LEXUS RX330 · model year

2005 LEXUS RX330

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.

210
Complaints
22
Crashes
3
Fires
10
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

210 filings

Crashes Reported

22 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING29
EXTERIOR LIGHTING22
STRUCTURE19
UNKNOWN OR OTHER15
AIR BAGS14
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL12
POWER TRAIN11
STRUCTURE:BODY11
ENGINE11
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS10
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC5
SERVICE BRAKES5
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)4

Recalls (3)

11V11200024/02/2011

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

06V25300013/07/2006

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.

11V53900009/11/2011

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

Recent Complaints

20210428STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD

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

20200820AIR BAGS

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

20200820STRUCTURE:BODY

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

20191209STEERING

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

20191209ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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

20190225ENGINE

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

20181223UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

20181029CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

20180819TIRES

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

20180731ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

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.

20180728FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

20180728FirePOWER TRAIN

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

20180728FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

20180723STRUCTURE:BODY

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

20180723UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

20180703WHEELS

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

20180619STEERING

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

20180619SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

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

20180501POWER TRAIN

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

20180326UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

Compare 2005LEXUSRX330 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 LEXUS RX330 have?
The 2005 LEXUS RX330 has 210 NHTSA complaints, 22 crashes, 3 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 LEXUS RX330?
Yes, the 2005 LEXUS RX330 has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 LEXUS RX330?
The most-complained component for the 2005 LEXUS RX330 is STEERING with 29 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EXTERIOR LIGHTING and STRUCTURE.
Is the 2005 LEXUS RX330 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.