2023 Lexus GX: What to check before buying

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the brakes. The 4 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.

2023

Owner complaints: 5
Recalls: 0
Crashes reported: 0; 1 injury
Reliability: Excellent; 81/100 on Auto Reliability Index

Your inspection sheet

Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.

0/4 checked

Paperwork and questions

Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2

01Ask the seller whether the car creeps at stoplights or rolls with only the parking brake set.
02Check service records for dealer visits about idle speed rising or the parking brake not holding.

Test drive

At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2

03Stop in Drive with normal brake pressure and watch the tachometer for idle climbing on its own or the car creeping.
04On a gentle slope, shift to Neutral, set the parking brake, keep your foot ready, and confirm the car stays put.

These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.

Reported on other GX years with the same design

These years share the 2023's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.

2022 GX

7 owner complaints

Brakes 3
Electrical 2

Worth adding to your 2023 checks

Hold the brake at a full stop for a minute and confirm the pedal stays firm and the SUV does not creep.
Ask the seller whether the brake pedal has ever sunk at stops, and request any dealer records for brake complaints.
Run a hand along the back edge of the parking brake pedal and check for sharp metal above the left footrest.

Open the 2022 checklist

2019 GX

8 owner complaints

Fuel system 2

Worth adding to your 2023 checks

Drive steadily above 50 mph on a highway and watch for stalling, sudden power loss, or warning lights.
Check federal recall records for this VIN and confirm a dealer has completed any open recalls.
Ask for service records and look for stalling complaints or fuel system work.

Open the 2019 checklist

2018 GX

8 owner complaints

Suspension 2

Worth adding to your 2023 checks

Park on level ground and compare ride height left side versus right side, front and rear.
Fill the fuel tank, then check again whether the vehicle sits lower on the left.
After the test drive, shut off the engine and listen at the rear for hissing.

Open the 2018 checklist

Which GX is it?

EPA figures for each version of the 2023 Lexus GX. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.

Version	Drive	EPA rating
4.6L 8-cyl	4WD	16 mpg

Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A GX that averages well under the EPA 16 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.

Why these checks: what owners reported

NHTSA complaints for the 2023 Lexus GX, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.

Brakes2No crashes
The vehicle moves when it should stay still. There are two separate problems. In one, the vehicle creeps forward while stopped in gear with the brake pressed normally. Engine speed climbs 100 to 300 RPM with no throttle input, so the driver has to press harder to hold the car. One report places this at about 3100 miles. In the other, the parking brake cannot hold the vehicle on a slope unless the transmission is in Park, and the car rolls downhill. Either problem can let the car move when the driver does not expect it. Only 2 complaints are on file.

How the 2023 compares with other GX years

Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.

The 2023 ranks sixth for owner complaints among 8 GX years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.

2023 Average of other years