2005 Lexus Rx problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (2) · Structure (2) · Steering (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Lexus Rx model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder 2010-10-21 · campaign 10V499000 · 728,544 vehicles
Defect: TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 LEXUS RX, AND MODEL YEAR 2006 LEXUS GS AND IS VEHICLES. BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING POLYMERS IS USED THAT ACTS AS LUBRICANTS FOR CERTAIN BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF REPLACEMENT BRAKE FLUID IS USED THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN SUCH POLYMERS, OR THAT CONTAINS ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS, A PART OF THE RUBBER SEAL LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY BECOME DRY, AND THE SEAL MAY CURL DURING M
Risk: A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID COULD LEAD TO A CHANGE IN BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND OVERTIME A DEGRADATION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAL WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 AND LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Service bulletins (50)
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.
Structure:body 2025-12-15 · L-SB-0030-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor 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 guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-07-29 · L-SB-0030-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2024 lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor 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 guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-07-29 · L-SB-0030-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2024 lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor 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 guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-06-21 · L-SB-0030-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2024 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 guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-06-21 · L-SB-0030-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2024 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 guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-04-19 · L-SB-0023-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Showing the 6 most recent of 50 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-11-20 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 🔥 fire“my vehicle caught fire a few days after being repaired by a licensed repair shop in california. the repair was performed by: brodie's tire & automotive address: 1276 petaluma blvd n, petaluma, ca 94952 phone: [xxx] after the fire, the repair shop admitted in writing that: • the intake manifold melted after the fire • the engine became “not repaira…”
2025-10-04 · Tires:temporary/Emergency Spare Tire“unexpectedly found steel cable has snapped off & the spare tire was gone like to report this could be a safety issue leading to an accident for fellow driver. …”
2025-09-05 · Structure:interior Panels:dashboard · 80,000 mi“the contact owns a 2005 lexus rx 330. the contact stated that there were horizontal and vertical cracks on the dashboard near the passenger’s side air bag housing. there was no warning light illuminated. the contact was concerned about the safety of the driver’s and passenger’s side air bags. the local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was…”
2024-01-31 · Air Bags“over past month dashboard where airbag is under has become discolored and is cracking as if airbag wants out. other 2005 toyota vehicles have been recalled bc of dangerous airbag issues. should the airbags in 2005 lexus’ be too? afraid to drive now. …”
2023-11-30 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder · 210,000 mi“the contact owns a 2005 lexus rx330. the contact stated while driving at approximately 45 mph, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle was slow to respond. there were no warning lights illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the duralast brake master cylinder was inoperable. the contact was…”
2023-11-30 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder“an autozone, durlast brand brake master cylinder failed in less than one year. the piston in the master cylinder dislodged, preventing proper braking in at least two of the four disc brake calipers. the duralast master cylinder has been retained for inspection. the safety of the driver, passengers, other motorists and pedestrians were placed at ri…”
2022-01-20 · Unknown Or Other“front dashboard cracking and peeling off - have not received any recall notices but have seen this issue appear on others complaints. we have heard there have been recalls but have received no notices to date to be able to have repaired…”
2021-10-19 · Unknown Or Other“2005 lexus rx 330 vin# [xxx] problem: dashboard crack and peel all over the surface happened on january 2021.i might be eligible for lexus to cover this approximate $ 800.00 repair at no charge to me. this is warranty enhancement notification. letter i never get from lexus. list of models lexus is covering under this warranty enhancement 2007-2008…”
2020-05-06 · Vehicle Speed Control · 100,000 mi · 💥 crash“pulling in to a parking slot at dental office, with my foot on the brake, the car suddenly revved and accelerated forward at a high speed. with my foot still on the brake, the car did not stop until hitting the rock wall side of the building. *tr…”
2020-04-18 · Service Brakes · 215,216 mi“brake pedal goes soft while holding brakes on at a stop. the car will start to roll forward unless more brake pedal pressure is applied. brake pedal goes almost to the floor. pumping the brakes restores pressure. my shop bled the brakes twice and found no air in the system. bleeding did not correct the issue. they said there is a problem with the m…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.