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2004 Lexus Es 330

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

112 reports with mileage · 41 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

28 crash reports2 fire reports12 injury reports

What owners actually said

153 reports
12,000 miles · Nov 17, 2005
Power Train

WE HAVE A 2004 LEXUS ES330 WITH 22,000 MILES. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HESITATION, HARD SHIFTS AND MISSED GEARS FOR THE LAST 10,000 MILES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER MODULE AT 16,000 MILES AND THE CAR IS A LITTLE BETTER BUT NOT MUCH. I TOOK IT BACK IN FOR THE PROBLEM AT 21,000 MILES AND THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THA…

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WE HAVE A 2004 LEXUS ES330 WITH 22,000 MILES. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HESITATION, HARD SHIFTS AND MISSED GEARS FOR THE LAST 10,000 MILES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER MODULE AT 16,000 MILES AND THE CAR IS A LITTLE BETTER BUT NOT MUCH. I TOOK IT BACK IN FOR THE PROBLEM AT 21,000 MILES AND THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR, BUT THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT LEXUS TOLD THEM THAT THEY WERE HAVING TROUBLE WITH A NUMBER OF THE ES CARS AFTER THE MODULE WAS CHANGED BUT THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW TO TELL THE DEALER TO FIX IT. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH LEXUS AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVE AGAIN ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFTING IN THE ES. ALTHOUGH BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BOTH ADMITTED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET THEM TO EVEN ATTEMPT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER 1/3 OF THE TIME THAT WE HAVE HAD THE CAR AND NOW I HAVE TO WAIT 2 MORE WEEKS FOR A LEXUS REP TO COME INTO TOWN TO "TALK TO ME". THE LEXUS PEOPLE TOLD ME THEY WERE GOING TO LOOK INTO MY COMPLAINTS AND CALL ME BACK IN A COUPLE OF DAYS AND 10 DAYS LATER I STILL HAD NOT HEARD FROM THEM. NOT ONLY DO I FIND THE PROBLEM VERY ANNOYING I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE HESITATION PROBLEM COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT, AND I AM QUITE SURE THAT THE ERRATIC SHIFTING WILL LEAD TO PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10142992

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2005
Power Train

2004 ES 330 EXHIBITING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS EVEN AFTER "DEALER FIX". THERE IS SEVER GEAR HUNTING AT EVERY SPEED SOMETIMES RESULTS IN A LAG OF ACCELERATION OR ACCELERATION LURCHES THAT RESULT IN CLOSE CALL ACCIDENTS. NOTE THAT THIS PROBLEM DID NOT START OCCURRING UNTIL AFTER 2,000 MILES OF DRIVING AFTER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED A…

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2004 ES 330 EXHIBITING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS EVEN AFTER "DEALER FIX". THERE IS SEVER GEAR HUNTING AT EVERY SPEED SOMETIMES RESULTS IN A LAG OF ACCELERATION OR ACCELERATION LURCHES THAT RESULT IN CLOSE CALL ACCIDENTS. NOTE THAT THIS PROBLEM DID NOT START OCCURRING UNTIL AFTER 2,000 MILES OF DRIVING AFTER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AS BRAND NEW. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10136790

Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2004 LEXUS ES 330 DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WITH BRAKING.*MR THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOISEY WHEN PRESSED AND RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY EXPLAINED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND THAT IT WAS THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10136679

100 miles · Sep 7, 2005
Power Train

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH MY 2004 ES330 I AM BECOMING VERY CONCERNED WITH MY NEW 2004 LEXUS. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SERVICE CENTER FOUR (4) TIMES NOW WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE SERVICE CENTER KEEPS TELLING ME THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT IT IS THE WAY I DRIVE... MY 1999 LEXUS DID NOT HAVE…

