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2005 Lexus ES330

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

104 reports with mileage · 37 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

34 crash reports2 fire reports15 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

9 reports
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66,108 miles · Aug 26, 2016
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY DISCHARGE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V539000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY DISCHARGE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V539000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,108. *CONSUMER REQUEST TO WITHDRAW COMPLAINT. UPDATED 10/21/16*LJ THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO WITHDRAW THE COMPLAINT. THE ISSUE WAS FIXED. UPDATED 10/26/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10898756

Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed ControlCrash

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 IT HIT BUSHES AND THE HOUSE ON …

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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 IT HIT BUSHES AND THE HOUSE ON THE RIGHT OF THE ROAD. I WAS LUCKY THAT NO KIDS CAME OUT FROM SCHOOL YET AND NO OTHER CARS WERE NEARLY SO DAMAGES ONLY CAUSED TO THE CAR AND THE PROPERTY.

NHTSA ODI #10491125

25 miles · Aug 6, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES-330. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY JERK. WHEN ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO RESPOND. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LOSE POWER AS IF IT WERE ATTEMPTING TO STALL. THE DEALER ADVISED THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE IN HIS YEAR AND…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES-330. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY JERK. WHEN ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO RESPOND. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LOSE POWER AS IF IT WERE ATTEMPTING TO STALL. THE DEALER ADVISED THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE IN HIS YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 10/25/10 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED IN TRAFFIC. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FORWARD ON ITS OWN AT TIMES. UPDATED 10/27/10

NHTSA ODI #10347806

35,000 miles · Apr 29, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP OR ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE OR STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10328129

63,224 miles · Jan 21, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO PRESENCE OF OIL SLUDGE DESPITE PROPER MAINTENANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10301704

5 miles · Jun 3, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE HESITATES TERRIBLY UPON ACCELERATION. I'VE CALLED DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND WAS TOLD "THIS IS NORMAL" UNTIL THE LAST CALL. NOW LEXUS ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM AND OFFERS A REMEDY! FORT MYERS DEALER RECALIBRATED THE ECM AND URGED USE OF NAME BRAND PREMIUM FUEL ONLY! SINCE THESE TWO CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE, IMPROVEMENT H…

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VEHICLE HESITATES TERRIBLY UPON ACCELERATION. I'VE CALLED DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND WAS TOLD "THIS IS NORMAL" UNTIL THE LAST CALL. NOW LEXUS ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM AND OFFERS A REMEDY! FORT MYERS DEALER RECALIBRATED THE ECM AND URGED USE OF NAME BRAND PREMIUM FUEL ONLY! SINCE THESE TWO CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE, IMPROVEMENT HAS BEEN MADE, BUT NOT ELIMINATED. THERE IS STILL SOMETHING NOT CORRECT ABOUT TRYING TO MERGE ONTO A HIGHWAY AND HAVING THE ENGINE BOG DOWN AS TRUCKS BEAR DOWN UPON YOU! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10192322

Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

HESITATION HAS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10167614

1,000 miles · Jul 19, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingInterior Lighting

DT: CALLER SAYS VEHICLE HAS SEVERAL PROBLEMS., BRAKES VIBRATED, AND SHE HAD TO PUMP THEM. ALSO, REAR SUSPENSION PROBLEMS, TRACTION CONTROL PROBLEMS, AND COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEMS IN THE ENGINE.. VEHICLE WAS AT DEALER FOR 4 DAYS THE FIRST TIME AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO GIVE HER ANY INFORMATION ON THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. MANUFACTU…

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DT: CALLER SAYS VEHICLE HAS SEVERAL PROBLEMS., BRAKES VIBRATED, AND SHE HAD TO PUMP THEM. ALSO, REAR SUSPENSION PROBLEMS, TRACTION CONTROL PROBLEMS, AND COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEMS IN THE ENGINE.. VEHICLE WAS AT DEALER FOR 4 DAYS THE FIRST TIME AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO GIVE HER ANY INFORMATION ON THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE CALLER WITH ANY INFORMATION BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER YET. CALLER IS WAITING FOR MANUFACTURER TO CALL HER BACK. ALSO, CALLER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE LIGHTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND DASH LIGHTS. . *AK

NHTSA ODI #10129315

Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE HESITATED UPON ACCELERATION AND PERFORMED ERRATICALLY. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THIS WAS NORMAL PERFORMANCE. CONSUMER WAS AWARE OF COMPLAINTS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10099619

Official recalls

2

11V539000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Nov 9, 2011

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 & remedy

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.

04V595000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

Dec 15, 2004

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 & remedy

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..

