2018 Lexus GX

I am writing to demand a recall for a widespread and well-documented defect involving the sunroof drain lines in the Lexus GX460. Owners across multiple model years report that these drains frequently clog, disconnect, or deteriorate, resulting in severe water intrusion into the cabin. This defect is more than an inconvenience. Water intrusion routinely damages the headliner, carpets, and—most concerning—the electrical systems routed under the dash and along the floorboards. Owners have documented failures including: Electrical shorts in junction boxes and harnesses near the driver footwell. Burnt circuits in side mirrors and modules after water exposure. Malfunctioning sensors, warning lights, and throttle response issues directly linked to water entry. Mold growth and corrosion under the dash from standing water. Supporting Evidence from Owners & Forums: GX460 owners have documented water intrusion from clogged drains causing shorts in wiring harnesses and electrical boards. In one case, water damage burned side mirror circuits and caused multiple dashboard warnings. (Source: JustAnswer Lexus mechanic) On ClubLexus forums, GX owners describe water pooling in the driver’s footwell after rain, traced to faulty sunroof drains. Reports include electrical shorts in junction boxes near the brake pedal caused by clogged or misrouted drains. Reddit and Facebook discussions highlight mold growth, electrical malfunctions, and expensive repairs after water bypassed drainage and entered beneath the dash. Safety Concerns: While Lexus may view water leaks as cosmetic, the resulting electrical failures compromise critical safety systems. Airbags, sensors, warning lights, and throttle response have all been reported as affected. These failures present clear safety hazards for drivers and passengers. Request for Action: Lexus should issue a recall to correct the defective sunroof drainage design in GX460 models, and cover all related repairs and reimburse owners.

Reported

Sep 2025

Incident date

May 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

I WENT TO NEW COUNTRY LEXUS DEALER I COMPLAINED THREE TIMES THEY PUT A LOT OF MILEAGE TEST DRIVING IT AND KEPT OVER 24 HOURS AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEY STILL MAKE THE SAME NOISE IN THE SUSPENSION. I WOULD LIKE TO TELL PEOPLE NOT TO BUY LEXUS IS JUNK I'VE DRIVEN 2 CARS FROM THIS COMPANY AND IT SUCKS AND IS JUNK AND PLEASE DON'T GO THERE. THEY ARE ROUND NEVER RETURN CALLS. ALL THEY WANT IS YOUR MONEY. AGAIN PLEASE DON'T BUY LEXUS CARS, I'VE HAD ALMOST 6 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND IS COMPLETE JUNK. THANK YOU

Reported

Aug 2020

Incident date

Jan 2018

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 LEXUS GX460. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH SHE FELL ASLEEP BEHIND THE WHEEL DUE TO A MEDICAL CONDITION AND SIDE SWIPED TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE POLICE CAME TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SUSTAINED BRUISING FROM THE SEAT BELT AND INJURIES TO HER RIGHT HAND HOWEVER, HER GRANDSON WHOM WAS SEATED IN THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS LEG AND KNEE, AND A CUT LIP. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT MOST OF THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 31,000.

Reported

Jun 2020

Incident date

Jun 2020

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

Crash 2 injuries

THERE IS A THUD THAT OCCURS IN THE DRIVE TRAIN WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, OR ACCELERATING FROM A ROLL. THE DEALER SAID ITS NORMAL, BUT IT CANNOT BE NORMAL. IT IS A LITERAL THUD. I HAVE HEARD THIS THUD COUNTLESS TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR. I HAVE ALSO READ ON MANY FORUMS THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE.

Reported

Jan 2020

Incident date

Jan 2020

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

VEHICLE OFTEN SITS VISIBLY LOWER ON THE LEFT SIDE DURING DRIVING AND AT REST. VEHICLE ALSO OFTEN HISSES FROM REAR AFTER TURNING OFF AFTER DRIVING. DEALER DENIES ANY PROBLEM, BUT STATES THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS. LEXUS STATES PROBLEM CAN ONLY BE DIAGNOSED WITH FULL TANK OF GAS - IMPLYING IF THE GAS TANK IS NOT FULL, THE VEHICLE MAY BE UNLEVEL. LEXUS STATES THIS IS A NORMAL CONDITION FOR THIS VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MEET LEXUS REPAIR CRITERIA. FIRST NOTICED ISSUE ON DAY OF PURCHASE. AT THAT TIME DEALER SAID IT COULD BE ADJUSTED, BUT NOW STATES THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT. (I DID NOT HAVE THE STATED ADJUSTMENT PERFORMED AT THAT TIME, BECAUSE I HAD JUST DRIVEN 2 HOURS TO PICKUP MY NEW VEHICLE).

Reported

Dec 2018

Incident date

Mar 2018

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

CAR BE GOOD. JUST NEED FULL GAS 2 YEAR.

Reported

Aug 2018

Incident date

Aug 2018

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

I AM A BOONE NC POLICE OFFICER THAT INVESTIGATED A CRASH IN WHICH THE DRIVER AND EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THE FOLLOWING: THE DRIVER PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE ACCELERATOR WENT TO 100%. THE LEXUS HIT EIGHT OTHER VEHICLES BEFORE TURNING ONTO ITS SIDE. THE DRIVER WAS SURE THAT HE WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL ( HE IS ALSO AN AIRPLANE PILOT). OUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER DID AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE CRASH AND WAS CONTACTED BY ANOTHER LEXUS SUV OWNER. THE OTHER LEXUS OWNER STATED THAT THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO HER IN THE LOWES HARDWARE PARKING LOT IN WYTHEVILLE VA. ONE MAY ASSUME THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER SYSTEM IN THE 2018 LEXUS SUV. IF I KNOW OF TWO INCIDENTS OF THIS NATURE, I WONDER HOW MANY INSTANCES THERE IS NATIONWIDE.

Reported

May 2018

Incident date

Apr 2018

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

Crash 1 injuries

I BOUGHT THE CAR LAST MOMTH (MAY APRIL 2018), NOW THE MILEAGE IS JUST 490, AND THE CAR IS ALREADY LEANING TO THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE. THE FIRST ISSUE WITH THE CAR WAS IT WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT WHEN YOU DRIVE IT AT A SPEED OF 30 - 40 MILES PER HOUR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WESTSIDE LEXUS HOUSTON. AND THEY DID FIX IT. BUT THE LEANING TO THE RIGHT SIDE WAS NOT FIXED. THE SERVICE PERSONNEL SAID THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR THE CAR TO LEAN, AND I TOLD THEM THAT WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION YOU CAN EVEN TELL AND FEEL THAT IT IS LEANING. THEY SAID THAT IT IS NORMAL, THIS IS PART OF THE KDSS SYSTEM AND THERE IS NOTHING TO BE WORRIED ABOUT. I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE MY TWO KIDS GET TO RIDE THIS CAR, MY FAMILY. AND I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH, AND FOR YEARS SINCE THE PREVIOUS MODEL OF GX 460 THEY SAID ITS NORMAL EVEN IF ITS NOT NORMAL.. THIS IS NOT A GOOD QUALITY CAR MADE FOR FAMILY. I WASTED MY HARD EARNED $56,000. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW WITH $3000 DOWNPAYMENT. I SHOULD HAVE JUST KEPT THE $3000, NOW I AM PLANNING TO GET THIS REPAIR FROM MY OWN POCKET SINCE THEY WONT FIX IT.

Reported

May 2018

Incident date

May 2018

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported