2004 Lexus ES330 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 2%of 174 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 144,466miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine of the 2004 Lexus ES330, 2% of the 174 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 144,466 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Since I purchased this vehicle in 2008 I had the problems with the car jerking between 40-60mph and had the dealer to investigate my concerns which I took the car to a Lexus dealership for diagnosis of the problems which they never found; I was then told that this problem occurs in all 2004 330es and the problem wasn't detected. …”
NHTSA complaint #10811654, filed 2015-12, 170,693 miles“I was parking my car in the parking lot of a garage when my car Lexus 330 suddenly picked up high speed (full throttle) unintentionally. The vehicle went forward and fell approximately about 5 feet to the other parking level and violently hit the back of a pickup truck which was parked. I had my seat belt on. My body went forward and backward violently. For the next few days I had experienced muscle pain, stiffness and poor night sleep. The accident was reported to the police.”
NHTSA complaint #10627254, filed 2014-08, 102,000 miles“When starting the Lexus es 330 2004 for the first time in the day it makes a horrible sound that lasts about 5 seconds while still parked then when driving it seems like I am forcing it do accelerate. After being warmed up it is fine and after subsequent starts it does not make that noise.”
NHTSA complaint #10854532, filed 2016-04, 118,240 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10936761, filed 2016-12, 175,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10179601Aug 5, 2020TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a…
- 10164328Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev1: G1668 Applicability has been updated to include 2019 ? 2020 model year Lexus vehicles. G2158 The Techstream Preparation and Process…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Lexus ES330
61 complaintsVehicle speed control
53 complaintsAir bags
24 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Lexus ES330
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology