2005 Lexus RX

Routine

Owners filed 27 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 1 time.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags5
000
Unknown or Other4
000
Steering2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder2
000
Service Brakes2
100
Power Train › Automatic Transmission2
000
Exterior Lighting2
000
Wheels1
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
001
Tires › Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire1
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder10V499000
Filed Oct 21, 2010728,544 vehiclesToyota Motor North America, Inc.

Defect. TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 LEXUS RX, AND MODEL YEAR 2006 LEXUS GS AND IS VEHICLES. BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING POLYMERS IS USED THAT ACTS AS LUBRICANTS FOR CERTAIN BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF REPLACEMENT BRAKE FLUID IS USED THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN SUCH POLYMERS, OR THAT CONTAINS ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS, A PART OF THE RUBBER SEAL LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY BECOME DRY, AND THE SEAL MAY CURL DURING MOVEMENT OF THE PISTON. IF THIS OCCURS, A SMALL AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID COULD SLOWLY LEAK FROM THE SEAL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Risk. A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID COULD LEAD TO A CHANGE IN BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND OVERTIME A DEGRADATION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAL WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 AND LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

What owners reported

Newest filings
EngineFire
Filed Nov 20, 2025CA

My vehicle caught fire a few days after being repaired by a licensed repair shop in California. The repair was performed by: Brodie's Tire & Automotive Address: 1276 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma, CA 94952 Phone: [XXX] After the fire, the repair shop admitted in writing that: • The intake manifold melted after the fire • The engine became “not repairable” • The fire occurred shortly after their repair • They offered to “fix it for free,” which indicates awareness of responsibility The fire caused severe heat damage to the engine compartment, electrical wiring, and surrounding components. The vehicle became unsafe to drive, and the engine can no longer operate. This incident presents a serious safety hazard because the fire happened shortly after a repair that involved components near the engine and fuel system. Improper or unsafe repair work may cause similar fires for other consumers. This incident is already under active investigation by: • California Department of Insurance (CDI) – Complaint #XXX• California Bureau of Automotive Repair (DCA/BAR) – Case No: XXX I am reporting this to NHTSA because the fire and melted engine components indicate a dangerous defect tied to improper repair work, which may pose a risk to other drivers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Tires › Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
Filed Oct 4, 2025MD

Unexpectedly found steel cable has snapped off & the spare tire was gone Like to report this could be a safety issue leading to an accident for fellow driver.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 5, 202580,000 milesFL

The contact owns a 2005 Lexus RX 330. The contact stated that there were horizontal and vertical cracks on the dashboard near the passenger’s side air bag housing. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was concerned about the safety of the driver’s and passenger’s side air bags. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 31, 2024OH

Over past month Dashboard where airbag is under has become discolored and is CRACKING as if AIRBAG wants out. Other 2005 Toyota vehicles have been recalled bc of Dangerous AIRBAG issues. Should the AIRBAGS in 2005 Lexus’ be too? Afraid to drive now.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder
Filed Nov 30, 2023210,000 milesGA

The contact owns a 2005 Lexus RX330. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle was slow to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the Duralast brake master cylinder was inoperable. The contact was informed that the piston in the brake master cylinder had become dislodged, causing the braking system to become less efficient. The mechanic replaced the part. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 210,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder
Filed Nov 30, 2023GA

An AutoZone, Durlast brand brake master cylinder failed in less than one year. The piston in the master cylinder dislodged, preventing proper braking in at least two of the four disc brake calipers. The Duralast master cylinder has been retained for inspection. The safety of the driver, passengers, other motorists and pedestrians were placed at risk due to the malfunction of the shoddily manufactured brake component. Braking distance and stopping efficiency were adversely affected. The problem was confirmed by the automobile repair center. The manufacturer has, so far, failed to contact me about the defective brake component. No warning lamps or messages were associated with the master cylinder failure.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 20, 2022OR

FRONT DASHBOARD CRACKING AND PEELING OFF - HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICES BUT HAVE SEEN THIS ISSUE APPEAR ON OTHERS COMPLAINTS. WE HAVE HEARD THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS BUT HAVE RECEIVED NO NOTICES TO DATE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE REPAIRED

