2004 Lexus ES: common problems and reliability

The 2004 Lexus ES has 190 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are power train and vehicle speed control. Owners most often flag cv axle boot leaks: reported after extended high-speed driving. frequency: isolated.

Safety record for the 2004 model year

190
Owner complaints
1
Recalls
40
Crash reports
2
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2004 Lexus ES vehicles (US, public record).

Is 2004 a good year for the ES?

Across the 10 ES model years we track, complaint volume runs from 9 (2024) to 190 (2004). With 190 complaints, the 2004 ES sits abovethe model's median of 39.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

power train
63
vehicle speed control
58
air bags
28
service brakes
17
hydraulic
12

Recalls affecting the 2004 ES

engine and engine cooling

Campaign 11V539000

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

What owners say across generations

Overwhelmingly positive sentiment centered on exceptional long-term reliability, low operating costs, and a comfortable, quiet, and refined driving experience.

  • Infotainment touchpad interface: described as annoying, difficult to use; preference for post-2022 touchscreen models. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Steering rack leaks: noted on higher-mileage examples (e.g., 2010 model with 137k miles). Frequency: isolated.

Owner insights cover all generations of the ES. See the full ES owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used ES listings typically run $51,553–$56,216 across 2025 to 2026 model years.

Other ES model years

Compare every ES year side by side to see how 2004 ranks against the rest.

Compare the ES against its rivals