2004 Lexus RX330 problems
Owners have filed 353 complaints about the 2004 Lexus RX330 with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 20.1% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 19.3%.
Complaints353
Crashes49
Fires1
Injuries32
Deaths5
What owners report breaking
Power train 20.1% · 71
Service brakes, hydraulic 19.3% · 68
Vehicle speed control 9.6% · 34
Structure 9.6% · 34
Exterior lighting 6.2% · 22
Air bags 5.9% · 21
Unknown or other 5.7% · 20
Visibility 5.4% · 19
Severity
Of those complaints, 49 describe a crash, 1 describe a fire, 32 report an injury and 5 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Filings have fallen off, 18 in the last three years against 39 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 41,500 miles.
In owners' own words
This car has a intermittent problem between 2nd and 3rd gear. The engine revs up in between gears and finally shifts into gear. The transmission is very sluggish between all gears. I have had it to the dealership twice and service manager says that this is as good as it is going to be. When the car is between 2 & 3 I sometimes feel that it will let go entirely and might cause a very serious accident. Power train
Transmission shifting erratic at low speeds. "Clunk or muted "clank" heard and felt under closed throttle dowshifts while slowing to a stop. Most noticeable during the 5-4 downshift (37 mph) and the 4-3 downshift (25 mph). Service manager claims it's a normal operating condition for Lexus. Technician who rode with me disagreed. Vehicle only has 5100 miles. Problem began at 2000 mile mark. Power train · reported at 2,000 miles
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. Power train · reported at 68,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…