2004 Lexus ES Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Lexus ES, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Driver assistance526.3%
- Airbags421.1%
- Engine210.5%
- Transmission210.5%
- Body & structure210.5%
- Visibility15.3%
- Brakes15.3%
- Electrical15.3%
- Fuel system15.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD. I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL BY PRESSING FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS. THE 1ST 2 TIMES, I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE ME, MAYBE MY FOOT SLIPPED HAD OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. TODAY, HOWEVER, THAT NOTION WAS DISPELLED. I WAS PAYING ATTENTION TO MY FOOT LOCATION ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, MY FOOT BEING FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHEN THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD OF IT'S OWN ACCORD. *JS
MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT A VERY LOW RATE OD SPEED. ACCELERATOR STUCK AND COULD NOT BE RELEASED. CAR SPED UP AND HIT FOUR OTHER CARS. TOTAL DAMAGE TO ALL CARS EXCEEDED $40,000.00 AND MY WIFE WAS INJURED WHEN AIR BAG INFLATED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The passenger side airbag is shrinking and seems to be collapsing into the dashboard. There is an indicator light on the passenger side that is lit up noting that "airbag off," so apparently there is no airbag protection for passenger. Three days ago, the right side of the windshield - passenger side, and the passenger window and passenger side back seat window, were all moist and foggy in the morning. There were no windows opened. I think the airbag situation is causing the airbag to leak moisture into the surrounding windows and the passenger side of the car. I don't know what this fluid/moisture is composed of, but I can only imagine it must be some type of chemical - something that you do not want to be leaking into the car on a daily basis.
VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT IN GARAGE. THOUGH NOT NOTICED IMMEDIATELY, SOMETIME DURING THE MORNING I NOTICED MY DASHBOARD VINYL AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LOOKED SWOLLEN , AND UPON EXAMINATION, IT SHOWED A SPLIT IN THE VINYL ALSO. I TOOK IT TO A REPUTABLE AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST THOUSANDS TO FIX, BUT THAT A DEALERSHIP MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP. SO I WENT TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEAL WHO SAID SOME VEHICLES HAD RECALLS BUT MINE DID NOT. AS TIME GOES ON, THE VINYL SEEMS TO HAVE PRESSURE BUILDING BEHIND IT, AND THE SPLIT IS MORE OBVIOUS. I AM AFRAID TO ALLOW PASSENGERS TO SIT IN THAT SEAT. I AM AFRAID IF THE AIRBAG BURST OUT WHILE I AM DRIVING, I MAY OVERREACT AND WRECK. THIS IS NOT SAFE AT ALL. PLEASE HELP.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAD A CAR ACCIDENT APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO DUE TO SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND LOSS OF STEERING IN A 2004 LEXUS ES330. I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THE CAR AND I HAD IT SERVICED REGULARLY OVER THE PAST 13 YEARS. THE NIGHT OF MY ACCIDENT I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF MY CAR AS I ATTEMPTED TO MERGE ON TO THE LOCAL LANES OF AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY IN NORTHERN, NJ. THE CAR ACCELERATED TO THE LEFT AND CROSSED SPED ACROSS 8 LANES OF THE HIGHWAY, INCLUDING OVER A MEDIAN BEFORE IT SPUN AROUND AND JERKED TO A STOP IN THE LEFT LANE OF THE WEST BOUND LANES FACING EAST. I WAS HIT HEAD ON BY ANOTHER DRIVER. I WAS NOT INJURED, BUT THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. BOTH OF MY PARENTS ALSO CURRENTLY DRIVE LEXUS VEHICLES, AND BOTH MODELS WERE NOTED TO HAVE SIMILAR ISSUES. FURTHERMORE, MY MOTHER RECENTLY RECEIVED A LETTER INDICATING HER CAR WAS BEING RECALLED DUE TO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ISSUES, THE LETTER STATED WHILE TOYOTA WOULD OFFER WHAT THEY CONSIDERED TO BE A SUITABLE FIX AT NO CHARGE. THE LETTER FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT THEY DID NOT CURRENTLY POSSESS THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIRS AND WOULD BE IN TOUCH IN THE FUTURE, NO INDICATION OF THE EXPECTED TIME FRAME WAS PROVIDED. BETWEEN MY ACCIDENT AND KNOWING BOTH OF MY PARENTS ARE CURRENTLY DRIVING VEHICLES THAT ARE UNSAFE TO DRIVE, BY TOYOTA'S OWN ADMISSIONS, I HAVE BEEN AND CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANT DISTRESS. I AM AWARE OF THE SIGNIFICANT FINES AND SUITS SETTLED AGAINST TOYOTA IN THE PAST, BUT THEY CONTINUE TO SEEM UNFAZED DESPITE THEIR CARS PUTTING ALL OF OUR LIVES AT RISK DAILY. I AM ALSO INCREDIBLY DISGUSTED BY THEIR HISTORY OF VICTIM BLAMING AND WOULD LOVE TO DO WHATEVER I CAN TO BRING ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE. I FEEL IT IS ONLY FAIR THAT TOYOTA ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR SEEMINGLY NEVER ENDING LIST OF WRONGDOING AND TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO CORRECT ONGOING ISSUES.
