2004 Lexus RX330 transmission problems

Filed Apr 2, 2017 · Steering, Transmission · IL

As of 3/18/2016 I purchased an new radiator for a total of $945 at mcgrath lexus dealership in chicago on division st because the old radiator was leaking. As of 3/31/2017 the new radiator is now leaking and the car would not start because the car was over heating. As of 4/1/2017 the timing belt and water pump for the steering will needs to be replaced. Today 4/1/2017 mcgrath lexus dealer stated I will cost at least $1200 with labor included for them to repair. After further research on recalls for my 2004 lexus rx330 I discovered these required repairs are lexus deaker recalls. Why would mcgrath lexus charge me if these are recalls on my lexus.

Filed Jul 23, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 87,000 miles · CA

My steering started getting stiff and making a grinding sound without warning. It would then disappear after driving for about 5 minutes. I noticed this seems to be a common problem with the vehicle at the 90,000 mark. I bought a lexus because I thought the vehicle would be solid but it seems like everything is starting to go. I had to replace the sunroof, air conditioning pump, radiator and transmission after hitting 80,000. I don't want to put any more $$$ into the car at this point because it doesn't seem worth. One problem after the next.

Filed Jul 27, 2013 · Transmission · 84,875 miles · IN

This is our 2nd complaint regarding our 2004 rx 330. We have owned it for 8 months and have put 7k miles on it since purchase, and it only has 85k now. Since purchase we noticed the transmission shifting and jerking problems at all rates of speed when starting/ driving/stopping. We contacted our local lexus dealership to ask if something could be done, and was advised they could check to see if the previous 1st owner of vehicle had ever "upgraded" the computer chip that controls the system. So, we took it in and they determined it had not been done so we paid the $100.00 for the upgrade. We hoped it had solved the issue, but now it is even worse. Several days after getting the vehicle back, I was on a major highway going 70 MPH with the cruise control on and accelerated to change lanes and pass another vehicle. During my attempt to pass with my foot on the accelerator, for 5 or 10 seconds the engine/ transmission froze and it was like you were in neutral gear, it did nothing, and finally with my foot all the way down on the accelerator it kicked back into gear and I was able to pass the vehicle to my side. If someone would have been behind me I'm sure there would have been an accident, as the truck was in motion but not accelerating. I called the dealership and the service department said they had complaints and were aware of the acceleration issue, but had no complaints about what happened with it "freezing" like that. He said the truck will just have to "learn my driving pattern", and unless toyota does a recall it will always have these issues. This is a safety issue that needs to be resolved, sooner than later and it is just not a "floor mat" clip fix. I am now afraid to drive this truck since it's a toss up as to when or where it could happen again.

Filed Jul 4, 2013 · Transmission · 78,000 miles · IN

We purchased our 2004 lexus rx330 in january 2013 as the 2nd owner with 78k miles. We began to notice at lower speeds the truck will jerk forward with no warning when beginning to accelerate from a stop, or even when driving at higher speeds on the highway when making land changes or slowing down in traffic. We have a 2001 lexus rx 300, and it never has had this issue. We are very concerned and this is definitely a safety issue, and will be contacting our local lexus dealership to let them know, so it can be documented. Since reading others complaints, it seems that lexus is not standing behind this issue, we may be looking to trade it in and go back to the honda crv, which had no problems at all, we just liked the luxury of the lexus, and wanted an upgrade, not a vehicle that can cause an accident with no warning.

Filed Jun 22, 2011 · Transmission · 62,000 miles · OH

2004 lexus rx330 transmission jumps and will accelerate when depressing brake pedal. Has almost caused a few accidents. Lexus will not honor any tsb's due to the age of the vehicle. There are thousands and thousands of complaints about this same issue.

Filed Apr 11, 2010 · Engine, Transmission · 85,684 miles · FL

I bought my lexus in 2007. It is a 2004 rx lexus 330 it had 31,000 miles when bought. Since I had the car my radiator was broken and the lexus dealership repaired it under warranty. Before this I remember stopping to the dealership because felt the car was stalling and was told that nothing wrong its just I have to be consistent the way I drive with speed. Now in 2010 I'm experiencing the same problem with the car stalling or lagging with the RPM and a little noise coming from the transmission. I really think they should recall this or do something about it because I read alot of reviews that this is happening and the car doesnt even have that many miles. I spent alot of money on this car and they should take this problems in consideration really.

