2005 Lexus RX330

Routine

Owners filed 165 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
80,000 milesMedian miles at failure

122 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,00090,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering25
000
Exterior Lighting21
000
Structure16
000
Unknown or Other13
402
Air Bags12
506
Vehicle Speed Control10
401
Exterior Lighting › Headlights10
000
Engine8
100
Power Train › Automatic Transmission7
000
Structure › Body6
000

3 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.

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal11V112000
Filed Feb 24, 2011769,379 vehiclesToyota Motor North America, Inc.

Defect. TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND MODEL YEAR 2004-2007 LEXUS RX330, RX350, AND RX400H VEHICLES. IF THE FORWARD RETENTION CLIP USED TO SECURE THE FLOOR CARPET COVER, WHICH IS LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE CENTER CONSOLE, IS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY THE COVER MAY LEAN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM.

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY TEMPORARILY BECOME STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION RATHER THAN RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION. A STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN UNINTENDED AND SUSTAINED VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FLOOR CARPET COVER WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE FREE OR CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal06V253000
Filed Jul 13, 2006367,594 vehiclesToyota Motor North America, Inc.

Defect. ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND HYBRID VEHICLES, THE TWO RETAINING CLIPS FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE FORWARD CENTER CONSOLE CAN BECOME LOOSE. IF BOTH CLIPS SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR CARPET COVER, THE COVER MAY LEAN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAUSING INTERFERENCE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ROD.

Risk. THIS CONDITION MAY INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO FLOOR CARPET COVER RETAINING CLIPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 24, 2006, AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY EARLY SEPTEMBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Structure › Interior Panels › Dashboard
Filed Apr 28, 202165,000 milesFL

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.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 20, 202070,000 milesFL

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 THE DASHBOARD REPLACEMENT WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED IN 2018. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF CARFAX STATES THAT ACCORDING TO THE VIN NUMBER, THE VEHICLE IS ACTUALLY A 2005 LEXUS RX330 NOT A 2010.*AS\

Steering
Filed Dec 9, 2019220,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS RX330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VSC INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE UNCONTROLLABLY. IN COLD WEATHER, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

Engine
Filed Feb 25, 2019205,000 milesIL

TIMING BELT BROKE ON THE EXPRESSWAY DRIVING 65 MPH CAUSING ME TO LOOSE POWER AND ALMOST CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING CAUSING THE CAR TO HEAT UP. THE TIMING BELT BROKE AND THE MECHANIC SAID THE CAR HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE MOTOR AND IS NOT WORTH FIXING.

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 23, 201842,000 milesIL

HELLO, THIS COMPLAINT IS NOT OF LEXUS VEHICLE I OWN. I AM FILING THE COMPLIANT ABOUT THE FIRESTONE DESTINATION LE 2 TIRES I PURCHASED FROM LOCAL FIRESTONE STORE COUPLE YEARS AGAIN. I PURCHASE 5 TIRES INCLUDING A FULL SIZE SPARE. I DID FIRST TIRE ROTATION THIS MONTH AT THE SAME STORE LOCATION. THIS MORNING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY. THE BRAND NEW SPARE TIRE ROTATED TO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE HAD A SUDDEN BLOW OUT. I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. BY THE TIME I STOPPED ON THE SHOULDER, ON SIDE OF THE TREAD WAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE WALL. I THINK THE TIRE HAS MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND WOULD LIKE TO REPORT TO YOU. IN CASE THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD NOTIFY OTHER CUSTOMERS ABOUT THE PROBLEM.

