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

91,000 miles · Jan 21, 2016

Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS RX330. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE STEEL CABLE THAT SECURED THE SPARE TIRE UNDER THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SNAPPED AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WA…

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NHTSA ODI #10821459

120,000 miles · Jan 6, 2016

Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 LEXUS RX330. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SKIDDED ACROSS BLACK ICE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSU…

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NHTSA ODI #10818432

145,416 miles · Dec 21, 2015

Unknown Or Other

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I WAS DRIVING IN THE FAR RIGHT HAND LANE ON THURSDAY, DEC. 16 AT APPROXIMATELY 8:45 PM. I ENTERED I 680S AT THE BOLLINGER CANYON ROAD EXIT AND I WAS APPROACHING THE ALCOSTA BLVD EXIT. I HIT SOMETHING I ASSUME WAS IN THE ROAD BECAUSE I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING AND THE ITEM FLEW UP IN THE AIR AFTER THE IMPACT. I DIDN'T STOP, BUT CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND I HEARD A WHIRRING SOUND. I CONTINUED TO MY DESTINATION TO THE HILTON GARDEN INN IN LIVERMORE WHERE I WAS MEETING A FRIEND, WHO WAS STAYING AT THE HOTEL. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE HOTEL AND TOLD MY FRIEND WHAT HAPPENED, HE CAME TO MY CAR TO LOOK AT THE DAMAGE. I DROVE MY CAR TO B&S HACIENDA AUTO BODY ON OLD SANTA RITA ROAD AND LEFT MY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT. ON THURSDAY, DEC 17, I DROVE ON I 680S AND SAW A MANGLED SHOVEL WITH A GREEN HANDLE ON THE SHOULDER AS I WAS APPROACHING THE ALCOSTA BLVD EXIT. CAL TRANS WAS DOING WORK ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY BEYOND THE ALCOSTA BLVD EXIT THE NIGHT I HIT THE ITEM IN THE ROAD. I BELIEVE THE SHOVEL I HIT WAS LEFT IN THE ROAD BY A CAL TRANS WORK CREW. I HAVE OVER $6,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE DONE TO MY CAR AS A RESULT OF HITTING WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE A SHOVEL THAT WAS LEFT IN THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #10836183

162,000 miles · Nov 24, 2015

Steering

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THE ALIGNMENT HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ISSUE AND HAS BEEN ADJUSTED MORE OFTEN THEN ANY OTHER CAR I'VE EVER OWNED. UNTIL RECENTLY I NOTICED THE STEERING GETTING STIFFER AND HARDER TO HANDLE. CHANGED THE FLUID SEVERAL TIMES AND IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE THE PROBLEM. TOOK IT IN TO GET CHECKED, IT'S THE RACK AND PINION AND WILL COST OVER $1000 TO REPAIR. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE MECHANIC HE STATED "THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT IN YOUR LEXUS, BUT THEY AREN'T PUTTING IN A RECALL ON IT." THAT'S RIDICULOUS. AS MOST OF US HERE, WE HAVE THE SAFETY OF OUR FAMILIES IN OUR CARS. I'M NOT EVEN FINISHED PAYING THIS THING OFF AND IT'S FALLING APART. THIS SHOULD BE TAKEN MUCH MORE SERIOUSLY AND SHOULD BE RECALLED CONSIDERING THAT IT LOOKS AS IF MOST OF THESE MODELS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. IT'S VERY SCARY TO DRIVE. BUT NOT IN MY BUDGET...FOOD AND CLOTHING FIRST...NOT FIXING A MANUFACTURERS ERROR. MANUFACTURED IN CANADA.

NHTSA ODI #10806415

144,572 miles · Aug 18, 2015

Steering

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DEALER MENTIONED POWER STEERING LEAK IN 2014, AGAIN IN 2015 AND PREVIOUS OWNER OF VEHICLE TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT DUE TO COMPLAINT OF PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING IN 2012 WITH WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WERE CHANGED. MY LOCAL DEALER IS STATING THE REPAIR WILL COST AT LEAST $1000 TO REPAIR. DESPITE RECALLS ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS THAT THE INVESTIGATION OF THE 2005 LEXUS RX 330 NEEDS TO INCLUDE VEHICLE MANUFACTURED IN CANADA (MINE STATES CANADA). PLEASE HELP I WANT TO BE SAFE DRIVING MY FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10749457

