CarModelProblems.com

2005 Lexus ES330 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Vehicle Speed Control — runs 7.1× the fleet median for that category across the 1731 model-years tracked on this site.
141Complaints
2Recalls
34Crashes
2Fires
18Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Vehicle Speed Control (32.6% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Vehicle Speed Control complaints here are 7.1× the median for that category across the 1731 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Vehicle Speed Control46 · 32.6%not available
Power Train:automatic Transmission31 · 22%not available
Air Bags17 · 12.1%not available
Power Train10 · 7.1%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling7 · 5%RecalledRecall 11V539000
Electrical System7 · 5%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS17 · 12.1%
POWER TRAIN10 · 7.1%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING7 · 5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7 · 5%
SERVICE BRAKES7 · 5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL5 · 3.5%
Unspecified / other5 · 3.5%
STEERING4 · 2.8%

Percentages are the share of the 141 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 2 campaigns

Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA campaign 11V539000 · 2011 · reported 11/09/2011

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

NHTSA campaign 04V595000 · 2004 · reported 12/15/2004

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“THE AUTOMOBILE SEEMS ACCELLERATE JUST A LITTLE BIT.WHEN YOU ARE STEPPING ON THE GAS IT, KIND OF JUMPS FORWARD SOME, WITHOUT PUTTING MORE PRESSURE TO…”NHTSA complaint 10876227 — filed 06/23/2016 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
“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…”NHTSA complaint 10491125 — filed 12/18/2012 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
“WHEN I PRESS THE ACCELORATOR THERE IS A HESITATION IN THE CAR SPEEDING UP AND WHILE DRIVING THERE IS SOMETIMES THAT SAME HESITATION.”NHTSA complaint 10458307 — filed 05/14/2012 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

202005124200787200953720119620138152015762017452019

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Lexus ES330?

Vehicle speed control issues are the most-reported category, cited in 46 of 141 NHTSA complaints (32.6%), followed by power train:automatic transmission (31), air bags (17), power train (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2005 Lexus ES330 have?

141 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 34 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 18 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2005 Lexus ES330 have any recalls?

Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 11V539000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2005 Lexus ES330's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.