Lexus ES 330 Problems by Year

We compared every Lexus ES 330 model year from 2004 using 153 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 1 recall and federal defect investigations. No ES 330 year stands out with an unusual number of complaints.

1model years
153complaints
1recalls
—worst years
—best years

Complaints by model year

2004153
Owner complaints per model year, Lexus ES 330. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
2004153—1TransmissionLimited data

* Complaints compared with the median ES 330 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Lexus ES 330 problems

  • Transmission & drivetrainworst: 2004
    6140%
  • Speed control & accelerationworst: 2004
    4932%
  • Brakesworst: 2004
    1510%
  • Air bagsworst: 2004
    149%
  • Engine & coolingworst: 2004
    107%
  • Electrical systemworst: 2004
    53%
  • Seat beltsworst: 2004
    43%
  • Fuel & propulsion systemworst: 2004
    32%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroofworst: 2004
    32%
  • Lightsworst: 2004
    32%
  • Other / not specified
    32%
  • Body & structureworst: 2004
    32%
  • Suspensionworst: 2004
    21%
  • Seatsworst: 2004
    21%
  • Steeringworst: 2004
    21%
  • Equipment & accessoriesworst: 2004
    21%
  • A/C & heaterworst: 2004
    11%
  • Stability & traction controlworst: 2004
    11%
  • Wheels & tiresworst: 2004
    11%

Latest Lexus ES 330 recalls

Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly

NHTSA recall 04V-595 · Dec 15, 2004 · 150,061 vehicles

On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a front passenger power seat, when installing certain rear-facing infant child seat bases onto the seat with an excessively high seatbelt tension, it May be possible to unseat a component called the buckle status switch from the seat belt buckle.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the front passenger seatbelt buckle status switch. This safety improvement campaign (ssc 40m) began on December 20, 2004. Owners should contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987..

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Lexus ES 330 should you avoid?

None of the Lexus ES 330 years has an unusually high number of complaints compared with the others at the same age.

What are the most common Lexus ES 330 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the transmission & drivetrain (61), speed control & acceleration (49) and brakes (15). Transmission complaints peak in the 2004 model year.

How many recalls has the Lexus ES 330 had?

1 recall across 2004. The model year with the most is 2004.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.