NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 Lexus ES Recalls & Complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 2005 Lexus ES right now, so this page doesn't state a recall count — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for current campaigns. 60 owner complaints are on file.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2005 Lexus ES.

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2005 Lexus ES owner complaints

Owners have filed 60 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Lexus ES, describing incidents dated August 31, 2004 to October 26, 2026.

Most-cited components

Power Train 24 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 15 complaints
Air Bags 10 complaints
Steering 6 complaints
Exterior Lighting 4 complaints
Suspension 4 complaints

Of the 60 complaints on file, 13 report a crash; across all 60 complaints, owners report 11 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11774339 · Filed October 29, 2026
I have a better picture… ODI = 11773574 Please consider expanding the recall …
ODI #11773574 · Filed October 25, 2026
Description of Defect: The crankshaft pulley (harmonic balancer) experienced an adhesive bond failure between its inner hub and outer metal ring, mirroring the exact factory defect in NHTSA Campaign 11V539000 (Lexus Campaign BLG). The issue manifested directly following an air conditioning Freon…
ODI #11705926 · Filed December 18, 2025
Authorized dealership service department (Toyota West/Germain Automotive Group) performed structural repairs and released a vehicle back to me as safe. I operated this vehicle on public highways with my child. Upon subsequent inspection, the same dealership declared the vehicle a 'Total Loss' due to…

Read all 60 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2005 Lexus ES in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Defect Petition DP05-002: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Closed January 5, 2006

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 2005 Lexus ES right now — this is not a confirmed "no recalls". Check the VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the official status.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2005 Lexus ES. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

60 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Lexus ES.

Steering

ODI #11774339

Incident: October 26, 2026 · Filed: October 29, 2026

I have a better picture… ODI = 11773574 Please consider expanding the recall …

Electrical System

ODI #11773574

Incident: February 10, 2025 · Filed: October 25, 2026

Description of Defect: The crankshaft pulley (harmonic balancer) experienced an adhesive bond failure between its inner hub and outer metal ring, mirroring the exact factory defect in NHTSA Campaign 11V539000 (Lexus Campaign BLG). The issue manifested directly following an air conditioning Freon recharge at a licensed automotive service facility. Restoring the correct system pressure introduced normal mechanical load back onto the compressor accessory drive belt. The defective factory adhesive could not withstand standard operating resistance, causing the outer ring of the pulley to immediately begin slipping against its internal torsional rubber damper. This resulted in a chronic, severe rotational squeak during startup and accessory engagement due to the structural failure of the pulley's vulcanized rubber layer. Why this needs federal review: NHTSA Campaign 11V539000 strictly cuts off coverage for the 2005 Lexus ES 330 at a production date of late March 2005. My vehicle was manufactured in May 2005—mere weeks outside the boundary—and features the identical 3.3L 3MZ-FE V6 powertrain and pulley assembly. The vehicle has only 82,750 miles and a meticulously documented 5-to-7-year service history showing proper maintenance. Because this component failed identically under standard operating loads, it is clearly the defective batch of adhesive extended past the manufacturer's assumed cutoff. The campaign must be expanded to cover later 2005 production dates.

Steering; Suspension

ODI #11705926

Incident: October 21, 2025 · Filed: December 18, 2025

Authorized dealership service department (Toyota West/Germain Automotive Group) performed structural repairs and released a vehicle back to me as safe. I operated this vehicle on public highways with my child. Upon subsequent inspection, the same dealership declared the vehicle a 'Total Loss' due to structural frame damage caused by their own technician. The dealership knowingly allowed a structurally compromised, unsafe vehicle to be driven off their lot without disclosing the safety risks.

