2005 Lexus ES330

Routine

Owners filed 141 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the throttle and acceleration. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
33,000 milesMedian miles at failure

104 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 0–10,000 miles.

Most common 2005 Lexus ES330 problems

43 of the 141 complaints (30%) are about the throttle and acceleration.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration38
1807
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission31
000
Air Bags · airbags15
708
Power Train · transmission9
000
Electrical System7
000
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal · throttle and acceleration5
300
Service Brakes · brakes5
311
Engine and Engine Cooling · engine4
000
Unknown or Other3
000
Structure · body and frame2
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Engine and Engine Cooling11V539000
Filed Nov 9, 2011420,326 vehiclesToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Defect. 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 MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH THE 1MZ-FE OR 3MZ-FE ENGINE. THE AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE AGENT APPLIED BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE TORSIONAL RUBBER DAMPER (INNER RING) IN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THE ADHESIVE IS INSUFFICIENT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE OUTER RING MAY BECOME MISALIGNED AND IT MAY NOT PROPERLY ROTATE WITH THE INNER RING, CAUSING NOISE AND/OR ILLUMINATION OF THE BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR LIGHT.

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 STEERING EFFORT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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 NEW ONE AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING EARLY JANUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly04V595000
Filed Dec 15, 2004150,061 vehiclesToyota Motor North America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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..

All 2 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed May 29, 2019101,000 milesNY

PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT ON WHEN SEATED

Air Bags
Filed Feb 28, 201980,000 milesCA

THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE COMPLAIN ANOTHER CAR OWNER HAS FILED. MY CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM THE LEXUS OF PLEASONTON,CA DEALERSHIP. I HAVE HAD NO MAJOR ACCIDENT OR NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. CAR HAS BEEN LIGHTLY USED WITH 80K MILES ON THE ODOMETER CURRENTLY. THE AIRBAG CONTAINER ON THE PASSENGER DASH HAS PROGRESSIVELY CRACKED AT THE TOPICAL SEAMS OVER TIME. I HAVE BEEN TOLD AN AIRBAG SHOULD NOT LOOK LIKE THIS. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT AN UNTIMELY DEPLOYMENT AND IF THE CONTAINER WILL GET WORSE. AT NO TIME HAS THE AIRBAG BEEN MANIPULATED, REPAIRED, ETC SINCE MY OWNERSHIP.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 18, 201945,000 milesTN

THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM THE LEXUS OF MEMPHIS DEALERSHIP AS USED IN 2010. I HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENTS OR AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I AM.NOT AWARE OF ANY A EVIDENT HISTORY FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER. THE AIRBAG CONTAINER ON THE PASSENGER DASH HAS PROGRESSIVELY CRACKED AT THE TOPICAL SEAMS OVER TIME. I HAVE BEEN TOLD AN AIRBAG SHOULD NOT LOOK LIKE THIS. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT AN UNTIMELY DEPLOYMENT AND IF THE CONTAINER WILL GET WORSE. AT NO TIME HAS THE AIRBAG BEEN MANIPULATED, REPAIRED, ETC SINCE MY OWNERSHIP.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jul 25, 2018OH

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND WHEN THE DIGANOISED CODE CHECK IS PERFORMED "NO CODES APPEAR," BUT I DO HAVE A POWER STEERING LEAKAGE AND I HEAR THE POWER STEERING NOISE WHEN I AM TURNING AND FROM THE RECALL 11V53900 11/09/2011 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING ITS A HUGE PROBLEM. I CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WHERE NO HELP! I CALLED FOR SERVICING AND THEY STATED ON MY VIN THERE IS NO RECALL BUT ON THE NHTSA THERE POPS UP THIS RECALL SO NO COOL. I AM GOING TO WAIT UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS AND SUE THE HELL OUT OF LEXUS FOR REFUSING TO SERVICE MY VEHICLE AND NEGLECTING THE ISSUES WHEN I CALLED AND ALL THE CALLS ARE RECORDED. TROUBLE & HORRIBLE SERVICE I AM NOT A SATISFIED CUSTOMER. I GUESS YOU NEED TO BE IN CERTAIN FINANCIAL BRACKET TO RECEIVE EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 17, 2018TX

PASSENGER AIRBAG ON THE DASHBOARD IS OPENING, AND MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN IMPACT.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Oct 24, 2017169,000 milesNJ

TAMARA RECALL ON MY AIRBAGS,NEVER REPAIRED. I GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT AND AIRBAGS DIDN'T COME OUT. HAVE TO REPLACE BRAKES EVERY FEW MONTHS ON THIS CAR ALSO

Air Bags
Filed Sep 8, 201783,000 milesMD

FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG COVER APPEARS TO BE SEPARATED ALONG THE SEAM NEAR WINDSHIELD ON DASHBOARD AND THERE IS A WIDER GAP ON THAT SIDE VS THE SIDE CLOSEST PASSENGER. I'VE NOT SEEN THIS BEFORE IN ANY OF MY OTHER LEXUS VEHICLES AND IT'S CAUSE FOR CONCERN OF SAFETY AS A RESULT.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 25, 2017212,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG COVER WAS BULGING AND HAD SEPARATED ALONG THE SEAM NEAREST THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DASHBOARD. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BUTLER LEXUS OF SOUTH ATLANTA (LOCATED AT 4025 JONESBORO RD, UNION CITY, GA 30291, (678) 783-2703) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,000. *TT *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 20, 2017LA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT AND WAS DRIVEN HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING PUMP AND ALTERNATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NEEDED TO REPLACE HER KEY WITH ANOTHER KEY CHIP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 17, 201656,000 milesFL

MY COMPLAINT IS IN REGARD TO THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR MY 2005 LEXUS ES-330. WHILE TRYING TO START MY VEHICLE THE CASE THAT HOUSES THE KEY BROKE APART. THE KEY WAS STILL IN THE IGNITION, THE CAR RUNNING, BUT THE OTHER HALF OF THE CASE WAS DANGLING FROM THE KEY ITSELF.AFTER I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE ENGINE BY TURNING IT OFF WITH THE KEY ITSELF AND GATHERING UP ALL THE PARTS OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, UPON OBSERVATION I FOUND A VERY SMALL SCREW THAT SUPPOSEDLY WAS USED TO SECURE THE SWITCH CASE TOGETHER HAD BECOME LOOSE AND THEREFORE ALLOWED THE SWITCH CASE TO BREAK OPEN FROM THE PRESSURE NEEDED TO START THE ENGINE. WITH A LITTLE BIT OF GLUE AND TRANSPARENT TAPE I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR AND DRIVE IT TO THE LOCAL LEXUS DEALER ON ATLANTIC BLVD.IN JACKSONVILLE, FL.THE SERVICE MANAGER SEEMED UNCONCERNED ABOUT MY PROBLEM, AND SPOKE MOSTLY ABOUT THE REDESIGNED SWITCH PRESENTLY AVAILABLE, AND WAS TOTALLY UNCONCERNED ABOUT MY PROBLEM. I ASKED ABOUT OTHERS WITH THE SAME TYPE KEY CASE AS MINE AND IF A REMEDY HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE SECURING OF THE SMALL SCREW THAT HOLDS THE CASE TOGETHER, HE SAID NOT HIS KNOWLEDGE. I GUESS MY QUESTION IS SIMPLY WHY NOT? THE SERVICE MANAGER IS [XXX], I WAS TOLD BY HIM MY ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO PURCHASE ANOTHER KEY AS IF THE PROBLEM WAS MINE INSTEAD OF THE DEALERS.COULD THERE BE A SAFETY CONCERN HERE? I AM [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 8, 2016120,000 milesAL

SHRINKING DASHBOARD AIRBAG COVER - THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR LEXUS OWNERS - - LEXUS SAYS THIS IS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD AND DOES NOT WARRANT REPAIR - ONLY COSMETIC. THEY ARE REPAIRING SOME DASHBOARDS FOR CRACKS ON OTHER MODELS. I NOTICED THE PROBLEM APPROXIMATELY JANUARY 2013.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 26, 201666,108 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY DISCHARGE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V539000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,108. *CONSUMER REQUEST TO WITHDRAW COMPLAINT. UPDATED 10/21/16*LJ THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO WITHDRAW THE COMPLAINT. THE ISSUE WAS FIXED. UPDATED 10/26/16.*JB

Engine
Filed Jun 23, 2016MA

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.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Apr 4, 2016WA

