10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 1
Average Mileage:
43,062 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

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Lexus RX 330:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2004 Lexus RX 330 Owner Comments

problem #6

Sep 082014

RX 330 6-cyl

  • miles

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

2004 Lexus RX330. Consumer writes in regards to warranty coverage enhancement. The consumer stated a radiator leak was discovered during an oil change. The consumer stated the indicator light, never illuminated to alert her there was a problem.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #5

Jul 142014

RX 330

  • 87,000 miles
My steering started getting stiff and making a grinding sound without warning. It would then disappear after driving for about 5 minutes. I noticed this seems to be a common problem with the vehicle at the 90,000 mark. I bought a Lexus because I thought the vehicle would be solid but it seems like everything is starting to go. I had to replace the sunroof, air conditioning pump, radiator and transmission after hitting 80,000. I don't want to put any more $$$ into the car at this point because it doesn't seem worth. One problem after the next.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #4

Apr 102010

RX 330

  • 85,684 miles
I bought my Lexus in 2007. It is a 2004 rx Lexus 330 it had 31,000 miles when bought. Since I had the car my radiator was broken and the Lexus dealership repaired it under warranty. Before this I remember stopping to the dealership because felt the car was stalling and was told that nothing wrong its just I have to be consistent the way I drive with speed. Now in 2010 I'm experiencing the same problem with the car stalling or lagging with the RPM and a little noise coming from the transmission. I really think they should recall this or do something about it because I read alot of reviews that this is happening and the car doesnt even have that many miles. I spent alot of money on this car and they should take this problems in consideration really.

- Riverview, FL, USA

problem #3

Dec 242005

RX 330

  • 18,000 miles

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

My friend (26 year old male) was driving my 2004 Lexus RX330 at around 9am on christmas eve morning. Witnesses state that he was traveling South on a residential street and crossed a busy 6-lane divided roadway at 80 mph. He continued on the residential street at which time he left the roadway and vaulted across an embankment hitting a block wall. He was killed instantly. Pima county sheriff and medical examiner investigated and could find no reason for the excessive speed or the collision. No drugs or alcohol were found in his system and he had no medical problems. I have no doubt now that I have read other reports that something was mechanically wrong with the Lexus and that caused this fatal accident; updated 003/30/10 updated 06/30/10. Updated 9/29/11

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #2

Oct 152009

RX 330

  • 66,688 miles
Driving conservatively through a pharmacy parking lot; abruptly took a right hand turn into an available parking space ( habitually prefer a left-handed parking entry); engine roared, tires squealed and auto jumped over the concrete parking barrier/ over the curb/ and proceeded to strike near the door entrance and a support wall. Airbags did not deploy.

- Friendswood, TX, USA

problem #1

Apr 102005

RX 330 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles
2004 Lexus rx-330 AWD. Vehicle hesitates when attempting to accelerate. There is a delay, especially when going from a dead stop such as pulling out into traffic. Also, if you attempt to quickly speed up as when merging or an evasive maneuver, the engine lags. Will also happen when turning a corner, then accelerating. I have been told by Lexus that this is a known problem with the "throttle by wire" and "intelligent transmission". I currently pull the ECU fuse monthly to reset the processors and that appears to help for a while. That is the "fix" suggested by the Lexus rx-330 forums. Now that 2006 models are coming, I know this is no longer on the Lexus engineers' minds, but there are those of us that feel this is a safety issue as you never know if the car will respond reliably, especially when pulling into traffic, creating a real hazard.

- Fishers, IN, USA

Not what you are looking for?