The Lemon Index2004 Lexus ES.
The 2004 Lexus ES is worse than average by owner complaints: 90 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 139, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 21 mpg combined. The best Lexus ES year is 2020.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 190 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Lexus ES year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 1K to 72K miles on the car (138 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 0K–14K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 2K–53K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 66K–164K miles
Recalls 2
- engine 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AVALON VEHICLES; 2004 AND 2005 CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA, HIGHLANDER, AND SIENNA VEHICLES, 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID; 2004 AND 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND RX330; AND 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES…
- seat belts 2004
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 …
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Lexus told dealers about
Lexus sent dealers 78 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of…
- The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic
- Engine control module (ecm) calibration - shifting enhancement - revised
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedVehicle speed control2005–2006
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.3L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
When accelerating vehicle hesitates then lurches forward. This problem can cause many accidents and might even end up in injury or death!!
2004 Lexus ES owner · NHTSA complaint 10090855
More owner reports
Vehicle surged when cruise control was engaged at 60 mph. It surged up to 80 mph. It felt like it was going down hill. Dealer could not duplicate the problem. Also, transmission hesitated at 0-20 mph, it also jerked.
NHTSA complaint 10106940
The 2004 Lexus es330 transmission was hesitation or lack of response, I could sense the hesitation to sudden speed which I imagine could be a problem if there was a car tailgating me or changing lanes.
NHTSA complaint 10082501
Quick answers
Is the 2004 Lexus ES reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 139; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Lexus ES year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2004 Lexus ES problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (56%), speed control (32%) and engine (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Lexus ES have?
2 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Lexus ES get?
21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Lexus ES problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 1,400 and 72,500 miles. The middle report was at 33,900 miles, from 138 complaints.
Does the 2004 Lexus ES have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 56% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Lexus ES cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Lexus ES have?
3.3L 6-cyl.
What Lexus ES year is better than the 2004?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2020, 2012 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works