2005 Lexus ES330 Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 4%of 141 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the fuel system of the 2005 Lexus ES330, 4% of the 141 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2005 Lexus ES 330 caused the most horrible accident yesterday. I am lucky to be alive! I started my car and put the gear in reverse and proceeded to put my foot on the gas pedal and it accelerated to such at high speed backwards, I took my foot off the pedal and the car still proceeded to accelerate, I hit the brakes and it still wouldn't stop until I slammed into a tree. I was completely helpless. If it weren't for the tree, I would have gone into oncoming traffic on the main road. I was taken by ambulance to the hospital and am pretty banged up. …”
NHTSA complaint #10254433, filed 2009-01, 69,000 miles“2005 Lexus es330. Hesitation & stumbling on acceleration. Also transmission will not downshift. This is a well documented problem with the 2005 model year es330. There was one revision of transmission software/firmware provided but it did not fix this problem. After several complaints the Lexus dealer stated there's nothing more we can do. Several internet postings suggest that this delay or hesitation is designed in. …”
NHTSA complaint #10313873, filed 2010-02, 10,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10143424, filed 2005-11, 300 miles“Lexus ES 330, when accelerating, there is a hesitation. Dealer said it was related to octane of gasoline, that I should increase the octane to 92. This did not help. They lie at every angle...”
NHTSA complaint #10331870, filed 2010-05Related service bulletins
- 10205357Feb 26, 2013Fuel Delivery Pipe Replacement
Fuel system: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 Lexus ES330
51 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
43 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Lexus ES330
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology