Total Complaints
210 filings
LEXUS RX330 · model year
210 NHTSA complaints, 22 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2005LEXUSRX330 carries 210 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 22 crashes, 3 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 RX330 is steering with 29 filings, followed by exterior lighting (22) and structure (19). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2005 RX330. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
210 filings
Crashes Reported
22 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STEERING | 29 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 22 |
| STRUCTURE | 19 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 15 |
| AIR BAGS | 14 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 12 |
| POWER TRAIN | 11 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 11 |
| ENGINE | 11 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 10 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 8 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 5 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 4 |
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
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
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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
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.
Mileage: 65,000
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\
Mileage: 70,000
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\
Mileage: 70,000
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.
Mileage: 220,000
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.
Mileage: 220,000
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.
Mileage: 205,000
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.
Mileage: 42,000
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.
Mileage: 91,000
FALKEN PRO G4 A/S 235/55/18 TIRE BLEW UP WHILE DRIVING AROUND 30 MPH
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.
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.
Mileage: 68,000
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.
Mileage: 68,000
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.
Mileage: 68,000
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.
Mileage: 120,000
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.
Mileage: 120,000
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
Mileage: 170,773
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.
Mileage: 130,100
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.
Mileage: 130,100
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.
Mileage: 80,000
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.
Mileage: 188,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.