THE DRIVER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT THE LOCAL TRAIN STATION. SHE WAS GOING FORWARD AT ABOUT 1 MPH WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN AS SHE WAS APPROACHING THE CURB AT THE FRONT END OF THE PARKING SPACE. WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD AND WENT OVER THE CURB AND INTO A METAL AND WOODEN FENCE. THE CAR PROBABLY WOULD HAVE LANDED ON THE TRAIN TRACKS; BUT, FORTUNATELY, IT WENT INTO THE FENCE WHICH IS USED TO SUPPORT A SHELTER THAT SHIELDS COMMUTERS FROM INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE DAMAGED FENCE IS OWNED BY THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD. THE DRIVER SUFFERED A BACK INJURY AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION, MEDICATION, AND PHYSICAL THERAPY. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO LEXUS IN TORRANCE, CA. LEXUS HAS A CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT WITH A VENDOR TO INSPECT THE EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR) INSTALLED IN THE CAR. AFTER THE EDR WAS INSPECTED, THE DRIVER WAS INFORMED THAT THE EDR IN THE 2004 LEXUS ES 330 IS VERY BASIC AND NOT AT ALL SOPHISTICATED ENOUGH TO DETECT WHAT ACTUALLY OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE AND AFTER THE ACCIDENT. LEXUS SAID THE EDR IN THE NEWER ES AUTOMOBILES WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AS TO EXACTLY WHAT OCCURRED BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER WAS INFORMED THAT THE EDR INSPECTION REPORT FOR THIS INCIDENT ESSENTIALLY ADDRESSED WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE AIR BAGS, NONE OF WHICH HAD DEPLOYED DURING THE ACCIDENT. LEXUS INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE OR GUIDANCE TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF ANY PARTS OR DESIGN DEFECTS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2004. PROBLEM STARTED OCCURRING SHORTLY THEREAFTER. CAR HAS BAD HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING CREATING A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY SITUATION. CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE. DEALER, KENNY KENT LEXUS IN EVANSVILLE, IN WILL NOT OR CANNOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEY ALONG WITH LEXUS SAY THIS IS THE WAY THE CAR WAS DESIGNED. WHAT A JOKE THEY BOTH ARE. SAYING THE CAR WAS DESIGNED WITH A SAFETY DEFECT IS PURE STUPIDITY. LEMON LAW IS OUR NEXT OPTION. *TR
ACCELERATION DELAY OF UP TO 2 FULL SECONDS. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT IN GARAGE. THOUGH NOT NOTICED IMMEDIATELY, SOMETIME DURING THE MORNING I NOTICED MY DASHBOARD VINYL AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LOOKED SWOLLEN , AND UPON EXAMINATION, IT SHOWED A SPLIT IN THE VINYL ALSO. I TOOK IT TO A REPUTABLE AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST THOUSANDS TO FIX, BUT THAT A DEALERSHIP MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP. SO I WENT TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEAL WHO SAID SOME VEHICLES HAD RECALLS BUT MINE DID NOT. AS TIME GOES ON, THE VINYL SEEMS TO HAVE PRESSURE BUILDING BEHIND IT, AND THE SPLIT IS MORE OBVIOUS. I AM AFRAID TO ALLOW PASSENGERS TO SIT IN THAT SEAT. I AM AFRAID IF THE AIRBAG BURST OUT WHILE I AM DRIVING, I MAY OVERREACT AND WRECK. THIS IS NOT SAFE AT ALL. PLEASE HELP.
