KnownCarProblems2006 Lexus RX330 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Lexus RX330, most often about the body and structure (22% of complaints, typically around 51,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about RX330 model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
Most common 2006 Lexus RX330 problems
Body and structure
15 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 51,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
While driving at highway speed the left rear quarter window molding came flying off my Lexus 2006 rx-330. Made a flapping noise previous to coming off. Checked on the web @ clublexus .com and found this to be a problem with a lot of other rx owners. If you are in warranty, no problem, but out of warranty like I am.…
The contact owns a 2006 Lexus RX330. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH there was a noise that came from the wheel winch that held the spare tire. The wheel well broke, causing the tire to fall to the ground. The dealer was notified of the failure who stated the vehicle was no longer under warranty and provided…
Engine
13 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 62,500 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2006 Lexus RX330. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the steam began rising from the engine area. The contact stopped the vehicle and noticed coolant leaking from the radiator. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer, who advised that the radiator was fractured and needed to be replaced.…
Unusual/ abnormal noise in the engine area was diagnosed due to the following: radiator failure -had a crack and leaking coolant at 55k miles; water pump failure at 55k miles; timing belt replacement at 55k miles; high pressure power steering hose failure at 55k miles.
Speed control
12 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 44,000 miles.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Lexus rx 330. The contact stated that the vehicle lunged forward when the cruise control was activated at approximately 75 MPH. The failure occurred more frequent while driving on an incline. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired at the time of the complaint. The manufacturer was not…
I have a 2006 Lexus RX330 that I'm afraid to use the cruise control on any surface that is not flat and dry. When I come up to a small incline and the speed goes below my cruise speed it all of the sudden picks up speed real quick. It's like if I had just stomped on the gas peddle all the way to the floor. Once speed…
Lights
9 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights, headlights.
On the above date noticed headlight out and water in drivers side headlamp, replaced bulb headlamp dry out on its own. On 03/12/2013 brought my Lexus to dealership for recall on mat/acceleration problem. Service dept noticed headlight was out and it should be replaced, I advised them of the condensation in headlamp…
Tl contact owns a 2006 Lexus RX330. The contact noticed that the brake light switch illuminated on the instrument control panel. The dealer replaced the brake light switch and stated that they have replaced this component numerous times on other identical vehicles of this make and model. The brake light malfunction…
Steering
8 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles.
Went to charles barker Lexus in va. Beach, va. For a state inspection for our 2006 RX330 with less than 70k miles and was told they had to fail it for inspection because the boot on the rack and pinion was leaking. The service adviser knowing this is common problem said that there are 3 options. Replace it at…
Took vehicle to Lexus dealership for routine maintenance and was told steering rack needs to be replaced due to a fluid leak. Over time this could lead to difficulty steering the vehicle. I bought the vehicle used less than a year ago and this leak issue seems to be very common according to various websites.
Other or unspecified
7 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 108,000 miles.
Transmission has a hard time selecting a gear between 2nd and 3rd. It starts to go into 3rd gear then jumps out for a second and then slams back into 3rd. Usually when lightly accelerating. Very noticeable. I have taken it into the dealer 4 times and was told I may just need a new transmission!! It only has 108,000…
When depressing the remote or manually opening the rear lift gate sometimes the rear lift gate (door) will start to close automatically and it can only be stopped by pressing the remote or button on lift gate or applying large amount of pressure to hold door open. Twice a person has been in the line of fire and had to…
Brakes
3 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: foundation components.
: the contact stated while applying brake pressure at any speed on various road conditions, there was an increased stopping distance. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined brake fluid had leaked into the brake booster rendering the master cylinder inoperative. After the initial master cylinder…
I was on interstate 5 on may 25, 2009 (memorial day) at the speed of 75-80 MPH with my whole family in the car. The car's model is Lexus RX330,2006 model. While I was driving on the leftmost lane, my left wheel went a little bit on the rumble strip. I tried to pull my car back on the lane. It is here that the problem…
Transmission
3 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
We have a 2006 Lexus RX330 SUV. It has a very significant hesitation when trying to accelerate to change lanes or enter highway etc. We have a 3 year old and we are very scared most of the time driving on the highway with this kind of hesitation of the transmission. I have taken the SUV to the Lexus dealer and they…
Since we purchased this 2006 Lexus rx-330. It has been returned to deals 4-5 times for major hesitation problems.. Car is unsafe to drive. Will not accelerate in a safe way.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2006 Lexus RX330 recalls
Speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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 2006 Lexus RX330
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Lexus RX330?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (15 complaints, typically around 51,000 miles); engine (13 complaints, typically around 62,500 miles); speed control (12 complaints, typically around 44,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2006 Lexus RX330 have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 24, 2011 (speed control). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2006 a bad year for the Lexus RX330?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about RX330 model year since 2000, with 67 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.