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 VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW YARD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 3, 201565,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE OF HIS VEHICLE, CAUSING THE HIM TO CRASH INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. THE BODY DAMAGES WERE REPAIRED BUT THE AIR BAG FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000....UPDATED 09/08/16 *BF UPDATED 09/26/16.*JB

EngineFire
Filed Oct 21, 201550,000 milesTX

ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN I NOTICED FLAMES SHOOTING OUT UNDER THE HOOD.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 26, 201573,874 milesCA

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 AND IT FELT LIKE THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK LIKE THERE WAS AN AIR BUBBLE IN THE SYSTEM. I CRASHED INTO THE HYUNDAI. TOTALED MY CAR AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR FRAME WAS BENT. CALLED THE POLICE, BUT DID NOT TAKE A REPORT SINCE NO ONE WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE. WENT DO MY DOCTOR AND REPORTED THIS TO LEXUS-INCIDENT NUMBER 150922-00272 ON 9/22/15. LEXUS WILL INSPECT THE CAR ON 10/9/15...UPDATED 10/15/15 *BF ...UPDATED 12/03/15 *BF, UPDATED 4/9/18*JB *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed May 24, 2015FL

PASSENGER AIRBAG DETERIORATION (SEPARATED) ON DASHBOARD.

Power Train
Filed May 11, 2015125,000 milesSC

DID NOT HAVE A CAR ACCIDENT, OR EXPERIENCE ANY INJURIES OR CAR DAMAGE, BUT THIS CAR, LIKE NUMEROUS OTHER CARS OF THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR HAS SOME SERIOUS TRANSMISSION/COMPUTER SOFTWARE ISSUES AT TIMES. IT HESITATES AND LURCHES OFTEN. I DROVE ON THE HIGHWAY YESTERDAY AND THE CAR ACTED UP IN THE WORST WAY EVER.BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WITH INFORMATION ON THESE SAME TRANSMISSION ISSUES PLASTERED ALL OVER THE INTERNET, YOUR ORGANIZATION WOULD MAKE TOYOTA ENGINEER A PERMANENT FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND RECALL AND FIX THESE CARS.

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Mar 25, 2015104,000 milesMD

WE WERE GOING ON A TWO WAY STREET, (OLD ANNAPOLIS ROAD, ELLICOTT CITY, MD-21042) ANOTHER CAR CROSSED THE TWO YELLOW LANES (MEDIAN) AND HIT OUR CAR HEAD- ON. THE FRONT PORTION OF OUR CAR AND THAT CAR HIT US WAS COMPLETELY DAMAGED. THE CAR BEHIND US COULD NOT STOP AND HIT OUR CAR FROM THE REAR. WE NOTED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS IN OUR 2005 LEXUS 330 DID NOT DEPLOY. WE WERE GOING ABOUT 30 MILES AND THE PERSON CAME IN TO OUR LANE MAY BE 35 TO 40 MILES. I TRIED TO APPLY THE HORN AND STOP MY VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE OTHER DRIVER PROBABLY DOZED OUT, BUT THE AIR BAGS IN HIS CAR DEPLOYED. WHY THE AIR BAGS IN OUR CAR DID NOT DEPLOY? .. UPDATED 03/31/15 *BF

Structure
Filed Mar 23, 2015CA

THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AND LOOKS TO BE EXPANDING. THIS IS HAPPENING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SEAM AND IT STARTED ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. I AM VERY CONCERN THIS MAY COMPROMISE THE AIRBAG AND SAFETY. I CALLED MY LOCAL LEXUS DEALERSHIP AND CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS AFTER HEARING ABOUT MANY OTHER MODELS BEING REPLACED BUT MY MODEL IS NOT ON THE LIST. ON CLUBLEXUS.COM, MANY USERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING BUT I AM NOT SURE IF THEY HAVE FILE A VEHICLE COMPLAINT YET. HERE IS THE LINK: HTTP://WWW.CLUBLEXUS.COM/FORUMS/ES300-AND-ES330/657687-ES330-SHRINKING-DASH-AIRBAG-COVER.HTML. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Feb 22, 2015108,000 milesMO

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS PROTRUDING. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BUT I AM NOW CONCERNED THAT IF ONE WERE TO OCUT, THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT WORK. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 22, 2015MI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REALIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 04/03/15*LJ UPDATED 9?19/2017*CN