Steering; Suspension

ODI #11704902

Incident: October 21, 2025 · Filed: December 13, 2025

FORMAL COMPLAINT: CONSUMER FRAUD & SAFETY VIOLATION Dealership: Germain Toyota West (Columbus, OH) Case Reference: #[XXX] To the Consumer Protection Division: I am filing a formal complaint regarding Theft by Deception, Gross Negligence, and Reckless Endangerment by this dealership. 1. THEFT & BILLING FRAUD On Oct 24, 2025, the dealership charged me $455.00 for labor to install rear sway bar links. I provided my own parts. The technician (Maciah Houpe) failed to install the parts but still charged me. He later admitted via text message: "I did not do your rear links... you didn't pay for rear links." The dealership has refused to refund this money despite the written confession. 2. PROPERTY DESTRUCTION During the attempted repair, the technician used excessive force and bent the vehicle's "wheel rod" (Tie Rod), destroying the steering geometry. The technician later admitted to a witness that he was fired for "bending the wheel rod" on my vehicle. 3. RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT (SAFETY VIOLATION) The dealership released the vehicle to my family on Oct 26, representing it as "safe." After a near-miss incident on [XXX] where the steering failed at highway speeds, Management admitted to my wife that they knew the vehicle "might be lucky to make it to the North Side" before failing. They knowingly released a vehicle with a critical safety defect onto a public highway. 4. RETALIATION When I contacted Toyota Corporate to complain, the technician texted me: "You blew up the spot coming through Toyota... they can't help you." The dealership then revoked a "cure offer" (towing/rental) purely as retaliation for my consumer complaint. ATTACHED EVIDENCE: Please see the attached "Master Case Brief" and "Exhibit A" (PDFs). These contain the full legal timeline and the Text Message Logs where the employee confesses to the theft and damage. I have served the dealership a Notice of Intent to Sue. I am requesting an immediate investigation into this franchise's billing fraud INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Steering; Suspension

ODI #11703620

Incident: October 24, 2025 · Filed: December 8, 2025

[XXX] : “for parts it's $375. I'll drop the labor down to $80 for $455 total…”You: “Well I already have the sway bar links but yes that's fine bro. [XXX] : “Got it let me see if I can change the order real quick. [XXX] : “Got it changed ”Screenshot that whole block.Text 2 – “Good to go” / work doneFind where he talks about finishing and testi [XXX] ah: “Got the rear brakes done, fighting the links right no [XXX] ah: “First ones out should be [XXX] ciah: “Got it done, about to test drive and bring it up”Screenshot from “Got the rear brakes done” through “bring it up.”Text 3 – Apology and refund offerFind this [XXX] ciah: “XXX bro it was smooth when I test drove it. I can't do anything until 5 tomorrow. I'll send your money back too, I apologize about that.“I definitely got everything tight… If you can pull up at 5 tomorrow I'll check it over.”Screenshot that entire message.Text 4 – “Through me not Toyota / blew up the spot / arm and a leg”Find the long message from later:“At home, brother you did work through me not Toyota. They can't help you with anything…“You blew up the spot coming through Toyota. I can't even have your car in the shop now without you going through them first and charging you an arm and a leg.“I tried to do something nice for you… you ha [XXX] ‑old vehicle…” INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Air Bags

ODI #11505634

Incident: February 5, 2023 · Filed: February 5, 2023

passenger dash airbag is coming apart at the seems.

Suspension; Vehicle Speed Control; Wheels

ODI #11452114

Incident: November 22, 2021 · Filed: February 15, 2022

Severe vibration from 30-70mph when acceleration, outboard boot split/slinging grease on left/right sides. CV axle has alot of movement. Right and Left axle shaft needs removed and replaced.

Power Train

ODI #11338582

Incident: March 1, 2020 · Filed: July 10, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11323626

Incident: May 1, 2012 · Filed: May 7, 2020

THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY DEGRADES THEREBY CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO APPEAR EXTREMELY DIM WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. *TR

Air Bags

ODI #11254309

Incident: September 2, 2016 · Filed: September 9, 2019

MY PASSENGER AIRBAG COMPARTMENT ON FRONT DASH HAS BEEN SLOWLY BEEN LIFTING AND SEPARATING THOUGH THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. IS THE AIRBAG GOING TO IMPLODE ONE DAY ON A PASSENGER WITHOUT US KNOWING? IT IS LOOKING SCARY BUT I SEE THERE IS NO RECALL.

Other Lexus ES model years

Check your 2005 Lexus ES VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Lexus ES at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Lexus VIN