Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Lexus ES 330 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 24 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN IDLE AND WON'T GO OFF. CODE B1787. NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT. UNPLUGGED AND RE-PLUGGED ALL CONNECTIONS; DISCONNECTED BATTERY FOR 15 MINUTES BUT DID NOT RESET LIGHT. DEALER CHECKED AND COULD NOT RESET SYSTEM. NO AIR BAG PROTECTION NOW. FIX REQUIRES NEW SEAT WITH SENSORS EST $4500. CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX.
PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AND WON'T CUT OFF,I HAVEN'T BEEN IN A CAR ACCIDENT NOR HAS MY AIRBAG EMPLODED, HAD IT LOOK AT BY MECHANIC AT AUTO SHOP WHERE I GET MY OIL CHANGES AND SUCH HE DIDN'T RECOGNIZE ANY PROBLEMS,CALLED LEXUS DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE AN ARM AND A LEG JUST TO LOOK AT IT.
I STARTED MY CAR AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN, AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. I NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT, AIRBAGS WERE NEVER DEPLOYED, I CHECKED ALL THE WIRES AND EVEN UNPLUGGED THE BATTERY FOR GOOD 10 MINUTES AND THE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, MY CAR WILL NOT DEPLOY AIR BAGS AND IT CREATES A POTENTIAL THREAT THAT IT CAN BE AN INSTA-DEATH, ESPECIALLY WITH A STEERING WHEEL IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE.
B1650 CODE - OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM CODE DISPLAYS. NEVER BEEN IN ACCIDENT AND WILL NOT GO AWAY. APPEARED AT START UP OVERNIGHT.
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COVER IS SEPARATING FROM DASHBOARD AND APPEARS TO HAVE PRESSURE BEHIND IT. VINYL IS CRACKED ON TOP SIDE OF AIRBAG COVER.
I WAS IN 3 ACCIDENTS AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED. 1 ACCIDENT I WAS HIT IN THE BACK, I WAS NOT MOVING WHEN THE CAR HIT ME FROM BEHIND (ON THE FWY), HE MUST OF BEEN DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 45 MPH. I T-BONED A CAR GOING AT A SPEED OF APPROX. 35 MPH.
AIRBAG HAS PARTIALLY OPENED AND I AM AFRAID IT WILL EXPLODE AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT.
TAKATA RECALL MY 2004 LEXUS ES 330 HAS A MALFUNCTIONING PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THERE IS A LIGHT THAT SAYS PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF THAT IS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THERE IS A GAP IN THE HOUSING WHERE THE AIRBAG IS LOCATED ON THE DASH OF THE PASSENGER SIDE. I AM CONCERNED THERE HAS BEEN NO FORMAL RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM CONSUMERS WITH SAME ISSUE ON THE SAME MAKE/MODEL. PLEASE ADD THIS VEHICLE TO THE RECALL.
NO ONE HAS NOTIFIED ME OF THE RECALL OF MY TOYOTA LEXUS 2004 MODEL 330 TO LET US KNOW IF WE NEED THE AIRBAGS REPLACED.
WITHOUT ANY INCIDENTS, OUR DASHBOARD LIGHT FOR THE AIRBAGS CAME ON. THE DEALER SAYS THE ENTIRE PART IS IN AN ELECTRICAL HOUSING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND IT TO BE REPLACED AS A WHOLE PART AT A COST OF $4000. A SEPARATE MECHANIC WE HAVE USED LONG TERM SAYS IT IS THE ENTIRE DRIVERS SEAT THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED NOT THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THIS ONE IS AT A COST OF $6000. THEY BOTH STATE IT'S NOT PART OF THE RECENT AIRBAG RECALLS. THEY KNOW THE AIRBAGS HAVE NOT INFLATED, YET CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT THEY WILL INFLATE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN OUR POSSESSION AS ORIGINAL OWNERS AND NO ONE ELSE DRIVES THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR FENDER BENDER OR ANYTHING. THE LIGHT CAME ON ONE MORNING AFTER IT HAD BEEN PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY ALL NIGHT. WE DON'T PARK ON THE STREET.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH AND EXITING THE RESIDENCE, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS AND SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND NECK THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199,999.
