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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2005 Lexus ES330 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
43about this part
Share
31%of 141 total for the year
Median mileage
22,550miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 43 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Lexus ES330, 31% of the 141 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 22,550 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I did not have a car accident, or experience any injuries or car damage, but this car, like numerous other cars of the same make, model, and year has some serious transmission/computer software issues at times. It hesitates and lurches often, especially in d4. I drove on the highway yesterday in d4, and the car acted up in the worst way ever. …”

NHTSA complaint #10519916, filed 2013-06, 98,083 miles

“Since nov 2005 I noticed a problem with the vehicle's transmission-a hesitation during acceleration that occurs over 50% of the time. The vehicle has been repaired 3 times for this problem and the Lexus representative on the phone just told me it is not fixable. I believe this is a safety issue as it could cause an accident.”

NHTSA complaint #10156773, filed 2006-05, 14,000 miles

“We purchased our Lexus 2005 es330 brand new. We noticed the hesitation and jerking when accelerating immed after buying the car. It was taken back to the Lexus dealership for the complaint two or more times. When we recieved normal services, I would ask about the acceleration and I was told that there were not any bulletins issued for the issue in which I spoke of. We were told that the car would adjust to the driver over a period of time. …”

NHTSA complaint #10302462, filed 2010-01, 1,000 miles

“Did not have a car accident, or experience any injuries or car damage, but this car, like numerous other cars of the same make, model, and year has some serious transmission/computer software issues at times. It hesitates and lurches often. I drove on the highway yesterday and the car acted up in the worst way ever.but it seems to me that with information on these same transmission issues plastered all over the internet, your organization would make toyota engineer a permanent fix for this problem, and recall and fix these cars.”

NHTSA complaint #10715805, filed 2015-05, 125,000 miles

“There is a problem with hesitation with my 2005 Lexus ES 330. When the accelerator is depressed in certain situations there is a lag before the engine responds. This is a serious safety issue with this automobile. Lexus said the vehicle checks out fine. I disagree and from what I read on the net this has been a problem in past years with Lexus automobiles.”

NHTSA complaint #10102408, filed 2004-12, 200 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20061016%
20054331%
20046135%

Other parts of the 2005 Lexus ES330

Vehicle speed control
51 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsFuel system
5 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 30, 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