Menu

2005 Lexus RX330Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 165 owner complaints about the 2005 Lexus RX330, most often about the structure. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

2005 Lexus RX330
50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the RX330 median · #2 of 3 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints16524 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage65kStructure, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 28, 2021. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2005 Lexus RX330 has problems

165 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
Structure320
Exterior lighting320
Steering290
Power train184
Vehicle speed control145
Air bags146
Engine111
Electrical system71
Service brakes, hydraulic61
12 other systems312

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

3 recalls

2005 Lexus RX330 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

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 11V-539 · Nov 9, 2011 · 420,326 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Recall 11V-112 · Feb 24, 2011 · 769,379 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY TEMPORARILY BECOME STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION RATHER THAN RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Recall 06V-253 · Jul 13, 2006 · 367,594 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION MAY INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION 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.

Mileage at failure

When do structure problems start?

65kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 23 structure complaints. 74% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
3under 30k miles17under 100k miles6100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Exterior lighting

10 owners mentioned a cost

$1,700median

Middle half: $1,500 – $1,875

Steering

10 owners mentioned a cost

$1,300median

Middle half: $1,000 – $1,775

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2005 vs. every other RX330 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 RX330 median. How we score

'04'05'06'07'09'11
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2005 Lexus RX330 safety ratings

2005 Lexus RX330 4-DR w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2005 Lexus RX330, and the recalls they led to.

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

What RX330 owners report

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS RX330. THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKING. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.
Complaint 11414236 · Apr 28, 2021 · 65,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS RX330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS FRACTURED NEAR THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG HOUSING. THE DASHBOARD FRACTURE EXPANDED THROUGHOUT THE DASHBOARD AND CAUSED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG OUTLINE TO BE VISIBLE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT…
Complaint 11350449 · Aug 20, 2020 · 70,000 miles
LEXUS HAD A RECALL TO REPAIR CRACKS RAPIDLY DEVELOPING IN THE DASHBOARD. WHEN THE RECALL CAME OUT I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL HAVING CANCER SURGERY. THE DATE FOR THE RECALL HAD JUST PASSED. I CALLED LEXUS AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR TO9 THE DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND THE PROBLEM AND WROTE OF AN ESTIMATE…
Complaint 11113174 · Jul 23, 2018 · 120,000 miles

Own a 2005 RX330?

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