10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
18 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
14 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,600 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Lexus ES 330:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #39

Jul 272016

ES 330

  • 140,000 miles
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.

- Gurnee, IL, USA

problem #38

Aug 112014

ES 330 6-cyl

  • 87,000 miles
I was riding the brake into a parking space and was almost finished parking (my foot was still on the brake) when the car suddenly accelerated and traveled through a short wooded area then over a 12 foot drop to a road with traffic below. The front of the car crashed into a stone wall, crashed back into the stone wall that the car flew over, and came to a stop in the middle of a busy road approximately 100 feet from where it flew over the drop. Airbag deployed, seatbelt was on. I was taken to the er via ambulance with a broken nose, concussion, bruising... and have ongoing soreness, stiffness, dizziness...

- Meadowbrook, PA, USA

problem #37

Mar 102014

ES 330

  • 102,000 miles
I was parking my car in the parking lot of a garage when my car Lexus 330 suddenly picked up high speed (full throttle) unintentionally. The vehicle went forward and fell approximately about 5 feet to the other parking level and violently hit the back of a pickup truck which was parked. I had my seat belt on. My body went forward and backward violently. For the next few days I had experienced muscle pain, stiffness and poor night sleep. The accident was reported to the police.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #36

May 132014

ES 330

  • 122,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Lexus ES330. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The contact mentioned the vehicle traveled over the side walk and was able to avoid a crash. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 122,000 and the current mileage was 124,528.

- La Grange, NC, USA

problem #35

May 072014

ES 330 6-cyl

  • 155,000 miles
While stopped at a traffic light, with my foot on the brake pedal, the car lurched forward. I was able to maintain control by pressing firmly on the brake pedal. This has happened 3 times in the last 2 weeks. The 1st 2 times, I thought it might be me, maybe my foot slipped had off the brake pedal and hit the accelerator pedal. Today, however, that notion was dispelled. I was paying attention to my foot location on the brake pedal, my foot being firmly on the brake pedal, when the car lurched forward of it's own Accord.

- Renton, WA, USA

problem #34

Apr 272011

ES 330 6-cyl

  • 16,000 miles
I had no problems with my 2004 Lexus 300se until I ran through a building. My car only had 16,000 miles on it and I never experienced braking problems, acceleration problems or anything of the sort. I did call the dealership when recalls were very big news in the media but was told my model was not on any lists for recall. I drove my car to the tailor shop...I turned in the shopping center with no problem..I turned into the parking place in front of the tailor shop and the car would not stop. I pressed the brake but the car just went into lunge mode and instead of stopping went faster. I had my brake pressed all the way to the floorboard. Thank god the lady in the tailor shop was in the back of the store because my car did not come to rest until it was inside the store and pinned at a wall. People came out from other stores..smoke everywhere...they came to my window and told me to turn the key off. The wheels were still spinning but my foot was not on the accelerator - the wheels came to a stop when I turned off the ignition. My car was considered a total loss. Damage to the bldg included all of their front glass and interior. I don't know a final figure on the third party damage. My insurance covered the claim but I truly feel this is a Lexus issue and they should be held responsible as the accelerator apparently stuck and nothing would stop it until I turned off the engine.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #33

Apr 282011

ES 330 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Lexus ES 330. The contact stated as he starts the engine the rpms increased excessively and remained that way as he moved the gear shift out of park. The vehicle would jump forward causing the accelerator pedal to stick and the vehicle would not accelerate. While parking the vehicle with the brake engaged and the gear shift was in reverse, the vehicle accelerated forward. The failure caused the contact to crash into the garage and damage the front bumper. No one was injured. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer will be contacted at a later date. The failure mileage was 40,000. Updated 06/03/11 updated 06/13/11

- Flushing , NY, USA

problem #32

Feb 252011

ES 330 6-cyl

  • 70,200 miles
On 2/25/2011, I drove the car 15 minutes on the I-5 freeway to la jolla. The car was then parked for 2 hours so the engine was cold. I started it, backed out of parking place, and accelerated slightly to pass another car backing up. I was exiting a condo complex and speed was generally under 10-15 mph going over speed bumps. The total distance traveled was about 150 feet on gentle, 5 degrees?, downhill grade, generally coasting with slight pressure on the brake pedal, to reach the exit which was at a streetlight at a busy street. The light was red so I gently increased the force on the brake pedal. I then sensed that the brake was suddenly not stopping the car. I applied as much force as possible and could not come to a complete stop. I shifted the car into neutral and the pressure being applied to the brakes stopped the car instantly. The engine raced like I had never experienced before. I then turned the ignition to off. I shifted the transmission into park. Knowing of the problem with floor mats and accelerator pedal problems, I reached down and pulled the floor mat towards the seat and away from brake and accelerator pedals. I restarted the car. There were no further problems.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #31

Aug 082010

ES 330

  • 30,000 miles
When braking and slowly turning left to come to a stop in a parking space at a wal-mart parking lot my car suddenly accelerated uncontrollably at such a fast speed that my car crashed into a metal pole and pushed a parked station wagon facing my car back far into another isle. My foot was definitely braking the whole time.!!!! my car unexpectedly accelerated at a very high speed while I pressed the brake. I have in my possession a surveillance tape of the accident taken by wal-mart. As a result I hurt my back and neck and was very upset that I could have killed people walking in that parking lot. I am positive that the braking system in my car malfunctioned.

