Page 3 of 4 · complaints 101–150 of 165

2005 Lexus RX330 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2005 record →

Air BagsCrash
Filed Feb 26, 2012MA

I STRUCK A CAR HEAD ON GOING ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS WEARING MY SHOULDER LAP BELT. I WAS THE DRIVER. *TR

Visibility
Filed Jan 17, 2012CO

MY 6 YEAR OLD LEXUS WINDOW MOLDING FLEW OFF ON BOTH QUARTER SIZE BACK WINDOWS IN THE LAST MONTH. THIS IS A HAZARD AS IT WENT FLYING OFF IN THE HIGHWAY, ONE DAY AND NOT EVEN A MONTH LATER, THE OTHER ONE FLEW OFF AND ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN. THEY SAID I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE WINDOW FOR THE MOLDING. THIS SOUNDS LIKE THE WINDOW COULD POSSIBLY FLY OFF AS WELL IF THE MOLDING ISN'T SOMETHING YOU CAN JUST CLIP BACK ON. THERE ARE SEVERAL WEBSITES OF THIS COMPLAINT, BUT LEXUS IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. I HAVE A MESSAGE FROM LEXUS HEADQUARTERS STATING SINCE OUT OF WARRANTY THEY WILL NOT REPLACE. I FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CHEAP OF LEXUS. BELOW ARE THE WEBSITES OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS MATTER: HTTP://WWW.CLUBLEXUS.COM/FORUMS/RX-SECOND-GENERATION/478653-REAR-QUARTER-WINDOW-EXTERIOR-MOLDING-FELL-OFF-RX330.HTML HTTP://WWW.CLUBLEXUS.COM/FORUMS/RX-SECOND-GENERATION/478653-REAR-QUARTER-WINDOW-EXTERIOR-MOLDING-FELL-OFF-RX330-9.HTML HTTP://BOARDREADER.COM/THREAD/REAR_QUARTER_WINDOW_EXTERIOR_MOLDING_FEL_QKFFXA9BX.HTML HTTP://US.LEXUSOWNERSCLUB.COM/FORUMS/INDEX.PHP?SHOWTOPIC=64391 [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Steering
Filed Dec 25, 201134,800 milesMO

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO THE LEXUS DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. I AM NOT A TECNICAL PERSON BUT WAS EXPLICITLY TOLD THAT IF I DO NOT GET IT FIXED THE STEERIN WHEEL COULD GET STUCK LEADING TO AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 28, 2011CA

WATER ROUTINELY COLLECTS INSIDE OF BOTH HEADLIGHTS WHENEVER I WASH THE CAR OR WHEN RAINING. LIGHT FAILURE DUE TO WATER INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHTS IS REPORTED BY MANY OTHER RX330 OWNERS ON VARIOUS INTERNET FORUMS. I'M VERY AFRAID THAT LIGHTS MIGHT FAIL WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. LEXUS REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM AND TO ISSUE A RECALL SINCE SO MANY CARS ARE AFFECTED. LOCAL DEALER ADMITTED THAT THERE IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP. *TT

Structure
Filed Sep 1, 2011CA

2005 LEXUS RX330 WHILE I AM DRIVING ON FREEWAY A DRIVER REAR QUARTER WINDOW'S MOLDING FELT OUT OFF. I CONTACTED LEXUS HEADQUARTER RISE AN ISSUE, I DO RESEACH ONLINE FORUMS TO FIND DOWN ALOT OF SAME PROBLEMS. I TALKED TO LEXUS HEADQUARTER PERSONNEL I THINK ITS A MANUFACTURE DEFECTIVE, BUT THEY DENIED THAT. SINCE MY CAR OUT OF WARRANTY LEXUS JUST PAY HALF OF REPLACEMENT COST. I THINK IT UNFAIR SHOULD BE REPLACED BY LEXUS CORP COST. *TR

Unknown or OtherCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 23, 201180,450 milesWA

WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY PARKING PLACE IN OUR UNDERGROUND GARAGE I PUT ON THE BRAKE TO GO FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE THE ENGINE RACED UP AND THE CAR SURGED FORWARD. I WAS ONLY 15 FEET FROM A BRICK WALL OF WHICH I HIT AT AN ANGLE. I BOUNCED OFF THIS WALL AND WENT 10 FEET FURTHER HEAD ON INTO ANOTHER WALL. I DID NOT TOUCH THE GAS PETAL, THE MATS ARE RUBBER AND WERE NOT A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE JUST SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AS SOON AS I COULD BUT GIVEN THE FACT THAT THE TOTAL TRAVEL LENGTH WAS AROUND 30 FEET THIS WAS NOT POSSIBLE. THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA!! WE LOVE OUR CAR BUT WE ARE NOW AFRAID OF IT. MY INSURANCE RATES WILL BE GOING UP BECAUSE OF A FACTORY DEFECT AND ALL I HAVE SEEN ARE EXCUSES IN REGARDS TO THIS PROBLEM.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 22, 201180,000 milesCA

TRANSMISSION DELAY/SLIP DURING ACCELERATION. REQUIRES AN ECU UPDATE. LEXUS WILL CHARGE FOR THE UPDATE, UP TO $100. THE UPDATE SHOULD BE MANDATORY AND FREE OF CHARGE. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 22, 201180,000 milesCA

CONDENSATION BUILDUP HAS FORMED FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE DRIVER/PASSENGER HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DESIGN FLAW OF THE HEADLIGHT SEAL WHICH ALLOWS WATER TO PENETRATE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING. WATER DAMAGE HAS CAUSED THE LOWBEAM LIGHTS TO FAIL. LEXUS HAS QUOTED OVER $1400 FOR REPLACEMENTS, AND FAILS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR DESIGN FLAW. IMPACTED VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING WILL LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Structure
Filed Aug 22, 201180,000 milesCA

VARIOUS HAIRLINE CRACKS HAVE RANDOMLY APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THEY RANGE IN SIZE FROM 1" TO 6". ONE CRACK HAS APPEARED ALONG THE AREA THAT COVERS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO MALFUNCTION OR NOT WORK AS INTENDED, WHICH COULD BE FATAL IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DASHBOARD ISSUE HAS BEEN DISCUSSED ON VARIOUS ONLINE LEXUS FORUMS. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 18, 201153,850 milesNC

FAILURE OF BUILT-IN CD CHANGER AND RADIO SYSTEM LEADS TO FAILURE OF HEATING, AIR CONDITIONING, AND RELATED ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. CD CHANGER SYSTEM ON CAR DISPLAYED "ERROR 4" MESSAGE AND WOULD NO LONGER PLAY OR FUNCTION. SHORTLY AFTER, VARIOUS ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS FAILED (HEATING, AIR CONDITIONING, RADIO, INTERIOR LIGHTING). LEXUS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OWNER OF REPAIR COSTS $1,000. OWNER APPEALED TO LEXUS, WHO OFFERED TO PROVIDE "SOME FLEXIBILITY" OF UP TO A $400 CREDIT FOR THE REPAIR. OWNER FOUND THIS UNACCEPTABLE AND HAD NON-LEXUS THIRD PARTY REPAIR THE BUILT-IN CD CHANGER, NAVIGATION, RADIO UNIT FOR $392. REPAIR SOLVED SAFETY AND OPERATION PROBLEMS. *KB

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jun 15, 201189,000 milesFL

I OWN A 2005 LEXUS RX 330. I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE CONDENSATION BUILD UP WITHIN THE HEADLIGHT FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. I WENT TO THE LEXUS DEALER TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM THEY CHARGED A $110.00 SERVICE CHARGE TO TELL ME THAT I NEED TO REPLACE MY HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE COST TO REPLACE IS ABOUT $2,200. THIS IS A DISGRACE. MY HEADLIGHT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE AT NIGHT FOR SOMETIME NOW. I CONTACTED LEXUS CUSTOMER CARE AND EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. THE RESPONSE FROM LEXUS IS THAT THEY WOULD REVIEW MY CASE AND SOMEONE WOULD CALL ME BACK WITH A DECISION. SOMEONE DID CALL ME BACK OFFERING TO PAY 25% OF THE TOTAL BILL OF 2,200 FROM THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP. I WAS LIVID. LEXUS SELLS DEFECTIVE VEHICLES AND EXPECTS CUSTOMERS TO PAY THE REPAIRS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS WORLD IS COMING TO, BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS. THE MILEAGE FAILURE WAS 89,000. I WILL NEVER BY LEXUS AGAIN. *TR

Structure
Filed Jun 8, 201160,860 milesFL

MY 2005 LEXUS RX330 DASHBOARD HAS RIPPED OPEN IN SEVERAL PLACES. ONE IS DIRECTLY OVER MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG! I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND IT HAS ONLY 60,000 MILES. IT HAS BEEN KEPT IN A GARAGE MOST OF THE TIME. THIS IS A DEFECT THAT HAS HAPPEN TO OTHER OWNERS. LEXUS SHOULD RECALL THESE DASH BOARDS AND REPLACE THEM. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT WILL COST ME $1400. DOLLARS TO REPLACE IT BECAUSE IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE LOCATION OVER THE AIRBAG. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed May 31, 20116,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS RX330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WAS ENTERING INTO THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE OWNERS MANUAL. THE HEADLIGHT EVENTUALLY FAILED COMPLETELY AFTER NOTHING WAS DONE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED A SECOND TIME BY THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE ENTIRE UNIT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WILL REVIEW THE CASE AND CONTACT HIM AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000.

Unknown or OtherCrash
Filed Apr 27, 201192,000 milesGA

I WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE ON A RAMP AND LEFT THE CAR IN GEAR (DRIVE) AND AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, IT ROLLED BACK INTO ANOTHER CAR. THE LEXUS 330 IS SUPPOSED TO PROHIBIT ONE FROM REMOVING THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION WHEN IN GEAR. MY CAR CONTINUES TO ALLOW ME TO REMOVE THE KEY (ENGINE OFF) WHILE IN DRIVE.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Apr 26, 2011TX

2005 LEXUS RX 330. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 825.00 *TGW

Visibility
Filed Mar 31, 201117,850 milesPR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS RX330. WHILE PARKED, THE SUNLIGHT WAS SHINING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR AND THE CONTACT NOTICED A BLACK GLARE ON THE MIRROR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT SEE THE GLARE. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER SOMETIME THE BLACK GLARE BECAME MORE NOTICEABLE AND CHANGED FROM BLACK TO YELLOW. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS UNABLE TO SEE ANYTHING IN THE MIRROR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER A SECOND TIME WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE MIRROR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,850. UPDATED 03/06/12 *BF UPDATED 03/07/12

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Feb 7, 201151,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS RX-330. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND CRASHED. DURING THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT COULD SMELL A BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED SMOKE WAS ESCAPING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE BRAKES WERE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 03/16/11 *BF UPDATED 03/21/11

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 14, 201140,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS RX330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXCESSIVE BUILD-UP OF CONDENSATION IN THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWO YEARS AFTER THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FAILURE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE MOISTURE FROM THE HEADLIGHT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 10, 201165,500 milesNY

I AM DESCRIBING AN EVENT THAT OCCURS REPEATEDLY AMONG OLDER DRIVERS. THEY PUT THEIR TURN SIGNAL ON, AND IT DOES NOT SWITCH OFF AND THEY DON'T KNOW IT BECAUSE THEIR HEARING ABILITY HAS DIMINISHED. THEY THEN MAKE A TURN TO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF WHAT THEIR TURN SIGNAL INDICATES AND EITHER CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR HAVE A CLOSE CALL. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 20, 201096,423 milesOH

