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Lexus RXModel year report

2005 Lexus RX Problems

Complaints
27filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
80,000miles, 18 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 Lexus RX (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2005 Lexus RX. The part named most often is air bags, with 5 complaints (19% of the total), followed by brakes (5) and other or unknown (5). 18 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 50 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the master cylinder filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Engine (1), Engine cooling (1), Equipment (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1), Tires (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “My complaint is not about the airbag but rather about the dashboard protecting the airbag! Lexus is aware of cracking dashboards in the RX since they issued an extended warranty to replace these dashboards that expired 05/31/2017! My dashboard did not start cracking until april 2018 and has now started cracking in 5 different locations in just the last month, three of which are in proximity to the passenger airbag. When I took the car to my mechanic for an estimate to replace the airbag he mentioned the safety issue with the dashboard developing cracks in the area that protects the airbag. …”

NHTSA complaint #11094165, filed 2018-05, 117,000 miles

Brakes: “Pulling in to a parking slot at dental office, with my foot on the brake, the car suddenly revved and accelerated forward at a high speed. With my foot still on the brake, the car did not stop until hitting the rock wall side of the building.”

NHTSA complaint #11323597, filed 2020-05, 100,000 miles

Other or unknown: “Front dashboard cracking and peeling off - have not received any recall notices but have seen this issue appear on others complaints. We have heard there have been recalls but have received no notices to date to be able to have repaired”

NHTSA complaint #11448271, filed 2022-01

Body and structure: “The dashboard is sticky and cracking. It started back in 2009-2010 when my fingernail would catch in the plastic when turning key ignition. Now there are cracks completely across the dash and pieces have fallen off. It is also sticky to the touch. Have brought back to Lexus dealer and twice they have not come back to me with a resolution from customer assistance. Have seen problem with other Lexus and toyota vehicles and have had other cars in fl that have not had never had issues with the heat such as this. I am the sole owner of this vehicle since 2005.”

NHTSA complaint #10644413, filed 2014-10, 45,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 18 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 42,000 and 117,000 miles.

11%0–1011%10–2511%25–5011%50–7517%75–10022%100–15017%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (18 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 80,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

’07’11’143’17’19’21’23’253
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2005 Lexus RX → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 50 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 50 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus RX

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2026121,00034–525—Too new
20252211244–525—Too new
2024603,00044–525Too new to compareToo new
2023628,2503536100 · MoreToo new
20222931,600043068 · MoreRising
20217058,000143086 · MoreRising
20204731,50014–53087 · MoreRising
20193417,5001—3079 · MoreRising
20182642,5480—300 · FewerRising
20174732,7300—300 · FewerRising
20162867,5000—300 · FewerRising
20152045,0000—29—Rising
20141292,5450—29—Not enough data
201319105,6060—29—Rising
201212143,6820—29—Not enough data
201129125,0000—291 · FewerFalling
20107725,0000——96 · MoreFalling
20093473,5000——19 · FewerFalling
200870114,1830—2515 · FewerFalling
20075893,4260—26Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200632130,0001—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20052780,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20044066,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200212101,9300———Not enough data
20011995,0000———Rising
20002990,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199935107,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Lexus RX model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005 Lexus RX have?

NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2005 Lexus RX as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2005 Lexus RX is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 5 complaints (19% of the total), followed by brakes with 5.

Has the 2005 Lexus RX been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2005 Lexus RX reported?

Among the 18 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,000 miles and the middle half falls between 42,000 and 117,000 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.