Filed Mar 18, 2010 · Acceleration, Transmission · MN

Vehicle periodically (approx. Weekly) surges between 2nd and 3rd gear (automatic transmission). Has been doing this since purchase in oct. 2003, as a brand new vehicle, up through the present date. For years I complained verbally, and wrote letters and e-mails to lexus. They first denied there was a problem, then changed tactics and blamed it on me, then said they didn't know what the problem was or if there was a problem, then lexus finally admitted there was a problem--"off the record," but didn't know how to fix it. Every time I brought the car in for routine service, they would install computer updates to see if that would fix the problem--which it did not. Years ago, I researched through government records and found numerous complaints of the same kind with 2004 lexus rx 330s. In light of recent recalls of toyota vehicles, I am concerned that this may someday turn into the same unintended acceleration problem that is happening with other toyotas. I do not feel safe in my car!

Filed Feb 24, 2010 · Acceleration, Transmission · 200 miles · CA · 1 injury

Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) I have my dream car, 2004 lexus rx330. I have had same trouble. I am afraid of the car. I have an old ford rv, I drive instead of my beautiful lexus. People ask why, I tell them I'm afraid of it. It lurches forward, and also jumps back and forth between gears @ 20mph. This is after 5 updates in the computer of the car. I have put 200k miles on my other 5 toyotas, and all went beautifully! Then the demon car as I refer to it. I reported it repeatedly, and was told by everyone, including long beach toyota headquarters, that it was working in the manner it was designed, it was learning how I drive. Horse pucky. I am a retiree of att. I had defensive driving every year to drive their co. Vehicles. I know how to drive and am very experienced. I also know when there is a bad problem. I have 48k miles on my runaway car. It's only tried to really run away twice, but somehow I got it stopped, I stuck it in neutral, for some unknown reason. Back then no one heard of this "mess". I never complained to toyota about my cars, because they were wonderful. Then, after saving for 10 yrs, bought my dream car. The killer. I hate it, I am beginning to hate toyota. It's very disheartening to me, to have the car company I thought so very highly of, is trying to save their [xxx] , by giving america these defective cars. When our hwy patrol officer and his family, was killed, I cried. All these years of saying they will get caught, they will see. Who is they? Toyota, and when they heard about it in 04, hushed it up. I know, if a hwy patrolman can't stop a runaway car, how the [xxx] can the normal guy driving it? Someone please listen, someone, please help fix this mess. Shame on you, toyota! Shame on you! Dealers, headquarters, employees that lied all these years to us. Shame on you! Man up, and tell the truth.

Filed Feb 24, 2010 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · IL

Purchased a new 2004 lexus rx 330 in august of 2003 and repeatedly brought the car to dealerships complaining of a disconnect between the electronic accelerator and the transmission. When attempting to accelerate in an intersection or on a freeway entrance ramp, the car will hesitate for a few seconds and then catapult forward. Also, when driving at low speeds, the transmission will erratically jump between different gears, as if looking for the optimal gear. I can best describe this transmission as schizophrenic. I have contacted multiple lexus dealers over the years from minneapolis, to chicago to salt lake city and they all told me they are aware of the problem as many customers have complained. However, lexus has never offered service or a recall to fix the problem. They have reprogrammed my transmission on 2 occasions and told me to use premium fuel. None of these actions corrected the situation. I feel that in a busy intersection, the unpredictable acceleration of my vehicle provides no assurance that my car will move forward when the accelerator is pressed. This can lead to collision and injury.

Filed Feb 23, 2010 · Brakes, Transmission · 200 miles · CA · 1 injury

Someone needs to listen! I have a 2004 lexus rx330. It's had trouble from day one, and I got nowhere! They have done 5 updates on the computer. Now it only seems to have trouble at 20 MPH, instead of 40-50 and 65-80, of lurching, hesitating, then taking off like a bat out of hell. It's had a "bulletin" on the front brakes, and shimmied all over the road. I have paper work on all of this and more. You, the ntsb, can take the car and go thru it, I'll give you the repair records. I've called the toyota headquarters in 04 or 05 begging them to help me. A woman said, the car was, "performing in the manner it was designed:" I saved a long time to buy my dream car when I retired, now I have a defective car, with only 48k miles because of fear of driving it. Please please, listen to what people wrote back in 04 about this car. One man said a friend worked for lexus and told him that his boss said there will never be a recall on this car because of the amount of cars sold in the us and canada. We need help. My car is a lemon. I've mentioned numerous times of painting it yellow and putting lemon all over it. Please try to pull up records back then, all these people were writing in with the same problems. No one listened then or now! Please, I'm begging you. I've had 4 toyota's in the past, and all 4 totally, never had the trouble this 1 lexus has. They were actually toyotas. Their complete stature has gone from years of loyalty by me and others, after all the built up trust, gone in an instant! One runaway car is enough! It's now killing people. I bought it for it's comfort, looks, but mostly for safety, and trustworthiness! Gone. All gone! I have a 91 ford van I drive instead of the lexus. I call it a piece of junk, nothing but trouble, and lexus had it more than I did the first 4 yrs. Please look into this all you can. All these people can't be wrong. I can't even sell it now. Shame on you, toyota. Shame on you! Greed! That's what it is, greed.