NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Lexus RX. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
TOOK MY 2005 RX330 IN FOR A RECALL (CRANKSHAFT PULLEY). I WAS TOLD THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING AND SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF ALONG WITH THE TIMING BELT. I WAS TOLD I WOULD SAVE A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS IN LABOR BECAUSE OF THE RECALL IF I HAD IT TAKEN CARE OF RIGHT NOW AT A COST OF $876.96. OUCH! ONLY 50K MILES! AT LEAST IT DIDN'T HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING, BUT COME ON 50K MILES. I HOPE THIS ISN'T AN ISSUE AMONG OTHER 05 RX330 OWNERS. MIGHT HAVE THE TUNE OF RECALL. I'M DRIVING A LEXUS NOT A HUGO.................. *TR
MY LEXUS RX330 BROKE DOWN AT THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD ONLY AT 65K MILES. THE WATER PUMP HAD A LEAK, AND AS A RESULT, THERE WAS NO COOLANT AND THE ENGINE WAS HEATING UP TO A LEVEL WHERE I COULD HAVE FIRE IN THE ENGINE. I WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED. LATER I PAID $1100+ TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT. I CONTACTED LEXUS HQ REGARDING SERIOUS QUALITY ISSUES WITH THEIR VEHICLE AS THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT SHOULD LAST UP TO 90K MILES. LEXUS REFUSED TO HELP OR EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE. I AM REACHING OUT TO NHTSA AND REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF THIS QUALITY PROBLEM WITH LEXUS VEHICLE AND KEY ENGINE PARTS LIKE WATER PUMP. TOYOTA/LEXUS HAS BEEN USING LOW QUALITY PARTS TO INCREASE PROFIT MARGIN AND AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE IS FAILING AT ONLY 65K MILES. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE FOR SAFETY AS AN ENGINE WITH A FAILED WATER PUMP CAN HEAT UP AND CAUSE FIRE AND FAIL AT THE MIDDLE OF BUSY INTERSECTION OR ON THE HIGHWAY. WILL APPRECIATE IF YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE ASAP AND REQUIRE LEXUS TO DO A RECALL ON THEIR WATER PUMP FOR ALL 2005 RX 330S. *TR
DRIVERS SIDE HEADLAMP GOT WATER INSIDE THE HOUSING CAUSING THE HID HEADLIGHT TO SHORT OUT. HOUSING SEEMS TO BE FULLY SEALED.
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
DASHBOARD HAS BEEN CRACKING TO NO FAULT OF MY OWN- I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND IT CRACKS DUE TO HEAT AND NOW THE WHOLE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AND PIECES FALLING OFF. *JS
BESIDES MELTING/SHINING/STICKY DASHBOARD THE WHOLE BOARD IS CRACKED STRAIGHT FROM THE PASSENGER DOOR TO THE DRIVERS DOOR. IN 2010 WHEN I HAD IT IN FOR SERVICE TO JM LEXUS (MARGATE) I ASKED ABOUT GETTING IT FIXED OR REPLACED AS I WAS WORRIED IT FALL DOWN FROM WHERE THE CRACK IS. THE GENTLEMEN'S ANSWER WAS THAT THE CAR IS 6 YEARS OLD. I EXPLAINED I HAVE ANOTHER CAR THAT IS OLDER WITHOUT THE ISSUES. THE REPAIR WOULD BE MY EXPENSE. I NOW HAVE A CAR THAT HAS REDUCED RESALE OR TRADE IN VALUE THAT COST A LOT OF MONEY. *TR
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
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
IN THIS GARAGE KEPT VEHICLE, THE DASH OVER THE AIRBAG HAS CRACKED ALL THE WAY ACROSS, IN MULTIPLE CRACKS. GIVEN THE LOCATION OVER THE AIRBAG IT IS CONCERNING THAT THE INTEGRITY OF THE AIRBAG IS IN QUESTION. *TR
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.
1. I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT MY CAR IN A GARAGE & ONLY USED PRODUCTS RECOMMENDED & BOUGHT DIRECTLY FROM LEXUS. UPON ENTERING MY VEHICLE MY DAUGHTER NOTICED A LARGE CRACK IN THE DASH RUNNING FROM BOTTOM SIDE OF GLOVE COMPARTMENT TO TOP OF DASH. PIECES THAT FALL OFF CRUMBLE TO DUST THE SECOND THEY'RE TOUCHED. MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY'VE HAD HUNDREDS OF CARS COMING IN W THE SAME ISSUE AND IT WOULD BE $1500 FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND THAT DIDN'T INCLUDE LABOR! 2. MY MOON(SUN) ROOF STOPPED WORKING LITERALLY JUST ONE DAY WOULDN'T CLOSE ALL THE WAY. I HAD TO HAVE THE DEALERSHIP CUT THE CABLE SO THEY COULD CLOSE IT SO RAIN ETC DIDN'T LEAK INTO MY VEHICLE. AGAIN THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS! I WAS TOLD AGAIN THE PART WAD AT LEAST $1500 NOT INCLUDING LABOR..... HOW COINCIDENTAL IT'S THE SAME PRICE AS REPLACING MY DASH. 3. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM LEXUS I WAS GIVEN A "PAINT PEN" FOR SOME LIGHT SCRATCHES THAT WERE FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER (I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH A LITTLE OVER 3000 MILES ON IT IN 2007)AND I ASKED THEM TO USE IT SO I WOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY IF I APPLIED IT WRONG. AFTER THE REPAIR GENTLEMAN DID A FEW SPOTS I STOPPED HIM BECAUSE YOU COULD SEE EXACTLY WHERE HE HAD APPLIED IT, IT WAS RAISED AND THE COLOR WAS OFF. THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO FIX IT. NOW THESE ISSUES WERE NOT DUE TO ANY ACCIDENT OR IMPROPER DRIVING OR HAVING SOME INEXPERIENCED MECHANIC DOING WORK. I HAVE LEXUS TAKING CARE OF MY SERVICES ETC AND THESE PROBLEMS ARE EXPENSIVE AND SOMETHING I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH. I AM FLABBERGASTED THAT LEXUS/TOYOTA WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS AND FIX ISSUES THAT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF OWNERS ARE HAVING. I WANT LEXUS TO CORRECT THIS FOR MYSELF AND THE OTHER OWNERS THAT ARE VOICING THEIR CONCERNS. AS IT STANDS MANY OF US WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER LEXUS AGAIN BECAUSE OF THESE ISSUES.
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.
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. *TR
A CRACK ABOVE THE GLOVE BOX STARTED TO APPEAR. IF THE CRACK CONTINUES, IT COULD CAUSE PROBLEMS TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND CAUSE A WRECK OR LIFE. I BOUGHT THE LEXUS NEW AND PAID AROUND $38,000. I LOVE THE CAR, AS IT LOOKS BRAND NEW, EXCEPT FOR THE DASH BOARD. THE BACK SEAT HAS HARDLY BEEN SAT IN. *TR
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
THE CHROME IN THE INTERIOR OF THE WHEELS BUBBLE AND DELAMINATE. THIS CAUSED THE TIRE TO LOSE PRESSURE SLOWLY, UNTIL TIRE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE TIRE FAILURES RENDERED THE TIRES IRREPARABLE, EVEN IF THE TIRE WAS ONLY 3 MONTHS OLD. SO FAR THIS HAS OCCURRED ON THREE OF THE FOUR WHEELS SUPPLIED BY LEXUS AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. ALL FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. THE LEXUS HAS A LOW PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR, BUT IT HAS NOT ACTIVATED DURING THESE TIMES. THE TIRE PRESSURES ARE REGULARLY CHECKED. *TR
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
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
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.
2005 LEXUS RX 330. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 825.00 *TGW
MY VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN PARKED IN A GARAGE, AND I HAVE ALWAYS USED A SHIELD IN THE FRONT WINDOW WHEN IT IS PARKED OUTSIDE REGARDLESS OF WEATHER. I AM FANATICAL ABOUT CLEANING AND USED ONLY CLEANERS, CONDITIONERS, ETC THAT LEXUS HAD RECOMMENDED (BASICALLY I ONLY BUY WHAT LEXUS SELLS TO CARE FOR MY SUV). IN EARLY 2011, MY DAUGHTER NOTICED A VERY LARGE CRACK IN THE DASH RIGHT ABOVE THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. (WE WERE GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE NOT MOVING, ETC). LATER THAT AFTERNOON WE GOT BACK INTO THE VEHICLE AND NOT ONLY WERE THERE MORE CRACKS, BUT HUGE CHUNKS HAVE FALLEN OFF AND LITERALLY THE PIECES THAT FELL OFF JUST DISINTEGRATED WHEN PICKED UP. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AS TOYOTA HAS ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE, ALBEIT ONA CASE BY CASE BASIS, BUT I HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF FORUMS & POSTS OF OTHERS HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE NO MATTER LOCATION, MILEAGE OR CARE OR CONDITION OF VEHICLE. LEXUS SHOULD STAND BY THEIR PREVIOUS REPUTATION FOR BEING A LUXURY VEHICLE AND NOT COMPROMISING ON THE INTEGRITY OF THEIR PRODUCT AND REPLACE OR FIX OR REIMBURSE THOSE THAT ARE AFFECTED! I AM A SINGLE MOM WITH THREE KIDS AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY OUT OVER $3000 TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT NOR SHOULD THE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS DEALING WITH THIS PREPOSTEROUS SITUATION WE ARE FACED WITH. LEXUS NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND TAKE CARE OF THIS!! *TR
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
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
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
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.
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
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 THE PROBLEM, CONSIDERING BOTH MY HUSBAND AND I EXPERIENCED THE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS MECHANICAL ANOMALY AND ARE NOT ATTEMPTING TO SUE FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY.
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
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT FIXTURE LEAKS AND LOW BEAM LIGHT STOPPED WORKING. *TR
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
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.
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
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
UPON SLOWING FROM 40MPH TO A STOP OR ALMOST A STOP, TO MAKE A TURN, THE CAR HESITATES BEFORE ACCELERATING. THIS HESITATION HAS CAUSED BOTH ME AND MY WIFE TO ABRUPTLY ABORT LEFT TURNS. THIS BEHAVIOR IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS FOR DRIVERS IN THE CONGESTED NY METROPOLITAN AREA. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME FRIGHTENING CLOSE CALLS WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE, CAUSING AN EMERGENCY ABORT OF A TURN. THIS HESITATION ALSO MANIFESTS ITSELF WHEN YOU LIFT FROM THE ACCELERATOR TO SLOW DOWN AND THEN GET BACK ON THE GAS. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. THE DEALER HAD A FIELD SERVICE ENGINEER CHECK THE CAR: HE SAID ITHE CAR PERFORMED AS DESIGNED. *TR
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
DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING ABOUT ONE YEAR AFTER WARRANTY. IT STARTED AS A SMALL HAIRLINE CRACK. ITS NOW EVERYWHERE. THE AIR BAGS ARE IN DANGER OF POPPING OUT. HERE IS A FORUM THAT EXPLAINS THIS AND SHOWS PICTURES. ITS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IN MOST LEXUS VEHICLES HTTP://WWW.CLUBLEXUS.COM/FORUMS/GX-FIRST-GENERATION/603916-MY-DASHBOARD-IS-CRACKING-9.HTML. *TR
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
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.
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
DASHBOARD AND SIDE DOOR INSIDE PANELS ARE MELTING AND CHIPPING OFF. SOMETIMES BECOMES EXTREMELY STICKY AND HOT. THERE IS A GLARE AT TIMES WHEN DRIVING DURING HEAT OF DAY. *JS
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
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
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
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS RX330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS CONDENSATION ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. ..UPDATED 12-26-13 *BF
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.
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
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
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
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
NHTSA source checks for this vehicle year
Checks are recorded separately for each dataset, not for the whole page. Dates use UTC. A missing check date does not mean no records exist.
Vehicle import recorded: Aug 30, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.