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 19, 2021FL

2005 LEXUS RX 330 Vin# [XXX] Problem: Dashboard crack and peel all over the surface happened on January 2021.I might be eligible for Lexus to cover this approximate $ 800.00 repair at no charge to me. This is WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTIFICATION. Letter I never get from LEXUS. List of Models Lexus IS covering under this warranty Enhancement 2007-2008 ES 350 2003-2008 GX 470 2004-2006 RX330 2007-2009 RX 350 2005-2008 RX 400h My warranty expire on august 2017 The Dash start cracking and peeling on 2021. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Service BrakesCrash
Filed May 6, 2020100,000 milesCO

PULLING IN TO A PARKING SLOT AT DENTAL OFFICE, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SUDDENLY REVVED AND ACCELERATED FORWARD AT A HIGH SPEED. WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR DID NOT STOP UNTIL HITTING THE ROCK WALL SIDE OF THE BUILDING. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 18, 2020215,216 milesCA

BRAKE PEDAL GOES SOFT WHILE HOLDING BRAKES ON AT A STOP. THE CAR WILL START TO ROLL FORWARD UNLESS MORE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE IS APPLIED. BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. PUMPING THE BRAKES RESTORES PRESSURE. MY SHOP BLED THE BRAKES TWICE AND FOUND NO AIR IN THE SYSTEM. BLEEDING DID NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE. THEY SAID THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE MASTER CYLINDER AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED... *TR

Steering
Filed Nov 10, 2019121,000 milesNC

THE RX330 WAS SEEN AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AROUND 121,000 MILES FOR BRAKE PADS AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE & INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THERE WAS A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK AND IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE RACK/PINION TO A TUNE OF AROUND $2,000! THE SERVICE WAS DECLINED AND THE OWNER WAS INFORMED IT MIGHT BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE STEERING COULD LOCK UP, MAKING IT MORE PROBABLE FOR AN ACCIDENT TO OCCUR. AT PRESENT, THE OWNER IS ADDING PS FLUID TO THE VEHICLE WHEN IT RUNS LOW AND HOPING FOR THE BEST. A FEW MECHANICS HAVE COMMENTED THIS MIGHT BE THE LESS EXPENSIVE OPTION. HOWEVER, WITH A BROKEN RACK/PINION, IT MAKES THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO RESALE. MECHANICS ARE BECOMING MORE AND MORE AWARE OF THIS COSTLY MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE 2005 LEXUS. ONE MECHANIC COMMENTED THERE IS A WEAK SPOT IN THE R&P WHICH GIVES, CAUSING THIS PROBLEM.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 11, 201915,000 milesCT

ERROR MESSAGE HAS APPEARED REGARDING PASSENGER AIR BAG. AIRBAG ON/OFF INDICATOR GOES ON AND OFF WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING ON FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SEATBELT WARNING SIGNAL STARTING RINGING WHEN PASSENGER REMOVED SEATBELT AND EXITED THE CAR. STOPED WHEN I PRESSED DOWN ON PASSENGER SEAT.

Air Bags
Filed May 16, 2018117,000 milesTN

MY COMPLAINT IS NOT ABOUT THE AIRBAG BUT RATHER ABOUT THE DASHBOARD PROTECTING THE AIRBAG! LEXUS IS AWARE OF CRACKING DASHBOARDS IN THE RX SINCE THEY ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO REPLACE THESE DASHBOARDS THAT EXPIRED 05/31/2017! MY DASHBOARD DID NOT START CRACKING UNTIL APRIL 2018 AND HAS NOW STARTED CRACKING IN 5 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS IN JUST THE LAST MONTH, THREE OF WHICH ARE IN PROXIMITY TO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC FOR AN ESTIMATE TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG HE MENTIONED THE SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE DASHBOARD DEVELOPING CRACKS IN THE AREA THAT PROTECTS THE AIRBAG. HE SAID IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND RECOMMENDED THAT I CONTACT NHTSA WITH A COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. I PURCHASED THIS 2005 MODEL IN DEC 2004 AND IT HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT THE WHOLE TIME SO THESE CRACKS ARE AGE RELATED NOT WEATHER RELATED.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 24, 2017194,583 milesCA

OBDII MONITOR READS "NOT READY" FOR THE CATALYST INSPECTION CATEGORY DURING SMOG CHECK. CAR WILL NOT PASS SMOG.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 30, 2017104,000 milesCA

HEADLIGHT LOWBEAM FAILURE DUE TO EXCESS WATER CONDENSATION INSIDE LIGHT ASSEMBLY. IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT LEXUS HAS KEPT SECRET THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. INSTEAD IF ISSUING AN EXPENSIVE RECALL ON ALL THE YEARS AFFECTED, THEY SIMPLY FIXED AS THE CARS CAME IN WITH THE PROBLEM. THEY KNOW THAT IT IS CHEAPER FOR THEM TO DO SO IN THAT MANNER BECAUSE MOST LEXUS OWNERS GARAGE THEIR VEHICLES AND WONT HAVE THE FAILURE UNTILL IT IS TOO LATE. THEIR PROGRAM TO FIX THE PROBLEM ENDS WITHIN A 10 YEAR PERIOD. CAN YOU INVESTIGATE AND FORCE LEXUS TO ISSUE A RECALL ON ALL CARS AFFECTED REGARDLESS AGE OR OWNERSHIP. MY LIGHTS FAILED DURING THE RAIN AT NIGHTWHILE GOING HOME. IT REALLY IS A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 22, 2016MD

TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. FLUID LEAKING. TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES ARE STATIONED ON THE BOTTOM FRAME OF THE VEHICLE - IN A PLACE WHERE THE EFFECTS FROM ROAD SALT AND WATER ARE THE MOST EXTREME.

Structure
Filed Oct 14, 201445,000 milesFL

THE DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND CRACKING. IT STARTED BACK IN 2009-2010 WHEN MY FINGERNAIL WOULD CATCH IN THE PLASTIC WHEN TURNING KEY IGNITION. NOW THERE ARE CRACKS COMPLETELY ACROSS THE DASH AND PIECES HAVE FALLEN OFF. IT IS ALSO STICKY TO THE TOUCH. HAVE BROUGHT BACK TO LEXUS DEALER AND TWICE THEY HAVE NOT COME BACK TO ME WITH A RESOLUTION FROM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. HAVE SEEN PROBLEM WITH OTHER LEXUS AND TOYOTA VEHICLES AND HAVE HAD OTHER CARS IN FL THAT HAVE NOT HAD NEVER HAD ISSUES WITH THE HEAT SUCH AS THIS. I AM THE SOLE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2005. *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 11, 201486,422 milesNJ

I WAS TOLD BY THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP THAT I HAVE A POWER STEERING RACK LEAK ON MY 2005 LEXUS RX330. TO REPAIR THE LEAK WILL COST APPROXIMATE $1700. I HAVE CONTACTED THE LEXUS MANUFACTURER DIRECTLY ABOUT THE FAILURE AND WAS INFORMED THAT WAS A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING BACK IN 2011 BUT UNFORTUNATELY MY CAR IS NOT PART OF RECALL. I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT MOST LEXUS OWNERS WERE HAVING. THIS CONFIRMS THAT THE POWER STEERING LEAK IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THEIR POWER STEERING RECALL. I HOPE NHTSA CAN INVESTIGATE INTO THIS PROBLEM FURTHER AND REQUEST LEXUS TO INCLUDE THE POWER STEERING RACK LEAK AS PART OF THE RECALL. YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. *TR

Air Bags
Filed May 23, 2014PR

THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THE AIRBAG WAS DESIGNED WITH A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF RESISTANCE FROM THE DASHBOARD. MAJOR CONCERN WITH AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SPEED WITH LESS RESISTANCE FROM DASHBOARD. ALSO CONCERN ABOUT FRAGMENTATION OF DASHBOARD DURING DEPLOYMENT. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 4, 201273,000 milesIL

LEXUS RX 330 HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS DEFECTIVE. EVERYTIME I WASH MY RX330 OR IF IT RAINS, WATER LEAK IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY CREATES MOISTURE INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS. THIS CAUSES LESS VISIBILITY AT NIGHTS AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE ARE SEVERAL HUNDRED COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON THE WEB; HOWEVER, LEXUS/TOYOTA WILL NOT RECALL THEIR DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THEY ARE EVEN RELUCTANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE. WILL APPRECIATE IF NHTSA INVESTIGATES THIS ISSUE AND TAKE NECESSARY ACTION AGAINST LEXUS ASAP. *TR

20 of 27 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2010
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20267200Routine
202518400Routine
202455400Routine
202361300Routine
202228010Routine
202169100Routine
202046100Routine
201934100Routine
201825000Routine
201747000Routine
201628000Routine
201520010Routine
201411001Fatalities reported
201319010Routine
201212000Routine
201129020Routine
201076000Routine
200934000Routine
200870020Routine
200758010Routine
200632120Routine
2005 — this page27110Routine
200440110Routine
20034000Routine
200212000Routine
200119000Routine
200029000Routine
199935000Routine

Compare every RX 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: Oct 21, 2010. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.