Most common 2008 Lexus GX470 problems
Share of the 13 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 →
What 2008 Lexus GX470 owners say
Brakes
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Lexus gx 470. He had to use great force to the brake pedal, in order for the vehicle to stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and he was advised that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. A couple months later, an identical failure occurred. Consequently he rear-ended another vehicle. A police report was filed. He had the vehicle towed to the dealership but the technician could not locate the cause of the failure. The vehicle was repaired by the insurance company. The current mileage was approximately 6,000. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000. The consumer stated as he exited a parking lot, he realized he could not stop the vehicle, so he made a sharp turn into a landscape of an establishment and hit a parked car. The consumer stated he experienced a similar incident six months prior. Updated 04/23/10.
I was driving and merging from the local lanes on maryland I-270 sb to the main lanes. In order to move slowly from one lane to another, I applied the brakes to slow down and move to the lane on my left. When I applied the brake, I heard a strange sound and the vehicle jerked violently. The vehicle failed to decelerate, therefore I attempted to re-apply the brakes once more. At this point, the brakes did not seem to be working and the vehicle continued to accelerate beyond my control. I was unable to control the speed using the brakes and the vehicle hit several cars to my left and right. Afterwards, my vehicle hit a large tractor trailer at which point the vehicle finally came to a stop. Throughout all of this, my airbags did not deploy at all. My vehicle has been declared a total loss due to the damages by my insurance, liberty mutual.
Speed control & acceleration
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Lexus gx 470. He had to use great force to the brake pedal, in order for the vehicle to stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and he was advised that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. A couple months later, an identical failure occurred. Consequently he rear-ended another vehicle. A police report was filed. He had the vehicle towed to the dealership but the technician could not locate the cause of the failure. The vehicle was repaired by the insurance company. The current mileage was approximately 6,000. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000. The consumer stated as he exited a parking lot, he realized he could not stop the vehicle, so he made a sharp turn into a landscape of an establishment and hit a parked car. The consumer stated he experienced a similar incident six months prior. Updated 04/23/10.
I was driving and merging from the local lanes on maryland I-270 sb to the main lanes. In order to move slowly from one lane to another, I applied the brakes to slow down and move to the lane on my left. When I applied the brake, I heard a strange sound and the vehicle jerked violently. The vehicle failed to decelerate, therefore I attempted to re-apply the brakes once more. At this point, the brakes did not seem to be working and the vehicle continued to accelerate beyond my control. I was unable to control the speed using the brakes and the vehicle hit several cars to my left and right. Afterwards, my vehicle hit a large tractor trailer at which point the vehicle finally came to a stop. Throughout all of this, my airbags did not deploy at all. My vehicle has been declared a total loss due to the damages by my insurance, liberty mutual.
2008 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 2008 Lexus GX470 a good car?
Based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 GX470 rates average: 33% fewer complaints than a typical year of the GX470 at the same age. It is one of the best GX470 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 2008 Lexus GX470?
The brakes — 7 complaints, 54% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the speed control & acceleration (3) and air bags (2).
How many recalls does the 2008 Lexus GX470 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2008 Lexus GX470. You can still confirm with your VIN using our 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 2008 Lexus GX470 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 59,000 miles; 38% 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.