Best Lexus LX & GX years to buy, and which to avoid

There are only two, and they're nearly the same. The 1996 and 1997 trucks both have the A343F, airbags and OBD-II. Buy the one with the best records, the healthiest knuckles and working lockers. Factory lockers add about $2,500 in value according to forum regulars, so a locked truck is worth the wait.

Every Lexus LX 450 year, change by change →

2003–2005 is the closest thing to a consensus. An Expedition Portal regular calls 2003–05 'THE years to get', and IH8MUD members single out the 2003-on five-speed automatic and redesigned dash. 2000 added VSC, A-TRAC and an improved front differential, so 2000–02 trucks are a cheaper runner-up. 2006–07 trucks get VVT-i and more power but also an air-injection system one member warns can be costly to fix. 2003–2007 trucks should have had the steering-shaft recall done.

1. 2003Facelift. A750F five-speed automatic, 18-in wheels (275/60R18), VGRS steering, curtain airbags and ULEV-II certification at 235 hp. Forum regulars call 2003–05 the years to get, mostly for the five-speed.Sweet spot

Every Lexus LX 470 year, change by change →

There's no consensus best year, but there is one to be careful with: 2008–2010 trucks have the most radiator-crack reports (IH8MUD notes the part number changed after 2010), and owners say 2008s had water-pump issues. After that it's taste. 2013–2015 add Multi-Terrain Select and Turn Assist; 2016-on gets the eight-speed and a new interior. ClubLexus owners split on 2015 versus 2016: some find the facelift's tech and radar cruise worth it, others say the 2016 drives worse. There is no 2012 model year in the US.

1. 2008–2010Most of the radiator-crack reports come from these years (the radiator part number changed after 2010), and owners say 2008s had water-pump issues.Beware

Every Lexus LX 570 year, change by change →

Too new for a consensus. 2022–2024 trucks are the ones with paperwork to check: engine recalls 24V-381 and 25V-767, plus a neutral-rollaway software recall. NHTSA doesn't list those engine recalls for 2025, but 2025–2026 trucks have their own transmission-ECU software recall (26V-094). Whichever year, run the VIN.

1. 2022–2024Engine recalls 24V-381 and 25V-767 cover main-bearing debris. Owners also report a clunk into first on rolling stops.Beware

Every Lexus LX 600 year, change by change →

There's no consensus year. Every GX 470 has the same 2UZ-FE V8 and A750F five-speed automatic; 2005 added VVT-i (270 hp, restated as 263 hp from 2006). Some Expedition Portal members hold out for a VVT-i truck, but the thread's own starter calls it a mixed bag, one ClubLexus owner who drove both says you can't tell the difference to 60 mph, and that thread's starter reckons quality is much the same across the model years. Trucks from mid-2004 get the 6,500 lb hitch and 2008–2009 the facelift. In practice, rust, timing-belt records, air suspension, steering rack and manifold matter more than the build date.

Every Lexus GX 470 year, change by change →

2014 and later. ClubLexus moderators call air-pump failure common on 2010–2013 trucks and say it should be far less of an issue on 2014-on, though the valves can still fail. 2014-on also gets the spindle-grille facelift; 2020-on Off-Road package trucks add Crawl Control, MTS and a transmission cooler, and 2022–2023 add CarPlay. If you buy a 2010–2013, confirm the updated air-pump parts are in. Lexus changed little mechanically, so condition and records still matter more than year.

1. 2010–2013Secondary air-injection pump and valve failures are common; ClubLexus moderators call it a known 2010–13 problem. Confirm the parts were replaced under program ZLH.Beware
2. 2014First facelift: spindle grille, LED headlamps and LED DRLs, with a US price cut of $4,750. ClubLexus moderators say air-pump trouble is far less common from 2014 on.Sweet spot

Every Lexus GX 460 year, change by change →

It's too new for a consensus. The one documented problem year is 2024: recall 25V-767 covers early 2024 trucks for V35A machining debris, so check the VIN and get the dealer paperwork. NHTSA lists that recall for 2024 GXs only; 2025 trucks share the camera-software and load-label recalls but not the engine one.

1. 20243,717 early US trucks (built May 2023 – April 2024) are in engine recall 25V-767. Check the VIN.Recall

Every Lexus GX 550 year, change by change →