2005 Lexus ES problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
58 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
8,850 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 35 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 58 complaints (34.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 19.0% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 10.3% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 6.9% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 5.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 20 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 |
| Air Bags | 8 |
| Steering | 5 |
| Suspension | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 20; Vehicle Speed Control: 13; Air Bags: 8; Steering: 5; Suspension: 4; Power Train: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2; Structure:Body: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 24 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 24; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (24). 23 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 18 |
| 2006 | 14 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 |
2005: 18; 2006: 14; 2007: 5; 2010: 1; 2012: 3; 2013: 3; 2014: 2; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2019: 2; 2020: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2025: 3
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 11 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10110594 · 2005-02-15 (February 15, 2005)
TRANMISSION PROBLEMS: I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION HESITATIONS WHICH I DO NOT EXPECT IN ANY TOYOTA PRODUCTS; ANOTHER WORD, THERE ARE HANG UPS BETWEEN GEARS, ESPECIALLY 1ST TO 2ND. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IN A BUSY AND CRAZY HOUSTON TRAFFIC BECAUSE THE CAR DOES NOT GIVE THE SUFFICIENT ACCELERATION WHEN ONE NEEDS IT. THAT 1 OR 2 SECOND HESITATION COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. TO CONFIRM THIS EXISTING PROBLEM, I TEST DROVE THE RX 330, HIGHLANDER AND SOLARA. IT IS EVEN WORSE
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10110594 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10131779 · 2005-08-06 (August 6, 2005)
MY 2005 ES330 HAS A LURCHING PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. LEXUS JUST REPLACED THE PROGRAM IN THE COMPUTER BUT NEVER TOLD ME THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. IT IS TOO SOON TO TELL IF THE FIX WILL WORK. THEY JUST TOLD ME TO BUY PREMIUM GAS. I HAVE READ FROM MANY OTHER LEXUS CONSUMERS THAT THE "FIX" AND BETTER GAS DO NOT WORK. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 10131779 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10161934 · 2006-07-09 (July 9, 2006)
TODAY MY CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET IT TO STOP BY BRAKING. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10161934 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10173182 · 2006-11-11 (November 11, 2006)
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 W…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10173182 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10122366 · 2005-05-27 (May 27, 2005)
2005 LEXUS ES 330, SEVER HESITATION IN THE TRANMISSION WHEN ENTERING FREEWAY. FEAR OF REAR END COLLISION OR STALL WHEN TRYING TO ATTAIN HIGHWAY SPEED. LAG OF 2-3 SECONDS AFTER STEPPING ON THE GAS.
Owner-reported narrative. 15 miles reported. Look up ODI 10122366 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10155719 · 2006-04-19 (April 19, 2006)
SUDDEN, UNINTENDED ACCELERATION DUE TO SIGNIFICANT THROTTLE LAG. PEDAL IS ALMOST TO THE FLOOR BEFORE CAR MOVES, AND THEN DOES SO AS IF YOU HAD DELIBERATELY PUSHED IT THAT FAR. ALSO, UPON ACCELERATION, CAR STALLS FOR ONE TO TWO SECONDS BEFORE ENGAGING. THIS HAS CAUSED SEVERAL NEAR COLLISIONS, ONE WITH A DUMP TRUCK. LEXUS CLAIMS THIS IS "OPERATING AS DESIGNED." *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 9,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10155719 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10201852 · 2007-09-04 (September 4, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES. THE FRONT TIRES WERE BALD ON THE OUTER AREA OF THE TIRES. THE REAR TIRES WERE DRY AND CRACKING. THERE WAS NO FRONT END VIBRATION OR LOOSE STEERING EXPERIENCED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT LOOKED AT BY A DEALER AND THE TIRES WERE NOT CHANGED. THE TIRES WERE BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL42 SIZE P235/45R17. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,642.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10201852 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10445212 · 2012-01-25 (January 25, 2012)
I RECEIVED A SAFTY RECALL NOTICE FROM LEXUS INDICATING MY ENGINE CRANKSHFT PULLEY MAY LOOSE AND CAUSE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I CALLED LEXUS AND THEY SAID I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LEXUS DEALER. SINCE THERE ISN'T A LEXUS DEALER IN MY HOMETOWN THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE CLOSEST DEALERS WERE AT LEAST 150 MILES FROM MY HOME. I BOUGHT THE CAR AT A LOCAL USED CAR DEALERSHIP THAT IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. I ASKED IF THEY COULD CERTIFY MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO DO THE INSPECTION AND THEY SAID NO. IF THIS DEFECT IS ON MY VEHICLE IT WOULD BE UNSAF…
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10445212 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10151210 · 2006-02-25 (February 25, 2006)
I OWN A 2005 LEXUS RX 330 WITH APPROXIMATELY 27,000 MILES ON IT.--MY RIGHT REAR BREAK LIGHT DOES NOT WORK CONSISTENTLY. LINDSAY LEXUS, ALEXANDRIA, VA, WAS TOLD OF THE PROBLEM, CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. SUBSEQUENTLY, I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER BY A POLICE OFFICER AT NIGHT, AS WELL AS BEING TOLD BY FOLKS WHO FOLLOWED ME AT NIGHT, THAT THE LIGHT WAS NOT OPERATIONAL. I AGAIN, TOLD LINDSAY LEXUS WHAT WAS OCCURRING AND WAS TOLD THAT UNLESS IT DID NOT WORK WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. HOWEVER, T…
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10151210 at NHTSA ↗