I'm amazed at how quickly folks are ready to trash a car and a company over some minor problems. There are people here suggesting Lexus buy back a vehicle because there's a barely perceptible vibration in the steering wheel between 1700-2200rpms. I own a GX and I realize it's not perfect. But if you guys would check the boards for any other manufacturer at Edmunds or any other site, you'd see that your GX problems pale in comparison to the major mechanical and electrical problems people are having with other $50K vehicles.
After I had owned a BMW X5 for a year, I read the X5 boards at Edmunds and was stunned by how many people there were trashing BMW and the X5 for being the worst car they'd ever had. We had one issue with the car not recognizing the key and not starting. Dealer fixed it right away.
I don't understand how people think a loose radio amp wire, a knock, a mirror vibrating, and a fan working intermittently constitutes a lemon and a buy back. I think people have some unrealistic expectations about Lexus and any other car for that matter.
I strongly encourage you to spend some time reading the boards for the X5, M-class, Touareg, Escalade, Navigator, Land Rover, etc...and then report back how serious these problems seem in comparison. I've had the knock once and just the thought of it occurring bothers me, and I'm sure I'd be frustrated if I'd had all of the problems you have, but you may want to look at the bigger picture.
I have searched every Lexus forum I can find on the net, and read all the complaints I could find, all before buying the GX. Not once did I find anyone who had reported a mechanical or electrical problem that interfered with the actual functioning or safety of the vehicle. 95% of the complaints are the clunk, the vibration, and inaccurate temperature gauge (not engine temp, ambient temp). I would say that's pretty good. But that's just my viewpoint.
JPI, I keep waiting for that perfect vehicle to evolve, which one is it? It seems like after a few generations one of these cars would be perfect, right?