Unexpected acceleration when entering my driveway at a very low rate of speed (2 MPH maybe) when the car suddenly accelerated out of control for about 6 feet. I was standing on the brake pedal & it finally stopped. There was no sign of a problem with the rug bunching up. Had vehicle towed to japanese car care specialist, llc the next day (was afraid to drive it). They could not find anything wrong with it; no warning lights came on, no sign of transmission trouble. We are now driving the car again without incident but it's hard to trust it. Just wanted to put this incident on file with the ntsb in case it should happen again. Updated 10/01/15*lj updated 12/28/2015
2005 Lexus RX330: sudden unintended acceleration
7 of the 165 complaints about the 2005 Lexus RX330 describe sudden unintended acceleration.
- owner complaints
- 7
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical mileage
- 74,658
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 2 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Sudden unintended acceleration by model year
What owners say
My wife (who is not the primary driver of this vehicle) was entering a perpendicular parking space in front of a business located just off the street. The business was once a house and has now put 3 parking spaces in front of the building just over the sidewalk.the entrance is up a driveway and just beyond the sidewalk and into the parking spaces. As she was going up the driveway and turn slightly to the right to enter a parking space, the car hesitated and then accelerated, she applied the brakes and left a 5 foot skid mark before crashing into the front of the business. The car has done this before especially when turning and applying a little gas, it will hesitate and then suddenly accelerate, but never continuing after applying the brake. We have discussed this previously with the lexus dealer and they say there is no problem with the vehicle and that computers that control the engine and transmission constantly adjust to the primary driver may create this issue, but it is not a problem as far as they are concerned....updated 09/08/15*bf updated 12/3/15
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 lexus rx330. While backing out of a parking lot, the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward. Although the brakes were engaged, the vehicle crashed into a pillar. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 lexus rx330. While driving approximately 2 MPH into his driveway, the contact removed his foot from the accelerator pedal in order to depress the brake pedal. The vehicle accelerated on its own and crashed into the house. The contact was uninjured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 74,658. Updated 8/28/14*cn updated 11/28/2014
While backing out of my parking place in our underground garage I put on the brake to go from reverse to drive. When I put the vehicle in drive the engine raced up and the car surged forward. I was only 15 feet from a brick wall of which I hit at an angle. I bounced off this wall and went 10 feet further head on into another wall. I did not touch the gas petal, the mats are rubber and were not a problem. The vehicle just suddenly accelerated. The air bags did not deploy and I shut the engine off as soon as I could but given the fact that the total travel length was around 30 feet this was not possible. This is a know problem with toyota!! We love our car but we are now afraid of it. My insurance rates will be going up because of a factory defect and all I have seen are excuses in regards to this problem.
2005 lexus rx330 was driven at 40mph under normal highway conditions when the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own. The vehicle was immediately put in neutral where the engine kept revving. The driver coasted to the side of the road and turned the engine off. The vehicle was restarted and brought to a dealership the following business day for diagnosis. The dealership said they did not find any error codes.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 lexus rx30. While entering a parking space she applied pressure to the brake pedal, and then the vehicle accelerated without intention. Consequently, the vehicle crashed into a building. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The front end of the vehicle received $9,088 worth of damage. The failure and current mileages were 22,000.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
- What is wrong
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 highlander, highlander hybrid, and model year 2004-2007 lexus rx330, rx350, and rx400h vehicles. If the forward retention clip used to secure the floor carpet cover, which is located in front of the center console, is not installed properly the cover may lean toward the accelerator pedal and interfere with the accelerator pedal arm.
- Risk
- If this occurs, the accelerator pedal may temporarily become stuck in a partially depressed position rather than return to the idle position. A stuck accelerator pedal may result in unintended and sustained vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the floor carpet cover with a newly designed one free or charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during march 2011. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 11V112000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility and hybrid vehicles, the two retaining clips for the driver's side forward center console can become loose. If both clips separate from the floor carpet cover, the cover may lean toward the accelerator pedal, causing interference with the accelerator pedal rod.
- Risk
- This condition may interfere with the accelerator pedal returning to the idle position increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the two floor carpet cover retaining clips free of charge. The recall began on july 24, 2006, and should be completed by early september 2006. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331 or lexus at 1‑800‑255‑3987.
Recall number 06V253000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2005 Lexus RX330 sudden acceleration
Is sudden unintended acceleration a common problem on the 2005 Lexus RX330?
7 of 165 owner complaints about the 2005 Lexus RX330 (4%) mention sudden unintended acceleration. The model year with the most reports is 2004.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2005 Lexus RX330?
There are 2 recalls and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2005 Lexus RX330
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