2006 Lexus RX330 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2006 RX330 most often write about a dashboard that cracks, becomes sticky or melts, and about the power steering rack leaking fluid. Other repeated themes are moisture inside the headlamp housings and unexpected acceleration or hesitation, sometimes with cruise control engaged. Complaints are spread across a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles to well over 100,000.

1. 1
   Vehicle speed control

   Unexpected acceleration and hesitation

   • 12 complaints (18%)
   • median 49,500 mi at 4.5 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2016

   Owners describe the car surging or lunging without a pedal input, at times while pulling into a parking space or backing out, and at times when cruise control is engaged on an incline. Others report hesitation or a delayed downshift when accelerating from low speed, and several say dealers found no fault or called it normal operation. One complaint concerns waiting for parts under a floor-carpet/accelerator pedal recall. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 2,000 to over 240,000 miles, with several cases tied to cruise control use.

   Recall 11V1120002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether recall 11V112000 was completed and whether the floor carpet cover clip is properly secured. On a test drive, try gentle acceleration from a stop and cruise control on a slight incline, and note any surging or hesitation.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Backing car out of garage and accelerator automatically increased high speed. I was unable to stop. Car hit garage door and damaged the garage door, wall, front driver side quarter panel, front bumper. Approx $3600 car damage and $1500 garage damage. Fortunate that no other damage or injuries occurred. This never happened before and was very unexpected. I am now afraid that this may happen again under unexpected circumstances with more severe consequences.”

   NHTSA complaint #10565522, filed 2014-02, 120,000 miles

   “Transmission has a hard time selecting a gear between 2nd and 3rd. It starts to go into 3rd gear then jumps out for a second and then slams back into 3rd. Usually when lightly accelerating. Very noticeable. I have taken it into the dealer 4 times and was told I may just need a new transmission!! It only has 108,000 miles on it. I have never heard of this problem with a Lexus! That and the rear differential was diagnosed as bad as well! It's like the entire drive train is garbage!! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10785893, filed 2015-10, 108,000 miles
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Cracked, sticky or melting dashboard

   • 14 complaints (21%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 8.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2012–2017

   Owners describe the dash cover cracking, peeling, crumbling or turning sticky and shiny, with the underlying foam exposed in places. Some say glare from the melted surface reduces visibility in sunlight, and some worry about what the condition means for the passenger airbag area. Dealers quoted roughly $2,500 or more to replace the dashboard, and several owners say they were told to wait for parts or that coverage had expired. Reported from about 30,000 to 108,000 miles, with several complaints noting hot, sunny climates or a garage-kept car that still deteriorated.

   14 related service bulletins

   What to check: Look closely at the dash top for cracks, peeling or a tacky surface, especially near the passenger airbag and the ignition area. Ask whether the dashboard warranty enhancement was ever applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In april 2014, my mom was contacted by Lexus about the melting dashboard issue that has plagued almost 5 million Lexus vehicles. She was told she would have to wait in line for her customer number to pop up in the system in order to fix the melting dashboard, which has affected her visibility when it is sunny outside as well as her steering mechanism. We do not know if there is damage to the airbags, but with a continuously melting dashboard we can only imagine the damage and danger that lurks underneath. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10934553, filed 2016-12, 50,000 miles

   “My dashboard on my 2006 Lexus rx 330 is literally peeling off, it is cracked everywhere and in some spots the dashboard coating/cover is just not there,it has crumbled and fell off.”

   NHTSA complaint #10618295, filed 2014-08, 36,000 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Power steering rack fluid leak

   • 7 complaints (10%)
   • median 78,500 mi at 7.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2011–2015

   Owners report being told during routine service or a state inspection that the steering rack or its boots are leaking fluid; some noticed steering noise or progressive steering difficulty. Quotes given for replacement ran around $1,800, with some owners offered a cheaper temporary boot repair or partial goodwill coverage. Complaints describe the leak as a recurring item on this model. Mostly reported between about 55,000 and 80,000 miles, often found during routine maintenance rather than after a sudden failure.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have the steering rack and its boots inspected for fluid seepage, and check the power steering fluid level. Ask whether the rack has already been replaced or resealed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I sent my RX330 to dealership for oil change, and was told there was a leak in power rack & pinion assembly, the total cost for replacement is $1800. My car is 2006, only has 61k miles and has been serviced regularly at Lexus dealership according to Lexus maintenance schedule. This is a result of faulty engineering not abuse since this problem is so prevalent, I googled online, lot of RX330 complained the same problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10416068, filed 2011-07, 61,083 miles

   “Took vehicle to Lexus dealership for routine maintenance and was told steering rack needs to be replaced due to a fluid leak. Over time this could lead to difficulty steering the vehicle. I bought the vehicle used less than a year ago and this leak issue seems to be very common according to various websites.”

   NHTSA complaint #10510238, filed 2013-05, 78,500 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Radiator leaks and coolant loss

   • 8 complaints (12%)
   • median 55,353 mi at 6.5 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2009–2014

   Owners report coolant dripping from the radiator, steam from the engine bay, and in one case a radiator that split while driving with the temperature gauge climbing. Dealers confirmed cracked radiators and recommended replacement, sometimes alongside the water pump and timing belt. Some owners noted that earlier model years had a radiator recall and asked whether the same part was used here. Mostly reported between about 41,000 and 60,000 miles, with one case at 98,000 miles.

   What to check: Check the radiator end tanks and hoses for cracks, crusty residue or coolant stains, and confirm the coolant level and condition. Ask whether the radiator, water pump or timing belt have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have 41k miles on my car. Anti freeze has been dripping from the right side of the radiator same as other people. In contacting Lexus, being that the warranty has expired, they will charge to evaluate the problem and the repair estimate is 1k. How does Lexus know that the residual parts from 2004-05, which has been recalled, was not used during the 2006 assembly?”

   NHTSA complaint #10456965, filed 2012-04, 41,720 miles

   “Crack in the radiator at 73800 miles. Car started smoking and when stopped and opened up hood pink fluid spilled out of passenger side of radiator (anti-freeze) and was steaming. Noticed that comments have been made that 2004 -05 models have had radiator recall for same problem and read claims that this radiator might be the same.”

   NHTSA complaint #10454621, filed 2012-04, 73,800 miles
5. 5
   Exterior lighting

   Moisture inside the headlamp housings

   • 6 complaints (9%)
   • median 60,500 mi at 6.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2011–2013

   Owners describe condensation or standing water inside the headlamp assemblies after rain or a car wash, sometimes taking days to clear. In several cases a low beam or HID bulb stopped working, and owners reported quotes of roughly $1,600 to $1,800 per housing. Complaints say the dealer sometimes attributed it to warranty status or declined goodwill coverage. Typically reported between about 50,000 and 72,000 miles, often noticed after wet weather or washing.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Inspect both headlamp lenses for fogging, droplets or rust, and confirm every bulb and light function works. Ask whether the headlamp warranty extension was used on either side.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On the above date noticed headlight out and water in drivers side headlamp, replaced bulb headlamp dry out on its own. On 03/12/2013 brought my Lexus to dealership for recall on mat/acceleration problem. Service dept noticed headlight was out and it should be replaced, I advised them of the condensation in headlamp and they stated that to fix problem would cost about 2 thousand dollars I advised them that not to fix problem, and if they could notify Lexus corp about possible good will and they stated no, car is out of warranty.”

   NHTSA complaint #10502549, filed 2013-03, 66,000 miles

   “My left front headlight had condensation due to the manufacturer not sealing the light correctly, Lexus was aware of this problem and fixed the left one while it was still under warranty. Now my right one has rust inside of it which has blown out one bulb..I contacted Lexus corporate who agreed to pay half of the $1800.00 it cost to repair it. In addition to the front lights, now my rear lights actually have bugs inside of them which in turn will cause the bulbs to blow as well. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10394729, filed 2011-03

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection that focuses on the dashboard surface, the steering rack for leaks, the headlamp housings and the cooling system covers most of what owners write about for this model year. Confirm any open recall work was completed and expect that some cosmetic dashboard repairs may no longer be covered.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 59 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.