KnownCarProblems2004 Lexus RX Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 40 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Lexus RX, most often about the body and structure (30% of complaints, typically around 88,000 miles). It is 9th of 27 RX model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2004 Lexus RX problems
Body and structure
12 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
The passenger side of the dashboard has developed several long vertical cracks. The dash simply cracked on its own. The car has always been garaged and has never been in any accident the cracks are large enough that we are afraid that the airbags may not properly deploy in an emergency. The dashboard cracks are…
The dashboard is disintegrating. The car has been predominantly kept covered and well maintained. Initially a large piece (credit card size) broke off dash. We repaired with vinyl restoration company, and another area about a year later. Since then, numerous cracks are present - too many to repair. This is not normal…
Other or unspecified
8 complaints · 20%The Lexus RX 330 is on recall by Lexus because the dash has developed cracks,I have been waiting 2 years for a replacement and was told by Lexus of orlando I am number 1024 on their list fro replacement. By the time they get to me according to my calculations the year will be 2095 at the pace that they are replacing…
Melting/cracked dashboard passenger side - smells of chemicals - does this affect passenger airbag deployment? I have owned this vehicle for 4 years and was never notified of any programs - dash first started melting/cracking about 6-8 months ago long after their consumer enhancement program went away.
Air bags
6 complaints · 15%The dashboard is cracking around the passenger side airbag. The airbag was designed with a certain amount of resistance from the dashboard. Major concern with airbag deployment speed with less resistance from dashboard. Also concern about fragmentation of dashboard during deployment.
The passenger side of the dashboard has developed several long vertical cracks. The dash simply cracked on its own. The car has always been garaged and has never been in any accident the cracks are large enough that we are afraid that the airbags may not properly deploy in an emergency. The dashboard cracks are…
Transmission
5 complaints · 13%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
: the contact stated while driving 10 MPH on normal road conditions, the automatic transmission hesitated when making the shift from first to second gear and from second to third gear as well. There were no warning lights indicating a failure in the automatic transmission. The vehicle had been taken seven times to the…
Lights
4 complaints · 10%My left headlight went out while driving and I found water and condensation in headlight assembly compartment. Entire compartment needs to be replaced at cost of $1650.00. In researching this make and model has other consumers experiencing the same issue. I believe this is manufacturer defect that has caused seals to…
Engine
3 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: engine.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Lexus rx330. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated on the dashboard two days after the vehicle was purchased. The sensor light shines on and off intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the engine should be checked. The VIN, engine size, and…
I have had an ongoing issue with my '04 Lexus rx330. I am concerned because the engine needle goes into the red zone almost immediately upon driving the car. I have had to fill up the coolant tank every 3 months. The problem was just diagnosed as a crack in the radiator. I found a tsb for this issue but am the 2nd…
Brakes
3 complaints · 8%The Lexus RX 330 is on recall by Lexus because the dash has developed cracks,I have been waiting 2 years for a replacement and was told by Lexus of orlando I am number 1024 on their list fro replacement. By the time they get to me according to my calculations the year will be 2095 at the pace that they are replacing…
Daughter was driving, conditions were dry, sunny fall weather. Avg speed 45 MPH, light turned yellow, vehicle in front started to slow down, daughter applied brakes, pedal went to floor, no slowing down, repeatedly pushed brake and applied full force, car did not slow down, hit other vehicle, totaling the Lexus.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Lexus RX recalls
Brakes: master cylinder
Risk: A leak of brake fluid could lead to a change in brake pedal feel and overtime a degradation in braking performance increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seal with a newly designed one. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 15, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331 and lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 avalon, model year 2004-2006 highlander, model year 2004-2006 lexus rx, and model year 2006 lexus gs and is vehicles. Brake fluid containing polymers is used that acts as lubricants for certain brake system components. If replacement brake fluid is used that does not contain such polymers, or that contains only small amounts, a part of the rubber seal located at the rear of the brake master cylinder may become dry, and the seal may curl during movement of the piston. If this occurs, a small amount of brake fluid could slowly leak from the seal into the brake booster.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Unintended and uncontrolled acceleration
Summary
On february 16, 2010, NHTSA's office of defects investigation (odi) opened rq10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, toyota recalls 07e-082, 09v-388, 10v-017, and 10v-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in toyota and lexus vehicles.I. Pedal interference from floor mats, carpet covers and plastic pads in carpets.during the rq10-003 investigation, odi reviewed a large volume of documents to assess whether additional vehicles should be recalled.following the agency's analysis, NHTSA requested that toyota recall ad
Questions about the 2004 Lexus RX
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Lexus RX?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (12 complaints, typically around 88,000 miles); other or unspecified (8 complaints); air bags (6 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Lexus RX have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 21, 2010 (brakes). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Lexus RX?
- It is 9th of 27 RX model years by number of complaints, with 40 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.