2004 Lexus ES330 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
102,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 21 complaints (47.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 9.5% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 9.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 10 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification | 1 |
| Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
Air Bags: 10; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Electrical System: 2; Engine: 2; Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification: 1; Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Service Brakes: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 6
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2012: 1; 2014: 5; 2015: 4; 2016: 4; 2017: 2; 2018: 3; 2019: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10632826 · 2014-09-12 (September 12, 2014)
I WAS RIDING THE BRAKE INTO A PARKING SPACE AND WAS ALMOST FINISHED PARKING (MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE) WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND TRAVELED THROUGH A SHORT WOODED AREA THEN OVER A 12 FOOT DROP TO A ROAD WITH TRAFFIC BELOW. THE FRONT OF THE CAR CRASHED INTO A STONE WALL, CRASHED BACK INTO THE STONE WALL THAT THE CAR FLEW OVER, AND CAME TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET FROM WHERE IT FLEW OVER THE DROP. AIRBAG DEPLOYED, SEATBELT WAS ON. I WAS TAKEN TO THE ER VIA AMBULANCE WITH A BROKEN NOSE, CONCUSSION,…
Owner-reported narrative. 87,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10632826 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10939684 · 2017-01-04 (January 4, 2017)
I CONTINUALLY HAVE TO REPLACE THE DISC BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE. THE PADS DON'T WEAR DOWN VERY MUCH, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL GETS LOW AND SPONGY. THIS IS AFTER NORMAL DRIVING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10939684 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10861363 · 2016-04-25 (April 25, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS ES330. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL, FUEL GAUGE, AND HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL HOUSING SYSTEM OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 154,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10861363 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11172702 · 2019-01-29 (January 29, 2019)
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN IDLE AND WON'T GO OFF. CODE B1787. NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT. UNPLUGGED AND RE-PLUGGED ALL CONNECTIONS; DISCONNECTED BATTERY FOR 15 MINUTES BUT DID NOT RESET LIGHT. DEALER CHECKED AND COULD NOT RESET SYSTEM. NO AIR BAG PROTECTION NOW. FIX REQUIRES NEW SEAT WITH SENSORS EST $4500. CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX.
Owner-reported narrative. 158,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11172702 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10689504 · 2015-02-20 (February 20, 2015)
WAS DRIVING 2004ES 330 LEXUS ON INTERSTATE, TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT, CLOUDY DAY @1:20PM. HAD BEEN ON INTERSTATE FOR MAYBE 15-18 MINS OF DRIVING BEFORE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. ALL OF A SUDDEN STEERING SEEM TO LOCK AND CAR JUST STARTED SPINNING UNCONTROLLABLE. HIT ONE BRICK OVERPASS THEN SPRUNG INTO THE OPPOSITE SIDE, HITTING ANOTHER BRICK WALL,CONTINUED TO SPIN UNTIL IT REST AGAINST THE BRICK WALL AGAIN. AFTER HELP CAME TO PULL ME OUT, CAR WAS SMOKING. WE COULD NOT GET IT INTO PARK TO PREVENT FROM CONTINUE TO ROLL BACKWARDS. WE JUST LEFT DOOR OPEN...REST …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10689504 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10936761 · 2016-12-21 (December 21, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS ES330. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INSPECTED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V539000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE REPAIR WAS NEVER PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FRACTURED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 175,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10936761 at NHTSA ↗