2004 Lexus RX330: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 287 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (24% of complaints); the 2006 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 287 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The red plastic housing that the taillight is in is melted, the lights are still working, but the red plastic around the bulb has melted on both the right and left rear brake lights”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2019
“The dashboard is cracking up bad and when I'm driving I be herring poping sound coming from the dashboard and when the heat is on it be making load sound”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2018
“Recently there was a popping sound while the vehicle was turned on and was stationary. It resulted in cracks on the front passenger side dashboard. I am scared to drive the vehicle as I do not know what happened. Is there a lexus recall for the same problem?”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 lexus rx330. The contact stated that the air suspension system failed. While driving various speeds, a loud noise was heard from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the motor that regulated the air suspension system failed. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer for diagnostic testing and repairs. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 170,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 lexus rx330. The contact stated that while inspecting the interior of the vehicle, he noticed that the dashboard on the driver's and passenger's side air bag enclosure area was cracked. Pohanka lexus (13909 lee jackson memorial highway, chantilly, va 20151, (703) 968-9100) was informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.”Owner report · Structure · May 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 lexus rx330. The contact stated that the dashboard experienced severe cracking. The contact was concerned that the debris from the cracking could potentially become shrapnel that could cause injury in the event of an air bag deployment. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist since it was considered a cosmetic failure. The failure mileage was 116,000.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2018
“Tl* 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 failures was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer( lexus of cool springs, 1636 westgate cir, brentwood, tn) were both notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 92,000.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2018
“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 which was expired on may 31 2017.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2018
“Backing up my spare tire fell right on the ground I thought I hit someone looks like the cable rotted I was lucky was on my way to go on highway with my grand daughter and if it happened on highway someone could of caused a major accident”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2017
“The service (foot) brake is not holding pressure at a stop sign or stop light when the vehicle is in drive. Even though foot brake is applied fully, vehicle tends to move forward and may cause an accident with the car/object in front of the vehicle.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 37 of these complaints and injuries in 27 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING DECEMBER 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact RX330 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 RX330 reliable?
NHTSA has 287 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Lexus RX330. The most complained-about area is power train (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Lexus RX330 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 49,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Lexus RX330 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling. 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.