I TOOK MY LEXUS RX 330 IN FOR IT'S 90,000 MILE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AND TOLD THEM THAT IT HAD A ROARING NOISE LIKE A WHEEL BEARING. THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE INCLUDED REPLACING THE TIMING BELT AND THEY DID BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, WITH SOME FLUID REPLACEMENT AND OTHER ITEMS. I HAVE OWNED NEW CARS FOR OVER 45 YEARS AND HAVE ALWAYS KEPT THEM FOR OVER 10 YEARS AND OVER 100,000 MILES AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO HAVE A TIMING BELT REPLACED. IN THAT SAME TIME PERIOD I HAVE HAD TO HAVE ONLY ONE WHEEL BEARING REPLACED AND THAT WAS ON A VEHICLE THAT WAS 17 YEARS OLD WITH 180,000 MILES ON IT. TO HAVE TO HAVE THIS DONE ON A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD IS UNACCEPTABLE, ESPECIALLY ON A HIGH END VEHICLE LIKE A LEXUS. THIS SUGGESTS TO ME THAT EITHER INFERIOR PARTS ARE BEING USED OR THEY WERE DEFECTIVE AT INSTALLATION. OF COURSE LEXUS WOULD NEVER ADMIT TO EITHER. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER MAINTENANCE WITH NO RESPONSE AND THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE, WHICH RESPONDED WITH AN APOLOGY FOR MY CONCERN. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE HOWEVER. IF YOU CAN BRING SOME PRESSURE ON LEXUS TO MAKE GOOD ON THEIR "ALLEGED" QUALITY I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 5, 201093,000 milesCA

ON OCTOBER 17, 2010 I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 LEXUS RX330 INTO MY GARAGE AT LESS THAN 10 MPH. ON MY WAY UP THE DRIVEWAY, I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR MADE A NOISE AND ACCELERATED FORWARD. I PUMPED THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES AND EVENTUALLY FORCED THE CAR TO STOP RIGHT BEFORE HITTING THE GARAGE CABINETS. LATER MY HUSBAND STARTED THE VEHICLE IN THE PARK POSITION. WHEN HE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, THE RPM'S ZOOMED FROM 1,000 RPM TO 3000 RPM (RACING THE ENGINE). MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THIS DANGEROUS PHENOMENON FOUR CONSECUTIVE TIMES. SIMPLY STATED, THE BRAKE WAS ACTING AS AN ACCELERATOR. WE ATTEMPTED TO VIDEOTAPE THE PROBLEM, BUT COULDN'T RECREATE THE SITUATION. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I FOUND DOZENS OF OTHER INCIDENTS FILED THROUGH THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION ADMINISTRATION OF THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL AS MY VEHICLE. MANY OF THESE VEHICLES WERE ALSO ENGAGED IN THE PARKING PROCESS. AFTER CONSIDERABLE COERCION WITH LEXUS, WE CONVINCED THEM TO TOW VEHICLE INTO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE LEXUS DESCRIBED 'NATIONAL INSPECTOR' EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND 'FOUND NOTHING WRONG.' THERE IS UNEQUIVOCALLY A DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND YET, THE TOYOTA CORPORATION REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE POTENTIAL FOR FUTURE OCCURRENCES OR ATTEMPT ANY SORT OF REPAIR. THE FACT THAT LEXUS COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM DOESN'T ABSOLVE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO OUR FAMILY AND THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. WE CONSIDER OURSELVES CREDIBLE WITNESSES TO

Exterior Lighting
Filed Oct 26, 201088,000 milesAZ

2005 LEXUS RX330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT HEADLIGHT FAILED TWICE IN PAST 18 MONTHS DUE TO WATER CONDENSATION IN HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND ECU. 1ST TIME WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. SECOND FAILURE WAS AFTER WARRANTY PERIOD AND LEXUS CORPORATE STATED IT WAS A DIFFERENT ISSUE AND REFUSED TO REPLACE. ESTIMATE TO REPLACE BY DEALER IS $1,600.00. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 21, 201085,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS RX330. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SPUTTER ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST THREE TIMES FOR THE FAILURE AND EACH TIME, THE TECHNICIAN WOULD ADJUST THE ECU BUT THE FAILURE WOULD PERSIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Steering
Filed Oct 1, 201061,000 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS RX330. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE TECHNICIANS DETECTED THAT THE POWER STEERING INTERNAL SEAL WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 28, 2010TX