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COVER IS SEPARATING FROM THE DASH. I APPEARS TO BE RISING UP FROM ITS FLAT POSITION ON THE DASH AND I'M AFRAID IT MIGHT DEPLOY AND INJURE A PASSENGER. IS THIS A TAKATA AIRBAG?
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS SPLITTING OR BUSTING AROUND THE TOP OF IT, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE REST OF THE DASHBOARD. NOT SURE HOW THIS AFFECTS THE AIRBAG AS FAR AS ITS PERFORMANCE IF IN AN ACCIDENT. OR IF IT CONTINUES TO SPLIT WILL THE AIRBAG DEPLOY.
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SEEM TO HAVE DEVELOPED A TEAR AROUND THE TOP EDGE. NOT SURE IF THIS AFFECTS THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG. AFTER DOING A SEARCH ON TH WEB THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON FOR LEXUS ES 330 OF 2003 ONWARDS
THE AIR BAGS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IS PROTRUDING OUT OF THE DASH. THIS COULD BE A HAZARD BECAUSE THE AIR BAG APPEARS THAT IT COULD BE RELEASED AT ANYTIME. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COVER WAS WARPED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
AROUND JANUARY 2014 (BUT IT COULD HAVE STARTED SOONER) I NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG STARTED LOOKING LIKE THE EDGES ARE PEELING AWAY FROM REST OF THE DASHBOARD. THIS HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE AREA AROUND THE AIRBAG IS PULLING AWAY AND THE AIRBAG ITSELF LOOKS SO STRETCHED I FEAR THE AIRBAG IS GOING TO DEPLOY. I AM AFRAID TO HAVE ANYONE SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I WORRY THAT ANY BUMP COULD CAUSE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT INJURING SOMEONE. *TR
NO ACCIDENT- THE PASSENGER AIR BAG- THE COVER IS RAISE AND THE EDGES TURNED UP AS IF READY TO OPEN-WE FEAR DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER OR DRIVER -THE NEWS TODAY SAID THERE IS A RECALL-WHAT DO WE DO. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES IT FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CURB, FLIPPED OVER AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
WHILE THE CAR WAS GARAGED OVERNIGHT, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IN THE DASHBOARD CRACKED AND IS NOW PARTIALLY EXPOSED. I CALLED LEXUS AND THEY ASKED ME TO TAKE THE CAR IN TO MY LOCAL LEXUS DEALERSHIP. I DID. WHILE THEY REVIEWED THE ISSUE, THEY ALSO COMPLETED SERVICE ON A RECALL OF THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THEY WOULD SUBMIT A CLAIM TO LEXUS. THE CLAIM WAS DENIED. THEY SAID, THE WARRANTY IS SIX YEARS/70,000 MILES. WHILE THE CAR IS UNDER 70,000 MILES THE CAR IS TEN YEARS OLD. THE CHARGE TO FIX THE CRACKED AIRBAG IS $3500.00 MY ARGUMENT TO THEM WAS: 1. THE AIRBAG IS NOT A "WEAR AND TEAR" ITEM. THE AIRBAG IS A SAFETY ITEM THAT SHOULD LAST THE LIFETIME OF THE CAR. 2. LEXUS FIXED THE OTHER SAFETY ITEM A SEAT BELT, SO THEY SHOULD FIX THE AIRBAG. 3. LEXUS COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY. I INFORMED THEM THAT I HAD TWO TEENAGERS WHO ARE DRIVING AND ASKED: A. WILL THE AIRBAG DEPLOY PROPERLY IF THE CAR IS IN AN ACCIDENT? B. WILL THE AIRBAG DEPLOY UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING? LEXUS COULD NOT ANSWER THE QUESTIONS TO MY SATISFACTION. I DO BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE ES 330 THAT COULD POTENTIALLY HARM THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT SEAT OCCUPANT SENSOR HAD FAILED AND IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE FAILURE THE ENTIRE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER RESET THE AIR BAG LIGHT BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND NOW HAD DEVELOPED A TICKING NOISE THAT CAN BE HEARD COMING FROM THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,083. UPDATED 10/30/14*LJ UPDATED 4/27/2015 *JS
