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Research · Midsize Cars

2004 Lexus ES330Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 190 owner complaints for the 2004 Lexus ES330. Most complaints involve power train (63) and vehicle speed control (58). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Nov 2011
Owner complaints
190
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Nov 9, 2011NHTSA 11V539000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

190 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2003 – Feb 2022
  1. Power train63
  2. Vehicle speed control58
  3. Air bags28
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic12
  5. Electrical system8
  6. Engine and engine cooling8
  7. Structure6
  8. Engine6
  9. Seat belts4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each ES330 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2004190
2005199
200679
Crashes reported
40
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
24
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

63 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM SECOND TO THIRD, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM HESITATED AND AS A RESULT, THE COMPUTER MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE UPDATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING UP TO THEIR STANDARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2011Power trainODI 10426920

Vehicle speed control

58 reports25 crashes
“I WAS DRIVING AT 9:30AM CST ON 7/27/16 WHEN MY CAR EXPERIENCE UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION FOR ABOUT 1.5 MILES. MY CAR REFUSED TO SLOW DOWN, EVEN WHILE I HAD THE BRAKES APPLIED. I HAVE HAD MY CAR SENT TO LEXUS HEADQUARTERS TO BE INVESTIGATED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 1, 2016Vehicle speed controlODI 10892284

Air bags

28 reports5 crashes
“The passenger side airbag is shrinking and seems to be collapsing into the dashboard. There is an indicator light on the passenger side that is lit up noting that "airbag off," so apparently there is no airbag protection for passenger. Three days ago, the right side of the windshield - passenger side, and the passenger window and passenger side back seat window, were all moist and foggy in the morning. There were no windows opened. I think the airbag situation is causing the airbag to leak moisture into the surrounding windows and the passenger side of the car. I don't know what this fluid/moisture is composed of, but I can only imagine it must be some type of chemical - something that you do not want to be leaking into the car on a daily basis.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 2, 2022Air bagsODI 11450072
All 2004 ES330 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.3L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
ES 330
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182721$2,950423
  • ES 330
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Lexus ES330 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 1333
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2004 ES330 questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Lexus ES330 have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2004 Lexus ES330 problems?

Owners filed 190 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (63), vehicle speed control (58), air bags (28). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Lexus ES330 get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Lexus ES330 at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026