Most common 2004 Lexus GX problems
Share of the 20 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lexus GX complaints by model year
Best GX years: 2006, 2003, 2004. Years to avoid: 2024, 2025. Compare all years →
What 2004 Lexus GX owners say
Body & structure
2004 Lexus GX470 factory-installed Blizzard White paint is peeling off in sheets. Was told by certified body shop that there is a clear defect with the primer. The areas affected are the hood, roof, and near back windows - no impact or other damage is present. This is unsafe as it will lead to the corrosion of the body of the car. There was a recall for the 2008-2009 models with this paint color, but this needs to be extended to the 2004 model year as well. There were no warning messages and the car is available for inspection.
Rusted out frame, missing entire sections of it in the rear end, body mounts are floating, Lexus inspected the car at 144,000~ miles and deemed it unsafe to drive, was owned by a friend of mine and now it is up for sale at morse road auto sales inc in columbus ohio.
Suspension
Rusted out frame, missing entire sections of it in the rear end, body mounts are floating, Lexus inspected the car at 144,000~ miles and deemed it unsafe to drive, was owned by a friend of mine and now it is up for sale at morse road auto sales inc in columbus ohio.
At start up the rear height goes up and stays up. Took it to the shop and they manually bled the air. Said sensor go out all the time and cost a lot to replace. Currently staying level but rides a little tight. Definitely don't want to pay $3000 for a fix.
Air bags
I am writing to formally request an investigation into a safety defect affecting the dashboard on my 2004 Lexus GX470. Over the past several months, I have observed significant cracking along the top of the instrument panel. I believe this defect poses a serious safety hazard: if the dashboard material fractures or delaminates, it could interfere with proper expansion and deployment of the front passenger airbag in the event of a collision. Despite the severity of this condition, Lexus has only issued a "limited-service campaign" rather than a full safety recall. Under that campaign, Lexus offers repair assistance only to owners located within certain regions and only if they pay a service fee. I contacted Lexus Headquarters, and requested a complete, no-cost replacement of the defective dashboard assembly, and was declined without satisfactory justification. …
The dash is cracking all over the place(between 20-30 paces). The most cracking has occurred in front of and around the passengers airbag. This is particularly concerning because I fear it the airbag needed to deploy, it would not properly do so, and also that it May be extra dangerous if the cracked pieces of the dash go flying in all directions upon airbag deployment. There are thousands of such conditions reported throughout the us here: http://www.clublexus.com/forums/GX-first-generation/427349-cracked-dashboard.html it doesn't seem to matter if the vehicle was garage kept, or parked in the sun. Also climate temperature doesn't seem to be a factor. This condition is being reports all over the us.
2004 Lexus GX engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 17 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Lexus GX a good car?
Based on 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 GX rates average: 47% fewer complaints than a typical year of the GX at the same age. It is one of the best GX years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Lexus GX?
The body & structure — 9 complaints, 45% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body. Next are the suspension (4) and air bags (3).
How many recalls does the 2004 Lexus GX have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2004 Lexus GX. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lexus GX?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2006, 2003 and 2004. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024 and 2025. See the full Lexus GX years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Lexus GX problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 85,000 miles; 25% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.