Unknown or OtherCrash
Filed Oct 29, 201891,000 milesCO

I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING MY CAR (GOING SLOW) IN FRONT OF A DRY CLEANERS AND SUDDENLY THE CAR JUST TOOK OFF AND ACCELERATED RIGHT THROUGH THE STORE FRONT. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO SHOCKED AND SCARED IN MY LIFE. DUE TO THE FORCE OF THE CAR MOVING SO FAST, I WAS NOT ABLE TO REACH THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS HURT, SINCE IT WAS A SUNDAY AND THE STORE WAS CLOSED. WITHOUT MUCH TIME TO THINK, I TOLD THE POLICE THAT MY SHOE MUST HAVE GOTTEN CAUGHT ON THE PEDAL. HOWEVER, THE MORE TIME I HAVE HAD TO THINK ABOUT IT, I DO NOT RECALL MY SHOE GETTING CAUGHT ON THE PEDAL. THIS WAS THE ONLY THING I COULD THINK OF AT THE TIME. I HAVE READ THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE WITH THE TOYOTA LEXUS INCLUDE THE RX 330 MODEL.

Tires
Filed Aug 19, 2018NV

FALKEN PRO G4 A/S 235/55/18 TIRE BLEW UP WHILE DRIVING AROUND 30 MPH

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly
Filed Jul 31, 2018CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS RX330. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE RADIATOR FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO INDICATION ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT THE VEHICLE HAD OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR ONTO THE GROUND. CROWN LEXUS (1125 SOUTH KETTERING DRIVE, ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA 91761, (909) 480-4095) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Fuel/Propulsion SystemFire
Filed Jul 28, 201868,000 milesIL

CAR WAS PARKED AND A FIRE BROKE OUT UNDERNEATH THE CAR. FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT IT OUT AND SAID THERE WAS LEAKAGE, BUT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT. I HAD CAR TOWED TO LEXUS DEALER IN LEXINGTON KY.

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 23, 2018120,000 milesVA

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 TO SUMMIT FROM HEADQUARTERS FOR COVERAGE. HEADQUARTERS GOT BACK TO ME AND SAID I WAS TOO LATE TO HAVE IT FIXED UNDER THE RECALL. THIS WAS AFTER THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD. I WROTE TO THE CEO OF LEXUS USA AND NEVER EVEN GOT THE COURTESY OF A REPLY. NOW THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING WORSE.

Wheels
Filed Jul 3, 2018170,773 milesNC

VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH TWO-PIECE STYLE LUG NUTS CONSISTING OF A PHYSICAL LUG NUT AND A DECORATIVE CAP. LUG NUTS ARE 21MM IN SIZE. OVER TIME, ESPECIALLY IN HUMID CLIMATES OR WHERE ROAD SALT IS USED, LUG NUTS SWELL BETWEEN DECORATIVE CAP AND PHYSICAL LUG NUT DUE TO CORROSION. SWELLING CAN CAUSE 21MM TOOLS INCLUDING VEHICLE LUG WRENCH TO NOT FIT ON LUG NUT. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE HAVING A FLAT TIRE WITH THIS ISSUE CAN LEAD TO BEING UNABLE TO REMOVE LUG NUTS FROM VEHICLE

Steering
Filed Jun 19, 2018130,100 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS RX330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED AND THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A LOUD NOISE WHILE BEING TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEXUS OF ANNAPOLIS (121 FERGUSON ROAD, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21409, (410)-266-3333) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED AND CAUSED THE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,100.

Power Train
Filed May 1, 201880,000 milesGA

ONE CAN SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO DIFFERENT GEARS, I.E. REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE, WITHOUT STARTING THE VEHICLE ITSELF. ONE CAN TURN OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN GEAR, I.E. REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE. HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE LISTED DATE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 26, 2018188,000 milesCA

SUNROOF SHATTERED FOR NO REASON WHILE DRIVING ON CALIFORNIA HWY 580 NEAR BERKELEY, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE, COMBINATION THUD CRACKING SOUND, THINKING THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN STRUCK, EXCEPT THE CAR WAS NOT HIT OR UNDER AN OVERPASS; THE SUNROOF HAD SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED AND BROKE INTO PIECES. LUCKILY THE COVER WAS CLOSED AND THE GLASS DID NOT FALL ON US. IT WAS BOTH SCARY AND A SHOCK THAT THIS HAPPENED. THE GLASS IS DEFECTIVE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HWY IN CLEAR CONDITIONS, NEAR BERKELEY CALIFORNIA ON 580, NO OVER PASS ABOVE THE CAR, NO OTHER CARS PASSING OR IN FRONT WHEN THE GLASS BROKE,NO TURNING INVOLVED. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO MY LOCAL LEXUS DEALER, THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD GET BACK TO ME IN A DAY OR TWO TO LET ME KNOW IF THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF THE DEFECT OR NOT.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 20, 2018LA

