NHTSA has 190 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Lexus ES[1]. The biggest groups are the power train and speed control[2][3].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups owners name most often, biggest first. - Power Train. 63 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the automatic gearbox shifting roughly, whining, and hesitating when they ask for power. Some say the dealer reset or reprogrammed it and the trouble came back. - Speed Control. 58 complaints[3]. Owners describe a pause after pressing the gas pedal, sometimes followed by a sudden surge forward. This group has the most crashes reported alongside it[3]. - Air Bags. 28 complaints[6]. Owners describe warning lights, a passenger sensor that misbehaves, and a few crashes where the bags did not open. - Brakes. 16 complaints[7]. Owners describe a pedal that feels soft at first, odd knocking noises, and a few moments when the car would not slow as expected. - Engine. 14 complaints[8]. - Electrical System. 8 complaints[9]. - Structure. 6 complaints[10].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2004 ES is necessarily included.
- Engine And Engine Cooling (11V539), November 2011. About 420,326 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, steering problems, loss of power. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[11]
- Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly (04V595), December 2004. About 150,061 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: an air bag that may not work as intended.[12]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| ES 330, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[5] | 18 / 27 / 21 | $3,200 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR None[13].
Engine and size
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES 330 4DR SEDAN FWD[14] | 191 in | 71 in | 57 in | 107 in | 3,461 lb |
How 2004 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 38 | 1 |
| 1996 | 38 | 1 |
| 1997 | 47 | 2 |
| 1998 | 53 | 1 |
| 1999 | 35 | 0 |
| 2000 | 62 | 0 |
| 2001 | 31 | 0 |
| 2002 | 180 | 2 |
| 2003 | 139 | 0 |
| 2004 | 190 | 2 |
| 2005 | 200 | 2 |
| 2006 | 79 | 0 |
| 2007 | 664 | 4 |
| 2008 | 323 | 4 |
| 2009 | 173 | 5 |
| 2010 | 179 | 5 |
| 2011 | 199 | 3 |
| 2012 | 120 | 3 |
| 2013 | 70 | 1 |
| 2014 | 46 | 1 |
| 2015 | 27 | 1 |
| 2016 | 37 | 1 |
| 2017 | 26 | 1 |
| 2018 | 15 | 2 |
| 2019 | 40 | 4 |
| 2020 | 24 | 3 |
| 2021 | 35 | 1 |
| 2022 | 16 | 1 |
| 2023 | 11 | 2 |
| 2024 | 9 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the ES show 190 complaints and 2 recalls for 2004[4]. Among the 32 model years listed, 27 have fewer complaints than 2004 and 4 have more[4]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (1) and the most are for 2007 (664)[4]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2004 ES?
The 2004 Lexus ES has a clear pattern in the owner reports, with the power train and speed control groups leading the list[2][3]. Owners in those groups talk about hesitation and rough shifting, and some say the dealer called it normal. Air bag and brake reports are smaller but matter because crashes appear in them[6][7]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for how many cars were sold[1]. If you shop for one, check that the shifting is smooth and the car answers the gas pedal right away on a test drive.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Lexus ES?
- Owners name the power train and speed control groups most often[2][3]. Air bags and brakes follow[6][7].
- Has the 2004 Lexus ES been recalled?
- Yes, recalls exist for this model year. See the Recalls section on this page for the list and the by-year fact[4].
- How many complaints does the 2004 Lexus ES have?
- NHTSA has 190 owner complaints on file[1].
- Is the 2004 Lexus ES reliable?
- The complaint record is led by shifting and throttle response reports[2][3]. Read the problems section and test drive any car before you buy.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2004 Lexus ES?
- See the fuel economy section on this page. It is generated from EPA data.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Lexus ES
Compare all model years of the Lexus ES
Similar cars from 2004: midsize cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 190 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Lexus ES (40 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 24 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 63 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 750). NHTSA vehicle records
- 58 complaints name the speed control component group (25 crashes, 0 fires, 15 injuries, median mileage at failure 22,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Lexus ES model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for ES 330, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 28 complaints name the air bags component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 89,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 16 complaints name the brakes component group (8 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,300). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the engine component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 144,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 11V539, filed November 9, 2011: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 04V595, filed December 15, 2004: Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ES 330 4DR SEDAN FWD: length 191 in, width 71 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,461 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov