10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
30,008 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 ES 330 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2004 Lexus ES 330 Owner Comments

problem #7

Apr 042019

ES 330

  • 150,000 miles

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

Upper right motor mount has been replaced 3 times. Now car is vibrating between 45-60 and has no power and is taking up to 1-2 minute's.

- Olive Branch, MS, USA

problem #6

Mar 012010

ES 330

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Lexus ES330. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph and attempting to shift from second to third, the vehicle would not accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the electronic control system hesitated and as a result, the computer module would need to be updated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was operating up to their standards. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 70,000.

- Edwardsburg , MI, USA

problem #5

Feb 262010

ES 330

  • 10,047 miles
One month after purchasing my certified/previously owned 2004 Lexus ES330 on 9/30/05, I had the dealer check vehicle's slow to shift, slipping through gears while accelerating, and 'surging' while attempting to stop, as if gears/transmission were slow to get the message. I have had this issue checked 5 times (2005-2009), and each time, they either say they did not find a problem or, twice, reset the computer. I feel as though I'm 'an accident waiting to happen, ' however, have seen no reports/ investigations/recalls addressing these Lexus/Toyota product issues. Please advise how NHTSA/I can address this problem before I or someone else gets hurt or killed.

- Snellville, GA, USA

problem #4

Jun 252006

ES 330

  • miles

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

I was in a grocery store parking lot when I started my car and as I put it in gear the car sped out of control. I was lucky to have avoided the other cars in the lot because the brakes did nothing but squeal. Upon hitting a curb on the far end of the parking lot, the car spun around and came to a stop. My car was now facing in the opposite direction with a lot of damage. I was treated at the hospital and released but had several months of therapy on my neck. A few months after being released from therapy, I had to return for a second round because of neck pain. Toyota tied up my car for a month to investigate the matter and sent me a letter stating that nothing was wrong with the car but it was the after manufacture mats. When I asked for a copy of the investigators report, I was told that it was not their policy to do so. I am very concerned that they are not recalling the Lexus ES330, and other people may be at risk. Since I still have the car, I wonder if they fixed the problem and covered it up or if the same thing may happen again. Please investigate problems with the Lexus ES330 seriously. I do not feel that Toyota cares about safety when it may dig into profits.

- Scranton, PA, USA

problem #3

Dec 012004

ES 330

  • miles
Vehicle have experienced hesitation when need to accelerate. The consumer was told that the problem was with the computer that caused a delay between the depression of the accelerator and the response by the transmission. The transmission would slip between shifts and the driver seat squeaked.

- Houston, TX, USA

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problem #2

Nov 262003

ES 330 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10 miles
Standard complaint for this car. Engine or transmission delay when gas pedal was released then suddenly depressed. This occurs when merging onto freeways, 4 way stops, a traffic light changes, and when pulling out to pass or in certain emergency maneuvers. The delay is approximately 1 or 1.5 seconds and disrupts timing when you depend on throttle response the most! this has led to several close calls. Dealer was made aware of the defect when car was 1 week old and I was told the adaptive system needs 1,000 miles to learn my driving habits. The dealer is well aware of the problem and says all the 2004 es330S suffer from the same problem. Lexus customer care claims that the "car is functioning as designed". there is and will be no attempt by Lexus co. To resolve this issue. The dealer's hands are tied at this point since the company needs to engineer a fix.

- East Greenville, PA, USA

problem #1

Oct 152003

ES 330

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
When you accelerate from a very low speed there is a hesatation which I feel is dangerous if I had to react fast to get out of the way of another vehicle. I just bought the car it is a 2004 ES330 and was not aware of this problem. Is Lexus working on fixing this problem it can be dangerous

- Daytona Beach, FL, USA

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