2004 Lexus RX330 recalls and problems

The 2004 Lexus RX330 has 5 safety recalls and 287 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Lexus dealer.

Recalls
5
Complaints
287
Crashes / fires
37 / 1
Injuries / deaths
27 / 3

Recalls may cover only some 2004 Lexus RX330 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2004 Lexus RX330 recalls

Recall 11V-539: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Nov 9, 2011 · 420,326 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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 or 3mz-fe engine. The amount of adhesive agent applied between the outer ring and the torsional rubber damper (Inner ring) in the crankshaft pulley may be inadequate. If the adhesive is insufficient, there is a possibility that the outer ring may become misaligned and it may not properly rotate with the inner ring, causing noise and/or illumination of the battery discharge indicator light.

Risk: In some cases, the belt for the power steering pump may become detached from the pulley which could result in a loss of power steering and a sudden increase in steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will check the crankshaft pulley to identify whether it was produced by the U.S. Supplier. If so, the dealer will replace the pulley with a new one at no charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during early january 2012. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Recall 11V-112: Vehicle Speed Control

Reported Feb 24, 2011 · 769,379 vehicles affected · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 highlander, highlander hybrid, and model year 2004-2007 lexus rx330, rx350, and rx400h vehicles. If the forward retention clip used to secure the floor carpet cover, which is located in front of the center console, is not installed properly the cover may lean toward the accelerator pedal and interfere with the accelerator pedal arm.

Risk: If this occurs, the accelerator pedal may temporarily become stuck in a partially depressed position rather than return to the idle position. A stuck accelerator pedal may result in unintended and sustained vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the floor carpet cover with a newly designed one free or charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during march 2011. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Recall 06V-253: Vehicle Speed Control

Reported Jul 13, 2006 · 367,594 vehicles affected · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: On certain sport utility and hybrid vehicles, the two retaining clips for the driver's side forward center console can become loose. If both clips separate from the floor carpet cover, the cover may lean toward the accelerator pedal, causing interference with the accelerator pedal rod.

Risk: This condition may interfere with the accelerator pedal returning to the idle position increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the two floor carpet cover retaining clips free of charge. The recall began on july 24, 2006, and should be completed by early september 2006. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or lexus at 1-800-255-3987.

Recall 06V-023: Seat Belts

Reported Jan 27, 2006 · 3,851 vehicles affected · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages." the anchor bolt for the rear, left-hand side seat belt buckle directly behind the driver's seat does not have sufficient strength.

Risk: The rear seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace free of charge the rear, left-hand side seat belt buckle anchor bolt with an improved one. The recall began on february 3, 2006. Owners may contact lexus at 800-255-3987.

Recall 04V-558: Exterior Lighting

Reported Nov 22, 2004 · 183,090 vehicles affected · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: Certain passenger vehicles may be equipped with an improperly designed brake light switch. A silicon oxide build-up occurs on the contacts inside the brake light switch, which can make it inoperable.

Risk: If the switch is inoperable, the brake lights will not illuminate and can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the brake light switch. The recall began during december 2004. Owners should contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

2004 Lexus RX330 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train71
Service Brakes, Hydraulic68
Structure34
Vehicle Speed Control34
Exterior Lighting22
Air Bags21
Unknown or Other20
Visibility19
Engine and Engine Cooling12
Suspension9
Steering9
Electrical System7

Most reported parts

  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 54
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist — 17
  • Structure › Body — 13
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 9
  • Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 8
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) — 6
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 4
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Hydraulic — 4

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 41,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2004 Lexus RX330 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Exterior Lighting · reported Mar 18, 2019
The red plastic housing that the taillight is in is melted, the lights are still working, but the red plastic around the bulb has melted on both the right and left rear brake lights
Unknown or Other · reported Nov 20, 2018
The dashboard is cracking up bad and when I'm driving I be herring poping sound coming from the dashboard and when the heat is on it be making load sound
Air Bags · at 140,500 miles · reported Sep 23, 2018
Recently there was a popping sound while the vehicle was turned on and was stationary. It resulted in cracks on the front passenger side dashboard. I AM scared to drive the vehicle as I do not know what happened. Is there a lexus recall for the same problem?
Structure · at 116,000 miles · reported Sep 11, 2018
The contact owns a 2004 lexus rx330. The contact stated that the dashboard experienced severe cracking. The contact was concerned that the debris from the cracking could potentially become shrapnel that could cause injury in the event of an air bag deployment. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist since it was considered a cosmetic failure. The failure mileage was 116,000.
Unknown or Other · at 70,000 miles · reported Aug 14, 2018
We lately have had dashboard cracks or melting although we have garage maintained our car very carefully with very low mileage of 70,000 only. This is not healthy and very harmful to our lexus experience. By the way, we haven't had such cracks until now due to our well maintenance so that we missed dashboard recall which was expired on may 31 2017.

Other Lexus RX330 years

Compare all Lexus RX330 years · All Lexus models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Lexus RX330 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2004 Lexus RX330: 11V-539 (engine and engine cooling), 11V-112 (vehicle speed control), 06V-253 (vehicle speed control), 06V-023 (seat belts), 04V-558 (exterior lighting). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Lexus RX330?

Owners report power train problems most often (71 reports), followed by service brakes, hydraulic (68). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 41,000 miles.

Are Lexus recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Lexus dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.