Decode a Lexus GX VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See its generation and the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.
Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.
Lexus has sold the GX in the US since the 2003 model year, and there have been three generations. J120 first (2003–2009), then J150 (2009–2023), and the J250 took over for 2023–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 18 vehicle recall campaigns and 487 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the J120. Its 2004 and 2003 model years alone account for 136 of them, with owners bringing up structure and body most often and the air bags after that. EPA rates the J120 at 15 mpg combined, while the J250 gets 16–17 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.
Three generations since the 2003 model year. The J120 (2003–2009) has the most owner complaints, the J150 (2009–2023) the most recall campaigns (11).
Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: TTTNIS, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mentions in 261 NHTSA complaints.
JTJBT20X?40······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2004 Lexus GX 470, built in Tahara, AichiMentions in 186 NHTSA complaints.
JTJBM7FX?A5······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2010 Lexus GX 460 Base, built in Tahara, AichiMentions in 40 NHTSA complaints.
JTJTBCDX?R5······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2024 Lexus GX GX 550, built in Tahara, AichiNHTSA has 18 campaigns on file for GX model years 2003–2026, and the 2010 shows up in more of them than any other year (5), ahead of the 2011 (4). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.
Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.
Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.
Complaints peak with the 2004 (85 of 487). Tap any bar or generation.
Mentions in 40 complaints, 2023–2026.
By area, nothing stands out. Brakes lead with 7, with engine and cooling (7) and structure and body (6) close behind. Complaints peak with the 2024 (20 of 40).
Mentions in 186 complaints, 2009–2022.
The 2010 stands out. On its own it has 38 of the J150’s 186 complaints (20%), and owners across the generation name air bags most often (51 mentions), then brakes (24).
Mentions in 261 complaints, 2003–2008.
Of all GX complaints, 54% are for the J120. Complaints peak with the 2004 (85 of 261). Owners across the generation name structure and body most often (67 mentions), then air bags (47).
Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.
Every GX version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.
Crashes 6 · fires 1 · injuries 4
Crashes 11 · fires 0 · injuries 13
Crashes 4 · fires 0 · injuries 5
Crashes 3 · fires 0 · injuries 1
Crashes 5 · fires 0 · injuries 2
Crashes 4 · fires 0 · injuries 5
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 2 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 1 · fires 0 · injuries 1
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 3 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 2 · injuries 0
Crashes 3 · fires 0 · injuries 3
Crashes 4 · fires 0 · injuries 1
Crashes 2 · fires 0 · injuries 3
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 1 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 1 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 1
Crashes 1 · fires 0 · injuries 1
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.
EPA lists 24 GX versions for model years 2003–2026. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 504 g/mi (2024). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.
15 mpg · CO₂ 592 g/mi
15–17 mpg · CO₂ 514–592 g/mi
16–17 mpg · CO₂ 504–542 g/mi
Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
Take 2009–2023. NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the GX, against 33 for the Toyota 4Runner and 16 for the Land Rover Discovery. Pick a range to compare.
Model years 2003–2009
Model years 2003–2009
Model years 2003–2009
Model years 2009–2023
Model years 2009–2023
Model years 2009–2023
Model years 2023–2026
Model years 2023–2026
Model years 2023–2026
NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.
Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.
Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped
Illustration: VinNumber.net
Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net
As a body-on-frame SUV, the GX carries a frame rail stamp near the front axle in addition to the dashboard plate and door jamb sticker. The B-pillar label and a cargo area sticker are also present. The J250 generation starts with the 2023 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (P for 2023) shows which side of that line a car falls on.
The 2004 leads with 85, ahead of the 2003 (51) and 2007 (39). Those first two alone make up 28% of the 487 GX complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.
NHTSA’s recall records show 18 vehicle campaigns for model years 2003–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, J150 leads with 11. Then come the J120 (4) and J250 (4), and a campaign can span two generations.
16V-340 and 17V-006 cover air bag inflators that can rupture. 18V-024, 19V-005, 19V-741 and 16V-937 cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.
By US model year, the J120 is 2003–2009 and the J150 2009–2023. J250 spans 2023–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (P is 2023).
It varies. EPA rates the 2023–2026 J250 at 16–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 15 mpg for the 2003–2009 J120 (fueleconomy.gov).
For 2023–2026 models the GX has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Toyota 4Runner has 5, the Land Rover Discovery 7. Complaints run 40, 108 and 15 in that order, with no sales adjustment.