Odometer reading in vehicle doesn't match information on carfax, zilocar, or title reading. Also sellers may have titled jumped vehicle. Recieved call from owner on title I recieved and she said that she had sold vehicle on 2/4/2026 to couple. I purchased vehicle on 2/13/2026 with her name on title. Odometer was correct mileage to carfax when she sold to buyers, yet changed when I purchased vehicle with about 150,000 mile differebce.
The worst 2004 Lexus RX problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Body12
- Airbags6
- Transmission5
- Lights4
- Brakes3
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Body12
- Airbags6
- Transmission5
- Lights4
- Brakes3
- Engine3
- Acceleration2
- Fuel system2
- Seats2
- Wheels2
- Electrical1
- Steering1
- Suspension1
- Visibility1
Recalls 1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
- What is wrong
- 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
- 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.
Recall number 10V499000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 2004 Lexus RX
Defect investigations
Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration
On February 16, 2010, the federal safety agency's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened RQ10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior Toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, Toyota recalls 07E-082, 09V‑388, 10V‑017, and 10V‑023.the federal safety agency also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles.I. Pedal Interference from Floor mats, Carpet Covers and Plastic Pads in Carpets.During the RQ10-003 investigation, ODI reviewed a large volume of documents to assess whether additional vehicles should be recalled.Following the agency's analysis, the federal safety agency requested that Toyota recall additional vehicles.Toyota complied with the agency's request.The details of these recalls are set forth more fully in Toyota's reports to the federal safety agency pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573.These recalls are as follows:Recall 11V‑112: (1) model year (MY) 2004-2006 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid; and, (2) MY 2004-2007 Lexus RX330,RX350, and RX400h (hybrid model). The total estimated population under this recall is 769,379 vehicles.This recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by a loose floor carpet cover (trim panel). Recall 11V‑113: (1) MY 2003-2009 through 2009 Toyota 4Runner; (2) MY 2006-2010 Toyota RAV4; and, (3) MY 2008-2011 Lexus LX570.The total estimated population under this recall is 1,381,000 vehicles.This recall supplements recall 09V‑388 and remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment by an unsecured floor mat.Recall 11V‑115: (1) MY 2006-2007 Lexus GS300 (all wheel drive vehicles); and, (2) MY 2006-2007 Lexus GS350 (all wheel drive vehicles). The total estimated population under this recall is 19,647 vehicles.This recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by inadequate clearance between the pedal linkage and a plastic pad embedded in the vehicle's carpet.II. Potential Electronic Causes of Unintended Acceleration.After the federal safety agency opened RQ10-003, the federal safety agency launched a ten-month study of potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.the federal safety agency launched the study in the spring of 2010 in light of concerns aired in Congressional hearings.the federal safety agency enlisted engineers at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with expertise in areas such as computer controlled electronic systems, electromagnetic interference and software integrity to assess whether electronic systems or electromagnetic interference played a role in incidents of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.That study has concluded.Two reports are associated with the study and are available on the federal safety agency's website.NASA's report is entitled Technical Support to the federal safety agency on the Reported Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) Unintended Acceleration (UA) Investigation, NESC Assessment No. TI-10-00618 (Jan. 18, 2011).the federal safety agency's report is entitled Technical Assessment of Toyota Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Systems (Feb. 2011).Both reports should be read in conjunction with each other. As stated in its report, NASA did not find an electronic cause of large throttle openings that can result in unintended acceleration incidents. the federal safety agency did not find a vehicle-based cause of unintended acceleration incidents other than the physical pedal interference causes that are being addressed by Toyota's recalls. This RQ is closed.
RQ10003
Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Lexus RX 43
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad...
- Lexus vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal...
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical...
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix...
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used...
- Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign
- POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground...
- Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components
- Supersession notice
- Safety Recall and Service Campaign
2004 Lexus RX fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 20 |
| 3.3L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 16 | 22 | 19 |
What 2004 Lexus RX owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Dashboard crack in 2024, that started on passenger side near air vent, expanded recently causing the "passenger air bag off" alert to light up and stay on continually. If I were to have a passenger at the time of an accident, the air bag might not deploy, which would be a safety issue. This could possibly lead to a liability issue, so I have not had any passengers but that isn't sustainable, so I contacted the dealer. I was told that the previous recall for cracked dashboards ended in 2017 and that it was cosmetic only, not safety related, but that the part was available for $964.50, not including labor, tax, etc. I feel that a safety related recall should be issued, the previously known dash cracking problem didn't end when their recall did, the fact that my vehicle is primarily garaged preserved the interior integrity, I don't believe I should be penalized for my dash not cracking 8 years earlier. Thank you for your consideration.
Power steering very stiff and difficult to steer vsc light on and air bags light goes on and off and unknown cause.
I was driving with the driver’s seat heater turned on. While I were traveling, I noticed that the seat heater was very hot, so I turned it off. I arrived at my destination and parked the vehicle for about two hours. I did not turn the seat heater back on when you returned to the vehicle. I was removing snow from the vehicle with the driver’s door open and some of the snow landed on the driver’s seat. When I brushed the snow off the seat, I noticed a burn mark in the seat cushion. I called Lexus USA to report this 2 days later and showed my local dealer (Lexus of Portland) and they had never seen this before. Here is the response from Lexus today: "In response to your concerns, a vehicle inspection was conducted by a Lexus Field Technical Specialist (FTS) on January 19, 2022 at Bud Clary Toyota of Yakima. A visual inspection confirmed there was a small 6mm x 7mm burn hole in the driver’s seat leather cover on the bottom cushion. The hole was in the outer bolster portion of the bottom cushion. Resistance was checked through the seat warmer grid. The seat back was recorded at .7 ohms and the seat bottom had an open circuit. The seat cover was removed to examine the seat heater grid. Two wires were found near each other at the burn area. One wire was broken at the location. Our FTS disconnected the seat heater switch after the inspection was completed." They left me with now 2 non functioning seat heaters by disconnecting it during a cold winter. They did not offer any sort of assistance or recommendations for next steps, I feel like they hung me out to dry.
I purchased the vehicle on 17th of june 2021. I noticed the dashboard is cracked really bad. I did research on the lexus dashboards and found previous recalls on the lexus dashbaords including the 2004 rx330 models. How can I get this fixed if the recall is not listed for the VIN number on my vegicle?
Dashboard cracking even though windshield screen used when not in garage. Vehicle kept in home garage as well as garage at hospital while I worked.
Was on freeway, heard a loud pop , looked around and everything looked ok, saw something fly off vehicle in rearview mirror. Now there is a sound of wind rushing, check windows all closed, decided to pull of freeway to see if there was damaged to vehicle . Stopped got out did not notice anything up till we looked at the roof an saw a hole. Looked like it blow out not in , did not notice in the car because sunroof cover was closed.
Daughter was driving, conditions were dry, sunny fall weather. Avg speed 45 MPH, light turned yellow, vehicle in front started to slow down, daughter applied brakes, pedal went to floor, no slowing down, repeatedly pushed brake and applied full force, car did not slow down, hit other vehicle, totaling the lexus. Airbags did not deploy until after my daughter hit the steering wheel. Witness reported seeing my daughter trying to brake but the car not responding. No evidence of tire marks on the road
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 lexus rx. The contact stated that the dashboard was crumbling and melting. The failure was present near the passenger side airbag housing of the dashboard. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer (butler lexus located at 4025 jonesboro rd, union city ga) and the manufacturer were notified but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Compare the 2004 Lexus RX
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2004 Lexus RX
Is the 2004 Lexus RX reliable?
Owners have filed 40 complaints about the 2004 Lexus RX, 1.4 times a typical RX model year.
What is the 2004 Lexus RX year score?
The 2004 Lexus RX scores 63 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Lexus RX: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Lexus RX?
Body and structure, with 12 complaints, typically around 108,000 miles. Next is airbags (6).
How many recalls does the 2004 Lexus RX have?
1 recall, covering service brakes, hydraulic.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Lexus RX get?
Official estimates for the 2004 Lexus RX range from 19 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.3L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 17 city and 24 highway.
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