VehicleVerdict

2004 Lexus Rx330 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 353 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.6 times the median Rx330 year — the 2004 model ranks #1 of 6 Rx330 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 5 deaths and 32 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (75), transmission (71), and speed control (34), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

353

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

49

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

32

Injuries

5

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Rx330 years?

Rx330 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted353 complaints2004: 353 complaints2005: 210 complaints2006: 87 complaints2007: 6 complaints2009: 1 complaints2011: 2 complaints
Rx330 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Rx330 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Lexus Rx330 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes7521%
Transmission7120%
Body & Structure3410%
Speed Control3410%
Other247%
Lighting226%
Airbags216%
Visibility & Wipers216%
Engine154%
Suspension93%
Steering93%
Electrical System82%
Tires & Wheels51%
Seat Belts21%
Seats10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2004 Lexus Rx330 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V539000EngineNovember 9, 2011 · 420,326 units

Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AVALON VEHICLES; 2004 AND 2005 CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA, HIGHLANDER, AND SIENNA VEHICLES, 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID; 2004 AND 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND RX330; AND 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH THE 1MZ-FE OR 3MZ-FE ENGINE. THE AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE AGENT APPLIED BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE TORSIONAL RUBBER DAMPER (INNER RING) IN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THE ADHESIVE IS INSUFFICIENT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE OUTER RING MAY BECOME MISALIGNED AND IT MAY NOT PROPERLY ROTATE WITH THE INNER RING, CAUSING NOISE AND/OR ILLUMINATION OF THE BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR LIGHT.

Consequence

IN SOME CASES, THE BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PULLEY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND A SUDDEN INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL CHECK THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY TO IDENTIFY WHETHER IT WAS PRODUCED BY THE U.S. SUPPLIER. IF SO, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PULLEY WITH A NEW ONE AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING EARLY JANUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

11V112000Speed ControlFebruary 24, 2011 · 769,379 units

Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND MODEL YEAR 2004-2007 LEXUS RX330, RX350, AND RX400H VEHICLES. IF THE FORWARD RETENTION CLIP USED TO SECURE THE FLOOR CARPET COVER, WHICH IS LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE CENTER CONSOLE, IS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY THE COVER MAY LEAN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY TEMPORARILY BECOME STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION RATHER THAN RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION. A STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN UNINTENDED AND SUSTAINED VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FLOOR CARPET COVER WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE FREE OR CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

06V253000Speed ControlJuly 13, 2006 · 367,594 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND HYBRID VEHICLES, THE TWO RETAINING CLIPS FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE FORWARD CENTER CONSOLE CAN BECOME LOOSE. IF BOTH CLIPS SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR CARPET COVER, THE COVER MAY LEAN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAUSING INTERFERENCE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ROD.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO FLOOR CARPET COVER RETAINING CLIPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 24, 2006, AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY EARLY SEPTEMBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

06V023000Seat BeltsJanuary 27, 2006 · 3,851 units

Defect

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE ANCHOR BOLT FOR THE REAR, LEFT-HAND SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE DIRECTLY BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT STRENGTH.

Consequence

THE REAR SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE FREE OF CHARGE THE REAR, LEFT-HAND SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR BOLT WITH AN IMPROVED ONE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LEXUS AT 800-255-3987.

04V558000LightingNovember 22, 2004 · 183,090 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH AN IMPROPERLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. A SILICON OXIDE BUILD-UP OCCURS ON THE CONTACTS INSIDE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, WHICH CAN MAKE IT INOPERABLE.

Consequence

IF THE SWITCH IS INOPERABLE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE AND CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING DECEMBER 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH APPROACHING RED LIGHT DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. NO DAMAGE TO VEHICLE STRUCK IN REAR AND MINIMAL DAMAGE TO FRONT BUMPER OF LEXUS. DRIVER'S RIGHT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 16, 2005 · crash

“MY WIFE HAD PULLED ROUTINELY OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY ON A CLEAR MORNING WITH NO OBSTRUCTIONS ON THE ROAD, SHE TURNED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY ONTO OUR PRIVATE ROAD AND SUV THEN SUDDENLY AND VIOLENTLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, ROCKETING HER INTO A TREE AND STONE WALL. THE AIR/KNEE BAGS AND ACTIVE SEAT BELT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 30, 2004 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS RX330. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACTS GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 2 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SURGE FORWARD. THE FAILURE HAS ONLY OCCURRED ONE TIME. THE MECHANIC THAT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY MECHANICAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 24, 2009 · crash

“FRONT END COLLISION IN 2004 LEXUS RX 330 WITH 206,000 MILES GOING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. CAR IS TOTALED PER INSURANCE ADJUSTER. DRIVER AND THREE CHILDREN IN CAR. NO SERIOUS INJURIES. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. HAVE CONTACTED LEXUS AND AM AWAITING ANSWER. CAR HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES SINCE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 17, 2013 · crash

“THIS ACCIDENT WAS HAPPENED BY MY MOTHER IN LAW AT THE STARBUCKS PARKING SPOT, SHORELINE, WA. SHE WAS DRIVING SLOW TO PARK THE CAR IN THE SPOT AND SHE ONLY PUSHED THE BRAKE TO FINISH THE PARKING. HOWEVER, THE CAR SUDDENLY SPED UP AND JUMPED OVER THE PARKING SPOT'S FENCE. THEN, THE CAR BROKE THE IRON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 1, 2015 · crash

2004 Lexus Rx330 — common questions

Is the 2004 Lexus Rx330 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 353 complaints put the 2004 model at #1 of 6 Rx330 years. It is one of the Rx330 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 Rx330 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (75 complaints), transmission (71 complaints), speed control (34 complaints).

Does the 2004 Lexus Rx330 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Lexus Rx330. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 Lexus Rx330 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Lexus Rx330 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Rx330 years to avoid are 2004, 2005, 2006. The cleanest record among Rx330 years belongs to 2009.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.