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 1, 2014MI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 15 TO 20 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE SWERVED INTO A DIFFERENT LANE AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME FORCE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 1/7/15*CN UPDATED 9/7/2017*CN

Power Train
Filed Sep 16, 2014132,000 milesFL

1. HEADLIGHTS: BEFORE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THE BLINKING CAUTION LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT WAS WORKING FINE AND TO IGNORE THE BLINKING CAUTION LIGHT. NOTHING COULD BE DONE. I LATER RESEARCHED AND FOUND THERE ARE LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. 2. TRANSMISSION LAGS AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING THROUGH TRAFFIC CIRCLES AND GOING THROUGH BUSY INTERSECTIONS. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THIS IS NORMAL OPERATING AND TO USE A HIGHER OCTANE GAS. I AM RETURNING VEHICLE TO LEXUS. *TR

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Apr 16, 2014108,575 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330.THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO DECELERATION ATTEMPTS AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THERE WERE NOT INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,575.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 8, 201412,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING INTO A GARAGE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED THROUGH THE REAR OF THE GARAGE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE AGENCY, WHO DEEMED THE VEHICLE AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND RULED THAT THE CONTACT HAD ERRONEOUSLY ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR AS OPPOSED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, CAUSING THE ACCELERATION FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Apr 7, 2014108,575 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. DUE TO THE FAILURE THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PROCEEDING VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE INTERFERENCE OF THE FLOOR MAT THAT WAS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED AND SECURED BY THE DESIGNED HOOKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,575. UPDATED 5/27/14*CN CONSUMER HANDWRITING IS ILLEGIBLE. UPDATED 06/12/14 UPDATED 8/15/17*CN

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Mar 6, 201411,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED WITHOUT A RESPONSE. A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE ALSO EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED REPEATEDLY HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE BEFORE CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE SUFFERED MINOR FRONT END DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 6, 2014157,000 milesCT

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, I REALIZED THAT THE PASSENGER REAR TIE ROD WAS LOOSE, MAKING STEERING CONTROL DANGEROUS. I CONTACTED CITY TIRE WHO DID THE ALIGNMENT OVER 16 MONTHS AGO. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT THEIR FAULT. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT. HE SAID THAT THE PERSON THAT DID THE ALIGNMENT DID NOT TIGHTENING UP THE BOLT AFTER ADJUSTING THE TIE ROD. THIS CAUSED THE THREADS ON THE TIE ROD TO WEAR OUT AND THEN THE TIE ROD TO FAIL. A NEW TIE ROD IS NEEDED. I HAVE A FRIED THAT HAS A CHEVY IMPALA 2003 THIS CAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE MANUFACTURE FOR THE PART COULD BE THE SAME FOR BOTH CARS AND THE PART COULD HAVE A DESIGN FLAW IN WHICH THE THREADS INSIDE THE ADJUSTING RODS WEAR OUT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS FOR ME. IT DOES SEEM LIKE A MINOR THING BUT IT DOES AFFECT STEERING CONTROLS WHEN IT FAILS. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 19, 2013116,113 milesWA

THE LEXUS DRIVER (DRIVER 1) WAS HEADING SOUTHBOUND ON 112TH AVE SE (IN NEWCASTLE, WA) APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION WITH SE 64TH ST. SHE PASSED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AS IT WAS CLEAR AND SHE HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY AS THE STOP SIGN WAS INTENDED FOR THE DRIVER WHO HIT HER. THE 2ND DRIVER SAID HE FORGOT TO LOOK TO HIS LEFT AND ACCELERATED FORWARD INTO HIS LEFT TURN ONTO 112TH AVE SE. DRIVER 2 HIT DRIVER 1 IN THE RIGHT FRONT BUMPER. THE AIRBAG FAILED DEPLOY CAUSING THE DRIVER 1 TO SUSTAIN MULTIPLE SEVERE INJURIES. SUCH AS, NECK, SHOULDER, BACK, RIBS, TORSO, SPINE INJURIES ETC.... *TR

