Most common 2006 Lexus GX470 problems
Share of the 28 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 →
2006 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 2006 Lexus GX470 owners say
Body & structure
My 2006 GX470's dash is starting to disintegrate in front of my eyes. First one little line appeared on my dash, in front of the passenger airbag, then a couple weeks later a few more showed up, now they are starting to take over the dash and it has a sticky soft texture to it like it is melting. At first I thought it was something on the rag I used to wipe the dash after the car had been washed, but it has this almost oily sheen and is sticky. My fear is, if my dash is breaking down, then what happens if I get into a front end collision and that air bag deploys? Is my passenger going to end up fragments of dash board embedding in their eyes or face? This is clearly a safety issue! This car has been my baby and is very well maintained. Garaged kept and parked in the shade... What is causing this issue? Plus, it is winter time, and the cracks are multiplying as we speak!
I purchased this 2006 Lexus gx 470 in October 2005, from westside Lexus in houston texas. The paint on my vehicle started peeling three years after I purchased the vehicle. It got worse as the years went by. I called Lexus and reported the problem, and didn't get any help. I have been calling Lexus every year since I first noticed the problem, still without any help from Lexus. It is a shame that Lexus is not trying to help me, considering I am a loyal customer. I felt Lexus should have recalled the vehicle. I have seen several 2005-2006 Lexus gx 470 models with similar problems on the road. It appears the problem is from Lexus. I am calling on the government to please order Lexus to recall these vehicles. It is sad that one spends hard-earned thousands of dollars to purchase a vehicle and to be having these sorts of issues.
Air bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Lexus GX470. The contact stated that the body of the vehicle moved around in a circular motion. Whenever the vehicle drove over bumps in the road, the body turned with no control. The vehicle was currently parked at the contact's spouse's home. The contact called northeast motor cars (664 market street, paterson, nj 07513, [phone]), but the owner closed the dealer and moved. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was also included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V065000 (air bags). The failure mileage was 122,000. Consumer stated car is still sitting at consumer's home.
I have a 2006 Lexus GX470 that the dashboard is cracking everywhere. It's just not my Lexus that have this problem. Everyone I know that have this SUV have the same problem. Lexus is not doing anything to fix this problem. It is the manufacturer defect that needs to be fix. Everyday I see more crack shows up in different places. I believe one day this dashboard is going to come apart. It isn't very safe for anybody.
Engine & cooling
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Lexus GX470. While driving approximately 35 MPH and attempting to merge onto the highway, the vehicle did not accelerate past 50 MPH. In addition, the check engine, vehicle stability control, and traction control warning indicators illuminated. The contact continued driving and stated that the failure occurred for approximately three weeks. The vehicle was taken to Lexus of greenville (2660 laurens rd, greenville, sc 29607) where it was diagnosed that the secondary air pump and valve switch failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000.
I have an 2006 Lexus GX470 and these lights came on: ABS, vsc trac, vsc off, skid, and check engine. The vehicle started making a humming noise at start up and now drives in stalled mode. Had codes check and it turns out I have the dreaded secondary air injection system (emissions) defect p0412, p0418 ,p1440/p1443, p1441/p1444, p2440, p2445, p1442/p1145 , which is a recurring problem. Replacement is a nightmare for self repair or a $2000+ repair.
2006 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 2006 Lexus GX470 a good car?
Based on 28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 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 2006 Lexus GX470?
The body & structure — 8 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body. Next are the air bags (8) and engine & cooling (4).
How many recalls does the 2006 Lexus GX470 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2006 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 2006 Lexus GX470 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 81,000 miles; 33% 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.