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Lexus RXModel year report

2004 Lexus RX Problems

Complaints
40filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
66,000miles, 26 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Lexus RX (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 2004 Lexus RX. The part named most often is body and structure, with 12 complaints (30% of the total), followed by other or unknown (9) and air bags (6). 26 of the complaints include a mileage, and 27% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 66,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 43 technical service bulletins for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 12 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Wheels (2), Electrical system (1), Engine cooling (1), Equipment (1), Steering (1), Suspension (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Body and structure: “Our 2004 rdx, extremely low miles, always garaged, mint condition, has a dash that has cracked all the way around and is beginning to extend toward the middle. When I went to the local Lexus service department several years ago, they told me leather always does that . Stupid ass. I have since learned that many others have this issue. I thought Lexus quality was better, but it's the service that is appalling! We were offered a 25% courtesy assistance.”

NHTSA complaint #10637731, filed 2014-09, 30,000 miles

Other or unknown: “The Lexus RX 330 is on recall by Lexus because the dash has developed cracks,I have been waiting 2 years for a replacement and was told by Lexus of orlando I am number 1024 on their list fro replacement. By the time they get to me according to my calculations the year will be 2095 at the pace that they are replacing the dashes. Also Lexus has a problem with their brake light switches,all of them seem to develop a problem where the vsc,brakes and ABS lights all come on at the same time. This problem has happened to all three Lexus' that I have owned. …”

NHTSA complaint #10904558, filed 2016-09, 64,000 miles

Air bags: “Melting/cracked dashboard passenger side - smells of chemicals - does this affect passenger airbag deployment? I have owned this vehicle for 4 years and was never notified of any programs - dash first started melting/cracking about 6-8 months ago long after their consumer enhancement program went away.”

NHTSA complaint #11245420, filed 2019-08, 140,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “I'm encountering the same transmission hesitation , jumping and revving when shifting in the lower gears as many others have reported. I have had the software update without effect. The dealer now is insulting me by claiming the use of regular gas may be the cause.”

NHTSA complaint #10164230, filed 2006-08, 100 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

27% of the 26 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 39,959 and 118,000 miles.

12%0–104%10–2512%25–5031%50–750%75–10035%100–1508%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (26 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 66,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’07’129’15’19’22’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2004 Lexus RX → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 43 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 43 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus RX

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2026121,00034–525—Too new
20252211244–525—Too new
2024603,00044–525Too new to compareToo new
2023628,2503536100 · MoreToo new
20222931,600043068 · MoreRising
20217058,000143086 · MoreRising
20204731,50014–53087 · MoreRising
20193417,5001—3079 · MoreRising
20182642,5480—300 · FewerRising
20174732,7300—300 · FewerRising
20162867,5000—300 · FewerRising
20152045,0000—29—Rising
20141292,5450—29—Not enough data
201319105,6060—29—Rising
201212143,6820—29—Not enough data
201129125,0000—291 · FewerFalling
20107725,0000——96 · MoreFalling
20093473,5000——19 · FewerFalling
200870114,1830—2515 · FewerFalling
20075893,4260—26Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200632130,0001—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20052780,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20044066,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200212101,9300———Not enough data
20011995,0000———Rising
20002990,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199935107,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Lexus RX model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Lexus RX have?

NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 2004 Lexus RX as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 Lexus RX is reported most often?

Body and structure is named most often, in 12 complaints (30% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 9.

Has the 2004 Lexus RX been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Lexus RX reported?

Among the 26 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 66,000 miles and the middle half falls between 39,959 and 118,000 miles; 27% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.