Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
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).
I was driving into a parking structure and was startled by something inside the car falling. I lost control of the vehicle and ran head-on into a concrete pole. The airbags did not deploy. The car was deemed a total loss and, in an accident of that type, it was scary that the airbags did not deploy.
While driving the 2004 Lexus RX330 on the freeway, trying to avoid a car on my left lane that suddenly swerved to my driver side. To avoid being hit, I steered slightly to the right. However, due to the speed, the car went over to the right lane and when trying to turn the steering back to the left, the car skid and lost control. Skidded across two lanes to the right, hit a truck trailer, trailer over turned, my Lexus then got bounced back, rolled over across 5-6 lanes on the freeway, landed on the passenger side by the divider, driver was knocked out after impact when the SUV started rolling over. Got a concussion on the left side of the head. Car was totaled. My complained is that none of the air bags in the vehicle was deployed at all. Wrote a registered letter to the manager of the Lexus dealer where the car was purchased two years ago but never got a reply either. …
Mom and dad were struck on passenger side by person who ran stop sign at high speed 55+. The were traveling @ 35 MPH in a 35 MPH zone. Vehicle was flipped multiple times from the impact of the individual who ran stop sign. Drivers side "curtain" airbags never deployed despite the multiple rollovers. Both parents were carried off unconscious by ambulance. Dad had to have surgery from his injuries. Mom suffered head injury. I wanted to have the vehicle investigated as to why the airbag never deployed on the driver's side. It flipped several times. Mom was on driver side and was the one who sustained the head injury. Passengers curtain and side air bag did deploy. All of the witness who observed vehicle collision, could not believe with such a bad accident and rollover her bag never deployed.
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.
I have a Lexus rx 330 (2004) and it was recently involve in a high speed (55mph) collision to the drivers side of the vehicle and "none" of my front or side airbags deployed. This same vehicle was involved in a collision in 2007 to rear of the vehicle and again it was high speed in access of 40mph none of the air bags deployed! I have always taken my car to the dealership for maintenance and I have complained several times to my service advisor of many concerns and nothing is or has been resolved and appears to go to the waste side.
Dt: consumer's vehicle was involved in a front end collision going approximately 40 MPH. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy. There was extensive damage to the vehicle. Contacted Lexus and Lexus stated that because the impact was high consumer struck tractor trailer in the rear, and there was no damage to the frame. The damage occurred higher than a typical impact being that the consumer struck a large vehicle. The vehicle is currently at a repair shop getting fixed. . Seat belts were worn when this occurred.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Lexus RX330. The contact stated that the dashboard was defective and exhibited fractures near the passenger side air bag area. The dealer stated that the manufacturer did not provide the replacement dashboard; therefore, they were unable to perform the replacement. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Driving conservatively through a pharmacy parking lot; abruptly took a right hand turn into an available parking space ( habitually prefer a left-handed parking entry); engine roared, tires squealed and auto jumped over the concrete parking barrier/ over the curb/ and proceeded to strike near the door entrance and a support wall. Airbags did not deploy.
Front end collision in 2004 Lexus rx 330 with 206,000 miles going approximately 55 MPH. Car is totaled per insurance adjuster. Driver and three children in car. No serious injuries. No airbags deployed. Have contacted Lexus and am awaiting answer. Car has been to dealership several times since purchased and nothing mentioned about airbag issue.
Recently there was a popping sound while the vehicle was turned on and was stationary. It resulted in cracks on the front passenger side dashboard. I am scared to drive the vehicle as I do not know what happened. Is there a Lexus recall for the same problem?
Airbag complaints in other RX330 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2004 Lexus RX330?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 Lexus RX330, 7% of the model year's 287 complaints. The component named most often is side/window (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Lexus RX330 airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2004 Lexus RX330, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Lexus RX330 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 0 fires and 11 injuries to air bags 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.