What years of the Lexus GX470 should I avoid?

NHTSA complaint data points to 2005 and 2008 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 75, the two highest among the five model years covered.

Which Lexus GX470 year is the best?

No GX470 year earns a Best rating, but 2006 is rated Good with the lowest complaint index (25) among the years with data.

What is the most common problem on the Lexus GX470?

Across all model years, Structure & Body complaints are most common at 27 complaints (27% share), followed by Airbags at 22 complaints (22%) and Brakes and Engine tied at 18 complaints each (18%).

Does the Lexus GX470 have any recalls?

NHTSA lists one recall campaign for the GX470, covering airbag control module reprogramming for the 2005 model year among others.

Is the 2008 Lexus GX470 reliable?

The 2008 GX470 is rated Avoid based on NHTSA data, with a complaint index of 75 and brake complaints making up 54% of its reported issues.

Lexus GX470 Best and Worst Years (2005–2009)

Avoid the 2005 and 2008 Lexus GX470 based on NHTSA complaint data; 2005 has the highest complaint index (100) with structure/body and airbag issues, while 2008 (complaint index 75) shows a high share of brake complaints. 2006 is rated Good with the lowest complaint index (25).

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2005 Avoid 2008

Model years: 5; 2005–2009
NHTSA complaints: 99
Recall campaigns: 1
Crashes reported: 15
Fires reported: 0
Top problem area: Structure & Body

GX470 Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Lexus GX470 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Avoid	100	30	4	1	Structure & Body	15	—
2006	Good	25	28	3	1	Airbags	15	—
2007	Caution	50	27	5	0	Engine	15	—
2008	Avoid	75	13	3	0	Brakes	15	—
2009	No verdict	0	1	0	0	Structure & Body	15	—

GX470 years to avoid: what went wrong

2005 Lexus GX470 Index 100 · 30 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2005 GX470 has the highest complaint index (100) of any year and ranks worst overall. Structure & Body complaints lead at 27 complaints and 37% share, with a median failure mileage of 70,580 miles; several owners reported crashes tied to structural failure or rollover. Airbags follow at 33% share with a median mileage of 104,000 miles. Owners also reported unintended acceleration and brake failure while parking at low speed. NHTSA recall 16V065000 covers airbag control module reprogramming for this model year.

2008 Lexus GX470 Index 75 · 13 complaints · 0 recalls

The 2008 GX470 carries a complaint index of 75, the second-worst among GX470 years. Brakes dominate the complaints, making up 54% of the total with a median failure mileage of 32,500 miles; owners described hard-to-stop pedals, sudden jerking, and unexpected forward surges while braking to park. Engine complaints follow at 23% with a median mileage of 30,000 miles. No recall campaigns are listed for this model year, so the elevated complaint volume reflects owner-reported issues rather than official recall action.

Most common Lexus GX470 problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Structure & Body27 (27%)
Airbags22 (22%)
Brakes18 (18%)
Engine18 (18%)
Other12 (12%)
Electrical System7 (7%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (6%)
Seat Belts5 (5%)
Transmission & Powertrain5 (5%)
Fuel System2 (2%)

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Lexus GX470 should I avoid?: NHTSA complaint data points to 2005 and 2008 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 75, the two highest among the five model years covered.
Which Lexus GX470 year is the best?: No GX470 year earns a Best rating, but 2006 is rated Good with the lowest complaint index (25) among the years with data.
What is the most common problem on the Lexus GX470?: Across all model years, Structure & Body complaints are most common at 27 complaints (27% share), followed by Airbags at 22 complaints (22%) and Brakes and Engine tied at 18 complaints each (18%).
Does the Lexus GX470 have any recalls?: NHTSA lists one recall campaign for the GX470, covering airbag control module reprogramming for the 2005 model year among others.
Is the 2008 Lexus GX470 reliable?: The 2008 GX470 is rated Avoid based on NHTSA data, with a complaint index of 75 and brake complaints making up 54% of its reported issues.