THERE IS A CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OF MY CAR. IT IS PROTRUDING AROUND THE AREA OF THE AIRBAG. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP ON JULY 14, 2014, FOR THIS PROBLEM. ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE MY DASH BOARD AND IT WOULD COST ME OVER 2,500 DOLLAR. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCE ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE EVER. THIS IS TRULY A VERY STRESSFUL AND UNCERTAINTY WONDERING EVERYTIME I GET INTO MY CAR, AFRAID AND HOPING THAT THE AIRBAG DOES NOT EXPLODED. BASED ON THE RECALL OF MY CAR MODEL, MAKE I NEED TO BE CONTACTED ON THE NEXT ACTION THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR RESPONSE BACK. THANK YOU KINDLY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
INTERMEDIATE WIPERS HAVE NEVER WORKED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAD A CAR ACCIDENT APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO DUE TO SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND LOSS OF STEERING IN A 2004 LEXUS ES330. I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THE CAR AND I HAD IT SERVICED REGULARLY OVER THE PAST 13 YEARS. THE NIGHT OF MY ACCIDENT I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF MY CAR AS I ATTEMPTED TO MERGE ON TO THE LOCAL LANES OF AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY IN NORTHERN, NJ. THE CAR ACCELERATED TO THE LEFT AND CROSSED SPED ACROSS 8 LANES OF THE HIGHWAY, INCLUDING OVER A MEDIAN BEFORE IT SPUN AROUND AND JERKED TO A STOP IN THE LEFT LANE OF THE WEST BOUND LANES FACING EAST. I WAS HIT HEAD ON BY ANOTHER DRIVER. I WAS NOT INJURED, BUT THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. BOTH OF MY PARENTS ALSO CURRENTLY DRIVE LEXUS VEHICLES, AND BOTH MODELS WERE NOTED TO HAVE SIMILAR ISSUES. FURTHERMORE, MY MOTHER RECENTLY RECEIVED A LETTER INDICATING HER CAR WAS BEING RECALLED DUE TO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ISSUES, THE LETTER STATED WHILE TOYOTA WOULD OFFER WHAT THEY CONSIDERED TO BE A SUITABLE FIX AT NO CHARGE. THE LETTER FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT THEY DID NOT CURRENTLY POSSESS THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIRS AND WOULD BE IN TOUCH IN THE FUTURE, NO INDICATION OF THE EXPECTED TIME FRAME WAS PROVIDED. BETWEEN MY ACCIDENT AND KNOWING BOTH OF MY PARENTS ARE CURRENTLY DRIVING VEHICLES THAT ARE UNSAFE TO DRIVE, BY TOYOTA'S OWN ADMISSIONS, I HAVE BEEN AND CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANT DISTRESS. I AM AWARE OF THE SIGNIFICANT FINES AND SUITS SETTLED AGAINST TOYOTA IN THE PAST, BUT THEY CONTINUE TO SEEM UNFAZED DESPITE THEIR CARS PUTTING ALL OF OUR LIVES AT RISK DAILY. I AM ALSO INCREDIBLY DISGUSTED BY THEIR HISTORY OF VICTIM BLAMING AND WOULD LOVE TO DO WHATEVER I CAN TO BRING ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE. I FEEL IT IS ONLY FAIR THAT TOYOTA ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR SEEMINGLY NEVER ENDING LIST OF WRONGDOING AND TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO CORRECT ONGOING ISSUES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAD A CAR ACCIDENT APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO DUE TO SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND LOSS OF STEERING IN A 2004 LEXUS ES330. I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THE CAR AND I HAD IT SERVICED REGULARLY OVER THE PAST 13 YEARS. THE NIGHT OF MY ACCIDENT I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF MY CAR AS I ATTEMPTED TO MERGE ON TO THE LOCAL LANES OF AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY IN NORTHERN, NJ. THE CAR ACCELERATED TO THE LEFT AND CROSSED SPED ACROSS 8 LANES