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP05002 · Vehicle Speed Control

Opened Aug 5, 2005 · Closed Jan 5, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control

IN A LETTER DATED JULY 8, 2005, AND AFTER EXPERIENCING TWO INCIDENTS (AND ONE CRASH) WHERE HE ALLEGES HIS MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002 CAMRY ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT, MR. JORDAN ZIPRIN PETITIONED THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION?S (NHTSA) OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) TO COMMENCE A PROCEEDING TO DETERMINE THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT WITHIN THE ETC SYSTEM IN MY 2002 TO 2005 TOYOTA AND LEXUS VEHICLES, OR TO REOPEN A PRIOR INVESTIGATION PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE) 04-021.IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 18, 2005, MR. ZIPRIN AMENDED HIS PETITION TO INCLUDE ALLEGATIONS OF INTERRELATED BRAKE AND ACCELERATION PROBLEMS THAT ALLEGEDLY RESULT IN INAPPROPRIATE AND UNCONTROLLABLE VEHICLE ACCELERATIONS.THE 1172 VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE REPORTS CITED BY THE PETITIONER INVOLVE 4 LEXUS AND 15 TOYOTA MODELS DEFINING A POPULATION OF 7 MILLION VEHICLES.THE REPORTS TYPICALLY ALLEGED A DEFECT IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM, THE THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM, OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH SYSTEMS.IN ITS REVIEW OF THE REPORTS, ODI A) FAILED TO FIND EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE EXISTENCE OF A BRAKE RELATED DEFECT IN THE CITED MODELS, AND B) DETERMINED THAT MANY CITED PRODUCTS WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH ETC.ACCORDINGLY, ODI RESTRICTED ITS ANALYSIS TO THE 432 PETITIONER REPORTS INVOLVING MY 2002 TO 2005 CAMRY, SOLARA, AND ES MODELS (ALL EQUIPPED WITH ETC) THAT ALLEGED AN ABNORMAL THROTTLE CONTROL EVENT (SEE THE JANUARY 3, 2006 FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE FOR FURTHER DETAILS).ABOUT 40% OF THE 432 REPORTS INVOLVE A DRIVEABILITY CONCERN WHERE THE OPERATOR INTENTIONALLY APPLIES THE THROTTLE PEDAL, IN EXPECTATION THAT THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE, AND THEN EXPERIENCES A DELAY OR HESITATION IN VEHICLE RESPONSE.THESE REPORTS INVOLVE VEHICLE RESPONSE TO INTENTIONAL DRIVER COMMANDS WHICH ODI CONSIDERS UNRELATED TO THE ALLEGATIONS RAISED BY THE PETITIONER.THEREFORE, THE REPORTS DO NOT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED.ABOUT 20% OF THE REPORTS INVOLVE INCIDENTS WHERE OPERATORS ALLEGE VEHICLE ACCELERATION WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT AND AN INABILITY OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WHEN APPLIED.NEITHER THE REPORTS, NOR THE INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED BY ODI, IDENTIFIED ANY VEHICLE-BASED CAUSE TO EXPLAIN THE INCIDENTS OR DISCLOSED EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THAT A FAILURE OF THE BRAKE OR THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM HAD OCCURRED.BECAUSE THESE REPORTS DO NOT INDICATE A DISTINCT SAFETY DEFECT FOR INVESTIGATION, THE REPORTS DO NOT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED BY THE PETITIONERTHE REMAINING REPORTS (~ 40%, SIMILAR TO THE PETITIONER?S AND THOSE OF PE04-021) TYPICALLY DESCRIBE INCIDENTS WHERE A VEHICLE IS BEING MANEUVERED AT SLOW SPEED IN A CLOSE QUARTER SITUATION AT WHICH POINT THE OPERATOR ALLEGES THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT AND CRASHES.IN THE AFTERMATH, OPERATORS ARE UNSURE OF WHETHER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED OR NOT, SOMETIMES STATING THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT TIME TO USE THE BRAKE; A CRASH OCCURRED AND THE OPERATOR BELIEVES AN UNCOMMANDED ACCELERATION CAUSED IT.IN SPITE OF THE EFFORT EXPENDED DURING PE04-021 AND DURING THIS ANALYSIS, ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED ANY VEHICLE-BASED CAUSE TO EXPLAIN THE REPORTS, OR UNCOVERED ANY EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THAT A THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE OCCURRED.THEREFORE, THE REPORTS HAVE AMBIGUOUS SIGNIFICANCE AND DO NOT CONSTITUTE A BASIS ON WHICH ANY FURTHER INVESTIGATIVE ACTION IS WARRANTED.BASED ON THE ANALYSIS CONDUCTED, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.CONSEQUENTLY, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES T