10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
130,400 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Lexus RX 330 engine problems

engine problem

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2004 Lexus RX 330 Owner Comments

problem #5

Jul 152019

RX 330

  • 158,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Have had to replace radiator 3 times & will need a 4th at this time, since 2015, was bought used in 2014. !St replacement 2015 2nd) 2016, 3rd) 2017, and now needs again. Many websites state many different problems related to my vehicle, as well as others of a new year ie; 2005, 2006. Lexus claims VIN is the only source to verify if needs fixing stated to me, yet a websource clublexus.com/forum shows a statement by Lexus stating the issue is not by VIN alone but by make model & year. A local radiator shop in western stated to me via phone that Lexus dealership service for a while in past had ordered many, many radiators because as it was stated some kind of electrical issue was causing the antifreeze to become acidic and destroying radiator from within. This is another not well known issue with this model that seems to have not been made public that I can find. My radiator mechanic that replaced mine 2 of the 3 times stated that the radiator was leaking could not find any other issues in 2015, & 2017. This implies that the issue stated from previous stated website isn't even the issue that I'm experiencing. My closest Lexus dealership is aware of the acidic problem based on statement given to me by the local radiator ship rep that I talked to.

- Lockport, NY, USA

problem #4

Oct 162014

RX 330 6-cyl

  • 113,000 miles
I got in the car at 2 P.M. after driving 1/4 mile it would not take off from the stop sign it stalled and lunged forward due to loss of connection when stepping on the gas pedal. I depressed the brake and shifted from D to 4 and it began to shake in the front of the bumper. I pulled over, put it in neutral with the parking brake on and my emergency flashers on, and opened the hood. It stopped shaking and I removed the floor mat, which is attached with clips and with my hand, I pushed the gas pedal. It had no rev in the engine, as I would expect. I got back in the car and shifted to R and then with the brake off, I shifted to 4. the check engine light was flashing and vsc light as well. I can tell you for certain my car was not overheating when I took it to sears auto center with warning lights vsc and check engine coming on intermittently. If the vehicle overheating was the cause of the damage the temperature gauge on the dash would have indicated that when I brought it to sears. Mike, service advisor at Lexus of roseville stated in an E-mail to me that his technician 'found # 5 cylinder intake valves bent and stuck. #1 cylinder intake valve sticking (will stay open till piston hits and closes it). Suspect vehicle overheated causing valve to stick in guides.my car was not overheating and I think the engine is defective. I had a lkq engine installed amd it was fine for a month before it started sounding like marbles. I think my car is damaged due to a defect. I had just had a ful synthetic oil change two weeks before this incident occurred and put four brand new tires as well. I bought the car with only 101K miles for $23,000 in August 2013 and I still owe $5,000 on my loan. My car had all the service records from Lexus of rockville, proving this car was well maintained by both myself and the previous owner.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #3

Feb 012013

RX 330 6-cyl

  • 115,000 miles
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 owner and was never notified. It appears that I am out of the coverage period. Is there cause for concern that this issue could lead to further damage to the car or a sudden driving impairment" does a tsb = a recall" Lexus has told me that there is nothing they can do for me.

- Narragansett, RI, USA

problem #2

May 172013

RX 330 6-cyl

  • 206,000 miles
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 purchased and nothing mentioned about airbag issue.

- Lilburn, GA, USA

problem #1

Jul 162012

RX 330 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
Only 60K miles for the car, the water pump leaks and need to complete replacement.

- Monroe Twp, NJ, USA

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