2004 Lexus RX: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 40 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (26% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Odometer reading in vehicle doesn't match information on carfax, zilocar, or title reading. Also sellers may have titled jumped vehicle. Recieved call from owner on title I recieved and she said that she had sold vehicle on 2/4/2026 to couple. I purchased vehicle on 2/13/2026 with her name on title. Odometer was correct mileage to carfax when she sold to buyers, yet changed when I purchased vehicle with about 150,000 mile differebce.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2026
“I purchased the vehicle on 17th of june 2021. I noticed the dashboard is cracked really bad. I did research on the lexus dashboards and found previous recalls on the lexus dashbaords including the 2004 rx330 models. How can I get this fixed if the recall is not listed for the VIN number on my vegicle?”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2021
“Was on freeway, heard a loud pop , looked around and everything looked ok, saw something fly off vehicle in rearview mirror. Now there is a sound of wind rushing, check windows all closed, decided to pull of freeway to see if there was damaged to vehicle . Stopped got out did not notice anything up till we looked at the roof an saw a hole. Looked like it blow out not in , did not notice in the car because sunroof cover was closed.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Oct 2020
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“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. Airbags did not deploy until after my daughter hit the steering wheel. Witness reported seeing my daughter trying to brake but the car not responding. No evidence of tire marks on the road”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2020
“Dealership inspection. Disclosure-satisfactory throughout the list actual inspector-visible leaks to the naked eye when looking under the car. I was misled in this purchase as there are problems with this vehicle that were not disclosed to me before purchase. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · May 2020
“Sunroof glass spontaneously broke while driving on a city street, approximately 40 mph, in a straight line, on smooth pavement.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2019
“While driving on a city street, the cable holding the spare tire (spare tire carrier part #51900-0e012) under the car, broke and spare tire and accessories for it fell into street into traffic creating a hazzard”Owner report · Wheels · Jun 2019
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2019
“Dashboard cracking even though windshield screen used when not in garage. Vehicle kept in home garage as well as garage at hospital while I worked.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 lexus rx. The contact stated that the dashboard was crumbling and melting. The failure was present near the passenger side airbag housing of the dashboard. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer (butler lexus located at 4025 jonesboro rd, union city ga) and the manufacturer were notified but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 140,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
Remedy: 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2004 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact RX by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Lexus RX reliable?
NHTSA has 40 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2004 Lexus RX. The most complained-about area is structure (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Lexus RX problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 68,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Lexus RX have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.