Exterior Lighting. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports1 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

165 reports

25,000 miles · Mar 9, 2009

Exterior Lighting

I HAVE A 2005 LEXUS RX330 IN WHICH WHEN RAINING, HEADLIGHT CONDENSATION OCCURS. I'M SURE AS THE CONDENSATION WORSENS, THE CLEAR LENS WILL START TO YELLOW IMPAIRING VISIBILITY AND ULTIMATELY HID LAMP FAILURE. WHENEVER IT RAINS OR I GET A CAR WASH IT IS MOST OBVIOUS AND ANNOYING. LEXUS OF BAY RIDGE REPLACED ONLY 1 LIGHT AND NOW…

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NHTSA ODI #10261274

42,000 miles · Mar 2, 2009

Power TrainCrash

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS RX330. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT LEFT THE GEAR IN DRIVE AND REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARDS. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A PARKED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AWAY; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE KEY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE GEAR WAS NOT IN PARK. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND SENT TO THEIR INSURANCE DIVISION, BUT THEY HAVE NOT YET STATED WHETHER OR NOT THEY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,000.

NHTSA ODI #10260457

20,000 miles · May 14, 2008

Power Train

MY 2005 RX330 HESITATES AND I FEEL IT'S DANGEROUS. THERE ARE TIMES THAT AFTER MAKING A TURN AND STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR THAT THE CAR BEHIND ME HAS ALMOST RAMMED ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10227778

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2008

EquipmentVehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS RX330. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE FLOOR MAT CLIPS AND DOES NOT WANT TO MAKE THE TWO HOUR DRIVE TO HAVE THE REPAIR PERFORMED AT LEXUS. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO TAKE HIS VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA DEALER INSTEAD. LEXUS STATED THAT THE WORK MUST BE DONE AT A LEXUS DEALER. THERE…

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NHTSA ODI #10214042

Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2006

Engine And Engine Cooling

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I PURCHASED A USED 2005 RX 330 3 WEEKS AGO (I ALSO PURCHASED WHAT I WAS TOLD WAS AN EXTENDED ROAD HAZARD COVERAGE). I DECIDED TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER AND GRANDDAUGHTER TO DISNEY WORLD (A 200 MILE TRIP THIS WEEKEND. JUST AS WE ARRIVED IN ORLANDO MY DAUGHTER SAID THAT SHE HEARD A POP (IT WAS NOT LOUD AS I DID NOT EVEN NOTICE IT)AND WE NOTICED STEAM COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE SUV WAS TOWED INTO LEXUS OF ORLANDO AND ALTHOUGH ON VACATION I WAS LEFT WITHOUT A CAR AND STILL HAVE NONE. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, I WAS CALLED BY LEXUS OF ORLANDO AND TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $1000 TO HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED BECAUSE ALLEGEDLY THE ISSUE IS DAMAGE TO THE A/C COMPRESSOR CAUSED BY A 'ROAD HAZARD'. THE 'ROAD HAZARD' WAS A PIECE OF REFLECTOR USED TO SEPARATE THE LANES. LEXUS HAS REFUSED OT REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH I WAS SOLD A 3 MONTH, 3,000 MILE EVERYTHING WARRANTY (IN ADDITION TO THE LEXUS CERTIFIED WARRANTY) AND THE EVERYTHING WARRANTY HAS NO EXCLUSIONS WAS TO COVER ANY DAMAGE. I SPOKE TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT FOR A ROAD REFLECTOR TO CAUSE THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE, THERE MUST BE A DESIGN FLAW IN THE PROTECTIONS AFFORDED BY THE GRILL OR OTHERWISE TO THE A/C RADIATOR AREA. IN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE I NOTED THAT OTHERS HAVE FILE IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS, INCLUDING ON THIS SITE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10176363

