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2004 Lexus RX recalls, complaints and safety ratings

There are 6 US recalls for the 2004 Lexus RX, and 6 in Canada. Owners filed 40 complaints with NHTSA, most often about structure.

6US recalls
0urgent recalls
40owner complaints
–overall crash rating

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Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.

US recalls (6)

Engine and engine cooling

2011-11-09 · campaign 11V539000 · 420,326 vehicles

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 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.

Risk and remedy

Risk: 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.

Remedy: 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 1-800-331-4331.

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

2011-02-24 · campaign 11V112000 · 769,379 vehicles

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND MODEL YEAR 2004-2007 LEXUS RX330, RX350, AND RX400H VEHICLES. 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.

Risk and remedy

Risk: 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.

Remedy: 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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components, master cylinder

2010-10-21 · campaign 10V499000 · 728,544 vehicles

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 LEXUS RX, AND MODEL YEAR 2006 LEXUS GS AND IS VEHICLES. BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING POLYMERS IS USED THAT ACTS AS LUBRICANTS FOR CERTAIN BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF REPLACEMENT BRAKE FLUID IS USED THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN SUCH POLYMERS, OR THAT CONTAINS ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS, A PART OF THE RUBBER SEAL LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY BECOME DRY, AND THE SEAL MAY CURL DURING MOVEMENT OF THE PISTON. IF THIS OCCURS, A SMALL AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID COULD SLOWLY LEAK FROM THE SEAL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Risk and remedy

Risk: A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID COULD LEAD TO A CHANGE IN BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND OVERTIME A DEGRADATION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAL WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 AND LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

2006-07-13 · campaign 06V253000 · 367,594 vehicles

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.

Risk and remedy

Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Seat belts: rear/other

2006-01-27 · campaign 06V023000 · 3,851 vehicles

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.

Risk and remedy

Risk: THE REAR SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LEXUS AT 800-255-3987.

Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch

2004-11-22 · campaign 04V558000 · 183,090 vehicles

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.

Risk and remedy

Risk: IF THE SWITCH IS INOPERABLE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE AND CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING DECEMBER 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Canadian recalls (6)

Show 6 Canadian recalls

Steering

2011-11-09 · campaign 2011-397

On certain vehicles equipped with a 1MZ-FE or 3MZ-FE V6 engine, the crankshaft pulley may fail. The outer ring may become misaligned, or it may not properly rotate, causing noise and/or illumination of the discharge warning light. In addition, the power steering belt may become detached from the crankshaft pulley, which could result in a sudden increase in steering effort. A loss of steering power assist could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the crankshaft pulley.

Other

2011-02-24 · campaign 2011-081

On certain vehicles, 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 operation of the accelerator pedal arm. If this occurs, the accelerator pedal could temporarily become stuck in a partially depressed position, rather than return to the idle position. This could result in a loss of throttle control and a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the floor carpet cover with a newly designed version. Note: This campaign also covers vehicles which may have been previously included in recall 2006168 (Toyota 609).

Brakes

2010-10-21 · campaign 2010-361

Certain vehicles use brake fluids containing polymers that act as lubricants for certain brake system components. If during vehicle maintenance, brake fluid is used that does not contain such polymers or only small amounts, part of the internal rubber seal located at the end of the brake master cylinder piston may become dry and may curl during movement of the piston. If this occurs, a small amount of the brake fluid could slowly leak from the brake master cylinder into the brake booster, resulting in illumination of the brake warning lamp. If the brake warning light has illuminated and the vehicle continues to be operated without refilling the master cylinder brake fluid reservoir, the driver will begin to notice a spongy or soft brake pedal feel and braking performance may gradually decline. This will increase the stopping distance, increasing the likelihood of a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder seal with a newly designed one.

Other

2006-07-11 · campaign 2006-168

On certain vehicles, due to the improper installation of the retaining clips for the floor carpet cover located in front of the center console, there is a possibility that the clips may 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. In the worst case, the accelerator pedal may become stuck in a partially depressed position when returning to the idle position. Correction: Dealers will install new clips.

Seats and restraints

2006-01-26 · campaign 2006-021 · 391 vehicles

Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 210. The left rear seat belt buckle anchor may separate from the floor before holding the required test load for the required time. If a separation occurred in a crash, the left rear seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the left rear seat belt buckle anchor bolt.

Electrical

2004-11-23 · campaign 2004-409

On certain vehicles equipped with a light emitting diode (LED) stop lamp, there is a possibility that silicon oxide may be generated on the surface of the contact point inside the stop lamp switch. Consequently, current may not flow at the contact, causing the stop lamp to become inoperative. The loss of stop lamps would result in failure to warn following drivers that the vehicle is braking and/or is stopped, which could lead to a vehicle crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch.

Owner complaints (40)

Owners filed 40 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Lexus RX (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries reported). Among 28 model years of this model, it ranks #9 for the most complaints (median 29).

Most-reported problemComplaints
Structure12
Unknown or other8
Air bags6
Power train5
Exterior lighting4
Vehicle speed control2
Engine2
Wheels2

Crash test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Lexus RX.

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2004 Lexus RX330 4-DR. w/SAB––––

Fuel economy

EPA ratings for each 2004 Lexus RX version.

VersionCity MPGHighway MPGCombinedYearly fuel cost
RX 330 2WD 3.3 L Automatic 5-spd172420$3,350
RX 330 2WD 3.3 L Automatic (S5)172420$3,350
RX 330 4WD 3.3 L Automatic 5-spd162219$3,550
RX 330 4WD 3.3 L Automatic (S5)162219$3,550
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Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada). Recalls updated 2026-10-30.