74,000 miles · Aug 14, 2015

Steering

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I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING ISSUE WITH MY STEERING CONTROL, AND A UNIQUE NOISE ON SHARP TURNS, SO DURING MY NEXT OIL CHANGE AT THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP THEY EXAMINED AND INFORMED ME THAT MY STEERING RACK IS SEEPING OIL, AND WOULD NEED A REPLACEMENT TO A COST OF $1,800. I DRIVE MY CAR OVER THE WEEKENDS WITH MY KIDS ON OUTDOOR TRIPS OVER THE WEEKEND AND HAVE ONLY 70K MILES, SO WAS A COMPLETE SHOCK TO LEARN ABOUT THIS ISSUE. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN ME THAT THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE, AND MANY CONSUMERS HAVE SIMILAR COMPLAIN. ON CONTACTING LEXUS, I WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY PERIOD, THERE NOT MUCH THEY CAN DO ALTHOUGH THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE, THERE WAS A CHANNEL 2 SAN DIEGO, CA CLIP ON TOYOTA MOTORS HAVING A RECALL, BUT I WAS INFORMED NO SUCH RECALL IS IN FORCE, SO I AM CONFUSED. LEXUS CONTACT ME AND READY TO PAY A PARTIAL SUM ON THE PART REPLACEMENT BUT I WOULD HAVE TO BEAR THE LABOR AND MUCH OF THE COST ASSOCIATED FOR THE PART. A SIMILAR STORY THAT ECHOED WITH OTHER USERS, LEXUS NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS RECALL/SAFETY ISSUE AT ONCE, BEFORE A FATALITY OCCURS.

NHTSA ODI #10748726

38,473 miles · Jul 28, 2015

Vehicle Speed Control

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UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION WHEN ENTERING MY DRIVEWAY AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED (2 MPH MAYBE) WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL FOR ABOUT 6 FEET. I WAS STANDING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL & IT FINALLY STOPPED. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF A PROBLEM WITH THE RUG BUNCHING UP. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO JAPANESE CAR CARE SPECIALIST, LLC THE NEXT DAY (WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT). THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT; NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, NO SIGN OF TRANSMISSION TROUBLE. WE ARE NOW DRIVING THE CAR AGAIN WITHOUT INCIDENT BUT IT'S HARD TO TRUST IT. JUST WANTED TO PUT THIS INCIDENT ON FILE WITH THE NTSB IN CASE IT SHOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. UPDATED 10/01/15*LJ UPDATED 12/28/2015*JS

NHTSA ODI #10744228

103,600 miles · Jul 13, 2015

EnginePower TrainCrash

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MY WIFE (WHO IS NOT THE PRIMARY DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE) WAS ENTERING A PERPENDICULAR PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF A BUSINESS LOCATED JUST OFF THE STREET. THE BUSINESS WAS ONCE A HOUSE AND HAS NOW PUT 3 PARKING SPACES IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING JUST OVER THE SIDEWALK.THE ENTRANCE IS UP A DRIVEWAY AND JUST BEYOND THE SIDEWALK AND INTO THE PARKING SPACES. AS SHE WAS GOING UP THE DRIVEWAY AND TURN SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE, THE CAR HESITATED AND THEN ACCELERATED, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND LEFT A 5 FOOT SKID MARK BEFORE CRASHING INTO THE FRONT OF THE BUSINESS. THE CAR HAS DONE THIS BEFORE ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING AND APPLYING A LITTLE GAS, IT WILL HESITATE AND THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATE, BUT NEVER CONTINUING AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKE. WE HAVE DISCUSSED THIS PREVIOUSLY WITH THE LEXUS DEALER AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND THAT COMPUTERS THAT CONTROL THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION CONSTANTLY ADJUST TO THE PRIMARY DRIVER MAY CREATE THIS ISSUE, BUT IT IS NOT A PROBLEM AS FAR AS THEY ARE CONCERNED....UPDATED 09/08/15*BF UPDATED 12/3/15 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10733750

Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2015

Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 LEXUS RX330. WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD. ALTHOUGH THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PILLAR. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS U…

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NHTSA ODI #10730172

142,000 miles · Jun 19, 2015

EquipmentStructure

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS RX330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER LEAKED ONTO THE FLOORBOARD AND FLOODED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CAUSED MOLD TO GROW INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN UNKNOWN AIR CONDITIONER DRAIN NEEDED TO BE UNCLOGGED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

NHTSA ODI #10726264

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