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TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH MY 2004 ES330 I AM BECOMING VERY CONCERNED WITH MY NEW 2004 LEXUS. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SERVICE CENTER FOUR (4) TIMES NOW WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE SERVICE CENTER KEEPS TELLING ME THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT IT IS THE WAY I DRIVE... MY 1999 LEXUS DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND I AM PERPLEXED ON WHY I AM BEING TOLD IT IS ME AND NOT THE CAR. THIS LAST SERVICE CALL ON AUGUST 22ND I WAS TOLD TO USE A HIGHER GRADE OF GASOLINE. I HAVE NOW GONE THROUGH A TANK OF THE HIGH GRADE GAS AND MY TRANSMISSION IS STILL SLIPPING. I NOTICE IT WHEN I SLOW TO NEGOTIATE A TURN, WHEN I AM DRIVING BETWEEN 15 AND 20 MILES PER HOUR, ALSO NOW WHEN I AM MERGING INTO TRAFFIC EITHER SLOW OR FROM A STOP THE CAR HESITATES AND THEN LURCHES FORWARD WITH A KICK.. I AM BEGINNING TO BE AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR NOT KNOWING WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN THAT NEED TO BE SHUTTLED AROUND EVERY DAY AND I AM CONCERNED FOR THEIR SAFETY AS WELL.. I WANT TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE SERVICE CENTER BUT THE FEELING I AM GETTING IS THAT THEY THINK I AM CRAZY. THIS IS DUE TO THEY SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO, I DON'T NEED EXTRA HORSE POWER WITH THE HIGHER GRADE OF GAS, THE LEXUS HAS PLENTY OF POWER... CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME IN THIS MATTER? THIS TRANSMISSION IS JUNK... I HAVE HAD MY HUSBAND DRIVE THE CAR AND HE CONCURS THAT THE TRANSMISSION DOES SLIP AND HE FEELS IT MUST BE SOME TYPE OF MODULATOR THAT IS NOT GETTING THE FLUID TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.. I HAVE LESS THAN 15,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND WITH THIS PROBLEM IT FEELS LIKE I AM DRIVING A CAR WITH 150,000 MILES ON IT... I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE NOR SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR... PLEASE HELP... I HAVE CALLED LEXUS 2 DAYS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF MY CAR WHEN I FIRST FELT THE IRREGULAR SHIFTING PATTERNS.. THINKING IT WOULD GET BETTER I WAITED UNTIL MY 1000 MILE SERVICE CHECK TO BRING IT UP A AGAIN.. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10135696

Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2005
Unknown Or OtherCrash

CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING AUTO SAFETY.*MR THE CONSUMER IS COMPLAINING ABUT AN INSURANCE COMPANY WHO WANTS TO USE A PRE-OWNED SAFETY BAR TO FIX DAMAGE THE CONSMER'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED BY ONE OF THEIR CLIENTS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10134564

50 miles · Aug 17, 2005
Power Train

THE CAR HESITATES WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND THEN IT LURCHES INTO GEAR. IT HAS ALSO PULLED TO THE LEFT SINCE WE BOUGHT IT DESPITES NUMEROUS REPAIR ATTEMPTS. WE ARE CURRENTLY ENAGED IN A LEMON LAWSUIT REGARDING THIS ISSUE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10133241

2,000 miles · Jul 18, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

2004 LEXUS ES 330 HAS SEVERE HESITATION AND SURGING PROBLEMS WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE UNDER TRAFFIC CONDITIONS SUCH AS MERGING ONTO FREEWAY WHERE YOU MIGHT NEED TO SLOW AND THEN ACCELERATE. WE EXPERIENCED DANGEROUS SITUATIONS DUE TO HESITATION AND THEN SUDDEN SURGE. SECOND TRIP TO DEALER AND THEY SAY IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM AND …

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2004 LEXUS ES 330 HAS SEVERE HESITATION AND SURGING PROBLEMS WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE UNDER TRAFFIC CONDITIONS SUCH AS MERGING ONTO FREEWAY WHERE YOU MIGHT NEED TO SLOW AND THEN ACCELERATE. WE EXPERIENCED DANGEROUS SITUATIONS DUE TO HESITATION AND THEN SUDDEN SURGE. SECOND TRIP TO DEALER AND THEY SAY IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I BELIEVE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ENFORCED. LEXUS SEEMS TO THINK IT IS ONLY AN INCONVENIENCE.