- Osprey, FL, USA

problem #30

Dec 312010

ES 330

  • 25,790 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Lexus ES330. While parking, the vehicle suddenly jumped when shifted into drive. The vehicle accelerated over a cement block, went uphill and crashed into bushes and rocks. The contact suffered minor injuries. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer but had not been inspected or repaired. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that a representative would inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was 25,790 and the current mileage was 25,794.

- Solana Beach, CA, USA

problem #29

Jul 312010

ES 330

  • 65,000 miles
On a sunny Saturday afternoon, July 31, 2010, I attempted to make a U-turn in the parking lot. While I turned left, pulling into a parking space, my vehicle surged forward with a sudden acceleration and ran over the curb. I stepped on the brake pedal, but it did not stop. I changed the gear to the "P" position and heard a loud noise when the gear was moved through the "N" position. It struck a lamp post before stopping. The vehicle was inspected at Lexus of bellevue, wa, on August 11, 2010, but they denied any vehicle malfunction.

- Vancouver, B.C., Canada , 00, USA

problem #28

Jan 132010

ES 330 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
I have a 2004 Lexus ES330 with accelerator problems. My initial problem was as I come to a stop light and it turns green, before I have to stop I would accelerate and there would be a hesitation where the engine feels like it is stalling. It would then accelerate with a thump. I took it in to the Lexus dealer in Hawaii (oahu) and they recognized it as a computer program problem that tells the car when to accelerate. I was told that they can "try" to fix it by changing the computer chip and resetting the memory in the computer. However, they said that it would either fix the problem or create other accelerator problems. They know that this problem exists. It fixed my initial problem but has caused other problems such as car now jerks upon accelerating while traveling 5-15 mph. From a stop, my car sometimes hesitates and then accelerates when I step on the gas pedal. I know other Lexus owners have complained as well as Camry owners that have a V6 engine and the same transmission as the Lexus ES330. You can google it.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #27

Apr 122010

ES 330

  • 43,000 miles
Throttle control computer failed on 2004 Lexus. Could not get the car to go more than 5 miles per hour. Lexus/Toyota says it is unrelated to the 1000's of other complaints having to do with the throttle. I believe that it is related and should be part of the recall.

- Wilmette, IL, USA

problem #26

Apr 102010

ES 330

  • 53,000 miles
2004 Lexus ES 330 acceleration is sticking/stalling and jerking when vehicle is driving and slowing down in traffic. Contacted Lexus dealer and representative and they claim the car computer is constantly adjusting feel like jerking motions.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #25

Dec 112008

ES 330 6-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
While parking, the consumers 2004 Lexus ES 330 suddenly accelerated jumped and curb hit a tree. The consumer stated she gently pressed the accelerator to inch into a parking space a little more, when the vehicle suddenly went out of control. After hitting the tree, the vehicle then bounced back from the tree and went down an incline to the right where she was able to stop it. The consumer was treated at the hospital for a hairline fracture of her sternum. It took several weeks to recover.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #24

Feb 262010

ES 330

  • 52,050 miles
My Lexus 2004 model ES330 has been accelerating by itself. This acceleration has been happening two to three times a week for about a year. I did not realize that the car was accelerating by itself, but have noticed more during last 3 to 4 months.

- Fair Oaks, CA, USA

problem #23

Jul 032007

ES 330

  • 38,000 miles
Was parking in a strip mall. My vehicle suddenly accelerated, jumped the parking block and the sidewalk, crashed through the front of a store and came to rest inside the store. This is the only incident with this car. Insurance company repaired the car and we continue to own it and drive it.

- Bryant , AR, USA

problem #22

Feb 062007

ES 330

  • 55,000 miles
My 04 Lexus ES 330 had unexplained throttle increase while driving on hwy at about 50 mph. I was able to immediately put it in neutral and it stopped. I turned off the engine and called local Lexus dealership who advised me to bring it to them. When I started engine again it drove ok.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #21

Dec 022009

ES 330

  • 42,000 miles
I had 2 accelerating experiences with my 04 Lexus. Both led up to several $ damage to my car and I other car. Then the 3rd one occurred when my car was in for repair and the Lexus garage loaned me a 2009 Lexus, the same thing - it accelerated and I drove into a brick wall. I thought they were my fault. The state of Minnesota intervened and took my drivers license so I can longer drive. I feel this was an injustice and want my license returned.

- Plymouth, MN, USA

problem #20

Jul 152009

ES 330

  • 110,000 miles
Upon starting and putting car in reverse engine experienced uncontrollable acceleration. Car it backed across a the traffic lane in a parking lot with the brakes applied stuck two parked cars and ended up on top of a planting area after hitting a tree planted there. Police were called and responded. The car has been looked at by a mechanic but could not find a visible problem with the accelerator.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

Read the next 19 complaints »