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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2004 Lexus RX330Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 327 owner complaints for the 2004 Lexus RX330. Most complaints involve power train (74) and service brakes, hydraulic (59). The EPA rates it 19–20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–20mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Nov 2011
Owner complaints
327
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · 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

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Free remedy

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.

Vehicle speed controlReported Feb 24, 2011NHTSA 11V112000

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Free remedy

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.

Vehicle speed controlReported Jul 13, 2006NHTSA 06V253000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

327 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2003 – Feb 2026
  1. Power train74
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic59
  3. Structure46
  4. Vehicle speed control36
  5. Air bags27
  6. Exterior lighting26
  7. Visibility19
  8. Engine and engine cooling12
  9. Steering10

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 RX330 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2004327
2005192
200699
Crashes reported
38
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
28
Deaths reported
3
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

74 reports2 crashes
“DEALERSHIP INSPECTION. DISCLOSURE-SATISFACTORY THROUGHOUT THE LIST ACTUAL INSPECTOR-VISIBLE LEAKS TO THE NAKED EYE WHEN LOOKING UNDER THE CAR. I WAS MISLED IN THIS PURCHASE AS THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT WERE NOT DISCLOSED TO ME BEFORE PURCHASE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 27, 2020Suspension, Power train, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11326107

Service brakes, hydraulic

59 reports8 crashes
“I HAVE HARD TIME DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL. I WENT TO LEXUS DEALER TO GET IT CHECKED. I THINK I PAID 170 DOLLARS AND THEY SAID IT IS OK. BUT, I STILL DO NOT LIKE THE BRAKE PEDAL NEVER BEEN SMOOTH.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 26, 2011Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10397915

Structure

46 reports1 crash1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS RX330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD ON THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG ENCLOSURE AREA WAS CRACKED. POHANKA LEXUS (13909 LEE JACKSON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY, CHANTILLY, VA 20151, (703) 968-9100) WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 31, 2021StructureODI 11405774
All 2004 RX330 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.3L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S5) · Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-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 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
RX 330 2WD
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172420$3,100444
RX 330 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172420$3,100444
RX 330 4WD
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162219$3,300468
RX 330 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162219$3,300468
  • RX 330 2WD
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • RX 330 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • RX 330 4WD
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • RX 330 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 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 RX330 as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 1192
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 RX330 questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Lexus RX330 have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 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 RX330 problems?

Owners filed 327 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (74), service brakes, hydraulic (59), structure (46). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Lexus RX330 get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Lexus RX330 at 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026