NHTSA ODI #10129267

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

DT: CONSUMER'S WIFE GOT INTO THE VEHICLE AND REVERSED, THEN PUT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE. AT THAT TIME, IT CONTINUED TO GO BACKWARDS. SHE THEN CALLED THE CONSUMER AND HE CALLED THE AUTO CLUB, A WRECKER CAME OUT, AND THE SERVICE MAN PUT A BLOCK BEHIND THE WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE WENT FORWARD IN DRIVE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTE…

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DT: CONSUMER'S WIFE GOT INTO THE VEHICLE AND REVERSED, THEN PUT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE. AT THAT TIME, IT CONTINUED TO GO BACKWARDS. SHE THEN CALLED THE CONSUMER AND HE CALLED THE AUTO CLUB, A WRECKER CAME OUT, AND THE SERVICE MAN PUT A BLOCK BEHIND THE WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE WENT FORWARD IN DRIVE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED AT THIS TIME, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT LEFT. YESTERDAY, THE VEHICLE WENT BACKWARDS IN DRIVE AGAIN. HE HAS CONTACTED SANTA MONICA LEXUS AND THEY WERE SENDING OUT A DIAGNOSTIC EXPERT TO CHECK THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME WAS A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10128911

8,000 miles · Jun 29, 2005
Power TrainService Brakes, AirSteering

I NOT LONGER HAVE CONFIDENCE IN DRIVING MY LEXUS 2004 ES330 WITH 12,500 MILES DUE TO 2 MAIN REASONS. (A) THIS CAR CONTINUE TO PULL TO THE LEFT TO THE POINT THAT I MUST CONTINUALLY PUT PRESSURE TO THE STEERING WHEEL SO THE CAR WONT MOVE TO THE LEFT. THIS IS HAPPENING EVEN AFTER THE DEALER HAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED ISSUE. (B) T…

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I NOT LONGER HAVE CONFIDENCE IN DRIVING MY LEXUS 2004 ES330 WITH 12,500 MILES DUE TO 2 MAIN REASONS. (A) THIS CAR CONTINUE TO PULL TO THE LEFT TO THE POINT THAT I MUST CONTINUALLY PUT PRESSURE TO THE STEERING WHEEL SO THE CAR WONT MOVE TO THE LEFT. THIS IS HAPPENING EVEN AFTER THE DEALER HAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED ISSUE. (B) THE VERY WELL KNOWN TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN MANY INSTANCES WHERE YOU NEED TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC AND THE CAR DOES NOT RESPONDED TO THE GAS PEDAL. THE SYMPTOM IS VERY NOTICEABLE WHEN YOU ARE ON STOP AND GO TRAFFIC OR IN SLOW TRAFFIC. I URGE YOUR AGENCY TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER BEFORE ANY CASUALTY OCCURS. LEXUS NORMAL RESPONSE IS THAT THE CAR IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE DEALER MUST HAVE BEEN TOLD TO EXPRESS THE SAME LINE AS THEY ALWAYS HAVE THE SAME ANSWER FOR ANYTHING THEY DO NOT HAVE A SOLUTION FOR.

NHTSA ODI #10126975

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

CONSUMER IS REQUESTING INFORMATION REGARDING THE STATUS OF THE REVIEW OF THE 2004 LEXUS EX 330 ACCELERATION DELAY PROBLEM.*MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED AN ACCELERATION DELAY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN, LIKE WHEN APPROACHING A HIGHWAY ON RAMP, THEN ACCELERATED TO GET INTO TRAFFIC, THERE …

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CONSUMER IS REQUESTING INFORMATION REGARDING THE STATUS OF THE REVIEW OF THE 2004 LEXUS EX 330 ACCELERATION DELAY PROBLEM.*MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED AN ACCELERATION DELAY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN, LIKE WHEN APPROACHING A HIGHWAY ON RAMP, THEN ACCELERATED TO GET INTO TRAFFIC, THERE WAS AN 1.5 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10125854

Official recalls

1

04V595000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

Dec 15, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT PASSENGER POWER SEAT, WHEN INSTALLING CERTAIN REAR-FACING INFANT CHILD SEAT BASES ONTO THE SEAT WITH AN EXCESSIVELY HIGH SEATBELT TENSION, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO UNSEAT A COMPONENT CALLED THE BUCKLE STATUS SWITCH FROM THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE SWITCH BECOMES UNSEATED, THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM MAY MISTAKE THE REAR-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT FOR AN UNBELTED ADULT OCCUPANT, AND MAY NOT SUPPRESS THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT BUCKLE STATUS SWITCH. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (SSC 40M) BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987..