TAKATA RECALL, I CALLED ABOUT THE RECALL FOR THE ENGINE COOLING AND THE BRAKES HYDRULIC AND THEY SAY MY CAR IS NOT IN THE RECALL BUT I AM HAVING PROBLEM WITH MY COOLING

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Oct 6, 2017WI

THE CAR HAS VARIOUS ISSUES, ALL OF MY LIGHTS ARE ON THE CAR AND HAVE BEEN SINCE IVE PURCHED THE CAR. ITS SHUT OFF AS IVE BEEN DRIVING SEVERAL TIMES, IT WONT REACH ITS SPEED LIMIT FROM ACCELERATOR, IT KNOCK AND MAKES SOUNDS AND HAD AN ODOR COMING THROUGH VENTS. THE COMPANY ISN'T CONSISTENT WITH REPAIR AND PAYMENT PROMISES AND IS TRYING TO REPO FOR RESALE.

Seat Belts
Filed Oct 6, 2017WI

THE KEY BROKE INTO THE IGNITION, DEALER REFUSED TO ASSIST WITH REPAIR OT NEW KEY EVEN THOUGH I HADN'T HAD IT VERY LONG. THE STERING WHEEL LOCKS., THE TIRES SHAKE, CORDS ALL FALLING FROM UNDER THE CAR, THE ELECTRICAL GOES IN AND OUT INCLUDING WINDOWS AND HEAT. MY SEAT BELTS LOCK ON ME . THIS CAR IS A MESS AND I HAVE TWO CHILDREN 11,5 AND A SENIOR FATHER THAT HAS ALZEIMERS THAT HAVE TO BE TRANSPORTED IN THIS LEMON FAILY. THE DEALERS WONMT HELP THEY MAKE PAYMENT AND REAPIR PROMISES AND NEVER KEEP THEM, I HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING HARDSHIPS AND THEY USED IT AGAINST ME TO JUSTIFY NOT REPAIRING THE CAR. YET THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN EXISITENT SINCE DAY 1. 11/15/2016

Engine
Filed Aug 2, 2017FL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS RX330. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 11V539000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 11V112000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AT: LEXUS OF WEST KENDALL, MIAMI, FLORIDA AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 23, 201786,600 milesFL

"TAKATA RECALL" DASHNOARD COVER IS CRACKING DUE TO THE FLORIDA HEAAT

Steering
Filed Jun 3, 2017110,000 milesMO

OWNER TOOK CAR IN FOR ROUTINE 110,000 MILE SERVICE (TOLD IT WOULD BE ABOUT $150). NEXT DAY WAS INFORMED BY DEALER THAT POWER STEERING PUMP AND HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. HAD NOT NOTICED ANY SYMPTOMS PRIOR TO THIS, NO LEAKING NOTED BENEATH CAR OTHER THAN WATER FROM AC. DEALER SAID A LEAK WOULD BE FROM SAME PAN AS AC, BUT POWER STEERING FLUID WOULD BE OILY NOT WATERY. I EXPLAINED THAT I DID NOT HAVE ANY SIGN OF POWER STEERING LEAK. PARTS ($665.94) AND LABOR ($217) FOR PUMP = TOTAL ($882.94) PARTS ($528.99) AND LABOR ($294.50) FOR HIGH PRESSURE STEERING HOSE = TOTAL ($831.48) THIS COST WAS $1700 ON TOP OF MY 110.000 MAINTENANCE CHARGE. HAS THIS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR OTHER OWNERS OF 2005 RX 330 ?

20 of 165 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2004
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20111000Routine
20091000Routine
20075100Routine
200667100Routine
2005 — this page165310Routine
2004287513Fatalities reported

Compare every RX330 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.