2005 Lexus RX330: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 165 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is exterior lighting (20% of complaints); the 2006 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 165 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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\”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2020
“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.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Jun 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.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 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.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2018
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2018
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2018
“Takata recall, I called about the recall for the engine cooling and the brakes hydrulic and they say my car is not in the recall but I am having problem with my cooling”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2017
“I am experiencing issues with my steering control and powering steering leaking which has caused a unique noise on sharp turns and while driving in general. My mechanic informed me that my rack and pinions need to be replaced. My 2005 rx 330 currently has 131,000 miles. It's very sad to read previous complaints and lexus still has not done anything about this issue. This is a known problem that lexus is aware of - what the hell!”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 16 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact RX330 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Lexus RX330 reliable?
NHTSA has 165 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Lexus RX330. The most complained-about area is exterior lighting (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Lexus RX330 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,000 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Lexus RX330 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.