Skip to content
Lexus GX470Model year report

2003 Lexus GX470 Problems

Complaints
46filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
33,102miles, 39 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
15 mpgcombined, 4.7L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 14 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Lexus GX470 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 2003 Lexus GX470. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 11 complaints (24% of the total), followed by suspension (7) and brakes (6). 39 of the complaints include a mileage, and 54% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 33,102 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 105 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 13 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Suspension complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Air bags (2), Electrical system (1), Exterior lighting (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “I bought a Lexus GX470 in april 2003. Around dec. 2006, sometimes when I would put on the brakes, I would hear a thump on the driver's side in the rear. It feels like something hits the bumper. This does not happen every time, but it happens enough that it is very, very noticeable. I have not taken the car to the dealership. I just recently found out that other people have had this same problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10186673, filed 2007-04, 62,000 miles

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 GX470.”

NHTSA complaint #11171320, filed 2019-01, 110,000 miles

Brakes: “It is possible to simultaneously depress the gas pedal when braking, this causes sudden uncontrollable acceleration I reported the incident too toyota and requested upgraded ecu software that disables the gas pedal while braking toyota refused to provide a simple software fix my wife is a witness.”

NHTSA complaint #10649010, filed 2014-10, 191,000 miles

Engine cooling: “My SUV when ever going up or down a hill at any speed lets out a horrible smell. I took it to the dealer and they claimed it was bad gas, I let the tank run to empty and switched gas dealers...the problem got worse. My son cannot ride in the back seat because he feels like throwing up even during short rides.”

NHTSA complaint #10052400, filed 2004-01, 8,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

54% of the 39 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 2,500 and 105,000 miles.

38%0–103%10–2513%25–508%50–755%75–10013%100–15021%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (39 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 33,102 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’0312’05’07’11’14’17’19
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 Lexus GX470 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
GX 470 4WD/AWD4.7L 8-cyl5-speed automatic141715$4,450

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2003 Lexus GX470 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 105 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 105 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus GX470

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20081358,7380—15—Not enough data
20072760,0000—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20062881,0001—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20053070,2081—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20046577,0001—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20034633,1022—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Lexus GX470 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Lexus GX470 have?

NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 2003 Lexus GX470 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Lexus GX470 is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 11 complaints (24% of the total), followed by suspension with 7.

Has the 2003 Lexus GX470 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Lexus GX470 get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Lexus GX470 (GX 470, 4.7L 8-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 14 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Lexus GX470 reported?

Among the 39 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 33,102 miles and the middle half falls between 2,500 and 105,000 miles; 54% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.