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2004 Lexus RXProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 40 owner complaints about the 2004 Lexus RX, most often about the structure. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2004 Lexus RX
58
CarFlaw IndexSolid year28% below the RX median · #11 of 25 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints403 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage88kStructure, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 28, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: OSX, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 Lexus RX has problems

40 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Structure120
Air bags60
Power train50
Exterior lighting40
Wheels20
Engine20
Seats21
Service brakes21
Vehicle speed control20
10 other systems100

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2004 Lexus RX recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Foundation components: master cylinder

Recall 10V-499 · Oct 21, 2010 · 728,544 vehicles

Risk. A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID COULD LEAD TO A CHANGE IN BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND OVERTIME A DEGRADATION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Lexus.

Best & worst years

2004 vs. every other RX year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RX median. How we score

'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2004 Lexus RX, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Unintended and Uncontrolled AccelerationRQ10003 · closed Mar 1, 2011
    Led to recall 11V-112
In owners' words

What RX owners report

Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS RX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRUMBLING AND MELTING. THE FAILURE WAS PRESENT NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HOUSING OF THE DASHBOARD. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER (BUTLER LEXUS LOCATED AT 4025 JONESBORO RD, UNION…
Complaint 11306927 · Feb 4, 2020 · 140,000 miles
I HAVE A SEVERELY CRACKED DASHBOARD AND A LOT OF THE VERY DEEP CRACKS ARE OVER WHERE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS LOCATED. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A FEW YEARS NOW BUT LATELY IT HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE IN THE AREA OF THE AIRBAG. LEXUS ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM BUT THEY SAY IT COULD BE SEVERAL MORE…
Complaint 10888794 · Jul 26, 2016
THE DASHBOARD IS DISINTEGRATING. THE CAR HAS BEEN PREDOMINANTLY KEPT COVERED AND WELL MAINTAINED. INITIALLY A LARGE PIECE (CREDIT CARD SIZE) BROKE OFF DASH. WE REPAIRED WITH VINYL RESTORATION COMPANY, AND ANOTHER AREA ABOUT A YEAR LATER. SINCE THEN, NUMEROUS CRACKS ARE PRESENT - TOO MANY TO REPAIR.…
Complaint 10689742 · Feb 21, 2015 · 108,000 miles

Own a 2004 RX?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.