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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2003 Lexus GX470 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
11about this part
Share
24%of 46 total for the year
Median mileage
3,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Lexus GX470, 24% of the 46 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 3,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“I purchased a 2003 Lexus GX470 and have been having problems with a serious clunk/thump in the rear transmission. I brought it into my Lexus dealership and they lubed the driveshaft. After this it was fixed for approx 3 months but this thump/clunk is back. I am afraid that this may be a safety issue and it seems that Lexus is avoiding a fix action, only performing a temp fix.”

NHTSA complaint #10060624, filed 2004-03, 2,000 miles

“My Lexus GX470 has been returned on four separate occasions for the same defect, the last time(4th) my car was in for service, I was notified that nothing else could be done for my car at this current time. According to Lexus, the thumping sensation from the drive shaft is normal, design characteristic I believe is what one Lexus rep. Referred to it as. Other Lexus reps. Say it is an isolated problem, it doesn't happen to all gx 470's. …”

NHTSA complaint #10136953, filed 2005-09, 12,417 miles

“When releasing the brake pedal, the vehicle makes a thumping noise. At times it feels like someone is tapping me in the rear of the vehicle. I have brought the vehicle in for service 3 times because of this issue and each time I am told it is a normal characteristics of the vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #10020954, filed 2003-06, 900 miles

“I bought the 470 gx with 7 miles on it. It began to lurch at about 2500 miles. When I reported it to Lexus, they agreed that this was a problem on some of the new gx's. The problem became worse, and they received authorization to replace the driveshaft. This has not corrected the problem and they are again ordering a new drive shaft. The reason I believe this is a safety issue is because it always happens at a full stop, and it feels like someone is hitting the car from behind. …”

NHTSA complaint #10050633, filed 2003-12, 2,500 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200818%
200727%
200627%
20041015%
20031124%

Other parts of the 2003 Lexus GX470

Suspension
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Lexus GX470

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology