Lexus Lx problems

General information about Lexus Lx
Lexus Lx years list
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list

The Lexus LX (Japanese: レクサス・LX, Hepburn: Rekusasu LX) is a full-size luxury SUV sold by Lexus, a luxury division of Toyota since January 1996, having entered manufacturing in November 1995. It is Lexus' largest and most expensive luxury SUV. Four generations have been produced, all based heavily on the long-running Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs. The first-generation LX 450 started production in 1995 as Lexus' first entry into the SUV market. Its successor, the LX 470, premiered in 1998 and was manufactured until 2007. The third-generation LX debuted at the New York International Auto Show in April 2007. The fourth-generation LX debuted in October 2021.

The first-generation LX 450 had a straight-six engine and seats for seven passengers. The second and third-generations had a V8 engine powertrain, a welded steel body-shell combined with full-size steel ladder frame (body-on-frame construction), and seats for eight passengers. The fourth-generation model has a twin-turbocharged V6 engine powertrain and seats for seven passengers as standard and four passengers as an option. The second-generation LX 470 shared exterior styling with the Japanese domestic market Land Cruiser Cygnus.

According to Lexus, the "LX" name stands for "Luxury Crossover". However, some Lexus importers use the backronymic name, "Luxury Four Wheel Drive".

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Common Lexus Lx problems

Based on complaints from Lexus LX owners, common problems with these cars include issues with the exhaust system, transmission, suspension, steering, and various components. Here is a detailed breakdown of these problems:

Exhaust System Issues:
- Problems: Catalysts, oxygen sensors, muffler, exhaust manifold, fuel pump, ignition coils, and oxygen sensors may fail over time.
- Details: The exhaust manifold and muffler can rot and burn out, leading to costly repairs. Additionally, issues with the fuel pump and sensors are common.
Transmission Problems:
- Problems: Transmission backlash, splines joints, CV joints, and gearbox components may develop play or knocking sounds.
- Details: Owners report noticeable backlash in the transmission after a certain mileage, affecting the driving experience. Replacing spline connections can be expensive.
Suspension and Steering Concerns:
- Problems: Ball bearings, ball joints, silent blocks, hydraulic suspension, and steering components may wear out.
- Details: The front suspension often requires attention due to worn-out components like ball bearings and joints. The hydraulic suspension system can act up with age, requiring sensor replacements.
Braking and Steering System Issues:
- Problems: Brake calipers, brake cylinders, power steering pump, and steering column shaft may experience issues.
- Details: Brake calipers and cylinders can deteriorate, affecting braking performance. The power steering pump may develop noise, and steering components like the column shaft may require replacements.
Other Common Problems:
- Problems: Corrosion, electronic unit failures, air conditioning system leaks, and interior component malfunctions.
- Details: Owners often face issues with corrosion in various parts of the car, electronic unit failures affecting interior functions, and leaks in the air conditioning system.

These common problems with Lexus LX cars highlight the importance of regular maintenance and thorough inspections when purchasing a used vehicle to address these issues promptly and ensure a reliable driving experience.

Is The Lexus LX a reliable Car?

The Lexus LX570 Reliability Rating is 3.5 out of 5.0, which ranks it 9th out of 30 for luxury fullsize cars. The average annual repair cost is $832 which means it has higher than average ownership costs. While repairs are more common, these issues are less likely to be severe than with other cars.

Is Lexus LX expensive to maintain?

The average annual repair cost for a Lexus is $551, which means it has above average ownership costs.

How many miles can a Lexus LX last?

Since the Lexus LX can last up to 500,000 miles, it's safe to invest in one with more than 100,000 miles on the odometer. However, we do recommend being cautious and taking it for a test drive or to a mechanic beforehand to avoid any surprises during your time as an owner.

What are the common problems for an LX470?

Percentage distribution of complaints by Lexus Lx years

We have researched Lexus problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Lexus Lx cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Lexus Lx model years:

Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Lexus Lx model years.

Distribution of the number of complaints by Lexus Lx years

We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:

Lexus Lx car problems categorized by type of issue

After analysing all complaints related to Lexus Lx , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:

Service brakes problems
Engine problems
Fuel/propulsion system problems
Electrical system problems
Exterior lighting problems

The graph below shows statistics for all Lexus Lx vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Lx model years

There were a total of 1 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

The NHTSA has received 10 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Lexus Lx . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Lexus Lx vehicles.

List of Lexus Lx complaints

Lexus Lx 2000

Date Of Incident: 2020-12-09
Date Complaint: 2020-12-11
VIN: JT6HT00W0Y0
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Summary: A RAPID DISCHARGE OF BRAKE FLUID OCCURRED FROM THE ABS VALVE BODY ON THE MASTER CYLINDER. I DROVE THE VEHICLE THAT DAY AND PARKED IT IN THE DRIVEWAY. ABOUT AN HOUR LATER I WENT OUT TO MOVE IT AND WHEN I DID THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE WHERE IT WAS PARKED. I LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FLUID WAS DRIPPING OFF THE FRAME RAIL ONTO THE GROUND. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD I COULD SEE FLUID DRIPPING AT ABOUT A DRIP A SECOND FROM BELOW THE MASTER CYLINDER/ABS VALVE BODY. THE DRIP RATE WAS DEPENDENT ON THE KEY BEING IN THE 'ON' POSITION AND THE BOOSTER PUMP RUNNING. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION THE DRIP APPEARS TO POSSIBLY BE COMING FROM A PORT ON THE BOTTOM OF THE ABS VALVE BODY.

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Lexus Lx 1999

Date Of Incident: 2018-09-21
Date Complaint: 2020-03-06
VIN: JT6HT00W9X0
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Summary: SUDDEN ONSET OF BRAKE FAILURE; DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND THEN BRAKES FAILED. LUCKILY, WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND WIFE WAS GOING ABOUT 20 MPH. DEALER REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER; DEFECTIVE BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE AT 216K.

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Lexus Lx 1999

Date Of Incident: 2018-09-21
Date Complaint: 2019-10-11
VIN: JT6HT00W9X0
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Summary: THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A EXPECTED TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. BUT WHEN IT DID OCCUR, WE DID HAVE A CEL COME ONE AND LUCKILY, WIFE WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND DRIVING SLOWLY. THIS HAD BEEN MY WIFE/DAUGHTER'S MAIN MEANS OF MOVING AROUND. HAD THEY BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURIES WITH THE UNKNOWN SIGNS THAT THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL COMPLETELY. HAD TO HAVE THE DEALER ADDRESS AND REPAIR THE ISSUE. SEEMS THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE NOTED ON SEVERAL WEBSITES WITH THIS MODEL AND THE TOYOTA EQUIVALENT LAND CRUISER. LOTS OF PEOPLE CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS POPULAR VEHICLE, AND IF IT IS NOT ADDRESSED, WILL RESULT IN SOME INJURIES. TOYOTA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM TO PREVENT FURTHER OCCURRENCES.

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Lexus Lx 2000

Date Of Incident: 2019-05-15
Date Complaint: 2019-09-16
VIN: JT6HT00W4Y0
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Summary: HI THERE. HAVE BEEN A LATER OWNER OF A '00 LX470 WITH ROUGHLY 250K MILES. EARLY ON IN MY OWNERSHIP--WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION AND NO PRIOR WARNING-- THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND A LOUD BEEPING NOISE STARTS. WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF DRIVING, THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY GOES DEAD (PUSHES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR), AND I WAS FORCED TO BRING THE CAR TO A SAFE STOP WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CURRENT REPAIR FOR THIS HAS BEEN COSTLY AND DIFFICULT--WITH A PROFESSIONAL SHOP INSPECTION INFORMING ME THAT MY MASTER CYLINDER/ACTUATOR HAS FAILED. THANKFUL NO DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO OTHER VEHICLES. *TR

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Lexus Lx 2000

Date Of Incident: 2019-05-15
Date Complaint: 2019-09-16
VIN: JT6HT00W4Y0
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Summary: OWNER OF A NEWLY ACQUIRED '00 LX470 FROM TOYOTA/LEXUS. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, IT PASSED SAFETY AND MECHANIC INSPECTION. AFTER OWNING FOR LESS THAN 4 MONTHS, I WAS DRIVING HOME ON STREET ROADS. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON SUDDENLY, AND I HEAR A HIGH-PITCHED BEEPING NOISE FROM THE DASH. WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF DRIVING, I AM MOVING ABOUT 30 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES GO OUT-COMPLETELY. AS IN, PEDAL TO THE FLOOR WITH NO SLOWING. WAS FORCED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, THANKFULLY WITH NO INJURIES OR CRASH. WENT TO GET A PROFESSIONAL INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER/ACTUATOR HAD FAILED. THIS REPAIR IS VERY COSTLY, AND HAS SO FAR AMOUNTED TO NEARLY 5K TO FIX. UNSURE AS TO HOW TOYOTA HAS NOT RECEIVED CRITICISM FOR THIS POTENTIAL DANGER YET. *TR

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Lexus Lx 2000

Date Of Incident: 2019-03-20
Date Complaint: 2019-03-26
VIN: JT6HT00W4Y0
Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES
Summary: VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED OF 30 TO 50 MILES AN HOUR SUDDENLY HAS SINGLE WHEELED FRONT BREAKING ON LEFT WHEEL OR RIGHT WHEEL ALL OF A SUDDEN. TENDS TO FEEL LIKE WHAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM DOES DURING THE ACTIVATION OF THE VEHICLE SKID CONTROL SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES IN WINTER LIGHT CONDITIONS. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO REVERSE AFTER FIRST STARTING ENGINE, SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND BACKING UP SHORT DISTANCE. THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE DOES IT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 TO 50 MILES AN HOUR IS QUITE DANGEROUS DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT HAPPENS ALL THE SUDDEN AND DRY PAYMENT. THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED'S IN TRAFFIC WITH US COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT THOUGH I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER.

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Lexus Lx 1999

Date Of Incident: 2018-07-01
Date Complaint: 2018-08-22
VIN: JT6HT00W5X0
Components: ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Summary: FUEL RETURN LINE RUSTED OUT UNDER BRAKE FLUID TANK. DANGER SPRAYING OF THE FUEL RIGHT ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND CATCHING THE FIRE. TRIED TO ORDER FUEL LINE FOR REPAIR . WAS TOLD BY DEALER IT IS ON BACK ORDER AND THEY HAVE OTHER 8 ORDERS FOR THE SAME PART.

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Lexus Lx 1999

Date Of Incident: 2016-03-29
Date Complaint: 2016-03-30
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Summary: ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT PLUS BUZZER SOUNDED. IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER ONLY TO FIND COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES. FAULTY DESIGN TO ALLOW BRAKES TO FAIL DUE TO AN ABS PUMP GOING OUT. NEEDS A NEW MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY AND ABS ACCUMULATOR. COULD HAVE BEEN A TRAGIC ACCIDENT IF I HADN'T BEEN DRIVING ONLY 30MPH. A LOT OF REVIEWS ONLINE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT AND TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING POWER.

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Lexus Lx 1999

Date Of Incident: 2000-07-01
Date Complaint: 2007-10-30
Fire: 1
VIN: JT6HT00W3X0
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,EQUIPMENT
Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS LX 470. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC SHIFTED THE GEARS AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CENTER SECTION WHERE THE GEAR SHIFTER IS LOCATED MELTED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS ELECTRICAL FAILURE WHEN SHE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE RADIO IN THE VEHICLE WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER THREE DIFFERENT TIMES DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT; HOWEVER, THE RADIO IS CURRENTLY NOT WORKING. THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP BULBS ARE CONSTANTLY BEING REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V434000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HEADLIGHTS). THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 194,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 10/03/08 *BF UPDATED 10/07/08. 8JB

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Lexus Lx 2000

Date Of Incident: 2007-01-06
Date Complaint: 2007-04-03
VIN: JT6HT00W7Y0
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND CONTROL SYSTEM INDICATORS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000 ,AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.8AK

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