Lexus ES330 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 379 consumer complaints across the 3 model years of the Lexus ES330 (2004–2006) that have at least 5 complaints. 2004 has the most, with 174. Across all years, the part named most often is vehicle speed control (125 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All ES330 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 64 | 32,000 | 0 | 57 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 141 | 31,750 | 2 | 59 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 174 | 32,000 | 2 | 68 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Vehicle speed control125 32%
- Transmission and drivetrain114 29%
- Air bags60 15%
- Brakes34 8.7%
- Engine cooling20 5.1%
- Electrical system16 4.1%
- Steering12 3.1%
- Other or unknown12 3.1%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2004: “The seat belt for passenger side and the seat assembly malfunctioned when my passenger buckled his seat belt. There was a popping sound and then the airbag light came on. The system was re calibrated at the dealership but I continue to have sporadic problems with this issue. I cannot have a passenger due to this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10949317, filed 2017-02, 150,000 miles2005: “I did not have a car accident, or experience any injuries or car damage, but this car, like numerous other cars of the same make, model, and year has some serious transmission/computer software issues at times. It hesitates and lurches often, especially in d4. I drove on the highway yesterday in d4, and the car acted up in the worst way ever. …”
NHTSA complaint #10519916, filed 2013-06, 98,083 miles2006: “The edges around the passenger side airbag cracking and the condition keeps deteriorating as time goes by. I'm worried about the safety of my family as we use the car all the time. We contacted a local Lexus dealer and we told the same thing as rest of the folks experienced with dealers.”
NHTSA complaint #10881994, filed 2016-07, 58,000 milesOther Lexus models
1,448 complaintsLexus RX
962 complaintsLexus RX350
833 complaintsLexus RX300
719 complaintsLexus IS 250
718 complaintsLexus ES300
677 complaintsLexus ES
658 complaintsLexus IS
579 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology