YearToAvoid

2005 Lexus GX470 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2005 Lexus GX470 ranks worst among 5 model years, with a complaint index of 100 and 30 NHTSA complaints, mostly involving structure/body issues and airbags. It carries an Avoid verdict, one recall, and a median failure mileage of 70,207.5 miles.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
100/100
#1 of 5 GX470 years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
30
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
4
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
5
Top issue
Structure & Body
Best nearby year
2006
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
15
14 city / 18 hwy
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0

Top 2005 Lexus GX470 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Structure & Body11 (37%)
  2. Airbags10 (33%)
  3. Engine4 (13%)
  4. Other4 (13%)
  5. Brakes3 (10%)
  6. Electrical System2 (7%)
  7. Seat Belts2 (7%)
  8. Steering1 (3%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Dashboards crack near the glove compartment, reportedly due to defective leather trim.
  • Door actuators fail repeatedly, sometimes affecting the same door more than once, leaving only the driver's door key-operable.
  • Some owners describe sudden unintended movement at low speeds while parking or entering a garage, with brakes reportedly failing to stop the vehicle.
  • Rear air suspension components, including a shock, sensor, and compressor, were damaged after hitting a bump, accompanied by an explosion sound.
  • Sunroof drainage reportedly overflows onto the floor and near the brake pedal area, creating a slippery condition.
  • Check engine and VSC warning lights illuminated without an identifiable cause during dealer inspection.
2005 Lexus GX470 complaints: complaints filed per month3Jan 2006Apr 2010Aug 2013Aug 2014Sep 2015Jan 2017Apr 2021
30 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2006 to Apr 2021; peak Jan 2017 (3).

2005 Lexus GX470 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V065000Feb 5, 2016Airbags320,409 vehicles

    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. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.

    Risk: If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.

    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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-271-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0C and GLB.

2005 Lexus GX470 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
14 MPG
Highway
18 MPG
Combined
15 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,300
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2005 compared with other GX470 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020052006200720082009
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Avoid10030115
2006Good2528115
2007Caution5027015

All Lexus GX470 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2005 Lexus GX470 a good year to avoid?
Yes. Among 5 model years of the GX470, 2005 has the highest complaint index at 100 and ranks worst overall, earning an Avoid verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Lexus GX470?
Structure & Body complaints make up 37% of reports, followed by Airbags at 33%, according to NHTSA data.
Does the 2005 Lexus GX470 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one recall for the 2005 Lexus GX470, covering an airbag control module that Toyota will replace with an updated one.
How many complaints does NHTSA have on file for the 2005 GX470?
NHTSA records 30 complaints for the 2005 Lexus GX470, including 4 crashes and 5 injuries.
At what mileage do 2005 GX470 problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure across reported complaints is 70,207.5 miles.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.