NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 14 owner complaints for the 1999 Lexus LX470. Most complaints involve service brakes (3) and structure (2). The EPA rates it 13 mpg combined.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS DO NOT MEET LUMINOUS INTENSITY STANDARD.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“I WAS WAITING AT A STOPLIGHT BEHIND A HIGH VOLUME OF TRAFFIC AND STOPPING AND GOING AS THE LIGHT LET VEHICLES THROUGH. MY ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH A LOUD CONSISTENT ALARM. I PROCEEDED THROUGH THE LIGHT AND PULLED OVER AT THE NEAREST PARKING LOT. AS I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD TO APPLY SIGNIFICANT FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. IN THE PARKING LOT UNDER SAFE CONDITIONS I TESTED THE MINIMAL BRAKING I HAD LEFT AND DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE HOME. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LOCAL SHOP AND THE ISSUE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE ABS ACCUMULATOR PUMP HAD FAILED (HAD COMPLETELY SEIZED UP). THIS SEEMS LIKE A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW. I HAD A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME TO REACT TO THE ALARMS I WAS GIVEN. A FAILURE OF SUCH A CRITICAL COMPONENT CAUSES THE LOSS OF ALL POWER BRAKES. WHAT IF I HAD NOT GOTTEN THE WARNINGS I DID? I RECENTLY HAD A NEW PUMP INSTALLED AND I AM BACK ON THE ROAD. I AM VERY LUCKY THIS ISSUE DID NOT HAPPEN AT HIGH SPEEDS OR ELSE THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE.”
“The contact owns a 1999 Lexus LX470. The contact stated that after a vehicle inspection, it was discovered that the subframe of the vehicle had sustained severe corrosion making the vehicle unsafe to drive. The cause of the corrosion was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not yet contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS LX470. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A LOUD BUZZING NOISE COMING FROM THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED UNTIL THE CONTACT SHIFT TO A LOW GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ABS HYDRO PUMP MOTOR .THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126775 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126781.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LX 470 Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 15 | 13 | $4,600 | 684 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (3), structure (2), service brakes, hydraulic (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1999 Lexus LX470 at 13 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).