VehicleVerdict

2005 Lexus Es330 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 176 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.4 times the median Es330 year — the 2005 model ranks #1 of 4 Es330 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 24 injuries in total across these filings.

Speed Control leads the complaint categories with 51 reports (29% of the total).

176

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

44

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

24

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Es330 years?

Es330 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted176 complaints2004: 26 complaints2005: 176 complaints2006: 79 complaints2010: 1 complaints
Es330 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Es330 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Lexus Es330 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control5129%
Transmission4324%
Airbags1810%
Brakes137%
Engine127%
Electrical System95%
Other53%
Fuel System53%
Lighting42%
Steering42%
Tires & Wheels32%
Body & Structure32%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Seat Belts21%
Suspension11%
Seats11%

Does the 2005 Lexus Es330 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V539000EngineNovember 9, 2011 · 420,326 units

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 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.

Consequence

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.

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.

04V595000Seat BeltsDecember 15, 2004 · 150,061 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT PASSENGER POWER SEAT, WHEN INSTALLING CERTAIN REAR-FACING INFANT CHILD SEAT BASES ONTO THE SEAT WITH AN EXCESSIVELY HIGH SEATBELT TENSION, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO UNSEAT A COMPONENT CALLED THE BUCKLE STATUS SWITCH FROM THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE.

Consequence

IF THE SWITCH BECOMES UNSEATED, THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM MAY MISTAKE THE REAR-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT FOR AN UNBELTED ADULT OCCUPANT, AND MAY NOT SUPPRESS THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT BUCKLE STATUS SWITCH. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (SSC 40M) BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987..

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO BACK UP, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND THEN LURCHED FORWARD CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT THE GARAGE DOOR. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEATBELT AND RECEIVED NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · January 20, 2006 · crash

“(1) CAR WAS NEARLY NEW, ONLY 100 MILES, NO ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR UP TO THAT POINT. (2) WHILE SHIFTING INTO PARK AS PART OF THE PROCESS OF PARKING, AND WITH NO PRESSURE ON ACCELLERATOR, CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD, STRIKING CONCRETE STANCHEON OF PARKING LOT LIGHT POLE. THIS RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 9, 2004 · 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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 21, 2017 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330.THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO DECELERATION ATTEMPTS AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THERE WERE NOT INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 5, 2014 · crash

“ON DECEMBER 5TH, 2012 AROUND 1:50 PM IN THE AFTERNOON, I DROVE THE CAR TO PICK UP OUR NEPHEW FROM SCHOOL. WHILE I WAS SLOWING DOWN AND LOOKING FOR A PARKING PLACE SUDDENLY THE CAR SPED UP AND ACCELERATED! EVEN THOUGH I APPLIED HARD ON THE BRAKE THE CAR KEPT RUNNING VERY FAST AND ONLY STOPPED WHEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 5, 2012 · crash

2005 Lexus Es330 — common questions

Is the 2005 Lexus Es330 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 176 complaints put the 2005 model at #1 of 4 Es330 years. It is one of the Es330 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 Es330 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (51 complaints), transmission (43 complaints), airbags (18 complaints).

Does the 2005 Lexus Es330 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Lexus Es330. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Lexus Es330 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Lexus Es330 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Es330 years to avoid are 2005, 2006. The cleanest record among Es330 years belongs to 2010.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.