Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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 purchased a used Lexus 2004 rx 330 from a Lexus dealership and a 4 months after I noticed a large amount of condensation in the drivers front headlight1 month later while driving at night the 1 headlight went out completely and I discovered a technical service bulletin issued from Lexus but no recall. This is clearly a widespread problem and a safety issue, Toyota has yet to fix they want me to pay $500 out of a $1800 repair!
Defects in headlamp assembly caused water from rain to accumulate inside the lamp, overtime, the water caused the hi-voltage unit to short out and the headlamp is in-operative (this is for the low beam HID lights). Replacement cost is $1,800 per lamp assembly (dealers quote). This is a safety issue since the low beam is not available for driving at night.
Lexus currently has a so called warranty enhancement notification -zlb headlamp replacemeents. They don't want to replace my headlights even though the do leak water during a rain storm. There are water streaks on the inside which hamper lighting output. It is dangerous. Why did they send me this if is was not important?
After a rain storm, my driver side headlight was filled with water and the light does not turn on. The Lexus dealer quoted me price of $1566.23 to replace. I learned of a class action lawsuit against Toyota for failure to address this wide scale problem. Please include my complaint in this matter.
While there was no emergency from this problem it does cause me to not be able to drive at normal highway speeds while using low beams, as the headlights do not illuminate the roadway a sufficient distance in front of the car to be able to see and stop for obstacles in the roadway.
The headlights have high intensity beams. Consumer can't see the turns coming up or the road. The road illumination is 35 feet, and the standard called for 150 regular lights. Dealer stated they can't be adjusted.
My car has a problem with excess moisture and condensation in the headlight housing. It has continued to worsen for the past several years. Lexus refused to recognize this problem as its responsibility until December, 2013 when it issued a warranty enhancement to all Lexus rx owners that had this problem. That notice indicated that parts were being manufactured and would be available by May, 2014. My car was inspected and was advised the repair would be made as soon as the parts were available. In early July I contacted my dealer (cherry hill Lexus) who referred me to Lexus corporate. I was advised by Lexus corporate that parts would be available to fix the problem by the end of July. Now, 8 months after the warranty enhancement was announced, parts are still not available to fix the problem. …
Like many other people, I am complaining about the headlight condensation on my Lexus RX330. The passenger seat headlight fogs up so that it is very cloudy. This affects the quality of the light beam at night as it makes the light dimmer. I've asked Lexus to fix this problem and they quoted me close to $2000 for something that really should be a safety recall. I am not the only person experiencing this problem. I've done some research and found that there is currently a lawsuit going on about this problem. This problem needs to be fixed immediately.
The headlights on a 2004 RX330 have cost me a lawsuit against dealer. Drove car second night, 3 miles, on country roads. I had motion sickness after that experience. Every time I hit a bump the car lights would bounce, as if on a spring. The line from lights goes across center of windshield at eye level. The driver can't see beyond 20 ft. When looking beyond 20 ft. You see total darkness. When passing a person on the side of the road you can only see them from the knees down. Very scary driving the rx 330 at night.
The headlights are my new RX330 have such limited sight distance that I'm afraid with the deer population in my area, there is not enough braking time. I have brought this in to the dealer and they are aware of the distinct cut off in lighting but say they are to standards and not many people are complaining. I feel this is a safety issue with my children in the car and am still complaining.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
Certain passenger vehicles May be equipped with an improperly designed brake light switch. A silicon oxide build-up occurs on the contacts inside the brake light switch, which can make it inoperable.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake light switch. The recall began during December 2004. Owners should contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Headlight complaints in other RX330 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2004 Lexus RX330?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the lights of the 2004 Lexus RX330, 8% of the model year's 287 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Lexus RX330 headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-558 (switch, Nov 22, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Lexus RX330 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
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.