Power Train
Filed Jun 15, 201398,083 milesNC

I DID NOT HAVE A CAR ACCIDENT, OR EXPERIENCE ANY INJURIES OR CAR DAMAGE, BUT THIS CAR, LIKE NUMEROUS OTHER CARS OF THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR HAS SOME SERIOUS TRANSMISSION/COMPUTER SOFTWARE ISSUES AT TIMES. IT HESITATES AND LURCHES OFTEN, ESPECIALLY IN D4. I DROVE ON THE HIGHWAY YESTERDAY IN D4, AND THE CAR ACTED UP IN THE WORST WAY EVER. I LATER TRIED DRIVING IN D, AND THE CAR DID BETTER IN TOWN AND ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WITH INFORMATION ON THESE SAME TRANSMISSION ISSUES PLASTERED ALL OVER THE INTERNET, YOUR ORGANIZATION WOULD MAKE TOYOTA ENGINEER A PERMANENT FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND RECALL AND FIX THESE CARS. BY THE WAY, THIS CAR HAD THE LEXUS SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR ITS TRANSMISSION ISSUES LAST SUMMER, AND I ONLY USE THE HIGHEST OCTANE GASOLINE. THE CAR ACTUALLY BELONGS TO MY ELDERLY MOTHER, WHICH MAKES ME VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF HER HAVING AN ACCIDENT, OR COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE LEAVING HER STRANDED SOMEWHERE. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 11, 201330,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE NOTICED CRACKS ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE DASHBOARD WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. *TR UPDATED 9/17/13*CN

Service BrakesCrashFire1 injured
Filed Jan 31, 201378,557 milesCA

CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MPH TWO BLOCKS AWAY FROM HOME. WHILE APPROACHING AND PREPARING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN, NOTICED THE INABILITY OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM WHEN APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PADDLE, VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. AT THIS POINT, VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UNINTENDED (WITHOUT INPUT ON ACCELERATOR), CAUSING TO RAPIDLY SURGE AND LAUNCH STRAIGHT AHEAD UNCONTROLLABLE AT A HIGH SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 55 TO 60 MPH, WHICH RESULTED THE CONTACT TO CRASH THOUGH A CUL-DE-SAC BLOCK (BRICK) WALL, BRICKS EXPLODED AND LANDED ON TOP OF ANOTHER PARTY?S PARKED VEHICLE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO FENDER. AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED. CONTACT WAS TAKEN VIA AMBULANCE TO LOCAL HOSPITAL FOR EXAMINATION OF INJURIES, RELEASED SAME DAY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED ON THE INCIDENT. FOR VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A STORAGE FACILITY. INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED VEHICLE TO BE TOTALED DUE TO MAJOR BODY DAMAGES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,557. *TR

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Jan 29, 2013100,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER REAR WINDOW MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT EXPLAINED THAT THE WINDOW WOULD OPEN INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO CLOSE IT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Dec 18, 2012CA

ON DECEMBER 5TH, 2012 AROUND 1:50 PM IN THE AFTERNOON, I DROVE THE CAR TO PICK UP OUR NEPHEW FROM SCHOOL. WHILE I WAS SLOWING DOWN AND LOOKING FOR A PARKING PLACE SUDDENLY THE CAR SPED UP AND ACCELERATED! EVEN THOUGH I APPLIED HARD ON THE BRAKE THE CAR KEPT RUNNING VERY FAST AND ONLY STOPPED WHEN IT HIT BUSHES AND THE HOUSE ON THE RIGHT OF THE ROAD. I WAS LUCKY THAT NO KIDS CAME OUT FROM SCHOOL YET AND NO OTHER CARS WERE NEARLY SO DAMAGES ONLY CAUSED TO THE CAR AND THE PROPERTY.

Power Train
Filed Aug 29, 201222,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED EXTREMELY HARD, CAUSING THE PASSENGERS TO BE THROWN FORWARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES AND BECAME WORSE WITH EACH INCIDENT. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A REMEDY FOR THE ISSUE BUT THE REMEDY WOULD DESTROY THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 10/11/12*LJ

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 19, 201273,400 milesMO

I WAS DRIVING UP THE STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 25MPH, IN A 2005 LEXUS ES330, WHEN A 74 YEAR OLD LADY PULLED OUT OF HER DRIVEWAY RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. NEEDLESS TO SAY, WE WERE INVOLVED IN A WRECK. MY 2 FRONT TEETH HIT THE STEERING WHEEL KNOCKING THEM COMPLETELY OUT! THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE GONE ONLINE & SEE THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS YEAR, MAKE & MODEL VEHICLE & THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. I FEEL THAT HAD THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED I WOULD NOT BE GOING THROUGH ORAL SURGERY TO HAVE TEETH IMPLANTED. THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK AT THIS ISSUE, AS THE WRECK COULD'VE RESULTED IN A FATALITY, & THE FACT THAT THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. *TR

Power Train
Filed May 14, 201261,203 milesVA

WHEN I PRESS THE ACCELORATOR THERE IS A HESITATION IN THE CAR SPEEDING UP AND WHILE DRIVING THERE IS SOMETIMES THAT SAME HESITATION. *JS

Power Train
Filed Mar 23, 201252,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP AND ALSO WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Power Train
Filed Feb 9, 201261,500 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT THE SPEEDS OF 30 MPH APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT GEARS , BUT THE SPEED WOULD NOT INCREASE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,500 THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Jan 17, 201250,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF HIS VEHICLE, CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF A PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT AND A PASSENGER WERE INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 12, 201156,000 milesNY

THE END OF JULY 2011 I HAD NOTICED A DASHBOARD LIGHT GO ON. WARNING THAT THE AIR BAG WAS NOT ACTIVE. I HAD A SICKNESS IN THE FAMILY AND COULD NOT BRING THIS VEHICLE IN TO EDISON LEXUS UNTIL 8/23/2011 TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND FIXED. LEXUS OF EDISON SAID IF I REPLACE THE ORIGINAL BATTERY ES 330 IT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SEAT SENSOR. I DID THAT FOR ABOUT $160.00 THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM! LEXUS OF EDISON SAID THAT SENSOR IS PART OF THE SEAT FRAME AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST TO ME OF $ 3,359.50 . I CALLED LEXUS DIRECTLY AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD HELP PAY HALF . I SAID TO LEXUS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THIS PART SHOULD NEVER FAIL. THIS SHOULD BE THE MANUFACTURERS RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE LEXUS FEDERAL SAFETY COMPONENTS US WARRANTY FOR 96 MONTHS AND 80,000 MILES,AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS IS 72 MONTHS AND 70,000 MILES . AND WHEN I HAD TAKEN THE ES330 TO THEM IT WAS IN THE ABOVE TIMEFRAME. I HAD ONLY APPROXIMATELY 56,224 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. *KB

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 8, 2011OR

TRANSMISSION JERKING AND HESITATION. PROBLEM INCREASING STEADILY FOR THE PAST YEAR. WE ARE EXPERIENCING HESITATION WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC AND JUST WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 35-40 MPH. UPDATED 09/16/11 *BF

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 6, 201183,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK GEAR AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 5, 20111,000 milesMI

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY ROUGH, UP-SHIFT AND DOWN-SHIFT SINCE VEHICLE WAS NEW. DOCUMENTED/REPORTED PROBLEM AT EVERY SERVICE CHECK. WAS TOLD SOFTWARE HAD BEEN 'ADJUSTED/RESET' AND THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR THE CAR. AS THE CAR IS AGING PROBLEM IS BECOMING MORE PRONOUNCED AND ROUGH/HARD SHIFTING IS ESCALATING. *TT

Structure
Filed Jun 17, 201191,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG WAS SEPARATING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG AND FOUND THE AIR BAG WAS SEPARATING FROM THE ENCLOSED DASHBOARD. THE DEALER STATED THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD ASSIST WITH SOME OF THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,100. UPDATED 07/26/11 *BF UPDATED 08/19/11

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 17, 2011132,000 milesCA

LEXUS ACCELERATED FROM 70 TO 85 MPH. ON FREEWAY BRAKE AND EMERGENCY BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK OR SLOW THE CAR DOWN. PUT THE CAN IN NEUTRAL AND WENT UP ELEVATED A FREEWAY TRANSITION ROAD. CAR WAS AT 4RPMS. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Jan 28, 2011105,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING CRASHING INTO A STEEL POLE AND DAMAGING THE ENTIRE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT SHE WOULD BE NOTIFIED AT A LATER DATE OF THE RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 13, 2010PA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC ARRIVED TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY IN COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.

Complaints 1-50 of 141, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2004
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20101000Routine
200664011Fatalities reported
2005 — this page141220Routine
2004174220Routine

Compare every ES330 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Nov 9, 2011. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.