2004 Lexus ES 330: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
153 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
18,050 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 112 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 48 of 153 complaints (31.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 58 | 37.9% |
| Braking behavior | 32 | 20.9% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 3.3% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 2.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 2.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 48 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 34 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 13 |
| Air Bags | 12 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 8 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | 6 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 48; Vehicle Speed Control: 34; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 13; Air Bags: 12; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 8; Power Train: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm): 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 59 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 18 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 17 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 59; 25,000 to 49,999: 18; 50,000 to 74,999: 17; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 7
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (59). 41 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 49 |
| 2005 | 25 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 30 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2003: 1; 2004: 49; 2005: 25; 2006: 7; 2007: 3; 2008: 5; 2009: 5; 2010: 30; 2011: 9; 2014: 5; 2015: 5; 2016: 4; 2017: 1; 2018: 3; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 58 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 32 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10041601 · 2003-10-10 (October 10, 2003)
AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE GARAGE AT MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT, I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, I CONTINUED TO BOUNCE OFF THE WALL SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE CAR WOULD STOP. I FELT THAT THE BRAKES FAILED OR THE THROTTLE WAS STUCK. I HAVE CONTACTED MY DEALER, THEY CALLED ME BACK 30 MINUTES LATER AND SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR AND I COULD PICK IT UP. I FELT AS IF I HAVE BEEN "BLOWN OFF' AND I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AGAIN. I HAVE SINCE CONTACTED THE CORPORATE OFFICES AND PLACED A COMPLAINT, HOWEVER, T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10041601 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054595 · 2004-01-21 (January 21, 2004)
I HAVE A LEXUS 330 MODEL YEAR 2004 4 DOOR SEDAN. THE CAR HAS AN INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD ADVISING WHETHER OR NOT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG IS TURNED "ON" OR "OFF". THIS DIAL INDICATES THE AIRBAG IS ALWAYS TURNED "OFF" IF A PERSON WEIGHING LESS THEN 85 POUNDS IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN AN 85 POUND FEMALE IS IN THE FRONT SEAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATES THE AIR BAG IS TURNED "OFF". IF THE PASSENGER PLACES A 10 POUND BAG OF POTATOES IN HER LAP, THE AIRBAG INDIDATOR SHOWS THAT THE AIRBAG IS TURNED "ON". I PURCHASED A CAR WITH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10054595 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10055129 · 2004-01-29 (January 29, 2004)
FOR THE LAST 3 MONTHS SINCE I PURCHASED MY LEXUS RX330,I HAVE EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE ENGINE VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING IMPROPERLY. THOUGH I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR INTO LEXUS MANY TIMES THEY HAVE NOT FIX THESE PROBLEMS AND I BELIEVE THEY NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10055129 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10055388 · 2004-04-01 (April 1, 2004)
CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING BECAUSE THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. CONSUMER GOT A SECOND OPINION FROM AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE PERFORMED BETTER AFTER THE ALIGNMENT. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 3 miles reported. Look up ODI 10055388 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060647 · 2004-03-07 (March 7, 2004)
I HAVE A 2004 ES330 WHICH HAS A SIGNIFICANT SHIFTING PROBLEM IN LOW GEARS. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE ALREADY AND AM READY FOR THE THIRD VISIT. THE DEALER "RESET" THE MEMORY FOR THE SHIFTING PATTERN AT 200 MILES BECAUSE OF UNPREDICTABLE DRIVING PATTERNS. THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ALWAYS SHIFT POORLY, ABOUT 25% OF THE TIME THERE IS A PROBLEM. THERE SEEMS TO BE A HESITATION DURING THE SHIFTING WHICH CAUSES A LACK OF POWER. I HAVE NOTICED THIS WHILE MERGING ONTO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060647 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10061982 · 2004-03-12 (March 12, 2004)
EVER SINCE I PURCHASED BY 2004 LS430, I HAVE NOTICED AN UNACCEPTABLE ENGINE VIBRATION. THIS IS NOTICEABLE DURING IDLE/FIRST START-UP. THE ENGINE VIBRATES AND CAN BE FELT IN TO THE CABIN. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE ENGINE REVS ARE BETWEEN 1200 -1400 RPMS. THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING FOR A $62K LEXUS! I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF A LEXUS DEALER AND HAVE GOTTEN THE "IT MUST BE BAD GAS" BS. I TOLD THEM I ONLY USE CHEVRON SUPREME (92), WHICH I ALSO USE IN MY BMW WITH NO PROBLEM. A SECOND TIME, THEY INDICATED THAT IT WAS NORMAL AND NOT A PRO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10061982 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062276 · 2004-03-15 (March 15, 2004)
MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A NEW 2004 LEXUS ES 330 ON FEBRUARY 7TH, 2004. WE HAD READ MANY GOOD THINGS ABOUT THIS CAR, AND THOUGHT WE WERE BUYING THE BEST.HE SALESMAN REAFFIRMED OUR THOUGHTS. WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN SARASOTA AND DROVE IT HOME TO BRADENTON. I NOTICEDA DIFFERENCE FROM THE DEMONSTRATOR IMMEDIATELY. THE TRANSMISSION WHINED AS IT WENT THROUGH THE GEARS; IT SLIPPED NOTICEABLY IN THE GEAR CHANGES; AND IT FAILED TO DROP INTO LOWER GEARS IMMEDIATELY WHEN I GAVE IT THROTTLE TO PASS. I THOUGHT THEY WOULD FIX IT IN THE 1,000 MILE CHECKUP, B…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10062276 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10063646 · 2004-03-22 (March 22, 2004)
VEHICLE DOES NOT ALWAYS RESPOND PROPERLY TO DRIVER DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR. IN SOME CASES, WHEN COASTING SLOWLY E.G., UNDER 10 MPH), SUDDENLY PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR SHARPLY WILL HAVE NO EFFECT FOR ABOUT 1.5 SECONDS. DURING THE DELAY, THE ENGINE WILL CONTINUE TO IDLE AND VEHICLE SPEED DO NOT INCREASE. AFTER THE DELAY, THE ENGINE AND VEHICLE SPEED INCREASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION. THIS CAN LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT IF THE DRIVER IS MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN THERE IS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THERE IS ANOTHER POSSIBLY RELATED ANOMA…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063646 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V595000 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 2004-12-15 (December 15, 2004)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT PASSENGER POWER SEAT, WHEN INSTALLING CERTAIN REAR-FACING INFANT CHILD SEAT BASES ONTO THE SEAT WITH AN EXCESSIVELY HIGH SEATBELT TENSION, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO UNSEAT A COMPONENT CALLED THE BUCKLE STATUS SWITCH FROM THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE.
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH BECOMES UNSEATED, THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM MAY MISTAKE THE REAR-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT FOR AN UNBELTED ADULT OCCUPANT, AND MAY NOT SUPPRESS THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT BUCKLE STATUS SWITCH. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (SSC 40M) BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987..
NHTSA campaign record ↗