2005 Lexus RX330 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Lexus RX330 ranks worst among 5 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 165 complaints, mostly electrical, structural, and steering issues. It carries an Avoid verdict and 3 recalls tied to engine and floor-carpet clip problems.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 5 RX330 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 165
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 16
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 9
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16.5 city / 22.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
Top 2005 Lexus RX330 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System38 (23%)
- Structure & Body32 (19%)
- Steering29 (18%)
- Engine27 (16%)
- Other18 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain18 (11%)
- Brakes15 (9%)
- Airbags14 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (4%)
- Fuel System4 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration or forward/backward movement while parking or at low speed, sometimes crashing into buildings or parked cars.
- Brakes reportedly failed to stop the vehicle during downhill or low-speed maneuvers, in one case with smoke and a burning odor coming from underneath.
- Multiple owners report airbags failing to deploy in frontal or rear-end crashes at speeds around 30 to 45 mph, including one incident with head injuries.
- One owner reported the vehicle rolled backward after the key was removed from the ignition while still in drive.
- Engine-related complaints frequently describe the vehicle lurching or accelerating on its own during parking maneuvers.
2005 Lexus RX330 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 11V539000Nov 9, 2011Engine420,326 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling
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.
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.
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.
- NHTSA 11V112000Feb 24, 2011Engine769,379 vehicles
Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal
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.
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.
- NHTSA 06V253000Jul 13, 2006Engine367,594 vehicles
Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal
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.
Risk: This condition may interfere with the accelerator pedal returning to the idle position increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
2005 Lexus RX330 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16.5 MPG
- Highway
- 22.5 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,400
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other RX330 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Lexus RX330 reliable?
- Compared with other RX330 model years, 2005 ranks worst, with a complaint index of 100 (the highest in the lineup) and 165 owner complaints, mostly in the electrical system, structure, steering, and engine.
- What problems does the 2005 Lexus RX330 have?
- NHTSA complaints for 2005 center on electrical system issues (38 complaints), structure and body problems (32), steering (29), and engine issues (27), with a top problem area of Electrical System.
- Does the 2005 Lexus RX330 have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2005 RX330, covering engine-related crankshaft pulley checks and floor carpet cover retaining clips that could interfere with the accelerator pedal.
- How does the 2005 RX330 compare to other years?
- The 2005 model has a complaint index of 100 and an Avoid verdict, the highest complaint index among the tracked years; 2006 follows with an index of 75, while 2007 scores much lower at 25 with a Good verdict.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Lexus RX330?
- The 2005 RX330 gets an EPA-rated 19 mpg combined (16.5 city / 22.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,400.