Model year guide

2004 Lexus es330

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2004 Lexus es330 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.

2004 Lexus es330 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2004 Lexus es330 at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints190
Combined21 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2004 Lexus es330 recalls 2

Engine And Engine Cooling NHTSA Campaign #11V539000 · 09/11/2011

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 R…

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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-8…

Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly NHTSA Campaign #04V595000 · manufacturer #SSC 40M · 15/12/2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT PASSENGER POWER SEAT, WHEN INSTALLING CERTAIN REAR-FACING INFANT CHILD SEAT BASES ONTO THE SEAT WITH AN EXCESSIVELY HIGH SEATBELT TENSION, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO UNSEAT A COMPONENT CALLED THE BUCKLE STATUS SWITCH FROM THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT BUCKLE STATUS SWITCH. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (SSC 40M) BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987..

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 7 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2004 Lexus es330 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 190 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

2004 Lexus es330 MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City18 mpg
Highway27 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,200
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd
Passenger volume96 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$4,000 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2004 Lexus es330 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,000
Fuel only$16,000
Per mile$0.21

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2004 Lexus es330 trims & engines on record

Trims
300
Engines
3.3L 6-cyl 230 hp

2004 Lexus es330 vehicles on record

2004 Lexus es330 2004 Lexus es330 300JTHBA30G345036518 2004 Lexus es330 2004 Lexus es330 300JTHBA30G045035469 2004 Lexus es330 2004 Lexus es330 300JTHBA30G345045316

Other Lexus es330 model years

2006

2004 Lexus es330 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Lexus es330 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2004 Lexus es330. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Lexus es330?

Across all 190 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, vehicle speed control, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Lexus es330 get?

The 2004 Lexus es330 has a U.S. EPA estimate of 21 mpg combined (18 city / 27 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.