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2006

Suspension

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EXCESSIVE BOUNCING AND SWAYING. I THINK ALL TOYOTA CARS HAVE A POTENTIAL TO HAVE FAULTY SHOCKS. I HAD BOUGHT A NEW CAMRY AND ALWAYS WONDERED WHY IT HAD A LOT OF BODY ROLL AND EXCESSIVE BOUNCING. TO MAKE IT A SHORT STORY, I ENDED UP REPLACING THE FRONT SHOCKS THAT IMPROVED HANDLING DRAMATICALLY. HERE I AM, OWNING ANOTHER NEW TOYOTA PRODUCT LEXUS RX 330, HAVING A SAME PROBLEM. I CANNOT DRIVE IT ANY FASTER THAN 35 MPH ON 45 MPH ZONE CURVY COUNTRY ROADS BECAUSE THE CAR TENDS TO ROLL LEFT AND RIGHT A LOT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10165425

10 miles · Jan 27, 2006

Structure

EXHAUST FUMES CAN BE SUCKED INTO THE VEHICLE'S CABIN IF THE REAR HATCH IS SLIGHTLY OPEN , HAULING LONG OBJECT, BECAUSE THE REAR AIR DEFLECTOR IS IMPROPER DESIGN TO CREATE A DOWN DRAFT WHEN VEHICLE IS MOVING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10148876

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2005

Unknown Or Other

THE TAIL LIGHT LENSE OF THE NEW LEXUS SUV IS CLEAR/WHITE PLASTIC AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING IT WHEN THE SUN SHINES ON IT FROM THAT DIRECTION.I HAVE BEEN DISTRACTED/BLINDED A NUMBER OF TIMES.WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE LAW THAT REQUIRED THE TAIL LIGHTS TO BE RED?TOYOTA MUST THINK THAT THIS IS A COOL STYLING FE…

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NHTSA ODI #10139718

Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2005

Exterior Lighting

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I HAVE A LEXUS RX330 AWD (2005) WITH HIDS IN NJ. THE VEHICLE IS REALLY GOOD AND SO IS THE HEADLIGHTS. NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE RIDE AND LUXURY. BUT ITS DISAPPOINTING TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCES AND THE SLEEPLESS NIGHTS I AM HAVING FOR THE LAST 2 MONTHS. THE HID HEADLIGHTS WERE STOLEN TWICE AND I AM HAVING SCARY NIGHTS AFTER SPENDING 40K ON THIS LUXURY SUV. ONE OF THE BIG REASON WHY I WENT FOR RX 330 FROM THE OTHER BRANDS WAS THE KNOWN QUALITY OF SERVICE AND RELIABILITY OF THE LEXUS BRAND. BUT NOW I AM TOTALLY DISAPPOINTED. LEXUS SHOULD NOTIFY EVERYONE WHO HAS THE XENON HEADLIGHTS TO DO THE ENHANCED SECURITY FOR HEADLIGHTS. BUT THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL I CONTACTED THEM. MEANWHILE I CONTACTED LEXUS AFTER THE 2 THEFTS AND THEY INSTALLED THE DATA DOTS AND ANTI THEFT BRACKETS WHICH THEY SAY MAY PREVENT THEFTS. IT HAS BEEN DONE A WEEK BACK AND HOPE THIEVES MAY NOT STEAL IT AGAIN SEEING THE DATA DOTS. THESE DATADOTS WONT PREVENT THEFT BUT THEY JUST WARN THE THIEF. EXTRA BRACKETS MAKES THEIR JOB A BIT HARD, BUT THEY CAN EASILY TAKE IT BY DOING MORE DAMAGE TO THE HOOD. FIRST THEFT - 5000 K LOSS SECOND THEFT - 6000 K LOSS I HAVE ONLY THIS SUGGESTION. 1)NO ONE CAN PREVENT THEFTS. MY ONLY SUGGESTION IS LEXUS OR DEALERS SHOULD WARN THE CUSTOMERS IN NJ AND NY ABOUT THE POTENTIAL HEADLIGHT THEFTS OR THEY SHOULD NOTIFY ALL OWNERS TO INSTALL SOME SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS FOR THESE HEADLIGHTS. 2)WHY CUSTOMERS RISK THEIR LIFE AND PEACEFUL NIGHTS BY SPENDING 40K FOR LUXURY VEHICLES AND AGAIN RISK TO SPEND 250-500K FOR DEDUCTIBLES EVERY MONTH. I REALLY WORRY THAT NEXT TIME INSURANCE COMPANY MAY BE UNWILLING TO GIVE INSURANCE TO MY VEHICLE TELLING THE AREA IS A HIGH RISK AREA. 3)REMOVING A LIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FROM AN ADVANCED MICRO COMPUTER CONTROLLED VEHICLE AND THE THEFT ALARMS JUST SITS DUMB. I CANNOT BELIEVE WHY THIS VEHICLE AND THE HEADLIGHTS WAS DESIGNED LIKE THIS. 4)THE ENHANCED BRACKETS SHOULD BE SOME STRONG METALLIC STUFFS(NOW I GUESS ITS PLASTIC). *NM

