GX (J120)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
2UZ-FE
4.7L 8-cyl / 227 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Lexus GX Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Lexus GX, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2003-2009 Lexus GX
On a used 2003-2009 Lexus GX, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the body and structure (70), the airbags and driver-assist systems (49) and the transmission and drivetrain (30). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 70 owner complaints on the 2003-2009 Lexus GX about the body and structure.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 49 owner complaints on the 2003-2009 Lexus GX about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 30 owner complaints on the 2003-2009 Lexus GX about the transmission and drivetrain.
- Drive over a speed bump and a rough patch at 15 to 20 mph with the radio off.Safety. NHTSA has 25 owner complaints on the 2003-2009 Lexus GX about the suspension.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 25 owner complaints on the 2003-2009 Lexus GX about the brakes.
Recalls (4)
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. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2009 SIENNA AND 2009 LEXUS GX PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT ON THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AND THE GVWR ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL IS INSUFFICIENT FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES WERE ACCESSORIZED THROUGH VEHICLE PROCESSING CENTERS AND HAD ACCESSORIES INSTALLED THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXCEED THE GVWR VALUE. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS," AND 49 CFR PART 567.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE LEXUS LINK SYSTEM, IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO LOCK ONE OF THE TWO LATCHES ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MIDDLE ROW LEFT REAR SEAT (LARGER SIDE OF THE BENCH SEAT DIRECTLY BEHIND THE DRIVER). DUE TO THE THICKNESS OF THE LEXUS LINK SYSTEM STORAGE CASE, THE STOPPER ON THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT IS SLIGHTLY ELEVATED. THIS ELEVATED POSITION MISALIGNS THE LATCH TO THE STRIKER.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, "CERTIFICATION." THE INCORRECT GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR) DATA WAS PRINTED ON THE CERTIFICATION REGULATION LABEL. THE GVWR IS INCORRECTLY REFLECTED ON THE LABEL AS 6,100 LBS. THE CORRECT GVWR SHOULD BE 6,000 LBS.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2003-2009 Lexus GX complaints?
Owners have filed 262 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003-2009 Lexus GX. The systems they name most often are the body and trim, the safety systems and the transmission.
Is the 2003-2009 Lexus GX a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 262 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003-2009 Lexus GX. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003-2009 Lexus GX have?
NHTSA has 262 owner complaints on file for the 2003-2009 Lexus GX as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2003-2009 Lexus GX?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls covering some 2003-2009 Lexus GX vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Lexus GX?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the body and trim, the safety systems and the transmission, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the GX have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2003-2009 Lexus GX. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 262 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.