NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 18 owner complaints for the 2004 Lexus LX470. Most complaints involve suspension (4) and steering (2). The EPA rates it 13 mpg combined.
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 2003-2007 LEXUS LX470 VEHICLES. THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE STEERING SHAFT IS SUCH THAT THE SNAP RING ON THE SHAFT MAY DISENGAGE WHEN THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES AN UNUSUALLY SEVERE IMPACT TO THE FRONT WHEELS. IF THE SNAP RING BECOMES DISENGAGED AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS THEN REPEATEDLY TURNED TO THE LOCKED POSITION, OVER TIME THE STEERING SHAFT MAY BECOME DISCONNECTED.
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.
“NORMAL DRIVING, THEN SUV BECAME VERY BOUNCY. AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING DEFAULT TO HIGHEST SUSPENSION LEVEL. NO SUSPENSION CHARACTERISTICS AT ALL GOING OVER BUMPS OR MAKING TURNS. THE WHOLE CAR WOULD SHAKE AND BOUNCE OVER ANY SLIGHT IMPERFECTION IN THE ROAD. THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WOULD TIP OVER GOING AROUND TURNS. FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED AT 10,000 MILES. AT THAT TIME THE DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY THE REAR SENSORS THAT HAD FAILED. BOUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER TODAY. THEY COMFIRMED THAT ONE OF REAR SENSORS HAVE FAILED AGAIN AND BOTH OF THE FRONT SENSORS HAVE FAILED. CAR HAS 48,700 MILES. *TR”
“--The failure involved the vehicle steering system. Specifically the Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) had failed resulting in a severe alignment mismatch between the steering wheel and the front tires. In order for the front wheels to drive in a straight line, the steering wheel would be off center by anywhere from 20 degrees to 120 degrees. This made keeping the vehicle driving in a straight line very difficult. The malfunctioning VGRS ECU is available for inspection upon request. --The above description is self explanatory. If the steering wheel and the front wheels of the vehicle are completely mismatched, control and steering of the vehicle is significantly compromised. This significantly increases the risk of loss of control of the vehicle, collision, and injury. --The above problem was diagnosed at an official Lexus dealership. --The vehicle and component was inspected, tested, and diagnosed at an official Lexus dealership. --The VGRS indicator light was active and the steering wheel alignment was progressively worsening over time.”
“While driving up I70 in colorado I experienced a fuel smell in the cab of the vehicle. When I stopped to see what the issue was I found fuel vapors coming out of the fuel door/gas cap. I replaced the gas cap and again experienced this issue. This leads me to believe the fuel evap system does not work correctly causing excessive fuel pressure in the gas tank, leading to pressurized fuel coming up out of the Gas cap. I google this issue and found this seems to be a comen problem that Toyota / Lexus has not addressed. This is a giant safety concern as well as an environmental concern that should be addressed. Fuel vapor under pressure is a fire risk and can be very dangerous. I took the vehicle to the dealer to fix and they said they have no history of this being an issue and that I would need to bring the vehicle in during the issue. Based on the below google results this is a very known issue for Toyota / Lexus that they simply do not want to recognize. I am hoping filling out this form will bring this dangerous condition to light so the dealer can correct the issue. Below are links to documented cases of the issue I experienced and some home remedies people…”
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 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 13 | $4,950 | 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 |
3 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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 18 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (4), steering (2), fuel/propulsion system (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2004 Lexus LX470 at 13 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).