Most common 2005 Lexus GX470 problems
Share of the 30 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lexus GX470 complaints by model year
Best GX470 years: 2004, 2008. Years to avoid: 2003. Compare all years →
2005 Lexus GX470 recalls (1)
Air bags › Side/window
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.
Remedy: 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.
What 2005 Lexus GX470 owners say
Air bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Lexus GX470. The contact received a recall notification for the air bags; however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The NHTSA campaign number was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
There has been a problem for years with certain Toyota and Lexus vehicles dashboards cracking. This is not only a cosmetic issue but a safety issue (passenger side airbag) as well and even Toyota repair manuals say to replace the dash if there are any cracks yet dealers are not addressing the problem and are making owners pay thousands of dollars for a new dash when clearly there's a defect in the materials used to make the dash. This has been an issue for over 5yrs. And Toyota / Lexus has been well aware of it, yet as of February 2014 there has still been no recall issued? …
Body & structure
Tl contact owns a 2005 Lexus GX470. The contact was driving approximately 25 MPH, when an opposing vehicle crashed into the vehicle. Suddenly, the vehicle rolled over. The three occupants sustained moderate injuries and were transported to the hospital. A police report was filed. The vehicle was completely destroyed and towed by the insurance company. The manufacturer was notified five weeks prior to the failure regarding the vehicle rolling over. The failure and current mileages were 73,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Lexus GX470. The contact stated he noticed that the subframe was corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the chassis was needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
Speed control & acceleration
Tl contact owns a 2005 Lexus GX470. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds and entering her garage, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to the back of the garage. The brakes were applied but failed to engage. The vehicle had not been inspected nor had it been repaired. The manufacturer was contacted who informed her that they were going to contact their lawyers. The failure and current mileages were approximately 55,000. Updated 03/17/11 updated 12/30/11
S10 appropriate handling - letter to the secretary from complaint regarding sudden acceleration of his 2005 Toyota Lexus GX470 the consumer stated as her husband was entering the garage, he slowed down to move around a garbage pail in the garage. At that moment, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and hit a storage shelf and then crashed through the rear wall of the garage. The speed of the vehicle caused it to go over the foundation lip of the rear wall. Fortunately, that is what stopped the vehicle from going further . The consumers husband tried to apply the brakes during the acceleration, but the vehicle would not stop.
2005 Lexus GX470 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Lexus GX470 a good car?
Based on 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 GX470 rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the GX470 at the same age. 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 2005 Lexus GX470?
The air bags — 10 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the body & structure (8) and speed control & acceleration (4).
How many recalls does the 2005 Lexus GX470 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2005 Lexus GX470, the most recent from February 5, 2016 (side/window). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lexus GX470?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2004 and 2008. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2003. See the full Lexus GX470 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 Lexus GX470 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 71,000 miles; 17% 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.