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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2004 Lexus RX330 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
69about this part
Share
24%of 287 total for the year
Median mileage
5,700miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 69 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Lexus RX330, 24% of the 287 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,700 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Vehicle keeps making noises at around 30 MPH. Root cause is that a transmission cooling line on my 2004 when under pressure bangs against the body of the vehicle. Lexus was well aware of this issue, so they re-designed the line on newer vehicle. Lexus is willing to replace the part but at owner cost. I believe this is a defect and Lexus need to replace the part under their own cost.”

NHTSA complaint #10244521, filed 2008-10, 68,000 miles

“I was traveling south bound doing the speed of 70 on the expressway when all of a sudden my power was lost it dropped to zero, it could have been a very bad accident, but I thank god it was not, I had to coast and try to get off the freeway onto the side of the freeway.”

NHTSA complaint #10283113, filed 2009-09, 82,151 miles

“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

“My steering started getting stiff and making a grinding sound without warning. It would then disappear after driving for about 5 minutes. I noticed this seems to be a common problem with the vehicle at the 90,000 mark. I bought a Lexus because I thought the vehicle would be solid but it seems like everything is starting to go. I had to replace the sunroof, air conditioning pump, radiator and transmission after hitting 80,000. I don't want to put any more $$$ into the car at this point because it doesn't seem worth. One problem after the next.”

NHTSA complaint #10615711, filed 2014-07, 87,000 miles

“I bought my Lexus in 2007. It is a 2004 rx Lexus 330 it had 31,000 miles when bought. Since I had the car my radiator was broken and the Lexus dealership repaired it under warranty. Before this I remember stopping to the dealership because felt the car was stalling and was told that nothing wrong its just I have to be consistent the way I drive with speed. Now in 2010 I'm experiencing the same problem with the car stalling or lagging with the RPM and a little noise coming from the transmission. …”

NHTSA complaint #10324986, filed 2010-04, 85,684 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200634%
20051811%
20046924%

Other parts of the 2004 Lexus RX330

Brakes
65 complaintsBody and structure
34 complaintsVehicle speed control
34 complaintsExterior lighting
22 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsOther or unknown
20 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
20 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsEquipment
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2004 Lexus RX330

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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