2005 Lexus ES: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10108498 · 2005-02-03 (February 3, 2005)
I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED TWICE BECAUSE MY 2005 LEXUS ES 330 HAS A PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATION AFTER COASTING. THERE IS A FEW SECONDS HESITATION BEFORE THE CAR STARTS TO ACCELERATE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10108498 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10108789 · 2005-02-16 (February 16, 2005)
THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. *JB *SC
Owner-reported narrative. 60 miles reported. Look up ODI 10108789 at NHTSA ↗
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 10112092 · 2005-02-24 (February 24, 2005)
MY NEW 2005 LEXUS ES330 HAS VERY SIGNIFICANT HESITATION PROBLEMS. LEXUS SERVICE TECHNICIANS HAVE EXAMINED THE VEHICLE 4 TIMES AND STATE THAT IT IS WITHIN THEIR SPECIFICATIONS. I'M AFRAID THAT I'LL BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE HESITATION. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10112092 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10114797 · 2005-03-26 (March 26, 2005)
THERE ARE NO SPECIFIC INCIDENTS TO REPORT, BUT I THINK IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE CAR HESITATES AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS FREQUENTLY CAUSES HARROWING MOMENTS WHEN MERGING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, SUCH AS AT A STREET CORNER ON FREEWAY ON-RAMP.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10114797 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 10124078 · 2005-06-03 (June 3, 2005)
I PURCHASED MY 2005 LEXUS ES330 AT LEXUS OF ANNAPOLIS IN MID-MARCH 2005 WITH ONLY 63 MILES ON IT. BY APRIL 9TH, I BEGAN TO NOTICE JERKING UPON ACCELERATION. I CALLED THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS AND SCHEDULED AND APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT EVALUATED. I TOOK IT IN, A TECHNICIAN RODE IN THE CAR WITH ME AND EXPLAINED THAT I NEEDED TO USE PREMIUM GAS. I TOLD HIM THAT I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A BRAND NEW CAR REQUIRING PREMIUM GAS, BUT I AGREED TO GIVE THIS A TRY TO SEE IF IT ALLEVIATES THE PROBLEM. IT DID NOT! HE ALSO STATED THAT IF THIS DIDN'T WO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10124078 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10127298 · 2005-07-01 (July 1, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES AND JERKS BACK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10127298 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.