2004 Lexus RX330: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2004 Lexus RX330: 5 recalls, 287 owner complaints and up to 20 mpg combined.
Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #04V558000 · 2004 · 183,090 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the switch is inoperable, the brake lights will not illuminate and can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the brake light switch. The recall began during December 2004. Owners should contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #06V023000 · 2006 · 3,851 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: The rear seat occupant May not be properly restrained in the event of a crash.
The 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.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #06V253000 · 2006 · 367,594 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This condition May interfere with the accelerator pedal returning to the idle position increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #11V112000 · 2011 · 769,379 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #11V539000 · 2011 · 420,326 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 27 injuries and 3 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (69): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (49), noise or vibration (13).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (58): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (28), warning light on (6).
- Body & structure (34): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Speed control / throttle (34): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (6).
The 2004 Lexus RX330 has 287 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 6 RX330 model years for complaints (3.3× the average RX330 year). Complaints peaked in 2005 (64 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 40,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2005 (165 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 19 | Regular |
| 3.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2004 Lexus RX330.
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FAQ
Does the 2004 Lexus RX330 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2004 Lexus RX330. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2004 Lexus RX330 problems?
Owners have filed 287 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (69), brakes (hydraulic) (58), body & structure (34).
What gas mileage does the 2004 Lexus RX330 get?
EPA ratings run up to 20 mpg combined (3.3 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2004 Lexus RX330 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.