LEXUS ES330 · model year

2004 LEXUS ES330

26 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004LEXUSES330 carries 26 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 ES330 is air bags with 10 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (3) and engine (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2004 ES330. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

26
Complaints
9
Crashes
0
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

26 filings

Crashes Reported

9 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS10
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
ENGINE2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
STEERING1
SERVICE BRAKES1
SUSPENSION1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER1
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION1

Recalls (1)

11V53900009/11/2011

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AVALON VEHICLES; 2004 AND 2005 CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA, HIGHLANDER, AND SIENNA VEHICLES, 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID; 2004 AND 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND RX330; AND 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH THE 1MZ-FE

Recent Complaints

20200525ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

EVERY WINDOW HAS STOPPED WORKING.THE FIRST ONE STOPPED GOING UP D OWN TEN YEARS AGO NOW THEY HAVE ALL STOPPED.

20190129AIR BAGS

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN IDLE AND WON'T GO OFF. CODE B1787. NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT. UNPLUGGED AND RE-PLUGGED ALL CONNECTIONS; DISCONNECTED BATTERY FOR 15 MINUTES BUT DID NOT RESET LIGHT. DEALER CHECKED AND COULD NOT RESET SYSTEM. NO AIR BAG PROTECTION NOW. FIX REQUIRES NEW SEAT WITH SENSORS EST $4500. CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX.

Mileage: 158,000

20180630AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

B1650 CODE - OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM CODE DISPLAYS. NEVER BEEN IN ACCIDENT AND WILL NOT GO AWAY. APPEARED AT START UP OVERNIGHT.

20180630AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

B1650 CODE - OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM CODE DISPLAYS. NEVER BEEN IN ACCIDENT AND WILL NOT GO AWAY. APPEARED AT START UP OVERNIGHT.

20180630AIR BAGS

B1650 CODE - OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM CODE DISPLAYS. NEVER BEEN IN ACCIDENT AND WILL NOT GO AWAY. APPEARED AT START UP OVERNIGHT.

20180408CrashAIR BAGS

I WAS IN 3 ACCIDENTS AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED. 1 ACCIDENT I WAS HIT IN THE BACK, I WAS NOT MOVING WHEN THE CAR HIT ME FROM BEHIND (ON THE FWY), HE MUST OF BEEN DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 45 MPH. I T-BONED A CAR GOING AT A SPEED OF APPROX. 35 MPH.

Mileage: 195,000

20180106AIR BAGS

AIRBAG HAS PARTIALLY OPENED AND I AM AFRAID IT WILL EXPLODE AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT.

20171116CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

CRUISE CONTROL DOING 5-10MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE CAR SURGED FOWARD AND EVEN BRAKING I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME

Mileage: 166,000

20170104SERVICE BRAKES

I CONTINUALLY HAVE TO REPLACE THE DISC BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE. THE PADS DON'T WEAR DOWN VERY MUCH, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL GETS LOW AND SPONGY. THIS IS AFTER NORMAL DRIVING. *TR

Mileage: 49,000

20170104SUSPENSION

I CONTINUALLY HAVE TO REPLACE THE DISC BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE. THE PADS DON'T WEAR DOWN VERY MUCH, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL GETS LOW AND SPONGY. THIS IS AFTER NORMAL DRIVING. *TR

Mileage: 49,000

20161221ENGINE

TL* 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.

Mileage: 175,000

20161107AIR BAGS

NO ONE HAS NOTIFIED ME OF THE RECALL OF MY TOYOTA LEXUS 2004 MODEL 330 TO LET US KNOW IF WE NEED THE AIRBAGS REPLACED.

Mileage: 45,000

20160425ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS ES330. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL, FUEL GAUGE, AND HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL HOUSING SYSTEM OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.

Mileage: 154,000

20160321CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH AND EXITING THE RESIDENCE, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS AND SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND NECK THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199,999.

Mileage: 199,999

20151208AIR BAGS

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COVER IS SEPARATING FROM THE DASH. I APPEARS TO BE RISING UP FROM ITS FLAT POSITION ON THE DASH AND I'M AFRAID IT MIGHT DEPLOY AND INJURE A PASSENGER. IS THIS A TAKATA AIRBAG?

Mileage: 61,973

20150220CrashSTEERING

WAS DRIVING 2004ES 330 LEXUS ON INTERSTATE, TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT, CLOUDY DAY @1:20PM. HAD BEEN ON INTERSTATE FOR MAYBE 15-18 MINS OF DRIVING BEFORE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. ALL OF A SUDDEN STEERING SEEM TO LOCK AND CAR JUST STARTED SPINNING UNCONTROLLABLE. HIT ONE BRICK OVERPASS THEN SPRUNG INTO THE OPPOSITE SIDE, HITTING ANOTHER BRICK WALL,CONTINUED TO SPIN UNTIL IT REST AGAINST THE BRICK WALL AGAIN. AFTER HELP CAME TO PULL ME OUT, CAR WAS SMOKING. WE COULD NOT GET IT INTO PARK TO PREVENT FROM CONTINUE TO ROLL BACKWARDS. WE JUST LEFT DOOR OPEN...REST AGAINST BRICK WALL TO PREVENT CAR FROM ROLLING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HERO TRUCK DRUG IT TO A SAFE LOCATION OUT OF TRAFFIC. *TR

20150216AIR BAGS

THE AIR BAGS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IS PROTRUDING OUT OF THE DASH. THIS COULD BE A HAZARD BECAUSE THE AIR BAG APPEARS THAT IT COULD BE RELEASED AT ANYTIME. *TR

20150123FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ODORLESS FUMES WERE EMITTING INTO THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS CORRODED WHICH CAUSED FUMES TO LEAK INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,038.

Mileage: 59,038

20141103AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COVER WAS WARPED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

20141028AIR BAGS

AROUND JANUARY 2014 (BUT IT COULD HAVE STARTED SOONER) I NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG STARTED LOOKING LIKE THE EDGES ARE PEELING AWAY FROM REST OF THE DASHBOARD. THIS HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE AREA AROUND THE AIRBAG IS PULLING AWAY AND THE AIRBAG ITSELF LOOKS SO STRETCHED I FEAR THE AIRBAG IS GOING TO DEPLOY. I AM AFRAID TO HAVE ANYONE SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I WORRY THAT ANY BUMP COULD CAUSE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT INJURING SOMEONE. *TR

Mileage: 72,356

Compare 2004LEXUSES330 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 LEXUS ES330 have?
The 2004 LEXUS ES330 has 26 NHTSA complaints, 9 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 LEXUS ES330?
Yes, the 2004 LEXUS ES330 has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 LEXUS ES330?
The most-complained component for the 2004 LEXUS ES330 is AIR BAGS with 10 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and ENGINE.
Is the 2004 LEXUS ES330 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.