2005 Lexus Rx330 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (26) · Exterior Lighting (20) · Structure (17)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Lexus Rx330 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
122 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
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.
Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal 2011-02-24 · campaign 11V112000 · 769,379 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Service bulletins (120)
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
Equipment 2022-03-09 · L-SB-0006-22 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: this service bulletin includes procedures to replace damaged or loose front carpet floor retainer(s) without replacing the carpet assembly. follow the repair procedure in this bulletin to replace the loose or damaged carpet floor retainer(s).
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 120 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2021-04-28 · Structure:interior Panels:dashboard · 65,000 mi“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. …”
2020-08-20 · Structure:body · 70,000 mi“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 …”
2019-12-09 · Steering · 220,000 mi“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 veh…”
2019-02-25 · Engine · 205,000 mi“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.…”
2018-12-23 · Unknown Or Other · 42,000 mi“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 n…”
2018-10-29 · Unknown Or Other · 91,000 mi · 💥 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 w…”
2018-08-19 · Tires“falken pro g4 a/s 235/55/18 tire blew up while driving around 30 mph…”
2018-07-31 · Engine 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, calif…”
2018-07-28 · Unknown Or Other · 68,000 mi · 🔥 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.…”
2018-07-23 · Unknown Or Other · 120,000 mi“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. headquar…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.