LexusES3302004Overview/lexus/es330/2004/base/

2004 Lexus ES330

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 ES330.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2004 Lexus ES330 is a mid‑sized passenger car built on the refined ES platform, featuring a 5‑speed automatic transmission and an oil capacity of 5 quarts, with 5W‑30 API‑approved viscosity for optimal engine protection. Its EPA‑rated fuel economy of 18/27/21 mpg reflects the balance between comfort and efficiency that the model is known for, while the two recalls for that year underscore its generally robust design. Within the broader 2004‑2010 complaint window, the ES330 recorded 190 owner complaints—centered on the power train—with 199 complaints in 2005 and a low of only one in 2010, illustrating a gradual improvement in reliability over the decade.

Model year200620052004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/27/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZD1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnRELAYOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-60R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZD1
Engine air filter17801YZZ01
Fuel filter233000A020 alt 232170C010
Spark plug9008091180
Front wiper blades8521253061 alt 852220R040
Serpentine belt9936631040 alt 9008091212
Thermostat90916A3003 alt 1632562010
Cabin air filter8713906030

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 27 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume96 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.7
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs12 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts162 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts60.5 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts11 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs10MM

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub217 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)680 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.10-1.32 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief12-16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Residual Pressure21.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13.4-14.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression145-218 PSI. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure43 psi @ Idle, 36-7878 psi @ 3000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash0.006-0.010 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket79 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle76 ft-lbs / 46 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in / 0.0059 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.472 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.472 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.025 in / 0.413 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 90,000 miTiming Belt (replace)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2004 model year records 190 complaints, 2 recalls, and 1 investigation, figures statistically comparable to the 2005 model year (199 complaints, 2 recalls, 1 investigation) but significantly higher than the 2006 model year (79 complaints, 0 recalls, 0 investigations), indicating a trend of declining federal filings as the generation matured beyond its introductory period. Complaint concentration is heaviest in Power Train (50 reports) and Vehicle Speed Control (48 reports), accompanied by 40 crash-related complaints and 2 fire complaints, though the data does not specify underlying causes for these incidents. As the first year shown in the federal record, 2004 sits at the peak of the complaint curve alongside 2005, with volumes dropping substantially by 2006. Given that the 2006 model year demonstrates significantly lower complaint rates and zero recalls while maintaining similar TSB levels, the 2004 ES330 represents a less favorable acquisition target within this generation.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
78
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
190
Owner complaints
40 involved a crash · 2 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 190 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train50
Vehicle Speed Control48
Air Bags22
Service Brakes, Hydraulic6
Electrical System5
Unknown Or Other5
Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control5
Engine & Engine Cooling5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

11V539000Engine And Engine CoolingReported 09/11/2011

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… Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL CHECK THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY TO IDENTIFY WHETHER IT WAS PRODUCED BY THE U.S. SUPPLIER. IF SO, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PULLEY WITH A…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 78 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
L-SB-0020-242024-04-19StructureVehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed…
L-SB-0021-242024-04-19StructureLexus vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect…
L-SB-0022-242024-04-19StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
L-SB-0024-242024-04-19StructureThe condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the…
L-SB-0023-242024-04-19StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific ES330. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 ES330 take?

5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 ES330 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the ES330 get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined mpg.