CONDENSATION IN THE HEADLIGHTS STARTED EARLY ON AND IS ONLY GETTING WORSE ON MY 2005 RX 330. ALSO, I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO SWITCH THE FRONT BRAKE PADS OUT AND NOW HAVE TO SWITCH THE REAR BRAKE PADS OUT AS WELL AS THEY STARTED TO SQUEAL AND THE ROTORS WERE ALREADY RESURFACED BEFORE. THE CAR DOESN'T FULLY BRAKE UNTIL I PRESS DOWN EXTREMELY HARD ON THE BRAKES AND EVEN THEN IT SLIGHTLY ROLLS FORWARD AND THEN STOPS. ALSO, WHEN I ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE, THERE IS A DELAYED ACCELERATION. IT TAKES AT LEAST 2 SECONDS BEFORE IT ACTUALLY BEGINS TO ACCELERATE AND EVEN THEN IT IS NOT A INSTANT ACCELERATION BUT A SLOW ONE. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 26, 201028,401 milesMN

2005 LEXUS RX330 WOULD NOT STOP NOR BRAKE AS HEADED DOWNHILL IN SLIGHTLY SNOWY WEATHER AT ABOUT 25MPH. AS ROAD CURVED, I COULD NOT SLOW VEHICLE AND THUS STARTED TO LOSE STEERING CONTROL. I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE THINKING IT WA A FORWARD SLIDE BUT THAT DIDN'T CHANGE THINGS AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. SO I HIT THE BREAKS HARD-- NO RESULT, NO ADDITIONAL CONTROL. VEHICLE CONTINUED FOR ABOUT A BLOCK, HIT CURB, THEN TREE. TOTALED VEHICLE AND INJURY TO MYSELF. ASSUMED AT THE TIME THE SPEED WAS LOWER BUT AFTER SEEING DAMAGE LATER AND GETTING PHYSICAL THERAPY, IT CLEARLY HAD ACCELERATED BEFORE HITTING THE CURB-- WHICH DID SLOW IT DOWN BEFORE HITTING THE TREE. THREE OF FOUR TIRES BLEW OUT WITH HOLES ON THE SIDES FROM FORCE OF IMPACT WITH CURB. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Aug 13, 201088,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS RX330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS THAT THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS HAVE BURNED OUT BECAUSE THE RUBBER SEAL USED WAS NOT OF GOOD QUALITY. THE DEALER STATED THAT WAS THE TRIM AND IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. EACH HEAD LAMP HAD A COMPUTER AND THE LACK OF SEAL ALLOWED WATER INTO THE HEAD LAMPS AND SHORT CIRCUIT THE COMPUTER. THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT WAS REPLACED AND THE DRIVER SIDE HAS CONDENSATION INSIDE OF IT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96000.

Seat Belts
Filed May 10, 201090,000 milesCA

LEXUS REAR SEAT OVER SHOULDER BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE. BELT HAD SOMEHOW WRAPPED AROUND 11 YEAR OLD BOY THAT WAS TRYING TO LIE DOWN AND WE HAD TO CUT BELT TO RELEASE CHILD. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 13, 201040,000 milesIL

MOISTURE PROBLEM IN BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS OF MY 2005 LEXUS RX330. ONE WAS REPLACED 2 YEARS AGO UNDER WARRANTY THE OTHER MARCH 2010 WHICH WAS COVERED UNDER THE GOODWILL WARRANTY. BRING YOUR CAR TO LEXUS FOR SERVICE ALL THE TIME AND YOU GET THE LITTLE PERKS. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 25, 201078,000 milesNV

HEADLIGHTS BOTH DRIVER/PASSENGER MOISTURE

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Mar 3, 201055,000 milesCA

PLEASE LOOKING INTO THE LEXUS RX330 MODELS. I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 2005 LEXUS RX330. I DIDN'T EXPERIENCE THE BRAKE PROBLEMS OR ACCELERATION. WHAT I EXPERIENCED THAT ONCE I PRESS ON THE BRAKE AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP. THE VEHICLE TEND TO STILL BE MOVING SLIGHTLY FORWARD. THEN I WOULD HAVE TO PRESS THE BRAKES HARDER IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS WAS AT 5MPH OR LESS. I BELIEVE IT'S THE COMPUTER CONTROLLED UNIT FOR THE GAS. YOU CAN ACTUAL FEEL IN THE BREAK AND ENGINE THAT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT WANT TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I ALSO WENT THRU THE RECALL TO REPLACE THE COVER ON THE DRIVER SIDE THAT THE DEALER STATED IT WAS CAUSING THE FLOOR MAT STUCK TO THE GAS PEDAL. IN MY OPINION IT'S THE CPU THAT MAY BE CAUSING THE PROBLEM. YOU CAN HEAR AND FEEL THE ENGINE STILL HAVING A SLIGHT ROAR AFTER THE BRAKE IS PRESSED ON, AS IF GAS IS STILL BEING APPLIED OR REDUCED IN THE ENGINE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 2, 201048,000 milesIL

