Rear Air Suspension Issue
 

I took my 2003 GX470 for service (not a Lexus dealer), which included rear brake pads. After picking up my car, I realized there was a serious malfunction with the rear air suspension, and my "car height" was no longer working. I took it back to the mechanic immediately - he stated that the rear air bag deflated when they put it up on the lift (which is normal). However, they couldn't get it to inflate again, so had to order a new one. I'm wondering if this is the mechanic's problem or mine (the car has 101,000 miles on it). I just don't want to have to pay for something if it was someone else's fault!

Let's see...you didn't have the problem when you took it in...maybe the mechanic broke something when they put the Lexus on the lift?

Something similar happened to me last month. I took my GX to a mechanic that I have used for 5+ years and he's a great guy. He jacked the GX up to change the radiator and somehow some way when he lowered the car the driver side airbag didn't line up properly and the air started to inflate. The driver side airbag blew out and sank and caused a crease/tear on the passenger side airbag. He reassembled the driver side airbag and replaced the torn passenger side airbag and it was good for a few miles and then the driver side airbag blew out again. So he replaced the driver side airbag too. The truck runs great now and it's all fixed.
I think the air bag is a wear and tear unit and so to be fair I pay for the parts and he didn't charge me labor. Each bag is about $280 before tax. He even called his buddy at Lexus and since the airbags are not bolt down on the lower arm (axle?), there is a chance that they are not aligned when they are lowered from the jack. In fact according to his buddy, Lexus has a specific sequence to lower a GX to avoid airbag misalignment and blowouts. I hope this helps and best wishes.

also of note, per the manual, the self leveling system should be turned off prior to any jacking of the vehicle. i wonder if that might be the issue?