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP05002 · Vehicle Speed Control

Opened Aug 5, 2005 · Closed Jan 5, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control

IN A LETTER DATED JULY 8, 2005, AND AFTER EXPERIENCING TWO INCIDENTS (AND ONE CRASH) WHERE HE ALLEGES HIS MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002 CAMRY ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT, MR. JORDAN ZIPRIN PETITIONED THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION?S (NHTSA) OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) TO COMMENCE A PROCEEDING TO DETERMINE THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT WITHIN THE ETC SYSTEM IN MY 2002 TO 2005 TOYOTA AND LEXUS VEHICLES, OR TO REOPEN A PRIOR INVESTIGATION PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE) 04-021.IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 18, 2005, MR. ZIPRIN AMENDED HIS PETITION TO INCLUDE ALLEGATIONS OF INTERRELATED BRAKE AND ACCELERATION PROBLEMS THAT ALLEGEDLY RESULT IN INAPPROPRIATE AND UNCONTROLLABLE VEHICLE ACCELERATIONS.THE 1172 VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE REPORTS CITED BY THE PETITIONER INVOLVE 4 LEXUS AND 15 TOYOTA MODELS DEFINING A POPULATION OF 7 MILLION VEHICLES.THE REPORTS TYPICALLY ALLEGED A DEFECT IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM, THE THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM, OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH SYSTEMS.IN ITS REVIEW OF THE REPORTS, ODI A) FAILED TO FIND EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE EXISTENCE OF A BRAKE RELATED DEFECT IN THE CITED MODELS, AND B) DETERMINED THAT MANY CITED PRODUCTS WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH ETC.ACCORDINGLY, ODI RESTRICTED ITS ANALYSIS TO THE 432 PETITIONER REPORTS INVOLVING MY 2002 TO 2005 CAMRY, SOLARA, AND ES MODELS (ALL EQUIPPED WITH ETC) THAT ALLEGED AN ABNORMAL THROTTLE CONTROL EVENT (SEE THE JANUARY 3, 2006 FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE FOR FURTHER DETAILS).ABOUT 40% OF THE 432 REPORTS INVOLVE A DRIVEABILITY CONCERN WHERE THE OPERATOR INTENTIONALLY APPLIES THE THROTTLE PEDAL, IN EXPECTATION THAT THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE, AND THEN EXPERIENCES A DELAY OR HESITATION IN VEHICLE RESPONSE.THESE REPORTS INVOLVE VEHICLE RESPONSE TO INTENTIONAL DRIVER COMMANDS WHICH ODI CONSIDERS UNRELATED TO THE ALLEGATIONS RAISED BY THE PETITIONER.THEREFORE, THE REPORTS DO NOT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED.ABOUT 20% OF THE REPORTS INVOLVE INCIDENTS WHERE OPERATORS ALLEGE VEHICLE ACCELERATION WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT AND AN INABILITY OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WHEN APPLIED.NEITHER THE REPORTS, NOR THE INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED BY ODI, IDENTIFIED ANY VEHICLE-BASED CAUSE TO EXPLAIN THE INCIDENTS OR DISCLOSED EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THAT A FAILURE OF THE BRAKE OR THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM HAD OCCURRED.BECAUSE THESE REPORTS DO NOT INDICATE A DISTINCT SAFETY DEFECT FOR INVESTIGATION, THE REPORTS DO NOT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED BY THE PETITIONERTHE REMAINING REPORTS (~ 40%, SIMILAR TO THE PETITIONER?S AND THOSE OF PE04-021) TYPICALLY DESCRIBE INCIDENTS WHERE A VEHICLE IS BEING MANEUVERED AT SLOW SPEED IN A CLOSE QUARTER SITUATION AT WHICH POINT THE OPERATOR ALLEGES THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT AND CRASHES.IN THE AFTERMATH, OPERATORS ARE UNSURE OF WHETHER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED OR NOT, SOMETIMES STATING THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT TIME TO USE THE BRAKE; A CRASH OCCURRED AND THE OPERATOR BELIEVES AN UNCOMMANDED ACCELERATION CAUSED IT.IN SPITE OF THE EFFORT EXPENDED DURING PE04-021 AND DURING THIS ANALYSIS, ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED ANY VEHICLE-BASED CAUSE TO EXPLAIN THE REPORTS, OR UNCOVERED ANY EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THAT A THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE OCCURRED.THEREFORE, THE REPORTS HAVE AMBIGUOUS SIGNIFICANCE AND DO NOT CONSTITUTE A BASIS ON WHICH ANY FURTHER INVESTIGATIVE ACTION IS WARRANTED.BASED ON THE ANALYSIS CONDUCTED, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.CONSEQUENTLY, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES T