Does the 2005 Lexus ES330 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2005 Lexus ES330, the most recent reported on November 9, 2011 (Engine and engine cooling). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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

Owners have filed 141 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is vehicle speed control (51 complaints), followed by power train (43).

How many 2005 Lexus ES330 complaints mention a crash or fire?

34 of 141 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 18 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2005 Lexus ES330 recalls and problems

2 recalls and 141 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2005 Lexus ES330.

recalls

141

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2005 Lexus ES330 recalls

Engine and engine cooling

NHTSA campaign 11V539000 · reported November 9, 2011 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · 420,326 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The 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.
The fix: 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.

Seat belts: front, buckle assembly

NHTSA campaign 04V595000 · reported December 15, 2004 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 150,061 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: 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.
The fix: 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..

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Vehicle speed control51
Power train43
Air bags17
Engine and engine cooling9
Electrical system8
Service brakes7
Unknown or other5
Service brakes, hydraulic4
Steering4
Engine3

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

May 29, 2019 · Air bags · 101,000 miles
PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT ON WHEN SEATED

Feb 28, 2019 · Air bags · 80,000 miles
THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE COMPLAIN ANOTHER CAR OWNER HAS FILED. MY CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM THE LEXUS OF PLEASONTON,CA DEALERSHIP. I HAVE HAD NO MAJOR ACCIDENT OR NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. CAR HAS BEEN LIGHTLY USED WITH 80K MILES ON THE ODOMETER CURRENTLY. THE AIRBAG CONTAINER ON THE PASSENGER DASH HAS PROGRESSIVELY…

Feb 18, 2019 · Air bags · 45,000 miles
THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM THE LEXUS OF MEMPHIS DEALERSHIP AS USED IN 2010. I HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENTS OR AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I AM.NOT AWARE OF ANY A EVIDENT HISTORY FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER. THE AIRBAG CONTAINER ON THE PASSENGER DASH HAS PROGRESSIVELY CRACKED AT THE TOPICAL SEAMS OVER TIME. I HAVE BEEN TOLD AN AIRBAG…

Jul 25, 2018 · Electronic stability control (ESC)
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND WHEN THE DIGANOISED CODE CHECK IS PERFORMED "NO CODES APPEAR," BUT I DO HAVE A POWER STEERING LEAKAGE AND I HEAR THE POWER STEERING NOISE WHEN I AM TURNING AND FROM THE RECALL 11V53900 11/09/2011 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING ITS A HUGE PROBLEM. I CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WHERE NO…

Mar 17, 2018 · Air bags
PASSENGER AIRBAG ON THE DASHBOARD IS OPENING, AND MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN IMPACT.

ES330 model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2004	2	174	35	2
2005	2	141	34	2
2006	0	64	17	1

Across all years, the 2004 ES330 has the most complaints (174). All Lexus ES330 years →

Questions

Does the 2005 Lexus ES330 have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2005 Lexus ES330, the most recent reported on November 9, 2011 (Engine and engine cooling). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Lexus ES330?: Owners have filed 141 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is vehicle speed control (51 complaints), followed by power train (43).
How many 2005 Lexus ES330 complaints mention a crash or fire?: 34 of 141 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 18 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received May 29, 2019.