Problems · NHTSA complaints

2006 Lexus GX470 problems

Owners filed 39 complaints about the 2006 Lexus GX470 with NHTSA between Aug 2006 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is structure (13).

Complaints
39
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Structure13
  2. Air bags10
  3. Engine3
  4. Seat belts3
  5. Seats2
  6. Electrical system2
  7. Exterior lighting2
  8. Power train2
  9. Vehicle speed control1
  10. Fuel/propulsion system1
  11. Suspension1
  12. Equipment adaptive/mobility1
  13. Back over prevention1
  14. Engine and engine cooling1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20063
20072
20080
20090
20102
20113
20120
20131
20142
20155
20164
20173
20182
20195
20204
20210
20220
20230
20240
20252
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Structure

13 reports
“I am reporting a serious paint peeling and delamination issue on my 2006 Lexus GX470, painted in Blizzard Pearl (paint code 070). The clear coat and base coat are separating from the body, especially on the hood, roof, and other exposed panels. The paint is flaking off in large sections and continues to deteriorate. Lexus and Toyota have acknowledged this as a known manufacturing defect for several vehicles painted in Blizzard Pearl under Customer Support Program ZKG. However, my vehicle was not included in the recall or program despite showing the exact same failure pattern and paint code. This paint issue significantly affects the safety of the vehicle’s structure (exposing metal to the elements) and visibility, and may impact resale and long-term durability. This is clearly a widespread issue that should be addressed for all affected vehicles, regardless of production year.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 18, 2025StructureODI 11655516

Air bags

10 reports1 crash1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2006 Lexus GX470. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed while attempting to switch lanes and the rear of the vehicle slid sideways before there was a loud boom coming from the vehicle. The vehicle became airborne and rolled approximately four times before landing upside down. While upside down another vehicle crashed into the vehicle and the vehicle rolled four more times. After the was struck by the second vehicle, the contact was able to exit the vehicle through the sunroof. The contact stated the front windshield had detached and separated from the vehicle. The contact sustained four fractured ribs, a fractured pelvis, a hemothorax, acute kidney and liver injuries, shoulder damage, head swelling on the left and right sides, an abrasion over the right abdomen, and a concussion. Medical attention was sought. A Police report was filed. The contact stated that the rear end of the vehicle had snapped. The failure mileage was 200,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 2, 2026Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11768625

Engine

3 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 7, 2019Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11184806

Seat belts

3 reports
“WHILE DRIVING ON A STEEP LOOSE GRAVEL ROAD WHICH TURNED, MY VEHICLE STARTED SLIDING OUT TOWARD THE EDGE NEXT TO A RATHER LONG DROP OFF. I STOPPED MY VEHICLE TO SEE THE PROGRESS AND SELECT A ROUTE. THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LET ME USE IT. I HAD TO DRIVE THE MOST DANGEROUS PART OF THE ROAD WITHOUT A SEAT BELT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! IS THERE SOME WAY TO GET THE BELT TO RELEASE? NONE WAS FOUND IN THE MANUAL. AFTER A LITTLE DIGGING AND A COUPLE OF TRYS, WE GOT OUT O.K., BUT HAD NO SEAT BELT PROTECTION IN THE PROCESS. LEXUS REPORTS THAT THIS FUNCTIONED PROPERLY; IF SO IT IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT BECAUSE THERE IS NO RELEASE TO ALLOW USE OF THE SEAT BELT. *NM”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 13, 2006Seat beltsODI 10173393

Seats

2 reports
“After removing the third row seating mechanism, it was noticed that significant rust has occured at the forward mounting point for the hinge device around the welds and heat affected zone of the mounting bracket. No rust was visible from the wheel well due to the textured undercoating until the undercoating was removed. Rust had penetrated through the body and seat mount, resulting in a potentially unsafe condition for third row passengers. Recommend owners have this area checked on a regular basis to prevent safety concerns and remediate corrosion as necessary.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 29, 2025SeatsODI 11651507

Electrical system

2 reports
“THE BACKUP CAMERA GOES IN AND OUT WHEN BACKING UP IT GOES PICTURE TO BLACK RANDOMLY TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT EVEN THAT WHEN I TOOK IT THERE IT WAS JUST SHOWING US A BLACK SCREEN THAT THE SERVICE ADVISER SAW AND MY TRUCK IS OUT WARRANTY SO I WOULD BE PAYING FOR THE SERVICE I A MEMBER OF A COUPLE BIG LEXUS OWNER FORMS AND I AM NOT TO ONLY ONE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME ISSUE RANGING FROM 2004 TILL 2009 GX'S. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 16, 2013Electrical system, Back over preventionODI 10556149
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.