2005 Lexus Es330 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (46) · Power Train:automatic Transmission (28) · Air Bags (12)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Lexus Es330 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
104 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Engine And Engine Cooling 2011-11-09 · campaign 11V539000 · 420,326 vehicles
Defect: 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 INSUFFICIEN
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 1-800-331-4331.
Service bulletins (60)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Equipment 2022-04-13 · Safety Recall 22 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lexus safety recall and service campaign - technician certification requirements 4.13.2022
Air Bags 2022-02-24 · L-SB-0004-22 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: some 2005 ? 2022 model year lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guideline
Wheels 2022-01-12 · Lexus PRO19-02 - · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pol: this consolidated tire warranty guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by lexus. this information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. customers can find this information o
Power Train:automatic Transmission:fluid/Lubricant 2020-08-05 · L-SB-0002-20 Rev · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. this bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. cases that are determined to be a ?leak? should be repaired accordingly and will be covered under warranty
Power Train:manual Transmission:lubricant 2020-08-05 · L-SB-0002-20 Rev · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. this bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. cases that are determined to be a ?leak? should be repaired accordingly and will be covered under warranty
Steering 2020-06-23 · L-SB-0174-08 Obs · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: obsolete notice june 23, 2020: this bulletin is now obsolete. please see l-sb-0023-20.
Showing the 6 most recent of 60 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-05-29 · Seats · 101,000 mi“passenger seat airbag sensor light on when seated…”
2019-02-28 · Air Bags · 80,000 mi“this is similar to the complain another car owner has filed. my car was purchased new from the lexus of pleasonton,ca dealership. i have had no major accident or no airbag deployment. car has been lightly used with 80k miles on the odometer currently. the airbag container on the passenger dash has progressively cracked at the topical seams …”
2019-02-18 · Air Bags · 45,000 mi“this car was purchased from the lexus of memphis dealership as used in 2010. i have had no accidents or airbag deployment. i am.not aware of any a evident history from the previous owner. the airbag container on the passenger dash has progressively cracked at the topical seams over time. i have been told an airbag should not look like this. i a…”
2018-07-25 · Steering“my check engine light is on and when the diganoised code check is performed "no codes appear," but i do have a power steering leakage and i hear the power steering noise when i am turning and from the recall 11v53900 11/09/2011 engine and engine cooling its a huge problem. i call customer service and they where no help! i called for servicing and …”
2018-03-17 · Air Bags“passenger airbag on the dashboard is opening, and my car has never been involved in an impact.…”
2017-10-24 · Service Brakes · 169,000 mi · 💥 crash“tamara recall on my airbags,never repaired. i got into an accident and airbags didn't come out. have to replace brakes every few months on this car also…”
2017-09-08 · Air Bags · 83,000 mi“front passenger airbag cover appears to be separated along the seam near windshield on dashboard and there is a wider gap on that side vs the side closest passenger. i've not seen this before in any of my other lexus vehicles and it's cause for concern of safety as a result.…”
2017-08-25 · Air Bags · 212,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2005 lexus es330. the contact noticed that the front passenger air bag cover was bulging and had separated along the seam nearest the windshield on the dashboard. the passenger air bag and check engine warning indicators illuminated. the vehicle was taken to butler lexus of south atlanta (located at 4025 jonesboro rd, union c…”
2017-03-20 · Steering“tl* the contact owns a 2005 lexus es330. while driving 35 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. the vehicle was able to restart on the first attempt and was driven home. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering pump and alternator failed and needed to be replaced. in addition, the contact needed to replac…”
2016-10-17 · Electrical System · 56,000 mi“my complaint is in regard to the ignition switch for my 2005 lexus es-330. while trying to start my vehicle the case that houses the key broke apart. the key was still in the ignition, the car running, but the other half of the case was dangling from the key itself.after i was able to stop the engine by turning it off with the key itself and gather…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.