2004 Lexus RX330 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2004 RX330 most often describe two early-life patterns: a transmission that hesitates or surges at low speed and, in some cars, a brake pedal that goes hard or to the floor because the brake booster stopped working. By higher mileage, complaints turn to cracked or sticky dashboard material, air suspension faults and various trim and lighting problems. Many of the low-speed complaints were filed within the first few years of ownership, while the interior and suspension reports come much later.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission hesitation and surge at low speed

   • 65 complaints (23%)
   • median 5,000 mi at 1.0 yrs old (39 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2014

   Owners describe a lag between pressing the accelerator and the car moving, followed by a sudden surge of power, especially when pulling away from a stop, turning at an intersection or merging. Some also report clunking or jerking on downshifts and the transmission hunting between gears. According to the complaints, dealers commonly reprogrammed the transmission computer, suggested premium fuel, or said the behavior was normal for the vehicle and had no fix. Mostly reported within the first 30,000 miles, often on short trips and low-speed city driving.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive the car at low speed from several standing starts and note any delay or lurch when the throttle is applied. Ask whether the transmission control software has ever been updated.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Upon acelleration, this vehicle sometimes hesitates and at times almost causing an accident. I have taken this to the Lexus dealership and they are aware of it. They say there is no fix. I was told to use premium gas, and I havebeen told that the new software is in and that is all they could do.”

   NHTSA complaint #10202916, filed 2007-09, 61,000 miles

   “The automobile has a latent defect and is inherently dangerous. In november 2003, I attempted to back up in a crowded parking lot, and while in reverse, I pressed the accelerator - there was a lag and the vehicle then accelerated backward very rapidly, striking another vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10080875, filed 2004-07, 20,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake pedal goes hard or to the floor

   • 57 complaints (20%)
   • median 10,000 mi at 1.2 yrs old (40 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2017

   Complaints describe the brake pedal becoming very stiff or sinking to the floor, sometimes with the brake warning light on, so the car would not stop under normal pedal pressure. Several owners say the vehicle was towed and the brake booster was replaced, and some report the pedal felt normal again after that. Others describe the loss of braking while backing out of a driveway or at parking-lot speeds. Mostly reported under about 20,000 miles, sometimes on cold mornings or after the car sat for a short time.

   Recall 04V558000

   What to check: With the engine running, press the pedal firmly and confirm it feels normal and does not sink; ask for service records showing whether the brake booster has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Brakes failed! After starting my car and putting it into reverse to back out of the driveway, I found I had no brakes ...the car started moving despite my foot being on the brake pedal. I had to use the emergency brake to stop. After stopping the car, I observed the break pedal is all the way to the floor. The car has been towed to the dealership!”

   NHTSA complaint #10104515, filed 2004-12, 13,383 miles

   “I was driving my 2004 RX330. It was 1/2/2006 and the roads were dry. The outside temperature awas 34 degrees. I had driven my car to the local deli with no problems. When I returned to the car and pulled away, I applied the brakes to a bucking sound. The brake light was on. The brakes were squealing and I couldn't stop without applying major pressure to the brakes. I immediately pulled the car over to check if I had accidently put the parking brake on - which I hadn't. I waited for my husband to come check it out. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10146693, filed 2006-01, 20,000 miles
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Unintended acceleration at low speed

   • 32 complaints (11%)
   • median 49,000 mi at 6.1 yrs old (23 state mileage)
   • 15 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2016

   Owners describe the engine revving and the car accelerating on its own at parking-lot or driveway speeds, sometimes while the brake was applied, in a few cases ending in a collision. Complaints also mention the accelerator feeling stuck or unresponsive to the pedal. Reports note that inspections found the vehicle operating to specification, and recalls for this model year concern a floor carpet cover that can interfere with the accelerator pedal. Reported across a wide mileage range, most often at very low speeds such as parking or backing up.

   Recall 11V112000Recall 06V2530001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Confirm with a dealer that both accelerator pedal carpet-cover recalls were completed, and check that the floor carpet cover and clips in front of the center console are secure.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Since I bought my car from jm Lexus in margate, fl in 2005, it has had the constant problem of sudden short bursts of acceleration. Another problem with the car is that often times, when I try to speed up, the car continues to drive at the same speed, and doesn't accelerate. I am afraid either one of these problems can cause me to hit someone or be hit by another car. I have reported this problem to the dealership and they inspected it and was told nothing could be done about it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10318271, filed 2010-03, 30,000 miles

   “2004 Lexus rx 330: I was a victim of sudden unattended acceleration. This occurred on drive pavement on a street with an uphill grade. I was about to park my vehicle behind a parked car. As I was coasting to stop, my foot was barely touching the gas pedal - I was within a few feet of the parked vehicle. Suddenly I heard a clicking sound and immediately I felt the pedal leave my foot. The car engine revved to the highest RPM. The Lexus slammed into the parked car. I tried braking and there was no response. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10300143, filed 2010-01, 75,000 miles
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Cracked and sticky dashboard

   • 37 complaints (13%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 9.9 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2021

   Owners report cracks spreading across the dashboard and areas where the material looks shiny, sticky or melting, sometimes near the passenger airbag area. Complaints describe glare from the shiny surface and pieces coming apart over time. Several owners say dealers declined to cover the full cost of replacement, while warranty enhancement bulletins describe coverage for cracked or sticky dashboards attributed to heat and humidity. Typically reported on cars with well over 50,000 miles, in hot and humid climates.

   6 related service bulletins

   What to check: Inspect the top of the dash in daylight for cracks, shine or tacky spots, and ask whether any dashboard warranty enhancement work was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Dashboard is cracking and coming apart. It has become shiny to the point that it gives off a glare. I have a serious concern as to the safety of the vehicle in this condition. Since this could affect my safety, the safety of my family and other motorists, it should be corrected immediately. I contacted Lexus/toyota and they are unwilling to fix the problem at this time.”

   NHTSA complaint #10806657, filed 2015-11, 43,400 miles

   “I was recently gifted my mother's 2004 Lexus RX330 and have been noticing for some time now an extensively cracked dashboard that had been getting progressively worse for the past several years. In addition, there are several sticky spots on the dash which appears to be melting material. I have seen this complaint online repeatedly from other RX330 owners and was wondering if there is a class action suit. There is still an extended warranty on the car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10551680, filed 2013-11, 51,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection focused on transmission behavior at low speed, brake pedal feel and the condition of the dashboard would cover the most commonly reported items. Ask for records showing the accelerator pedal and brake light switch recalls were performed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.