OF THE HIGHWAY, INCLUDING OVER A MEDIAN BEFORE IT SPUN AROUND AND JERKED TO A STOP IN THE LEFT LANE OF THE WEST BOUND LANES FACING EAST. I WAS HIT HEAD ON BY ANOTHER DRIVER. I WAS NOT INJURED, BUT THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. BOTH OF MY PARENTS ALSO CURRENTLY DRIVE LEXUS VEHICLES, AND BOTH MODELS WERE NOTED TO HAVE SIMILAR ISSUES. FURTHERMORE, MY MOTHER RECENTLY RECEIVED A LETTER INDICATING HER CAR WAS BEING RECALLED DUE TO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ISSUES, THE LETTER STATED WHILE TOYOTA WOULD OFFER WHAT THEY CONSIDERED TO BE A SUITABLE FIX AT NO CHARGE. THE LETTER FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT THEY DID NOT CURRENTLY POSSESS THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIRS AND WOULD BE IN TOUCH IN THE FUTURE, NO INDICATION OF THE EXPECTED TIME FRAME WAS PROVIDED. BETWEEN MY ACCIDENT AND KNOWING BOTH OF MY PARENTS ARE CURRENTLY DRIVING VEHICLES THAT ARE UNSAFE TO DRIVE, BY TOYOTA'S OWN ADMISSIONS, I HAVE BEEN AND CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANT DISTRESS. I AM AWARE OF THE SIGNIFICANT FINES AND SUITS SETTLED AGAINST TOYOTA IN THE PAST, BUT THEY CONTINUE TO SEEM UNFAZED DESPITE THEIR CARS PUTTING ALL OF OUR LIVES AT RISK DAILY. I AM ALSO INCREDIBLY DISGUSTED BY THEIR HISTORY OF VICTIM BLAMING AND WOULD LOVE TO DO WHATEVER I CAN TO BRING ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE. I FEEL IT IS ONLY FAIR THAT TOYOTA ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR SEEMINGLY NEVER ENDING LIST OF WRONGDOING AND TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO CORRECT ONGOING ISSUES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON A FRIDAY MORNING IN OCTOBER OF 2014, I DROVE FROM DC TO BALTIMORE.THE TOTAL DRIVING TIME WAS CLOSER TO NINETY MINUTES THAN THE USUAL HOUR, THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS WILL BECOME CLEAR LATER IN THIS MESSAGE. TEN MILES OUTSIDE OF BALTIMORE, I DID NOT FEEL WELL. EVENTUALLY PULLING INTO MY DAUGHTER'S DRIVEWAY, AND FEELING VERY FAINT, I MANAGED TO CALL MY HER VIA CELLPHONE, RIGHT OUTSIDE HER KITCHEN WINDOW. I WAS SO SICK THAT I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR. I FELT UTTERLY LIMP, DIZZY AND NAUSEOUS AS MY SON-IN-LAW PULLED ME OUT TO STAGGER IN THE FRONT DOOR AND COLLAPSE ON THE LIVING ROOM COUCH. THE ROOM WAS SPINNING; IF I OPENED MY EYES, THE ROOM TILTED AND SPUN FASTER. MY KIDS CALLED AN AMBULANCE. MY VITAL SIGNS - OXYGEN AND BLOOD PRESSURE READINGS WERE WITHIN THE LOW RANGE OF NORMAL, WITH OXYGEN AND BLOOD PRESSURE READING VERY LOW. I HAVE NO RELEVANT HEALTH CONDITIONS. THE AMULANCE ATTENDENTS THOUGHT IT WAS "THE FLU". EIGHT OR NINE HOURS LATER, I MANAGED TO GET UP. IN A FEW DAYS I WAS BACK TO NORMAL AND FELT FINE. LAST TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME IT TOOK ABOUT FIVE HOURS TO RECOVER. THE DRIVE HAD BEEN JUST UNDER AN HOUR. I WAS SURE, AT THIS POINT: IT HAS TO BE THE CAR. IT WAS. NEXT DAY I WENT TO THE MECHANIC, THOUGH HE WAS ENTIRELY DUBIOUS ABOUT MY CONVICTION: CARBON MONOXIDE. A FEW HOURS LATER, HE CALLED TO VERIFY THAT THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM, ENGINE-TO-TAILPIPE, WAS CORRODED AND THAT, INDEED, CARBON MONOXIDE HAD BEEN LEAKING INTO THE CAR. IT IS AN OLD CAR BY US STANDARDS - A 2004. IT WAS A $2,000 REPAIR JOB - A JOLT, BUT I FELT LUCKY. WOULD A SMALLER PERSON - A TEEN OR PETITE WOMAN, HAVE SURVIVED? WOULD THE CAUSE OF DEATH EVEN BE DISCERNIBLE? HOW MANY DEATHS HAVE WE HEARD OF: "ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL"? PUSH FOR LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE CARBON MONOXIDE SENSORS IN CARS! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .