2005 Lexus ES330

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/24/2008· POWER TRAIN

  RE: LEXUS ES330('05)DELAYS IN ACCELERATION,LURCHING WITH STOPS AND STARTS,UNPREDICTABLE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS,WHEN BRAKING CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS SLIPPING FORWARD. LEXUS FIRST DENIED PROBLEM BUT I SHOWED THEM INTERNET BLOG AND NHTSA COMPLAINTS,THEN ADMITTED TO SOFTWARE PROBLEMS. 3 OR 4 ATTEMPTS TO CHANGE SOFTWARE HELPED TEMPORARILY. I WAS TOLD I WOULD GET USED TO THIS. AFTER 2 AND HALF YEARS OF ERRATIC SHIFTING AND SEVERAL NEAR MISSES ON LANE CHANGES (CAR REFUSED TO ACCELERATE) I THREATENED LEGAL ACTION. LEXUS RELUCTANTLY CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THE DIFFERENCE,THOUGHT THEY CHANGED THE CAR!IT FINALLY DROVE THE WAY THE DEMO CAR DID. MORE CONSISTENT ACCELERATION,ALBEIT STILL HAD SOMEWHAT OF A DELAY. I NO LONGER FELT EVERY GEAR SHIFT. STOPS AND STARTS MUCH SMOOTHER. THE INTERNET DISCUSSIONS ARE RIGHT. SOME OF THE LEXUS ES330 MODELS HAVE A SERIOUS TRANSMISSION DEFECT,BUT IT APPEARS TO BE A MECHANICAL,NOT A SOFTWARE PROBLEM. I READ THE NHTSA RESPONSE TO A COMPLAINT LODGED AGAINST THIS SAME VEHICLE IN 2005. THE CONCLUSION WAS THAT THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION. I WOULD HOPE THE NHTSA WOULD RETHINK THIS POSITION. THERE ARE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS REGISTERED ON THE INTERNET (I.E. EDMUNDS.COM).I WORRIED EVERY TIME I GOT BEHIND THE WHEEL. WHEN LEXUS FINALLY CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION, I FELT IT WAS FINALLY SAFE TO GET RID OF THE CAR. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT LEXUS DOES KNOW ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND HOW TO FIX IT BUT WILL NOT VOLUNTARILY FIX IT UNLESS FORCED TO DO SO. THEY WOULD NOT FIX MY CAR UNTIL I THREATENED LEGAL ACTION. MANY OF THESE CARS WILL BE GOING OFF LEASE AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS NOT AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. IT IS UNFAIR TO THESE BUYERS,NOT TO MENTION RISKY TO THEIR LIVES,NOT TO HAVE THIS SITUATION RECTIFIED. I BELIEVE THAT ONLY AN ORGANIZATION SUCH AS THE NHTSA CAN FORCE LEXUS TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. THE ONLY OTHER WAY WOULD BE A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT BUT I DOUBT ENOUGH PEOPLE WOULD COME TOGETHER FOR THIS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. *TR

• 12/23/2009· POWER TRAIN

  I PURCHASED MY 2005 LEXUS ES330 AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWN IN SEPTEMBER 2007. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A MONTH OR TWO. I EXPERIENCE A CONSISTENT HESITATION ISSUE. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD RESET SOMETHING IN THE COMPUTER TO ADJUST TO MY DRIVING STYLE. IT DID NOT APPEAR TO HELP. SO I'VE TAKEN IT BACK 2 TIMES SINCE AND THEY SAY IT'S THE NORMAL FUNCTION OF THE DRIVE BY WIRE AND NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THE PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION IN MY LEXUS ES330 APPEARS NOT TO SHIFT DOWN NORMALLY UNLESS THE VEHICLE IS BROUGHT TO A FULL STOP. WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR TRAFFIC THEN ACCELERATING AND/OR SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE TURNS AT INTERSECTIONS OR CORNERS RESULTS IN GEAR HESITATION AND LURCHING FORWARD. AT INTERSECTIONS WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS IT APPEARS TO SLIP [NO POWER FOR A BRIEF MOMENT). I FEEL THE CAR IS NOW UNSAFE TO MAKE LEFT TURNS BECAUSE THE CAR MAY NOT HAVE ACCELERATION WHEN NEEDED. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE CAR REPAIRED FOR THIS TYPE OF ISSUE WHEN THE LEXUS ES330 LOST ALL POWER. AND SINCE THE REPAIRS I AM STILL HAVING THE HESITATION ISSUES AND BRIEF LOSS OF POWER. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE HENDRIX LEXUS SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THIS "HESITATION" ISSUE IS A NORMAL FUNCTION OF THE DRIVE BY WIRE SYSTEM. I CANNOT AGREE WITH THAT CONCLUSION. THERE IS A DEFINITE PROBLEM WITH THE ES330 AND A POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE. IF I WAS TO BRING MY CAR IN FOR THIS ISSUE, IT WOULD BE THE 3RD OR 4TH TIME AT THAT SHOP FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A DAILY OCCURRENCE FOR MY LEXUS ES300. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU RECOMMEND OR IF THERE IS A SOLUTION AT THIS TIME. AGAIN, LET ME STRESS, I FEEL THAT THE CAR IS UNSAFE IN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THANK YOU FOR HELPING WITH THE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

• 12/21/2005· POWER TRAIN

  LEXUS ES 330 AUTO TRANSMISSION HESITATES WHEN NEEDED THE MOST. THE PROBLEM CAUSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. THE DRIVER IS NOT IN CONTROL OF THE CAR DURING CRITICAL TIMES OF NORMAL OPERATION. THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT RESPOND TO THE DRIVER COMMANDS PROPERLY. DEALER (LEXUS) HAS TOLD ME TO LEARN HOW TO DRIVE WITH IT. *NM

• 12/18/2025· STEERING,SUSPENSION

  Authorized dealership service department (Toyota West/Germain Automotive Group) performed structural repairs and released a vehicle back to me as safe. I operated this vehicle on public highways with my child. Upon subsequent inspection, the same dealership declared the vehicle a 'Total Loss' due to structural frame damage caused by their own technician. The dealership knowingly allowed a structurally compromised, unsafe vehicle to be driven off their lot without disclosing the safety risks.

• 12/18/2012· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE 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 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.

• 12/13/2025· STEERING,SUSPENSION

  FORMAL COMPLAINT: CONSUMER FRAUD & SAFETY VIOLATION Dealership: Germain Toyota West (Columbus, OH) Case Reference: #[XXX] ​To the Consumer Protection Division: ​I am filing a formal complaint regarding Theft by Deception, Gross Negligence, and Reckless Endangerment by this dealership. ​1. THEFT & BILLING FRAUD On Oct 24, 2025, the dealership charged me $455.00 for labor to install rear sway bar links. I provided my own parts. The technician (Maciah Houpe) failed to install the parts but still charged me. He later admitted via text message: "I did not do your rear links... you didn't pay for rear links." The dealership has refused to refund this money despite the written confession. ​2. PROPERTY DESTRUCTION During the attempted repair, the technician used excessive force and bent the vehicle's "wheel rod" (Tie Rod), destroying the steering geometry. The technician later admitted to a witness that he was fired for "bending the wheel rod" on my vehicle. ​3. RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT (SAFETY VIOLATION) The dealership released the vehicle to my family on Oct 26, representing it as "safe." After a near-miss incident on [XXX] where the steering failed at highway speeds, Management admitted to my wife that they knew the vehicle "might be lucky to make it to the North Side" before failing. They knowingly released a vehicle with a critical safety defect onto a public highway. ​4. RETALIATION When I contacted Toyota Corporate to complain, the technician texted me: "You blew up the spot coming through Toyota... they can't help you." The dealership then revoked a "cure offer" (towing/rental) purely as retaliation for my consumer complaint. ​ATTACHED EVIDENCE: Please see the attached "Master Case Brief" and "Exhibit A" (PDFs). These contain the full legal timeline and the Text Message Logs where the employee confesses to the theft and damage. ​I have served the dealership a Notice of Intent to Sue. I am requesting an immediate investigation into this franchise's billing fraud INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• 12/13/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC ARRIVED TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY IN COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.

• 12/08/2025· STEERING,SUSPENSION

  [XXX] : “for parts it's $375. I'll drop the labor down to $80 for $455 total…”You: “Well I already have the sway bar links but yes that's fine bro. [XXX] : “Got it let me see if I can change the order real quick. [XXX] : “Got it changed ”Screenshot that whole block.Text 2 – “Good to go” / work doneFind where he talks about finishing and testi [XXX] ah: “Got the rear brakes done, fighting the links right no [XXX] ah: “First ones out should be [XXX] ciah: “Got it done, about to test drive and bring it up”Screenshot from “Got the rear brakes done” through “bring it up.”Text 3 – Apology and refund offerFind this [XXX] ciah: “XXX bro it was smooth when I test drove it. I can't do anything until 5 tomorrow. I'll send your money back too, I apologize about that.“I definitely got everything tight… If you can pull up at 5 tomorrow I'll check it over.”Screenshot that entire message.Text 4 – “Through me not Toyota / blew up the spot / arm and a leg”Find the long message from later:“At home, brother you did work through me not Toyota. They can't help you with anything…“You blew up the spot coming through Toyota. I can't even have your car in the shop now without you going through them first and charging you an arm and a leg.“I tried to do something nice for you… you ha [XXX] ‑old vehicle…” INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• 12/08/2004· POWER TRAIN

  THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH HESITATION WITH MY 2005 LEXUS ES 330. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS THERE IS A LAG BEFORE THE ENGINE RESPONDS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS AUTOMOBILE. LEXUS SAID THE VEHICLE CHECKS OUT FINE. I DISAGREE AND FROM WHAT I READ ON THE NET THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN PAST YEARS WITH LEXUS AUTOMOBILES.*AK

• 12/04/2013· AIR BAGS,STRUCTURECrash

  MY WIFE ENTERED AN INTERSECTION AND WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH. THE DRIVER'S DOOR WINDOW EXPLODED ON IMPACT AND SHE WAS HIT WITH FLYING GLASS IN THE FACE. THE DRIVER'S DOOR WAS BENT INWARD APPROXIMATELY 12 INCHES FROM THE FORCE. WE BELIEVE SHE HIT HER HEAD ON THE B PILLAR, BECAUSE SHE SUFFERED A CONCUSSION AND A JAGGED CUT ABOVE HER LEFT EYE. SHE ALSO SUFFERED A BROKEN LEFT RIB IN THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT. THE MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED THE REPAIR NOTED THAT THERE WAS INTRUSION ON THE DRIVERS DOOR, THAT THE LOWER ROCKER HAD BEEN PUSHED IN, AND THAT DUE TO PRESSURE ON THE B PILLAR THE REAR DOOR DID NOT OPEN PROPERLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SIDE CURTAIN AIRS BAGS WHICH DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE OWNER'S MANUAL OF THE VEHICLE SHOWS AIRBAG SENSORS IN ALL FOUR DOORS OF THE CAR. GIVEN THE DIRECT HIT ON THE DRIVERS DOOR AND THE RESULTING EXPLOSION OF THE DRIVERS WINDOW, WE FEEL THE SIDE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED, WHICH WOULD HAVE LESSENED OR ELIMINATED THE INJURIES MY WIFE SUFFERED. I INFORMED TOYOTA MOTOR SALES THAT I WAS UNHAPPY WITH THE AIRBAG'S FAILURE TO DEPLOY, AND WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE "THE IMPACT FORCES WERE NOT DIRECTED TOWARDS THE B-PILLAR, DEPLOYMENT WAS NOT WARRANTED". TO ME THIS INDICATES THAT THERE ARE NOT SENSORS IN THE DOORS AS SHOWN IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WERE FORCES EXERTED TO THE B-PILLAR IN THE ACCIDENT, AS NOTED BY THE MECHANICAL INSPECTION. *TR

• 12/03/2015· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE OF HIS VEHICLE, CAUSING THE HIM TO CRASH INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. THE BODY DAMAGES WERE REPAIRED BUT THE AIR BAG FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000....UPDATED 09/08/16 *BF UPDATED 09/26/16.*JB

• 12/01/2014· SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 15 TO 20 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE SWERVED INTO A DIFFERENT LANE AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME FORCE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 1/7/15*CN UPDATED 9/7/2017*CN

• 11/23/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  I PURCHASED A NEW LEXUS ES330, AND IT HAS 3 PROBLEMS: (I) BUMPY RIDE AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS, (II) ACCELERATION LAG AFTER COASTING, (III) HIGH IDLE WHEN COLD (15,000RPMS). *AK

• 11/22/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINECrash

  DT: THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TWO DIFFERENT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE RECENTLY. WHEN PLACING VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. SHE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT DID NOT DISCOVER ANY LEAKAGE. SHE DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. LATER WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN SHE APPLIED BRAKE PRESSURE AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED PAST THE STOP SIGN AND THROUGH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AFTER STRIKING THE FRONT PORCH STEPS OF A NEARBY HOUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. *AK UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB

• 11/21/2010· POWER TRAIN

  LEXUS ES330 TRANSMISSION. SURGES. *TR

• 11/19/2007· AIR BAGSCrash

  ON NOV. 6, 2007 I WAS THE LAST VEHICLE IN A FOUR CAR PILE-UP. THE HONDA IN FRONT OF ME WAS TOTALED AND MY 2005 LEXUS ES330 HAD OVER $10,000 IN DAMAGE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WITH SUCH SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE I WAS SURE THEY WOULD HAVE PROTECTED ME BUT THEY DID NOT. I AM CONCERNED THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM AND I WILL NOT BE PROTECTED IN THE FUTURE. *TR

• 11/11/2006· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  ON JULY 9, 2006 AT 3:30 P.M., I STOPPED AT FISHERS FOODS IN CANTON, OHIO. I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT FROM THE FRANK RD. SIDE OF FISHERS AND WAS DRIVING SLOWLY WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE. THE PARKING SPACE WAS LOCATED DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM THE ENTRANCE AND I TURNED LEFT AND EASED SLOWLY INTO THE SPACE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE BRINGING THE CAR TO A STOP. THE MOMENT I STOPPED, I REACHED OVER TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR ENGINE SURGED ENOUGH TO MOVE MY FRONT WHEELS OVER THE CAR STOP IN AN INSTANT WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE. I WAS TOTALLY SHOCKED. I STILL HAD MY FOOT POSITIONED ON THE BRAKE AND PUSHED DOWN. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND THE BACK TIRES CAME OVER THE CAR STOP. AT THIS POINT, I REMOVED MY FOOT TOTALLY FROM THE BRAKE TO SEE IF THE ENGINE WOULD SLOW DOWN NATURALLY WITHOUT ANY ACTION AT ALL BY ME. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO SURGE JUST AS FAST TOTALLY ON ITS OWN. I TRIED THE BRAKE AGAIN AND THE CAR STILL DID NOT STOP. I LIFTED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE AGAIN AND AT THIS POINT REALIZED I WAS GOING TO GO INTO THE ROAD. I LOOKED TO THE LEFT AND SAW A CAR COMING DOWN THE ROAD A FAIR DISTANCE AWAY. I THEN LOOKED TO THE RIGHT AND SAW A SILVER TOYOTA WITH A LADY DRIVING IT. I KNEW I WAS GOING TO HIT HER. THE COLLISION HAPPENED AND I PUT THE BRAKE ON AGAIN AND THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. THE POLICE CITED ME FOR FAILURE TO CONTROL. AS I WAS WAITING FOR MY HUSBAND TO PICK ME UP AFTER THE ACCIDENT, HE CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT HE HAD TALKED TO MY BROTHER AND THAT WHILE MY BROTHER WAS WORKING AT LEXUS, ANOTHER LADY HAD A SIMILAR ACCIDENT, ONLY HERS HAPPENED WHEN SHE WAS PULLING INTO HER GARAGE AND HER ENGINE SURGED AND HER CAR RAN INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. I THOUGHT THIS WAS KIND OF A BIG COINCIDENCE AND I DECIDED TO LOOK INTO IT FURTHER ON THE INTERNET WHEN I GOT HOME. THE INFORMATION I FOUND OUT ABOUT WAS SHOCKING, UNBELIEVABLE, AND ALSO MADE ME VERY ANGRY. THE COMPLAINTS ARE STILL BEING MADE ON AN ONGOING BASIS. *JB

• 11/08/2004· 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

• 11/04/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  2005 LEXUS ES350 LEASED NEW IN AUGUST, 2005. I OVERTOOK A SLOW MOVING VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND TRIED TO EASE OFF BACK INTO THE LANE. INSTEAD, THE CAR BEGAN ACCELERATING: 2K RPM, 3K RPM, 4K RPM, ALMOST REDLINING. I PUT ON THE BRAKES AND KEPT HOLDING THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN. PUSHING ACCELERATOR PEDAL DOWN WAS NO HELP. INSTEAD, I SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS (FELT LIKE ETERNITY SINCE SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL DID NOT HELP) TURNED THE IGNITION KEY OFF. THE CAR STOPPED. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF COLLECTING MYSELF, I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY BACK ON AND THE VEHICLE BEHAVED NORMALLY. AFTER THAT EXPERIENCE I ALWAYS MADE SURE I DID NOT ACCELERATE QUICKLY. THE CAR WAS RETURNED BACK TO THE DEALER AFTER THE ORIGINAL LEASE EXPIRED LAST YEAR. I CAN ASSURE YOU FLOORMAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED THAT TOYOTA ONLY ISSUED RECALL ON 2007- LEXUS ES350 MODELS. THEY SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE PREVIOUS ES330 MODEL AS WELL. *TR

• 11/04/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  I OWNED A 2005 LEXUS ES330 THAT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. ON 4/29/09 THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED AFTER HER FOOT WAS OFF ACCELERATOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH THROUGH A STOREFRONT WALL AND WINDOWS, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO BUILDING AND TOTALING THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM NOR DID I, UNTIL HEARING THIS RECENT REPORT ON THE NEWS. *TR

• 11/03/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I OWN A LEXUS ES 330, 2005 YEAR MODEL. THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY FAILS TO START AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM MIGHT BE DUE TO THE MANY GADGETS IN THE CAR. IN ANY CASE SUCH AN EXPENSIVE VEHICLE IS NOT A RELIABLE ONE. *TR

• 11/02/2005· POWER TRAIN

  CONSUMER 2005 LEXUS ES 330 TRANSMISSION HESITATES WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT 3-4 MPH. * TS THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT WHEN SLOWING TO 3-4 MPH OR DOING A ROLL STOP, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HESITATE ON ACCELERATION THEN LURCH FORWARD WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO JERK THE OCCUPANT HEADS. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. *NM

• 10/30/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 (NA) LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD RANDOMLY FAIL TO START AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO SO MANY GADGETS BEING IN THE VEHICLE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 8,000.

• 10/28/2008· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A SHOPPING CENTER WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. THE CAR SPED UP TO A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 45MPH. I SWERVED IN AND ABOUT THE CARS IN THE PARKING LOT AND HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE SPEED, BRAKING OR STEERING. I EVENTUALLY STOPPED THE CAR AFTER ABOUT 200 YDS. BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND BOUNCING OVER AT LEAST FOUR CURBS. NO PHYSICAL INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE CAR IS AT THE DEALERS FOR INSPECTION. *TR

• 10/25/2004· POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  (1) CAR WAS NEARLY NEW, ONLY 100 MILES, NO ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR UP TO THAT POINT. (2) WHILE SHIFTING INTO PARK AS PART OF THE PROCESS OF PARKING, AND WITH NO PRESSURE ON ACCELLERATOR, CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD, STRIKING CONCRETE STANCHEON OF PARKING LOT LIGHT POLE. THIS RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMPER, FRAME, RIGHT QUARTER-PANEL, RIGHT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, CAUSING OVER $4,000 IN REPAIR COSTS. (3) ABOVE PROBLEMS WERE REPAIRED BY A DEALER-APPROVED AUTO BODY SHOP. *AK

• 10/24/2017· AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKESCrash

  TAMARA RECALL ON MY AIRBAGS,NEVER REPAIRED. I GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT AND AIRBAGS DIDN'T COME OUT. HAVE TO REPLACE BRAKES EVERY FEW MONTHS ON THIS CAR ALSO

• 10/21/2015· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMFire

  ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN I NOTICED FLAMES SHOOTING OUT UNDER THE HOOD.

• 10/20/2010· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY

  2005 LEXUS ES 330 DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE HEADLAMPS. THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION, ESPECIALLY ON ROADS WITH NO STREET LIGHTS, REFLECTORS OR LANE MARKINGS. THERE IS A SHARP CUTOFF OF LIGHT ABOUT 40-50 FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR BEYOND WHICH THERE IS LITTLE OR NO LIGHT CAST ON THE ROADWAY SURFACE. REFLECTIVE SIGNS CAN BE SEEN FARTHER AWAY BUT ONE CANNOT HELP BUT OVERDRIVE THE LIGHTS AT ANY SPEED ABOVE 20MPH BECAUSE NOTHING ON THE ROAD ITSELF IS ILLUMINATED. THE LOW BEAMS SEEM TO BE DELIBERATELY AIMED AT THE GROUND 40-50' AWAY. LIGHT IN THE 40-50' ZONE IN FRONT OF THE CAR IS ADEQUATE. BEYOND THAT IT IS NOT. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JAN 2005 AND THE PROBLEM DID NOT ARISE UNTIL 2-3 YEARS LATER, OR AT LEAST THAT'S WHEN I FIRST NOTICED IT. THE DEALER CHECKED THE LIGHTS AND STATED THE HIGH INTENSITY LIGHTS COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED TO RAISE THE CUTOFF POINT(LIGHTS ARE SELF LEVELING) AND THAT THE LIGHTS WERE WORKING NORMALLY. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM IF THERE IS ONCOMING TRAFFIC BECAUSE THEIR LIGHTS ILLUMINATE THE ROAD BETWEEN MY CAR AND THEIRS. HOWEVER ON A DARK STREET WITH NO ONCOMING CARS IT'S LIKE DRIVING INTO A POOL OF DARKNESS PAST THE 40-50 FOOT CUTOFF OF LIGHT IN FRONT OF THE CAR. I HAVE TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS WHEN ON A PITCH BLACK ROAD, BUT THAT'S NOT A GOOD SOLUTION. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER CAR WITHOUT CHECKING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE LIGHTS ON A DARK ROAD. LEXUS NEEDS TO FIX THIS - IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. MILEAGE ON THE CAR IN NOW IN THE MID 40S. THIS CONDITION IS ONGOING, NOT INTERMITTENT. *TR

• 10/17/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  MY COMPLAINT IS IN REGARD TO THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR MY 2005 LEXUS ES-330. WHILE TRYING TO START MY VEHICLE THE CASE THAT HOUSES THE KEY BROKE APART. THE KEY WAS STILL IN THE IGNITION, THE CAR RUNNING, BUT THE OTHER HALF OF THE CASE WAS DANGLING FROM THE KEY ITSELF.AFTER I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE ENGINE BY TURNING IT OFF WITH THE KEY ITSELF AND GATHERING UP ALL THE PARTS OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, UPON OBSERVATION I FOUND A VERY SMALL SCREW THAT SUPPOSEDLY WAS USED TO SECURE THE SWITCH CASE TOGETHER HAD BECOME LOOSE AND THEREFORE ALLOWED THE SWITCH CASE TO BREAK OPEN FROM THE PRESSURE NEEDED TO START THE ENGINE. WITH A LITTLE BIT OF GLUE AND TRANSPARENT TAPE I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR AND DRIVE IT TO THE LOCAL LEXUS DEALER ON ATLANTIC BLVD.IN JACKSONVILLE, FL.THE SERVICE MANAGER SEEMED UNCONCERNED ABOUT MY PROBLEM, AND SPOKE MOSTLY ABOUT THE REDESIGNED SWITCH PRESENTLY AVAILABLE, AND WAS TOTALLY UNCONCERNED ABOUT MY PROBLEM. I ASKED ABOUT OTHERS WITH THE SAME TYPE KEY CASE AS MINE AND IF A REMEDY HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE SECURING OF THE SMALL SCREW THAT HOLDS THE CASE TOGETHER, HE SAID NOT HIS KNOWLEDGE. I GUESS MY QUESTION IS SIMPLY WHY NOT? THE SERVICE MANAGER IS [XXX], I WAS TOLD BY HIM MY ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO PURCHASE ANOTHER KEY AS IF THE PROBLEM WAS MINE INSTEAD OF THE DEALERS.COULD THERE BE A SAFETY CONCERN HERE? I AM [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 10/15/2010· AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  I WAS LEAVING A CAR WASH (AT A BUSY INTERSECTION IN PENFIELD, NY), THE "CAR WASH" LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PUT IT IN GEAR AND LIGHTLY PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL TO APPROACH THE WORKERS FOR THEM TO DRY AND VACUUM THE CAR. THERE WAS NO FLOOR MAT IN THE DRIVERS FRONT SIDE SO THAT THEY COULD VACUUM THAT AREA. THE CAR SPEED FORWARD OUT OF CONTROL I TRIED TO STEER BETWEEN 2 STEEL SAFETY POST, MISSED THE WORKERS, CROSSED THE SIDEWALK AND 5 LANES OF TRAFFIC TOWARD A TELEPHONE POLE, HIT THE CURB, FLIPPED OVER, I LOST CONSCIOUSNESS. THE CAR STOPPED RIGHT SIDE UP POINTING TOWARD THE CAR WASH. CAR WASH EMPLOYEES (AND OTHER WITNESSES) RUSHED ACROSS THE STREET AND WHEN I WOKE UP ONE OF THE ATTENDANTS WAS REMOVING MY SEAT BELT AND PULLING ME OUT THROUGH THE BROKEN WINDOW, THERE WERE MANY WITNESSES WHO THOUGHT IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT I WAS STILL ALIVE AND THAT THE CAR DID NOT HIT ANY WORKERS, PEDESTRIANS OR DRIVERS OF OTHER VEHICLES WHICH HAD NOW ALL STOPPED . NO AIR-BAGS WERE RELEASED? I WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL . I WAS RELEASED 4 HOURS LATER STIFF, SORE, BRUISED, MINOR CONCUSSION AND TOLD TO STAY AROUND FOR A WEEK (WE WERE PLANNING TO RETURN TO FL THE NEXT DAY) TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE NO SERIOUS PROBLEMS. POLICE WERE ON SITE, DID A REPORT, FIREMAN WERE THERE TO CLEAN UP THE LEAKS. MY INSURANCE CO. HAS TOTALED THE CAR. I FEEL THAT LEXUS SHOULD EVALUATE THIS CAR TO DETERMINE THE ACTUAL CAUSE, IT WAS NOT THE FLOOR MAT, IT WAS IN THE BACK SEAT, NOR WAS IT OPERATOR ERROR, THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING OUT OF CONTROL AND VERY HARD TO STEER. IF THE "LEXUS" HAD A MIND THEN IT HAD GONE CRAZY? I HAVE TALKED TO THE LOCAL LEXUS DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE AND READ ME THE PARTY LINE THAT THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE 2005 ES330 LEXUS, IT'S OPERATOR ERROR? I GUESS THE OTHER 38 OWNERS OF THE 2005 ES330 THAT HAVE POSTINGS ON THIS SITE ARE ALL WRONG. BASED ON TOYOTAS (LEXUS) ATTITUDE I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER PRODUCT MADE BY TOYOTA. I AM HAPPY TO BE ALIVE, THANK GOD. *TR

• 10/15/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO HESITATE FOR ONE-HALF TO ONE FULL SECOND AND THEN LURCH FORWARD, SUDDENLY. THIS IS A SAFETY RISK WHEN CHANGING LANES OR ACCELERATING TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE DEALER'S MECHANIC INDICATED (TWICE) THAT THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL'S "ELECTRONIC ACCELERATOR," AND THAT AN INTERNAL COMPUTER IS SUPPOSED TO "LEARN FROM THE DRIVERS' HABITS AND ADJUST THE ACCELERATION ACCORDINGLY." AN ACCIDENT CAN EASILY OCCUR WHEN EXPECTED POWER IS DENIED UPON DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. *NM

• 10/12/2011· AIR BAGS

  THE END OF JULY 2011 I HAD NOTICED A DASHBOARD LIGHT GO ON. WARNING THAT THE AIR BAG WAS NOT ACTIVE. I HAD A SICKNESS IN THE FAMILY AND COULD NOT BRING THIS VEHICLE IN TO EDISON LEXUS UNTIL 8/23/2011 TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND FIXED. LEXUS OF EDISON SAID IF I REPLACE THE ORIGINAL BATTERY ES 330 IT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SEAT SENSOR. I DID THAT FOR ABOUT $160.00 THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM! LEXUS OF EDISON SAID THAT SENSOR IS PART OF THE SEAT FRAME AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST TO ME OF $ 3,359.50 . I CALLED LEXUS DIRECTLY AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD HELP PAY HALF . I SAID TO LEXUS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THIS PART SHOULD NEVER FAIL. THIS SHOULD BE THE MANUFACTURERS RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE LEXUS FEDERAL SAFETY COMPONENTS US WARRANTY FOR 96 MONTHS AND 80,000 MILES,AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS IS 72 MONTHS AND 70,000 MILES . AND WHEN I HAD TAKEN THE ES330 TO THEM IT WAS IN THE ABOVE TIMEFRAME. I HAD ONLY APPROXIMATELY 56,224 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. *KB

• 10/07/2010· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD CRASHING INTO A CURB. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE AN INVESTIGATOR SENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 33,000. UPDATED 01/14/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HIS/HER FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. UPDATED 04/19/11

• 10/06/2005· POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ACCELERATION AFTER SLOWING DOWN THE VEHICLE WILL SURGE FORWARD. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED A TRANSMISSION CHIP THAT WAS RECOGNIZED IN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. THE PROBLEM DIMINISHED FOR A WHILE, BUT THE CORRECTION DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, BUT ENOUGH TIMES TO CAUSE THE CONTACT TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE DECLINING TO OFFER ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS FOR A VEHICLE WITH ECTI. *AK

• 09/29/2005· POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  DT: 2005 LEXIS ES 330. THE CAR WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY OR ACCELERATE UPON PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AND WHEN IT DID ACCELERATE IT LURCHED FORWARD. WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND THEN TRYING TO SPEED UP WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE COMPUTER COULD NOT READ FAST ENOUGH TO KNOW WHAT TO DO. THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME, IN AN HOUR OF DRIVING I HAPPENED AT LEAST 8 TIMES. THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND CHANGING LANES, NOTHING HAPPENED. IT TOOK 3 SECONDS FOR THE VEHICLE TO REACT TO THE ACCELERATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. *AK

• 09/26/2015· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKESCrash

  AS CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON BRAKES TO AVOID TWO TEENAGERS RUNNING ACROSS IN FRONT OF HER, I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES AND THE CAR ACCELERATED FROM 20-30. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE SEAT BELT ENGAGE AND LOCK TO PREVENT ME FROM SLAMMING INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE ABS BRAKES WERE SLAMMED AND IT FELT LIKE THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK LIKE THERE WAS AN AIR BUBBLE IN THE SYSTEM. I CRASHED INTO THE HYUNDAI. TOTALED MY CAR AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR FRAME WAS BENT. CALLED THE POLICE, BUT DID NOT TAKE A REPORT SINCE NO ONE WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE. WENT DO MY DOCTOR AND REPORTED THIS TO LEXUS-INCIDENT NUMBER 150922-00272 ON 9/22/15. LEXUS WILL INSPECT THE CAR ON 10/9/15...UPDATED 10/15/15 *BF ...UPDATED 12/03/15 *BF, UPDATED 4/9/18*JB *TR

• 09/26/2007· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 90 MPH ACROSS FOUR LANES OF TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A METAL POLE. THE POLICE, AMBULANCE, AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MULTIPLE INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO, THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL FAILED AND CAUSED A CRASH WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000. *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

• 09/20/2005· POWER TRAIN

  2005 LEXUS ES330 WAS PURCHASED IN DECEMBER 2004. SOMETIME BEFORE TAKING IT IN FOR THE 5000 MILE SERVICE I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WOULD LURCH WHEN ACCELERATED FROM A SPEED AROUND 10 MILES PER HOUR. THIS IS VERY DISCONCERTING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC BECAUSE THE SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I EXPLAINED THIS AT THE 5000 MILE SERVICE, BUT WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE IT. AT THE 10,000 MILE SERVICE I EXPLAINED THAT THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTED. AGAIN, WHEN I TALKED TO THE SERVICE CONSULTANT BEFORE PICKING UP THE CAR, HE SAID THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT REPLICATE IT ON THE 2 MILE TEST DRIVE. BUT HE SAID THAT THIS WAS THE DRIVER'S FAULT. THEN HE DID LET ME KNOW THAT THIS WAS THE WAY THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THE ES330 WERE DESIGNED AND THAT OTHERS HAD COMPLAINED OF THE SAME THING. THERE WERE NO ADJUSTMENTS THAT COULD BE MADE, THIS WAS THE WAY THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO REACT. *JB

• 09/19/2013· AIR BAGSCrash

  THE LEXUS DRIVER (DRIVER 1) WAS HEADING SOUTHBOUND ON 112TH AVE SE (IN NEWCASTLE, WA) APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION WITH SE 64TH ST. SHE PASSED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AS IT WAS CLEAR AND SHE HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY AS THE STOP SIGN WAS INTENDED FOR THE DRIVER WHO HIT HER. THE 2ND DRIVER SAID HE FORGOT TO LOOK TO HIS LEFT AND ACCELERATED FORWARD INTO HIS LEFT TURN ONTO 112TH AVE SE. DRIVER 2 HIT DRIVER 1 IN THE RIGHT FRONT BUMPER. THE AIRBAG FAILED DEPLOY CAUSING THE DRIVER 1 TO SUSTAIN MULTIPLE SEVERE INJURIES. SUCH AS, NECK, SHOULDER, BACK, RIBS, TORSO, SPINE INJURIES ETC.... *TR

• 09/19/2005· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  2005 LEXUS ES 330 DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE HIGH DENSITY DISCHARGE HEADLAMPS.*MR THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION ESPECIALLY ON SAND OR GRAVEL ROADS WITH NO STREET LIGHTS, REFLECTORS OR LANE MARKINGS. *JB

• 09/18/2007· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT'S WIFE BLACKED OUT WHILE DRIVING AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND HIS WIFE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. AN INVESTIGATION WAS PERFORMED BY LEXUS AND HE RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE TO PROVIDE HIM WITH ANY OF THE CRASH INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WENT 70 FEET ACROSS FIVE TRAFFIC LANES AND LANDED PERPENDICULARLY TO A POLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 18,000. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB

• 09/16/2014· POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  1. HEADLIGHTS: BEFORE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THE BLINKING CAUTION LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT WAS WORKING FINE AND TO IGNORE THE BLINKING CAUTION LIGHT. NOTHING COULD BE DONE. I LATER RESEARCHED AND FOUND THERE ARE LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. 2. TRANSMISSION LAGS AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING THROUGH TRAFFIC CIRCLES AND GOING THROUGH BUSY INTERSECTIONS. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THIS IS NORMAL OPERATING AND TO USE A HIGHER OCTANE GAS. I AM RETURNING VEHICLE TO LEXUS. *TR

• 09/15/2005· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  THE CAR HAD JUST COMPLETED IT 5000 MILES SERVICE. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP I DROVE ABOUT 5 MILES AND WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I FELT A JOLT AND GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND WALKED AROUND THE REAR AND SAW A TIRE LAYING IN THE ROADWAY BETWEEN MY CAR AND THE CAR BEHIND ME. THE DRIVER BEHIND ME SAID THAT THE TIRE APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE AND BOUNCED UP AND UNDER HIS CAR AND THEN BOUNCED BACK AND HIT MY BUMPER. I DID NOT REALIZE THAT THE SPARE TIRE IS STORED UNDER THE VEHICLE IN THE 2005 LEXUS RX 330. I IMMEDIATELY RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND SHOWED THE SERVICE MANAGER THE TIRE AND THE COVER FOR THE TIRE WHICH HAD ALSO FALLEN OFF. HE OPENED THE COVER AND FOUND THAT THE METAL CABLE THAT HELD THE TIRE IN PLACE HAD SEVERED. HE SAID HE WANTED TO KEEP THE CAR TO SHOW TO A COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE. IT IS NOW 4 WEEKS LATER AND WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED OUR CAR BACK OR HEARD FORM LEXUS AS TO THE RESOLUTION. SHORTLY BEFORE THE INCIDENT, I HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT 55 MPH. SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE MOVING. *NM

• 09/09/2019· AIR BAGS

  MY PASSENGER AIRBAG COMPARTMENT ON FRONT DASH HAS BEEN SLOWLY BEEN LIFTING AND SEPARATING THOUGH THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. IS THE AIRBAG GOING TO IMPLODE ONE DAY ON A PASSENGER WITHOUT US KNOWING? IT IS LOOKING SCARY BUT I SEE THERE IS NO RECALL.

• 09/09/2013· STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKESCrash

  DRIVING SOUTH ON FLORIDA TURNPIKE, CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED --UNABLE TO STEER IT OR SLOW IT DOWN--HAD TO GET OFF HIGHWAY TO AVOID COLLISION --TURNED WHEEL TO RIGHT AND SLID ACROSS SWALE INTO THICKET OF TREES WANT TO GET A USED LEXUS TO REPLACE THIS BE BUT AM AFRAID OF SAFETY ISSUES NOW. *TR

• 09/08/2017· AIR BAGS

  FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG COVER APPEARS TO BE SEPARATED ALONG THE SEAM NEAR WINDSHIELD ON DASHBOARD AND THERE IS A WIDER GAP ON THAT SIDE VS THE SIDE CLOSEST PASSENGER. I'VE NOT SEEN THIS BEFORE IN ANY OF MY OTHER LEXUS VEHICLES AND IT'S CAUSE FOR CONCERN OF SAFETY AS A RESULT.

• 09/08/2016· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  SHRINKING DASHBOARD AIRBAG COVER - THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR LEXUS OWNERS - - LEXUS SAYS THIS IS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD AND DOES NOT WARRANT REPAIR - ONLY COSMETIC. THEY ARE REPAIRING SOME DASHBOARDS FOR CRACKS ON OTHER MODELS. I NOTICED THE PROBLEM APPROXIMATELY JANUARY 2013.

• 09/08/2011· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  TRANSMISSION JERKING AND HESITATION. PROBLEM INCREASING STEADILY FOR THE PAST YEAR. WE ARE EXPERIENCING HESITATION WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC AND JUST WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 35-40 MPH. UPDATED 09/16/11 *BF

• 09/07/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  HESITATION HAS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS. *NM

• 09/06/2011· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK GEAR AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.