Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Lexus RX330 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Lexus RX330. While driving approximately 2 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated. As a result, the contact crashed into two other vehicles and a curb. The two passengers in the other vehicles sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for body repairs. The vehicle was not diagnosed for the failure. The failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure was unable to be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Lexus RX330. While backing up the vehicle in the driveway at a low rate of speed, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and crashed into the garage and house. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. During the incident, the vehicle failed to immediately stop while depressing the brake pedal. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 119,000.
My 2004 Lexus RX330 was stopped in a parking lot with my foot on the brake about to get ready to let a passenger leave the vehicle. The car was stationary and not moving. When suddenly the car accelerated to full throttle. Within seconds the car took off and jumped a curb and drove at full throttle. As soon as I realized what was happening, I then pressed hard on the brake and was finally able to stop the car after it drove about 50 ft. I was in shock that this occurred. My head had flung back along with my passenger with terrific force. Once stopped and I was composed, I drove the car off the grassy area it was now on and reluctantly drove it home. Some degree of neck pain later was noticed. There was no floor mat issue or any noticeable obstructions to the accelerator pedal. Later upon inspection of the car there appeared to be some body damage to the car. …
2 to 3 years prior to this accident I was coming to a stop light and the brakes did not work, but only for a few seconds. I reported this to my husband and he took it to several mechanics but did not find anything wrong with the vehicle, my husband has owned a auto parts store for 40 years and knows a few qualified mechanics. 3 people were on a freeway about 1/4 mile from off ramp doing about 65 MPH, we started to move over to the slower lane as we got to the slower lane I stepped on the brakes to slow down for the off ramp when I felt the brakes were not working, I pumped the brakes several times to make sure I was stepping on the brakes but instead of slowing down the vehicle kept accelerating. I depressed the brake pedal as hard as I could and hung on for dear life upon entering the off ramp I struck another vehicle and flipped the car several times. …
I was pulling into a curbside parking place on a residential street with a slight uphill incline. The car slowed almost to a stop because of the incline. I put my foot very lightly on the gas pedal so as to move forward and make room for another car to park behind me. The pedal went all the way to the floor of its own accord and the car lurched forward into the parked car in front of me, causing considerable damage before I was able to stop the car, reverse and park. Police were called but declined to file a report as no one was injured and the damage was not severe. Because I was afraid to drive the car again, I had it towed to the dealer where it was purchased and has been serviced. It is currently being inspected. This is the first and only time of such an occurrence.
My friend (26 year old male) was driving my 2004 Lexus RX330 at around 9 am on christmas eve morning. Witnesses state that he was traveling south on a residential street and crossed a busy 6-lane divided roadway at 80 MPH. He continued on the residential street at which time he left the roadway and vaulted across an embankment hitting a block wall. He was killed instantly. Pima county sheriff and medical examiner investigated and could find no reason for the excessive speed or the collision. No drugs or alcohol were found in his system and he had no medical problems. I have no doubt now that I have read other reports that something was mechanically wrong with the Lexus and that caused this fatal accident; updated 003/30/10 updated 06/30/10. Updated 9/29/11
Tl contact owns a 2004 Lexus RX330. The driver stated that her vehicle would not start. The vehicle has been serviced on a regular basis for routine maintenance. The floor mat clip which was recalled. The vehicle has accelerated for quite some time. While driving approximately 60 MPH, she engaged the brakes to slow down the vehicle and it accelerated on it's own. The dealer was notified and they stated that they were unable to repair it since the VIN does not apply to the recall. A crash also occurred while driving 65 MPH when the vehicle accelerated. Two passengers were in the vehicle; however, there were no injuries. The failure mileage was 30,000. The current mileage was 50,000.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Lexus RX330. The contact was backing out of a parking space at approximately 5 MPH. There was a loud noise outside of the vehicle. The gear was shifted into drive and suddenly, the vehicle accelerated without warning. There were several attempts with extreme force applied to the brake pedal. The vehicle failed to reduce speed and crashed into a wall. The driver sustained intense pain to the ankle with other minor injuries. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer and repaired for damages. The contact had concern of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 15,000. The consumer stated the air bag failed to deploy. Updated 05/11/10.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Lexus rx 330. The contact was driving at 5 MPH in a parking lot when there was an abnormal increase in engine rpms and the engine became extremely loud. The contact stated the brakes were depressed when the vehicle independently accelerated and crashed into a stone wall. The contact sustained injuries to her knee. The passenger sustained a minor injury to his tongue. The vehicle was towed to a collision facility. The dealer advised they would not make repairs to the body damage until the vehicle was investigated for the cause of the failure. The contact was awaiting a diagnosis of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 111,000.
My Lexus accelerated without my foot on the accelerator and hit and destroyed 2 parked unattended cars. Damage to my car was in excess of $6000. I was cited and I appealed to the board of appeals, and found innocent and had my case vacated. I wrote Lexus about this problem on 2-14-10 since it is a Toyota product and no cause has been found for my malfunction, and they have not answered me as yet. I want compensation and am willing to come to a mutually agreeable conclusion, but as yet, no response from Lexus.
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 highlander, highlander hybrid, and model year 2004-2007 Lexus rx330, rx350, and rx400h vehicles. If the forward retention clip used to secure the floor carpet cover, which is located in front of the center console, is not installed properly the cover May lean toward the…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the floor carpet cover with a newly designed one free or charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during March 2011. Owners May contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
On certain sport utility and hybrid vehicles, the two retaining clips for the driver's side forward center console can become loose. If both clips separate from the floor carpet cover, the cover May lean toward the accelerator pedal, causing interference with the accelerator pedal rod.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the two floor carpet cover retaining clips free of charge. The recall began on July 24, 2006, and should be completed by early September 2006.
Acceleration complaints in other RX330 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2004 Lexus RX330?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2004 Lexus RX330, 12% of the model year's 287 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Lexus RX330 acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-112 (accelerator pedal, Feb 24, 2011); NHTSA recall 06V-253 (accelerator pedal, Jul 13, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Lexus RX330 acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 31% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 15 crashes, 0 fires and 10 injuries and 3 deaths to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.