2005 LEXUS RX330 WAS DRIVEN AT 40MPH UNDER NORMAL HIGHWAY CONDITIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY PUT IN NEUTRAL WHERE THE ENGINE KEPT REVVING. THE DRIVER COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND BROUGHT TO A DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING BUSINESS DAY FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY DID NOT FIND ANY ERROR CODES. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 26, 201010 milesSC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS RX330. WHENEVER HE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THERE WAS A THREE SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THIS WOULD OCCUR WHENEVER HE TRIED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE OR ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE SOFTWARE WAS CHANGED. THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN MARCH 2005. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10 MILES AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000. UPDATED 11/10/10 *BF

Unknown or OtherCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 6, 201089,979 milesMA

ON SEPT. 6, 2009 WHILE TURNING INTO A GENERAL STORE PARKING SPACE AT LESS THAN 5 MILES AN HOUR WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN HIGH ACCELERATION TO AN ESTIMATED 30MPH OR MORE BEFORE RUNNING OVER PARKING BLOCKS, ATTEMPTED BRAKING AND CRASHED INTO SEATING BENCHES AND BUILDING, AND PROCEEDED TO SHUT DOWN ENGINE. POLICE ARRIVED AT SCENE. *CN

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 5, 201015,000 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS RX330. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND ACCELERATED MOMENTARILY WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATION PEDAL. HE ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE TRAVELED AROUND A CURVE OR BEND, IT WOULD MOMENTARILY ACCELERATE ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED COMPLAINTS AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 15,000. UPDATED 04/16/10. *LJ UPDATED 07/13/10.*JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 28, 201043,000 milesTX

I OWN A 2005 LEXUS RX330. I PURCHASED IT USED IN SEPTEMBER 2007. SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED IT, I HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE WHEN I PUSHED ON THE GAS PEDAL THERE WAS A FEELING OF A LOSS OF POWER - A HESITATION. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR WORK UNDER WORK IN FEBRUARY 2008, AND THE DEALER SAID IT WAS AN IMPROPER SHIFT IN THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WAS RECALIBRATED BY A TECHNICIAN. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE AGAIN HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE THERE WAS A HESITATION IN SUPPLY POWER. I WANT TO KNOW IF OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS SIMILAR COMPLAINT AND IF MY VEHICLE IS UNDER A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. TW*

Steering
Filed Jan 4, 201040,000 milesVA

DURING ROUTINE STATE INSPECTION, DEALER INFORMED ME THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING AND MUST BE REPLACED. THE COST TO REPLACE THE RACK IS ESTIMATED AT $1600. FROM READING SIMILAR STORIES FOR LEXUS VEHICLES, I UNDERSTAND THE LEAK COULD LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE STEERING SYSTEM AND POSSIBLE FIRES FROM FLUIDS ON THE ALTERNATOR. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 22, 200940,300 milesCA

MOISTURE INVADES SEALED HEADLAMP HOUSING CAUSING LAMP(S) TO FAIL. LEXUS HAS REDESIGNED THE PART. NO VOLUNTARY RECALL EVEN THOUGH LEXUS KNOWS THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART. OUT OF WARRANTY REPLACEMENT COST IS $1650 FOR ONE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY PLUS 1HR. LABOR. THAT'S NEARLY $2000 FOR ONE HEADLIGHT!! *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 15, 2009GA

THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMP OF THE RX330 CEASED OPERATION DUE TO A BUILDUP OF MOISTURE. CONDENSATION HAS BEEN PRESENT IN THE HEADLAMP FOR SOME TIME, BUT THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS THAT IT WOULD LEAD TO HEADLAMP FAILURE. THE SUV IS MAINTAINED BY THE DEALERSHIP EXCLUSIVELY, AND AT NO POINT DID THEY MENTION THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE CONDENSATION COULD CAUSE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT NIGHT IN A DARK SECTION OF HIGHWAY AND COULD HAVE LED TO SERIOUS BODILY HARM OR DEATH. LEXUS HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE RX330 HEADLAMPS SINCE 2005 AND HAS FAILED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE MOISTURE ISSUES COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN SERIOUS HARM TO THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS OF THE LEXUS OR OTHER MOTORISTS. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Dec 14, 2009MI

I HAVE A 2005 LEXUS RX330 WHICH WAS A RE-CERTIFIED VEHICLE WITH 27,000 MILES. THE RESPONSE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS ERRATIC AND CAUSES UNEXPECTED SURGES. THIS HAPPENS LESS THAN 5 % OF THE TIME BUT I CANNOT TIE IT TO ANY SPECIFIC CONDITIONS (IE COLD TEMPERATURE, DOWN-SHIFT OR UP-SHIFT, CORNERING, OR ROAD CONDITIONS. IT OCCURS RANDOMLY BUT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS DEPENDING ON WHEN IT HAPPENS. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 18, 200928,675 milesTX

TRANSMISSION SHIFT POINTS ARE OCCASIONALLY NOT SMOOTH AND EXHIBIT INCONSISTENT ENGINE RPM SHIFT POINTS. INITIALLY NOTICED WHEN DRIVING UPHILL AND THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED LOWER THAN IT SHOULD HAVE. NO ERROR CODES HAVE BEEN FOUND BY THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. A FIRMWARE UPDATE ON THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN TRIED TWO TIMES WITH LIMITED SUCCESS ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS AGO. THERE WAS IMPROVEMENT BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN ELIMINATED. OCCASIONAL HARD UPSHIFTS ARE FELT UNDER LOW LOAD AND THROTTLE. FEELS LIKE THE NEXT GEAR UP OR OVERDRIVE IS CONFUSED ABOUT WHEN SHIFTING IS NEEDED. CONTRARY TO THE ABOVE SMOOTH SHIFTING DURING LIGHT ACCELERATION MAY FEEL SLOW AND A BIT UNCERTAIN. DOWN SHIFT POINTS CAN HAPPEN WITH MINOR ACCELERATOR PEDAL MOVEMENT CAUSING HIGHER RPM OF ENGINE THAN NEEDED. FEELS LIKE TWO GEAR DOWN-SHIFTS INSTEAD OF THE ONE THAT'S NEEDED. THIS WAS A LEXUS CERTIFIED VEHICLE WITH 28675 MILES WHEN PURCHASED USED MAY 2008. GAS MILEAGE HAS BEEN A BIT LOW AND I SUSPECT THE SHIFTING BEHAVIOR IS PART OF THE PROBLEM. WHEN TRANSMISSION IS COLD AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE (FROM NEUTRAL OR REVERSE) A RAPID BUT DISTINCT TWO "BUMPS" ARE FELT IF THE BRAKE IS NOT ON. I AM NOT CONVINCED THIS IS NORMAL BEHAVIOR AND NEVER HAD ANOTHER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DO ANY OF THE ABOVE. CURRENT MILEAGE IS ABOUT 36,000. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Nov 18, 200946,203 milesFL

