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2004 Lexus RX330 brakes complaints

Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 65, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2004 Lexus RX330 brakes problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed May 12, 2008 · Brakes · 71,000 miles · WA · crash

In may 2007, I was involved in an automobile accident in my 2004 lexus rx330. This accident occurred less than 10 miles from my home, it was a frigid morning. I was traveling approximately 5 miles per hour and the vehicle brakes failed to engage. I attempted to push the brake petal to the floor without result. The anti-lock brakes did not function. The damage to this vehicle exceeded $9500. The brakes shake violently when applied and this has happened several times before and after the accident. At the time of the accident, my airbag did not even deploy I was going so slow. I reported this problem to lexus of seattle in october 2006 and they said I needed a front brake job, which I did, the accident occurred less than 6 months later.

Filed May 16, 2006 · Brakes · 65,000 miles · PA

I purchased my rx330 sept. 2004 with 8 miles on it, however I travel over 150 highway miles a day. I have been experiencing the evaporation of brake fluid from my fluid reservoir which caused my brake light to come on. After replacing the brake fluid every 3-days I called the dealer and expressed the problem. Once taking it in they replaced the front brakes and added fluid. Three days later the brake fluid had evaporated and the brake light came on again. I immediately contacted the mechanicsberg, pa dealer after keeping it overnight they stated that nothing was wrong with my vehicle, however I refused to take it until they reproduced and repaired the problem. After reading the other 51 complaints, I have several issues to discuss with them. I am very blessed that my brakes haven't failed yet! I hope that all have made formal complaints to lexus.

Filed Jan 25, 2006 · Brakes · FL · crash

I noticed the brake pedal had to be pressed all the way in order to brake and was not responsive. I had the brakes checked, and they were fine. I received a letter from lexus regarding a recall for the brake booster. I was scheduled for this service twice. Both times I was told they had no brake boosters remaining, and I am still awaiting their call back. I was recently in a car accident in which I was in full control traveling about 25 MPH and the brakes were not responsive again. My foot was pressed all the way to the bottom and the car did not respond appropriately.

Filed Jan 16, 2006 · Brakes · NJ

Brake failure on lexus rx330.

Filed Jan 2, 2006 · Brakes · 20,000 miles · NJ

I was driving my 2004 rx330. It was 1/2/2006 and the roads were dry. The outside temperature awas 34 degrees. I had driven my car to the local deli with no problems. When I returned to the car and pulled away, I applied the brakes to a bucking sound. The brake light was on. The brakes were squealing and I couldn't stop without applying major pressure to the brakes. I immediately pulled the car over to check if I had accidently put the parking brake on - which I hadn't. I waited for my husband to come check it out. He pumped on the brake pedal for a while and the brakes finally started to work again and the brake light went off. My husband took the car to the dealer and they said that they probably needed to change the brake booster.

Filed Sep 29, 2005 · Brakes · NY

Dt: the power brakes completely failed. This happened on september 28, 2005. This was the second time this happened; the first time was on october 27, 2004, and the dealer replaced the brake booster or something to the brake booster. There was no forewarning, but one could hear a little noise when pressing the brakes, and that was at the moment it happened. It happened in dry pavement and warm weather.

Filed Aug 3, 2005 · Brakes · 20,600 miles · OH · crash

Dt: caller was trying to park and the brakes did not hold. Caller hit a garage and two other vehicles. Caller was going about 5 MPH. Dealer has not been contacted yet. Manufacturer will get back to caller.

Filed Jul 22, 2005 · Brakes · 13,800 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

While driving 25 MPH approaching red light driver applied the brake pedal and the brakes failed. The brake pedal went to the floor. This caused consumer's vehicle to collide with the vehicle in front. No damage to vehicle struck in rear and minimal damage to front bumper of lexus. Driver's right foot bruised. 1 month later vehicle taken to dealership where the brake booster was replaced.*ak the consumer sustain an injured foot as a result of the accident.

Filed Jun 21, 2005 · Brakes · 8,000 miles · IL

Highway driving @ 70 MPH driving after 360 miles and 250 miles, conditions were dry and pavement smooth and clear in both cases, no construction in the area. Vehicle started with a slight vibration and eventually it LED up to a significant vibrations that shook the chassis including the steering wheel. Vibration worsened as the brake was applied to pull over. The first time we checked vehicle outside and noticed nothing unusual and restarted testing the brakes the first few hundred feet and the vibration was still there during braking but no longer there while driving. The second occurance I could feel the vibration build up so I started to slow down and again braking made it worse. I thought this is a brake problem so to correct the problem I tried putting my foot under the brake pedal and pulling back towards me. After doing this I immediately felt the vibration go away. However, for the next several brake situations, the vehicle still vibrated while the brakes were applied. I thought this might be the mat, however, the pedal goes straight up into the ip and the mat can not interfer with pedal travel. During the next several hundred we would pull back on the pedal. Most cases the pedal would have no traval back but on occassion we would feel that it would have travel back. I will be taking this to a dealer to have this checked out. It was almost as if the booster was creating a negative vacumn pulling the pedal to the floor applying the brake. First incident was on 6/10/05 on I-80 360 miles east of chicago (in ohio) and the second was on 6/20/05, 250 miles west of niagara falls.

Filed Jun 15, 2005 · Brakes · PA

Picking up my daughter at a friends house and fortunately was only going about 5-10mph to a stop sign when my brakes failed without warning. I had to put my entire body weight on the pedal to slow the vehicle down. The car was towed by flatbed to dealership and determined it was the brake booster assembly. At the same time my fuel injector assembly apparently needed to be replaced which I had no idea of until I recieved my work order sheet. I was accused of using cheap gas which I absolutely never used. I only use the highest grade of fuel in my vehicle so they could give me no other reason for the coincidence. It seems like many 2004 rx330's have been have alot of brake issues but lexus' answer to the problem is that if the problem can be fixed then the car is running according to specifications. My question to them was can they fix the problem of the loss of a life when this unsafe vehicle produces that problem? I have also had to have brake rotor pads replaced at 15,000 miles which according to the service tech was out of the ordinary but not according to a lexus customer satisfaction administrator. I find it appalling that lexus is not standing behind its product to have these unsafe vehicles taken off the road instead they are willing to risk consumers lives nationwide.... So much for customer satisfaction.

Filed May 24, 2005 · Brakes · 7,400 miles · MD · crash

On january 17, 2005 I was involved in an automobile accident in my 2004 lexus rx330. This accident occurred less than 1 mile from my home, on my own street, 1-2 minutes after leaving my home. It had snowed the night before and the roadway was still snow/ice covered, it was a frigid morning. I was traveling approximately 15 miles per hour and the vehicle brakes failed to engage. I attempted to push the brake petal to the floor without result. The anti-lock brakes did not function. The damage to this vehicle exceeded $8000. Days after the damage to the vehicle was fixed my husband took the vehicle to the lexus of towson dealership to have the braking mechanism looked at. During the drive to the dealership (in similar, snow covered/frigid conditions) my husband was able to reproduce this problem, again just after leaving our home. The dealership (a 40 minute drive from our home) was unable to reproduce this problem and told us to call back if the problem occurred again. Today, may 24, 2005, we were informed during a routine oil change that there may be a problem wth the brakes and that a campaign was underway to investigate. I wanted to formally add my vehicle to this list of compaints.

Filed Apr 18, 2005 · Brakes · 100 miles · GA

I have a lexus rx 330, 2004. Starting in april 2004 right after I purchased it on march 31, 2004 I have had brake problems with this car. It would jolt when you were applying the brakes, and pull to the side. This was reported by phone, and during its first check up at 1000 miles. Told they could not find anything. Continued problem. Told same at 5000 mile check up, but they replaced brake booster anyway. While backing out of drive brakes failed, and vehicle ran into a yard. Then brake light came on. Lexus dealer sent car carrier to pick up. Driver saw there were no brakes and light was on. Told by dealership the brakes working and light on, but replaced brake boosters again. This time supposedly with another type. I was assured each time nothing wrong with car. Kept driving it, and car would continue to jolt, and pulled to side while steadily applying brakes. Even to the point it would break traction in rain. Had car picked up again,, and they told me this time it was a chip which controlled the baffle system that controlled the brakes. I refused to let them work on it, and asked lexus at this time to buy the car back under the ga lemon law which was very clear about major system failure such as brakes. His buy back process has been going on since february. The car has been at the dealership unable to be driven. Signed a contract with lexus to buy it back over 45 days ago and they still have not given me my money.

Filed Apr 9, 2005 · Brakes · 12,901 miles · CA

At freeway speeds, applied brakes, and car shook severly, steering wheel shook and moved about 4 inches, left and right. I pulled off freeway. Thinking I had a flat. No flat. Rotors were red hot. I let it cool, checked the emergency brake, it was off. No warning lights were on in the dash. Lexus replaced rotors, brake pads per some bulletin: tsib br004-04 43512-48081 t-1 9b t-2 13.

