2.4

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,959 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 RX 330:

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

problem #7

May 262020

RX 330 6-cyl

  • miles
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.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #6

Jun 162018

RX 330

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Lexus RX330. The contact stated that the air suspension system failed. While driving various speeds, a loud noise was heard from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the motor that regulated the air suspension system failed. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer for diagnostic testing and repairs. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 170,000.

- Hillsboro, OR, USA

problem #5

Aug 252017

RX 330

  • miles
My 2004 Lexus RX330 is jumping all over the road, repair shop diagnostics show the ride height control and air ride struts have failed causing an unsafe condition, apparently Lexus was fully aware of the issue only making this model year with the air ride control and knowing the system will only last ten years before failure. I guess they figured after ten years most vehicles would have either installed the conversion kit or have been sold forward so many times that new owners would not pursue a safety recall. An entire industry has been created to deal with the issue retailing conversion kits so much so that my Toyota repair shop has suggested installing the conversion kit which they offer. My vehicle bounces when navigating turns and bumps, while sitting still the vehicle raises and lowers independent of anything manually initiated and side to side lifts and lowers.

- Granbury, TX, USA

problem #4

May 152013

RX 330 6-cyl

  • 160,000 miles
The air suspension has an exhaust valve solenoid on the air suspension compressor that stopped working that causes the suspension to fully extend upwards. With the suspension fully extend upwards the ride is harsh and stability.of vehicle is decreased. Lexus will only replace the whole compressor, the quoted price for parts and labor is $3500.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #3

Aug 232008

RX 330 6-cyl

  • 39,514 miles
Failure of my 2004 Lexus rx 330 height air suspension components causing the air suspension to position my car in the highest setting. I have the same trouble as ODI id number 10314023 except mine began to fail (click) at around 39,300 miles. I started hearing a clicking sound back in June 2008 when I started the car for about 60 seconds. After the clicking stopped a led on the dash board indicated the hydraulic height adjustment lift was off. The code the Lexus technician read from the car indicated an air suspension code C1735 for suspension exhaust solenoid. The service technician at the dealership told me that my warranty expired six months earlier (my mileage was 39,514). The cost to replace the solenoid was $1100 in 2008. I was sure a recall would be issued so I did not pay to have it replaced. Over the next two years the RX330 would rise and fall like it had a mind of its own. At my 60,000 mile checkup the cost to repair the air suspension was $3,000. I declined the repair at that time due to lack of funds. I opened a complaint with Lexus on June 19, 2012 after a colleague of mine started hearing the familiar clicking sound in his 2004 Lexus RX330. I also found the complaint listed above. Our VIN numbers are identical out to 11 digits with the exception of the check digit (9th position). Lexus most definitely has a defect in their RX330 exhaust solenoid valve circuit. I received a call from Lexus on June 26, 2012. The woman told me that the district parts and service manager had reviewed my Lexus maintenance reports from the dealer and denied my request for help. I gave the woman the ODI complaint number above and asked her to please have the service manager research the complaint and VIN number because the two RX330 air suspension failures must be related!! the district service manager declined my request for repair again.

- Laytonsville, MD, USA

problem #2

Feb 102009

RX 330

  • 41,000 miles
Failure of 2004 Lexus rx 330 air suspension components causing the air suspension to position car in an elevated position, higher than the highest normal setting. Owner's manual claims that the vehicle can be driven with the suspension system in failure mode. Car rode extremely rough and not as secure at highway speeds. Vehicle required almost $5000 in repair costs. Parts failed at 41,000 miles and 5 months after warranty expiration. This particular model with air suspension was rare and only a few sold per dealer in 2004. There are several reports on the internet of similar failures. My original system was noisy from day one, the replacement parts are quiet. Most likely there was a defect in the original parts.

- Atlantic Beach, NY, USA

problem #1

Dec 012005

RX 330 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,200 miles
Low speed, single car accident. Right front tire hit curb, 20-25 miles an hour. Visible damage- tire ruined, rim scratched. Dealer inspired- tire, rim, ball joints, lower control arm, cvt, axle, etc. Drive train had pre existing condition of noise coming from right hand drive area. Dealer stated no problem. Since accident, dealer states need to replace all of this. Obvious dealer over repair or lack of trained staff, resulting in overcharges.

- Double Oak, TX, USA