KnownCarProblems2005 Lexus RX Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Lexus RX, most often about the air bags (19% of complaints). It is 17th of 27 RX model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2005 Lexus RX problems
Air bags
5 complaints · 19%My complaint is not about the airbag but rather about the dashboard protecting the airbag! Lexus is aware of cracking dashboards in the RX since they issued an extended warranty to replace these dashboards that expired 05/31/2017! My dashboard did not start cracking until april 2018 and has now started cracking in 5…
Error message has appeared regarding passenger air bag. Airbag on/off indicator goes on and off when someone is sitting on front passenger seat. Seatbelt warning signal starting ringing when passenger removed seatbelt and exited the car. Stoped when I pressed down on passenger seat.
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 19%My complaint is not about the airbag but rather about the dashboard protecting the airbag! Lexus is aware of cracking dashboards in the RX since they issued an extended warranty to replace these dashboards that expired 05/31/2017! My dashboard did not start cracking until april 2018 and has now started cracking in 5…
Body and structure
4 complaints · 15%Parts named most often: interior panels.
The dashboard is sticky and cracking. It started back in 2009-2010 when my fingernail would catch in the plastic when turning key ignition. Now there are cracks completely across the dash and pieces have fallen off. It is also sticky to the touch. Have brought back to Lexus dealer and twice they have not come back to…
The contact owns a 2005 Lexus RX 330. The contact stated that there were horizontal and vertical cracks on the dashboard near the passengerâs side air bag housing. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was concerned about the safety of the driverâs and passengerâs side air bags. The local dealer…
Brakes
4 complaints · 15%Parts named most often: foundation components.
Brake pedal goes soft while holding brakes on at a stop. The car will start to roll forward unless more brake pedal pressure is applied. Brake pedal goes almost to the floor. Pumping the brakes restores pressure. My shop bled the brakes twice and found no air in the system. Bleeding did not correct the issue. They…
Pulling in to a parking slot at dental office, with my foot on the brake, the car suddenly revved and accelerated forward at a high speed. With my foot still on the brake, the car did not stop until hitting the rock wall side of the building.
Transmission
3 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
Transmission problems (hunting for gears, jerking and hesitation) on a 2005 Lexus rx330 - AWD. Have experienced near accidents due to vehicle hesitation when merging into traffic, crossing intersections, or making turns. When depressing accelerator, vehicles hesitates for 3-5 seconds. Have had "flash" service done to…
: the contact stated the vehicle would not accelerate past 40 MPH. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle did not engage gears automatically. The problem was accompanied by a vibration in the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, where several unsuccessful attempts were made to…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Lexus RX recalls
Brakes: master cylinder
Risk: A leak of brake fluid could lead to a change in brake pedal feel and overtime a degradation in braking performance increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seal with a newly designed one. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 15, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331 and lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 avalon, model year 2004-2006 highlander, model year 2004-2006 lexus rx, and model year 2006 lexus gs and is vehicles. Brake fluid containing polymers is used that acts as lubricants for certain brake system components. If replacement brake fluid is used that does not contain such polymers, or that contains only small amounts, a part of the rubber seal located at the rear of the brake master cylinder may become dry, and the seal may curl during movement of the piston. If this occurs, a small amount of brake fluid could slowly leak from the seal into the brake booster.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Unintended and uncontrolled acceleration
Summary
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 ad
Questions about the 2005 Lexus RX
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Lexus RX?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (5 complaints); other or unspecified (5 complaints); body and structure (4 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Lexus RX have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 21, 2010 (brakes). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Lexus RX?
- It is 17th of 27 RX model years by number of complaints, with 27 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.