WHEN I TRIED TO STOP AND TURNED RIGHT ON A SIDE STREET THE CAR'S BRAKE DIDN'T WORK AND THE CAR EVEN ACCELERATED ITSELF. IT DIDN'T STOP EVEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE UNTIL IT HIT A STREET SIGN AND KNOCKED THE TREE DOWN ON THE SIDEWALK. THE AIR BAG DIDN'T COME OUT AFTER THE CRASH NEITHER. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOST AFTER THIS ACCIDENT. *TR
I DROVE OFF THE HIGHWAY , ROUTE 50, IN ANNAPOLIS, MD, ONTO AN EXIT RAMP LEADING TO FERGUSON ROAD. I APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN. I AVOIDED A CAR ON THE RAMP IN FRONT OF ME BUT IMMEDIATELY CAME TO THE STOP SIGN AT FERGUSON ROAD. THE CAR HAD NOT SLOWED DOWN AND I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE THE LEFT TURN ONTO FERGUSON ROAD, BUT HIT THE GUARD RAIL AND ANOTHER CAR IN THE INTERSECTION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I RECEIVED A CUT ON MY LEFT HAND, A BRUISE ON MY RIGHT HIP FROM THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE AND MY GLASSES WERE KNOCKED OFF. MY WIFE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT RECEIVED A BRUISED RIGHT ANKLE AND EXPERIENCED PAIN IN THE STERNAL REGION. WE BOTH WALKED OUT OF THE ACCIDENT AND DID NOT DEEM IT NECESSARY TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL. MY WIFE'S STERNAL PAIN HAS NOT GONE AWAY NOW 7 DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND SHE WILL SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE TOMORROW, ON MARCH 17. ON TWO OCCASIONS PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT I EXPERIENCED TRANSITORY BRAKE FAILURE ,BUT THAT CAUSED NO ACCIDENT ,AND RIGHT AWAY AFTER THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE SEEMED NORMAL AND I FORGOT ABOUT THOSE TWO INCIDENTS. THE CAR HAD ALL ROUTINE SCHEDULED SERVICES, THE LAST BEING A 90,000 MILE SERVICE ON FEBRUARY 11, 2009. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION FROM LEXUS ABOUT ANY POSSIBLE BRAKE MALFUNCTION ISSUES WITH 2004 LEXUS ES 330 AUTOS. THE CAR WAS DEEMED NOT WORTH REPAIRING BY THE ALLSTATE ADJUSTER. *TR
I HAVE A LEXUS 330 MODEL YEAR 2004 4 DOOR SEDAN. THE CAR HAS AN INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD ADVISING WHETHER OR NOT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG IS TURNED "ON" OR "OFF". THIS DIAL INDICATES THE AIRBAG IS ALWAYS TURNED "OFF" IF A PERSON WEIGHING LESS THEN 85 POUNDS IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN AN 85 POUND FEMALE IS IN THE FRONT SEAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATES THE AIR BAG IS TURNED "OFF". IF THE PASSENGER PLACES A 10 POUND BAG OF POTATOES IN HER LAP, THE AIRBAG INDIDATOR SHOWS THAT THE AIRBAG IS TURNED "ON". I PURCHASED A CAR WITH 2 FRONT SEAT AIR BAGS. HOWEVER, THIS IN NOT WHAT I HAVE RECEIVED. THERE IS NO MANUAL SWITCH TO TURN THE AIR BAG "ON" OR "OFF". THE DEALER AND LEXUS CORPORATION REFUSE TO CORRECT THIS SO THAT MY 85 POUND WIFE IS PROTECTED BY AN AIR BAG. DOES THIS COMPLY WITH YOUR REGULATIONS? VERY TRULY YOURS, JULES I. KURZ. *AK
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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