no report yet
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. IN SOME CASES, THE BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PULLEY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND A SUDDEN INCREASE IN…
2005 Lexus ES330Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 141 owner complaints about the 2005 Lexus ES330, most often about the vehicle speed control. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 29, 2019. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2005 Lexus ES330 has problems
141 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
51Vehicle speed control23 crash/fire/injury
43Power train1 crash/fire/injury
17Air bags8 crash/fire/injury
9Engine and engine cooling
8Electrical system
7Service brakes
4Service brakes, hydraulic
4Steering
3Structure
2416 other systems6 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 51 | 23 |
| Power train | 43 | 1 |
| Air bags | 17 | 8 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 5 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 4 | 1 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 |
| 16 other systems | 24 | 6 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2005 Lexus ES330 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
Front: buckle assembly
Risk. IF THE SWITCH BECOMES UNSEATED, THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM MAY MISTAKE THE REAR-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT FOR AN UNBELTED ADULT OCCUPANT,…
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.
Mileage at failure
When do vehicle speed control problems start?
24kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 41 vehicle speed control complaints. 93% were reported before 100,000 miles.
25under 30k miles38under 100k miles3100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2005 vs. every other ES330 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 ES330 median. How we score
'04'05'06'10
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2005 Lexus ES330 safety ratings
2005 Lexus ES330 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2005 Lexus ES330, and the recalls they led to.
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLNo recall
In owners' words
What ES330 owners report
Recent vehicle speed control complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
THE AUTOMOBILE SEEMS ACCELLERATE JUST A LITTLE BIT.WHEN YOU ARE STEPPING ON THE GAS IT, KIND OF JUMPS FORWARD SOME, WITHOUT PUTTING MORE PRESSURE TO THE PEDAL.IN MOTION AT ANY SPEED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 LEXUS ES330. WHILE REVERSING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, THE VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARDS AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, DROVE OVER A CURB, AND THEN ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A RESTAURANT AND THREE PARKED VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE…
AS CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON BRAKES TO AVOID TWO TEENAGERS RUNNING ACROSS IN FRONT OF HER, I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES AND THE CAR ACCELERATED FROM 20-30. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE SEAT BELT ENGAGE AND LOCK TO PREVENT ME FROM SLAMMING INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE ABS BRAKES WERE SLAMMED…
Own a 2005 ES330?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.