Filed Apr 8, 2005 · Brakes · 11,261 miles · NC

Vehicle has experienced 2 total brake failures. When applying the brakes , the vehicle failed to stop. The pedal went down to the floor. Owner towed the vehicle back to the dealer and had the vehicle serviced after being there for 10 days. Approximately 30 days later this problem re-occurred. Owner had the brake actuator assembly and pads replaced. Problem still occurs. *nm

Filed Mar 28, 2005 · Brakes · NJ

2004 lexus rx330 has problems with the vacuum system for the brake equipment.*mr the brake booster failed causing the brakes to fail while backing out of a driveway. The brakes would lso lock up and the pedal would travel to the floor.

Filed Mar 16, 2005 · Brakes · IL

While driving approximately 40 MPH driver applied the brake pedal and the vehicle failed to stop completely. Driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that the brake booster needed to be replaced. This information was provided by phillip's wife lorie holverson.

Filed Mar 7, 2005 · Brakes · 12,000 miles · MI

Lexus rx330 2004 brake failure. *bf the consumer stated when he placed the vehicle in reverse, it moved quite fast, when he attempted to apply the brake to slow it down nothing happened until the consumer slammed on the brake very hard and it slowly came to a stop. The dealer was unable to find anything abnormal.

Filed Mar 7, 2005 · Brakes · NJ

The brakes did not operate at various speeds when they were applied. Consumer has contacted the manufacturer.

Filed Mar 7, 2005 · Brakes · 22,000 miles · TX · crash

I got into a car accident on the way to work. I was going 30 MPH off a freeway exit and had to slam on my brake because the cars in front of me all stopped all of a sudden. I stepped on my brake pad all the way down but my car did not stop at all and ran into the truck in front of me. My 2004 rx330 went under the back of the truck in front of me, and my hood was all crumpled up. My insurance paid for all the repairs, which was over $9000.00 and now my inruance will go up. The repair was 2 weeks long, and the car in front of me filed a claim with my insurance company.

Filed Mar 1, 2005 · Brakes · 5,100 miles · MI

I had driven my car to the bank and when I came out to start my car the brake pedal was very stiff. I saw a red brake light on the dash and first thought I had somehow put on the emergency brake. I realized that this was not the case and that I had no brakes. I was still in the parking lot so no injuries occurred. After trying numerous times to move my car, the light went off and I was able to drive home. This was only about a mile. Once I was home, the vehicle again froze up and I had no brakes and could not even push down the brake pedal. There was no prior warning of a problem, no visible signs of a leak. The vehicle was unable to be driven and had to get towed to the dealership on a flatbed truck. This was a new 2004 lexus rx330 with only 5,000 miles on it. The dealership put a sign on my car...do not drive - no brakes. The next day I was told that the master cylinder had an internal leak. Because it was under warranty the dealership replaced the master cylinder (I was told that there were no parts available in the country and it would take 3 weeks to ship a part) I was not given my old part and the only explanation was that the master cylinder had an internal leak. I have no way of knowing if this new part has a defect too, and if in another 5,000 miles this master cylinder will fail. The fact that no parts were available in the entire country leads me to question whether there were a number of other 2004 lexus rx330's that had similar master cylinder malfunctions. If you have had other complaints with the brake systems on lexus rx330's I would like to hear from you.

Filed Feb 28, 2005 · Brakes · 5,400 miles · IN

I took my rx330 in for its 5000 mi checkup and the recall regarding the brake light recall. After 2 hours I was told that in an effort to gas up my vehicle, my brake booster failed at the gas station and was being transported to the dealership but I was told that the vehicle was too dangerours to drive and that I would be provided a loaner. I was told that it would be up to three weeks before my vehicle would be ready. Fortunately, it took only four days to be repaired. Now I am driving my vehicle with real apprehension. I purchased this vehicle based upon consumer reports safety and I hope I do not live to regret it.

Filed Feb 28, 2005 · Brakes · TX

1)backing out of my slanting driveway. 2)no brakes-had to hit them really hard to stop at all. 3. Dealer towed and replaced brake boosters.

Filed Feb 26, 2005 · Brakes · 5,760 miles · NY

Car is a 2004 lexus rx330. Brakes failed - pedal became hard as a rock and brake light came on without warning. Almost drove through my driveway fence. Took to dealer and they replaced the brake booster under warranty. It took a week to get the booster. So far the brakes seem to be ok.

Filed Feb 22, 2005 · Brakes · 10,169 miles · CT

Without any prior indication of a problem, on jan.22.05 the brakes on my 2004 lexus rx 330 stopped working properly. Would only work with extreme foot pressure and then very difficult to control. This happened in cold weather after the car was just washed at a commercial car wash. Mileage on car about 10,500. After driving the vehicle for less than a mile, I called lexus roadside assistance who arranged for the vehicle to be towed for service in westport ct. I was told the "brake booster" had failed. The dealer replaced it within a few days and under warranty. The dealer also indicated there were other vehicles who had experienced similar problems. His was the exact problem described in the feb.16.05 edition of the new york times for vehicles of this model produced in canada.

Filed Feb 22, 2005 · Brakes · 7,400 miles · NJ

Locked brake pedal;1. On turning on the ignition, the brake peddal locked. When this problem appeared the first time, I wasn't sure what happended as the brake pedal unlocked after turining on and off the ignition again.*ak 2. During the 5000 mi service I told the dealership that the brake indicator light had not turned off (light on the dash board) once and asked them to check. They assumed this to be related to the recall my vehicle had for the brake lights (tail lights) and fixed the vehicle for the recall issue. 3. Once again the brake pedal locked on jan 28th when I turned on the ignition when the vehicle was parked on a slope in snow. While I used the parking brake to control the vehicle the pedal did not unlock. After repeatedly turning on and off the ignition I was able to unlock the pedal (about 5 mins) and I then called up the dealership. 4. The dealership fixed the car for locking by installing a "brake booster" 5. What bothers me most is the lack of proactive response from lexus on this dangerous failure. I was lucky that the brakes locked when I was turning on the ignition, had the same happened while driving this could have cost me and my wife our lives. As the dealership was aware of this issue (from other customer complaints) they should have proactively checked the car when I took it in for the 5000 mi service. My pedal locked after two days of the service!

Filed Feb 21, 2005 · Brakes · NY

Power brakes on 2004 lexus rx330 failed in cold weather. Almost caused accident while backing out of garage. Warming up the vehicle for 15 min temporarily solved the problem. It failed again the next day. Dealer towed the vehicle for repair. Works fine since. I have heard complaints about this model and would like to register my own

Filed Feb 20, 2005 · Brakes · NJ

Recently in the summer of 2004, I purchased a new 2004 lexus rx330 SUV. This past january, my brakes failed and I reported this to the dealership (lexus of englewood). The brakes would not work in stopping the car. The dealership informed me that the brake booster was broken, and they proceeded to change my entire brake system (?). Now, the brakes do work, however, the "feel" is just different. I read in the ny times that this has happened to 10 other drivers of the same vehicle and I wanted to report this similar problem. The dealership didn't let me know it was a known problem. Thank you for your attention in this matter.

Filed Feb 20, 2005 · Brakes · 20 miles · NY

Started car in parking lot in clarence, ny on or about dec 22 in the pm. Weather cold and icy. Drove off and applied brakes to stop at stop sign and car would not stop. Brake pedal would not push down. Made a turn back into parking lot and finally got car to stop with hand brake. Called the lexus dealership immediately and spoke to service person who said he could not think of any reason for this to happen. He asked me to turn off engine and start again. I did this and car and brakes reacted normally. I was very shaken and told him so but he assured me that this was just a fluke and there was nothing wrong with the car. After reading article in new york times with regard to some complaints about failure with the power brakes in the lexus rx330 which is the model of my car (year 2004) I feel this was no fluke and that there is a problem which should be addressed with lexus. I was fortunate to have this happen in a parking lot at a low rate of speed and had the space to maneuver. Jb

Filed Feb 19, 2005 · Brakes · 5,000 miles · CT

Article in nytimes re rx330; problem with brake booster known months ago. We had a # of scary, almost serious episodes with this issue. No one told us, even though they knew! It was very hard to stop the car and pedal required significant effort. Problem always happened just after starting the car at the beginning of the drive. Our car was at dealer for one month, while we awaited parts to repair. Dealer replaced vacuum brake booster and have not had any problems since.

Filed Feb 18, 2005 · Brakes · 10,000 miles · NJ · crash

Brakes failed, and consumer unable to stop the vehicle consumer's vehicle rear ended the vehicle in the front.

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