KnownCarProblems2004 Lexus RX330 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 287 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Lexus RX330, most often about the transmission (24% of complaints, typically around 5,500 miles). It is the most complained-about RX330 model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2004 Lexus RX330 problems
Transmission
69 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 5,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
My 2004 Lexus RX330 AWD has a problem with the transmission "hanging" on the 2-3 upshift. The car hesitates then roughly shifts into the next gear. It has never shifted as smoothly in any gear as other Lexus and toyota products I driven. I went to the dealer and the dealer reprogrammed the engine management control.…
I am leasing a 2004 Lexus rx 330 FWD with about 20,000 miles on it. When I try to apply the throttle after slowing down there is a severe hesitation, usually followed by a sudden surge in power. At times there is an additional hesitation while the transmission is deciding what gear it should be in. This is especially…
Brakes
65 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 10,000 miles. Parts named most often: power assist, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, pedals and linkages.
Brake and ABS warning lights came on. Dealer towed car in for repairs. It is a failure of the brake booster system which could have LED to total loss of braking.
While parked in the garage overnight consumer attempted to start the vehicle in the morning and noticed that the brake pedal was stuck. The manufacturer acknowledged that the problem existed and repaired it at no cost to the consumer.
Body and structure
34 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 92,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, interior panels.
The contact owns a 2004 Lexus RX330. The contact stated that the dashboard experienced melting and cracking. Also, several sections of the dashboard separated and fell off. In addition, while driving, a glare from the sunlight was present on the melted dashboard, which caused a visibility hazard. The cause of the…
After a rain storm, my driver side headlight was filled with water and the light does not turn on. The Lexus dealer quoted me price of $1566.23 to replace. I learned of a class action lawsuit against toyota for failure to address this wide scale problem. Please include my complaint in this matter.
Speed control
34 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 49,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control.
Vehicle has experienced unintended acceleration three times during the two years that I have owned it.. This happened on occasions when I had slowed down and then slightly depressed the gas pedal to resume speed. With the gas pedal slightly depressed, I felt the pedal go further down by itself, leaving my foot and the…
While attempting to back slowly out of a parking space, my car went from 0 to at least 40 MPH in a matter of seconds and hit a pole across a parking lot. Although I had my foot off the gas, I was attempting to find the brake. The entire incident happened in a matter of seconds. I remember feeling totally out of…
Lights
22 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, tail lights.
I purchased a used Lexus 2004 rx 330 from a Lexus dealership and a 4 months after I noticed a large amount of condensation in the drivers front headlight1 month later while driving at night the 1 headlight went out completely and I discovered a technical service bulletin issued from Lexus but no recall. This is…
After a rain storm, my driver side headlight was filled with water and the light does not turn on. The Lexus dealer quoted me price of $1566.23 to replace. I learned of a class action lawsuit against toyota for failure to address this wide scale problem. Please include my complaint in this matter.
Air bags
21 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: side/window.
Passenger side airbag is compromised due to the dash cracking apart. The car is in excellent condition and has been garage kept, so heat is not the issue with the dash. The dash problem is a manufacturer defect.
I have a Lexus rx 330 (2004) and it was recently involve in a high speed (55mph) collision to the drivers side of the vehicle and "none" of my front or side airbags deployed. This same vehicle was involved in a collision in 2007 to rear of the vehicle and again it was high speed in access of 40mph none of the air bags…
Visibility and wipers
20 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: rearview mirrors/devices, sun/moon roof assembly, defroster/defogger/hvac system, windshield wiper/washer.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Lexus RX330. While driving 15 MPH he noticed that both side view mirrors were loose and whenever he drove over a bump in the road the mirrors trajectory changed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that both side mirrors needed to be replaced. The repair cost was over $1,000. The…
In heavy rain, with defogger turned on to keep windows clear, if the car hits a large puddle, the AC shuts down and the defroster starts blowing hot, moist air. All windows fog over immediately. No way to continue driving. Ac can only be restarted by turning ignition off then back on. This happened on local roads…
Other or unspecified
20 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles.
I have been waiting for over 2 years now for the dashboard replacement recall and would like to sell the car but the dashboard is cracking and unsightly.
We lately have had dashboard cracks or melting although we have garage maintained our car very carefully with very low mileage of 70,000 only. This is not healthy and very harmful to our Lexus experience. By the way, we haven't had such cracks until now due to our well maintenance so that we missed dashboard recall…
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 RX330 recalls
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk: This condition may interfere with the accelerator pedal returning to the idle position increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: rear/other
Risk: The rear seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: switch
Risk: If the switch is inoperable, the brake lights will not illuminate and can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake light switch. The recall began during december 2004. Owners should contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
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.
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
Vacuum brake booster failure
Summary
On february 10, 2005, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate alleged loss of brake power-assist in certain 2004 model year (my) lexus rx330 vehicles built through approximately june 30, 2004.the subject vehicles were manufactured at toyota motor manufacturing canada, inc.?s cambridge, ontario assembly plant and were equipped with vacuum brake booster assemblies sourced from aisin seiki co., ltd (aisin) subsidiary advics north america, inc. (advics-na).to date, odi is aware of 146 non-duplicative reports that allege loss of brake power-assist and 6 crashes allegedly caused by loss of brake power-assist (resulting in 1 minor injury) on the subj
Questions about the 2004 Lexus RX330
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Lexus RX330?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (69 complaints, typically around 5,500 miles); brakes (65 complaints, typically around 10,000 miles); body and structure (34 complaints, typically around 92,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Lexus RX330 have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 9, 2011 (engine). 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 RX330?
- It is the most complained-about RX330 model year since 2000, with 287 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.