NHTSA ODI #10139135

5,160 miles · Jul 25, 2005

Structure

2005 LEXUS RX 300 DESIGN FLAW WITH THE GRILL IN THE CONDENSER.*MR THE MECAHNIC DETERMINED THAT A VERY MINUTE PIECE OF A STONE CHIP MADE A HOLD IN THE GRILL IN FRONT OF THE CONDENSER, WHICH CAUSED THE FREON TO DRAIN OUT. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE GRILL WAS TOO DELICATED *JB

NHTSA ODI #10130255

Official recalls

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.

11V112000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Feb 24, 2011

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

06V253000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Jul 13, 2006

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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

RQ10003 · Unintended And Uncontrolled Acceleration

Opened Feb 16, 2010 · Closed Mar 1, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:software; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

On February 16, 2010, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened RQ10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior Toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, Toyota recalls 07E-082, 09V-388, 10V-017, and 10V-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles.I. Pedal Interference from Floor mats, Carpet Covers and Plastic Pads in Carpets.During the RQ10-003 investigation, ODI reviewed a large volume of documents to assess whether additional vehicles should be recalled.Following the agency's analysis, NHTSA requested that Toyota recall additional vehicles.Toyota complied with the agency's request.The details of these recalls are set forth more fully in Toyota's reports to NHTSA pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573.These recalls are as follows:Recall 11V-112: (1) model year (MY) 2004-2006 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid; and, (2) MY 2004-2007 Lexus RX330,RX350, and RX400h (hybrid model). The total estimated population under this recall is 769,379 vehicles.This recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by a loose floor carpet cover (trim panel). Recall 11V-113: (1) MY 2003-2009 through 2009 Toyota 4Runner; (2) MY 2006-2010 Toyota RAV4; and, (3) MY 2008-2011 Lexus LX570.The total estimated population under this recall is 1,381,000 vehicles.This recall supplements recall 09V-388 and remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment by an unsecured floor mat.Recall 11V-115: (1) MY 2006-2007 Lexus GS300 (all wheel drive vehicles); and, (2) MY 2006-2007 Lexus GS350 (all wheel drive vehicles). The total estimated population under this recall is 19,647 vehicles.This recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by inadequate clearance between the pedal linkage and a plastic pad embedded in the vehicle's carpet.II. Potential Electronic Causes of Unintended Acceleration.After NHTSA opened RQ10-003, NHTSA launched a ten-month study of potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.NHTSA launched the study in the spring of 2010 in light of concerns aired in Congressional hearings.NHTSA enlisted engineers at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with expertise in areas such as computer controlled electronic systems, electromagnetic interference and software integrity to assess whether electronic systems or electromagnetic interference played a role in incidents of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.That study has concluded.Two reports are associated with the study and are available on NHTSA's website.NASA's report is entitled Technical Support to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the Reported Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) Unintended Acceleration (UA) Investigation, NESC Assessment No. TI-10-00618 (Jan. 18, 2011).NHTSA's report is entitled Technical Assessment of Toyota Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Systems (Feb. 2011).Both reports should be read in conjunction with each other. As stated in its report, NASA did not find an electronic cause of large throttle openings that can result in unintended acceleration incidents. NHTSA did not find a vehicle-based cause of unintended acceleration incidents other than the physical pedal interference causes that are being addressed by Toyota's recalls. This RQ is closed.

Additional source detail variants (6)

Electrical System:software

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal