The Lemon Index2004 Lexus RX.
The 2004 Lexus RX is worse than average by owner complaints: 154 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 170, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 19 to 20 mpg combined. The best Lexus RX year is 2014.
Worse than average. 1.7× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2014
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 327 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Lexus RX 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 8K to 90K miles on the car (214 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–48K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 5K–18K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 51K–117K miles
Recalls 6
- 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…
- speed control 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND MODEL YEAR 2004-2007 LEXUS RX330, RX350, AND RX400H VEHICLES.
- brakes 2010
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 LEXUS RX, AND MODEL YEAR 2006 LEXUS GS AND IS VEHICLES.
Show all 6 recalls
- speed control 2006
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND HYBRID VEHICLES, THE TWO RETAINING CLIPS FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE FORWARD CENTER CONSOLE CAN BECOME LOOSE.
- seat belts 2006
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE ANCHOR BOLT FOR THE REAR, LEFT-HAND SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE DIRECTL…
- lights 2004
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH AN IMPROPERLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.
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 177 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Rattle or buzz type noise coming from the driver's side instrument panel area
- 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
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedUnintended and uncontrolled acceleration2010–2011
- ClosedVacuum brake booster failure2005
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200–3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.3L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
While in motion brakes power assist function failed.
2004 Lexus RX owner · NHTSA complaint 10111607
More owner reports
1.2004 rx 330 transmission slips when accelerating ,passing(most dangerous when going up an incline),and from a dead start(ie: light or stop sign).car seems to shift into neutral and hesatates while tachometer revs to 5-6000 rpm.
NHTSA complaint 10090818
Brakes failed, and consumer unable to stop the vehicle consumer's vehicle rear ended the vehicle in the front.
NHTSA complaint 10111772
Quick answers
Is the 2004 Lexus RX reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.7× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 170; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Lexus RX year by this measure is 2014.
What are the most common 2004 Lexus RX problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (39%), brakes (39%) and lights (7%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Lexus RX have?
6 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 RX get?
19 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Lexus RX problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 8,000 and 90,000 miles. The middle report was at 46,000 miles, from 214 complaints.
Does the 2004 Lexus RX have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 39% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Lexus RX cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Lexus RX have?
3.3L 6-cyl.
What Lexus RX year is better than the 2004?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2011 and 2012.
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