WE OWN A 2005 LEXUS RX330. MOISTURE ACCUMULATED IN ONE OF OUR HEADLIGHTS CAUSING IT TO FAIL. COST OF REPLACEMENT WAS $1800,00 WHICH AFTER MUCH ADO WAS PAID FOR BY LEXUS. NOW OUR OTHER HEADLIGHT IS DOING THE SAME AND LEXUS WILL ONLY PAY FOR HALF, WHICH WOULD BE VERY GENEROUS EXCEPT THAT THIS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD NOT BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. PLEASE HELP US GET THIS REPLACED AT NO EXPENSE TO US. THANK YOU. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Nov 13, 200963,000 milesUT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS RX330. WATER ENTERS THROUGH THE HEAD-LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT IT COST $1000 TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Nov 12, 200922,000 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS RX30. WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND THEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT INTENTION. CONSEQUENTLY, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE RECEIVED $9,088 WORTH OF DAMAGE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 22,000.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Sep 15, 200916,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS RX330. HE STATED THAT THERE WAS A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF CONDENSATION IN THE DRIVER SIDE HEAD LAMP WHICH CAUSED THE LIGHT BULB. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE REPAIR WAS MADE; HOWEVER, HE NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE LIGHTS INTENSITY WAS DIFFERENT FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LIGHTS WERE ALIGNED CORRECTLY AND SHOULD NOT AFFECT THE INTENSITY. THE CONTACT PROVIDED PHOTOS TO PROVE THE DIFFERENCE IN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE LIGHTS. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE BOTH OF THE LIGHTS PER THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53000. UPDATED 10/13/09. *LJ UPDATED 10/15/09

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 3, 200962,700 milesMA

CONDENSATION IN HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO BLOW. HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY COSTS $1,900 EA. TO REPLACE. LEXUS RX330. VEHICLE HAS BEEN OFF WARRANTY FOR ALMOST 2 MOS. 62,700 MILES ON VEHICLE. LEXUS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SAYS THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR. LEXUS DEALERSHIP WILL GIVE US A DISCOUNT (FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS). CANNOT DRIVE VEHICLE WITH NO HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT. RESEARCH SHOWS A NUMBER OF LEXUS RX330 HEADLAMP PROBLEMS. VEHICLE CANNOT BE REPAIRED BY ANYONE OTHER THAN LEXUS AS THIS IS A COMPUTER ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT. RAIN HEAVY, CONDENSATION BUILDS UP INSIDE ASSEMBLY CAUSING SHORT AND BLOWING OUT HEADLIGHT. *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 27, 2009NC

STEERING KEEPS GETTING LOCKED UP. THIS TIME THAT IT HAPPENED, IT WOULD NOT REVERSE ITSELF AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED INTO THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 23, 200965,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS RX330. MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF CONDENSATION IN THE HEADLAMPS CAUSED THE COMPUTER TO FAIL. THE COMPUTER OPERATES THE HEADLIGHTS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE TSB. THEY ALSO VOLUNTEERED TO PAY $1,000 TOWARDS THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 10, 200958,000 milesOH

CERTIFIED 2005 LEXUS RX 330 HAS HEADLIGHT CONDENSATION ONE WEEK AFTER I BROUGHT IT HOME. NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT ITS NOT COVERED UNDER THE CERTIFIED WARRANTY. I HAVE THE HID HEADLIGHTS THAT TURN WITH YOU AROUND CORNERS, WHICH WILL COST $1800 TO REPLACE! FROM WHAT THE DEALER TOLD ME, THEY USED TO HONOR THIS DEFECT BUT THERE WERE TOO MANY AND IT GOT TOO COSTLY FOR THEM! A CERTIFIED LEXUS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS. *TR

Equipment
Filed Mar 10, 200958,000 milesOH

CERTIFIED LEXUS RX 330 DEVELOPED TWO SEPARATE DASH NOISES WITHIN ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASE. ONE OF THESE NOISE IS COMING FROM BELOW THE CENTER OF THE FRONT DEFROST VENT AND SOUNDS LIKE A PIECE OF PLASTIC IS POPPING IN AND OUT OF PLACE. THIS ONLY OCCURS WHEN ITS REALLY COLD (BELOW 20 DEGREES). THE OTHER NOISE IS CONSTANT AND OCCURS WHENEVER GOING OVER A BUMP. IT'S COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DASH BY THE SPEAKER COVER. IT SOUNDS LIKE A PIECE OF PLASTIC "CLICKING" TOGETHER AND IS VERY ANNOYING. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE CERTIFIED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER "INTERIOR NOISES". A CERTIFIED LEXUS SHOULD NOT HAVE RATTLES AND NOISES. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2005 Lexus RX330 → · Every RX330 year → · How the figures are calculated →