NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 Lexus RX330 Recalls & Complaints

The 2005 Lexus RX330 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 165 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Lexus dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2005 Lexus RX330. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2005 Lexus RX330 owner complaints

Owners have filed 165 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Lexus RX330, describing incidents dated November 19, 2004 to August 15, 2020.

Most-cited components

Exterior Lighting 32 complaints
Structure 32 complaints
Steering 29 complaints
Power Train 18 complaints
Unknown or Other 15 complaints
Air Bags 14 complaints

Of the 165 complaints on file, 16 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 165 complaints, owners report 9 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11414236 · Filed April 28, 2021
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.
ODI #11350449 · Filed August 20, 2020
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…
ODI #11288005 · Filed December 9, 2019
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…

Read all 165 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2005 Lexus RX330 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.

Recall Query RQ10-003: Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration
Closed March 1, 2011

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

CRANKSHAFT PULLEY

NHTSA #11V539000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported November 9, 2011 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 420,326 vehicles

Owners notified December 31, 2011 · Vehicles built June 1, 2004 – March 31, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FLOOR CARPET COVER AND RETENTION CLIPS

NHTSA #11V112000 · Vehicle Speed Control — Accelerator Pedal · NHTSA notice

Reported February 24, 2011 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 769,379 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign BOA/BLC · Owners notified May 6, 2011 · Vehicles built February 10, 2003 – August 31, 2006 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

TOYOTA SAFETY RECALL BOA LEXUS SAFETY RECALL NO. BLC.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

CARPET INTERFERENCE WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL

NHTSA #06V253000 · Vehicle Speed Control — Accelerator Pedal · NHTSA notice

Reported July 13, 2006 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 367,594 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 6LD 60F · Owners notified July 24, 2006 · Vehicles built February 10, 2003 – May 24, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

TOYOTA RECALL NO. 60F AND LEXUS RECALL NO. 6LD.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2005 Lexus RX330 4-DR w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

1 investigation

165 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Lexus RX330.

Structure

ODI #11414236

Incident: April 1, 2007 · Filed: April 28, 2021

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; Structure

ODI #11350449

Incident: August 15, 2020 · Filed: August 20, 2020

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; Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ODI #11288005

Incident: June 1, 2019 · Filed: December 9, 2019

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

ODI #11182458

Incident: February 22, 2019 · Filed: February 25, 2019

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

ODI #11163217

Incident: December 23, 2018 · Filed: December 23, 2018

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 Other

ODI #11143701

Crash

Incident: August 26, 2018 · Filed: October 29, 2018

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

ODI #11120905

Incident: August 18, 2018 · Filed: August 19, 2018

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

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #11114784

Incident: July 1, 2018 · Filed: July 31, 2018

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.

Power Train; Unknown or Other; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11114323

Fire

Incident: July 28, 2018 · Filed: July 28, 2018

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; Unknown or Other

ODI #11113174

Incident: September 12, 2017 · Filed: July 23, 2018

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.

Other Lexus RX330 model years

Check your 2005 Lexus RX330 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Lexus RX330 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Lexus VIN