2005 Lexus RX330 recalls & problems

3 recalls 165 complaints 1 investigation

3recalls
165owner complaints
16crashes reported
1fires reported
10 / 0injuries / deaths

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2005 Lexus RX330 and 165 owner complaints. The part owners complain about most is exterior lighting (32 reports), followed by structure (32). NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation that include this vehicle. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers – enter your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your car still has an open recall.

2005 Lexus RX330 recalls

Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 11V539000 · Nov 9, 2011

Problem: 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…

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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…

420,326 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA 11V112000 · Feb 24, 2011

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

769,379 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA 06V253000 · Jul 13, 2006

Problem: 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.

Risk: This condition may interfere with the accelerator pedal returning to the idle position increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

367,594 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

2005 Lexus RX330 problems by component

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Exterior Lighting 32
000
Structure 32
000
Steering 29
000
Power Train 19
310
Unknown or Other 15
412
Air Bags 14
606
Vehicle Speed Control 14
501
Engine 11
100
Electrical System 7
100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 6
100
Service Brakes 5
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc) 4
000
Visibility 4
000
Wheels 3
000
Equipment 3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling 3
000
Seat Belts 2
000
Tires 2
000
Fuel System, Gasoline 2
000
Fuel System, Other 1
101
Suspension 1
000
Fuel/Propulsion System 1
010

NHTSA investigations

Latest owner complaints

Structure · Apr 28, 2021 · 65,000 miles · FL

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 · Aug 20, 2020 · 70,000 miles · FL

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…

Structure · Aug 20, 2020 · 70,000 miles · FL

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…

Steering · Dec 9, 2019 · 220,000 miles · PA

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…

Electronic Stability Control (esc) · Dec 9, 2019 · 220,000 miles · PA

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…

Engine · Feb 25, 2019 · 205,000 miles · IL

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 · Dec 23, 2018 · 42,000 miles · IL

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…

Unknown or Other · Oct 29, 2018 · 91,000 miles · CO · crash

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…

Tires · Aug 19, 2018 · NV

Falken pro g4 a/s 235/55/18 tire blew up while driving around 30 MPH

Engine and Engine Cooling · Jul 31, 2018 · CA

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)…

Power Train · Jul 28, 2018 · 68,000 miles · IL · fire

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.

Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 28, 2018 · 68,000 miles · IL · fire

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.

Other Lexus RX330 years

2004 2005 2006 2007 2009 2011

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Lexus RX330 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls covering the 2005 Lexus RX330, the most recent one (11V539000) for engine and engine cooling. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Lexus RX330?

Based on 165 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are exterior lighting (32), structure (32), steering (29).

Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 2005 Lexus RX330?

Owners reported 16 crashes, 1 fire, 10 injuries and 0 deaths in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.

Is NHTSA investigating the 2005 Lexus RX330?

NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation that include this vehicle, most recently RQ10003: Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration.