2003 Lexus LX: common problems and reliability
One of the worst LX years.
One of the Lexus LX years to avoid. All LX years
21 owner complaints, most about steering. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2003 LX?The 2003 Lexus LX has 21 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are steering and electrical system.
Safety record for the 2003 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2003 Lexus LX vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other LX years only. How we score it
Is 2003 a good year for the LX?
Across the 26 LX model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2020) to 24 (2000). With 21 complaints, the 2003 LX sits above the model's median of 6.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2003 LX
air bags:side/window
Campaign 16V065000Toyota 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.
steering:gear box:shaft pitman
Campaign 10V346000TOYOTA 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.
exterior lighting:headlights
Campaign 04V434000CERTAIN 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.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is strongly positive for the 200-series LX (specifically the LX 570), with owners praising its unparalleled build quality, long-term reliability, and "bank vault" solidity.
Owner insights cover all generations of the LX. See the full LX owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used LX listings typically run $101,986–$130,141.
Other LX model years
Compare every LX year side by side to see how 2003 ranks against the rest.
Compare the LX against its rivals
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