075,395 vehicles

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.

Crash test ratings

2004 Lexus LX470 w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

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

LX 470

13mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-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	Fires	Typical mileage*
Suspension	3	0	—
Equipment	2	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system › Injectors	2	0	—
StructureBody	2	0	—
Tires	1	0	—
VisibilitySun/moon roof assembly	1	1	—
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel	1	0	—
Engine and engine cooling	1	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission	1	0	—
Fuel/propulsion system	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Fuel/propulsion system
THE FUEL TANK WAS VENTING REPEATEDLY AND AUDIBLY WHEN OPERATING AT SPEEDS BELOW 30 MPH ALTITUDES OF 3500 FEET AND MORE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE GASOLINE IN THE TANK COULD BE HEARD BOILING ALSO. WHEN THE GAS CAP (OEM) WAS REMOVED, GASOLINE VAPORS ESCAPED CONTINUOUSLY UNDER PRESSURE FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES.
Jul 14, 2018 · 113,000 miles
Structure › Body
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS LX470. DURING A VEHICLE STATE INSPECTION AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, RUST WAS DISCOVERED ON THE FRONT FRAME BY THE SWAY BAR AND BRACKETS AS WELL AS OTHER AREAS OF THE FRAME. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRACKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 178,000.
Nov 27, 2017 · 178,000 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
LETTER FROM SENATOR BOOZMAN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING PROBLEMS HIS 2004 LEXUS LX470 *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE NOTICED THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND/OR VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING IN 5TH GEAR. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE VENT ON THE TRANSMISSION WAS ALLOWING WATER INTO THE TRANSMISSION. *JB UPDATED 01/12/11. *JB
Dec 1, 2010
Engine and engine cooling
CHECK ENGINE ON WITH CODE P0171. THE CODE HAS BEEN ON FOR OVER 6 MONTHS WITHOUT ANY CAUSE/REASON. I HAVE WORKED WITH LEXUS AND FOLLOWED RECOMMENDATIONS FROM LEXUS WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS OF RESOLVING IT. LEXUS TOOK A FUEL SAMPLE IN AUGUST 2010 AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSES FROM LEXUS AS OF NOV. 15, 2010. SINCE THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT HAS BEEN ON REGARDLESS SINCE FEB. 20, 2010, THE FUNCTION OF "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT IS LOST. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE DRIVER WILL NO LONGER RECEIVE ANY WARNING OF ANY REAL POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 01/20/11 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDED TO REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE DEALER…
Feb 20, 2010 · 118,000 miles
Suspension
NORMAL DRIVING, THEN SUV BECAME VERY BOUNCY. AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING DEFAULT TO HIGHEST SUSPENSION LEVEL. NO SUSPENSION CHARACTERISTICS AT ALL GOING OVER BUMPS OR MAKING TURNS. THE WHOLE CAR WOULD SHAKE AND BOUNCE OVER ANY SLIGHT IMPERFECTION IN THE ROAD. THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WOULD TIP OVER GOING AROUND TURNS. FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED AT 10,000 MILES. AT THAT TIME THE DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY THE REAR SENSORS THAT HAD FAILED. BOUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER TODAY. THEY COMFIRMED THAT ONE OF REAR SENSORS HAVE FAILED AGAIN AND BOTH OF THE FRONT SENSORS HAVE FAILED. CAR HAS 48,700 MILES. *TR
Oct 17, 2010 · 48,700 miles
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
I OWN A 2004 LEXUS LX470. THE CENTER CONSOLE INSTRUMENT ARRAY HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO CRASH OR ACCIDENT. BUT WHEN IT DIED, THERE IS NO FUNCTIONALITY OF THE SPEEDOMETER, HEATER, AC, RADIO. IT WAS REPLACED BOTH TIMES, THE FIRST TIME UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED IT OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY FREE OF CHARGE. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD HAVE COST OVER $4500.00. THE FACT THAT THEY REPLACED IT AT NO CHARGE TO ME AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED MAKES ME SUSPICIOUS THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON OCCURRENCE. *TR
Jun 1, 2008 · 50,000 miles
Suspension
2004 LX470 AHC (AUTOMATIC HEIGHT CONTROL FAILURE)! AS OF JANUARY 22, 2008, THE AHC FAILED. THE CAR NOW RIDES LIKE A BUCKBOARD; EVEN THOUGH ONE IS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WILL EVEN TILT TO ONE SIDE WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. THE CAR SITS VERY LOW AND THE HEIGHT WILL NOT COME UP TO THE "N" LEVEL AND STAYS IN THE LOW POSITION. THE "ACH OFF LIGHT" KEEPS FLASHING. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL COME UP A BIT, BUT THEN GOES BACK DOWN. IF THE LIGHT SAYS THE CAR IS IN THE "N" POSITION, IT IS NOT. IT IS NOW IN THE LOW POSITION. THE CAR DOES NOT COME UP EVEN WHEN ONE IS AT SPEED. ON OCCASION THE CAR'S REAR END WILL BE ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THE FRONT END IS IN THE NORMAL POSITION, WHICH PUTS THE HEADLIGHTS…
Jan 22, 2008 · 35,000 miles
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assemblyFire
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS LX470 WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 300 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN PARKED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF THE VEHICLE FIRE BY HER FRIEND AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO OPEN THE LIFTGATE DOOR TO GET HER DOGS OUT THE DOOR KEYS WOULD NOT WORK. THE CONTACT TRIED TO OPEN THE LIFTGATE DOOR MANUALLY, BUT BECAUSE OF THE ELECTRICAL FIRE, THE MANUAL OVERRIDE FAILED, AS A RESULT THE CONTAC'TS DOGS DIED. AN INVESTIGATOR EXAMENED THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SUNROOF MOTOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT HAD HER INSURANCE COMPANY CALL THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE FIRE, AND THEY WERE TOLD THAT THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE AND THEY…
May 2, 2004 · 300 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.