The Lemon Index2005 Lexus RX.
The 2005 Lexus RX has too few complaints to score: 16 in its first 3 years. Owners complain most about lights, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 18 to 20 mpg combined. The best Lexus RX year is 2014.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 194 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Lexus RX year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 45K to 109K miles on the car (142 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- body structure complaints mostly came at 47K–100K miles
- lights complaints mostly came at 40K–101K miles
- steering complaints mostly came at 83K–130K miles
Recalls 4
- engine 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AVALON VEHICLES; 2004 AND 2005 CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA, HIGHLANDER, AND SIENNA VEHICLES, 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID; 2004 AND 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND RX330; AND 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES…
- speed control 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND MODEL YEAR 2004-2007 LEXUS RX330, RX350, AND RX400H VEHICLES.
- brakes 2010
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 LEXUS RX, AND MODEL YEAR 2006 LEXUS GS AND IS VEHICLES.
Show all 4 recalls
- speed control 2006
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND HYBRID VEHICLES, THE TWO RETAINING CLIPS FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE FORWARD CENTER CONSOLE CAN BECOME LOOSE.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Lexus told dealers about
Lexus sent dealers 152 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Tonneau cover latch rattle
- Power back door will make a popping or creaking noise from the power back door drive unit
- Rattle or buzz type noise coming from the driver's side instrument panel area
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedUnintended and uncontrolled acceleration2010–2011
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.3L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
While driving at night, the consumer noticed that the headlights did not illuminate normal at low beam. Please provide further details.
2005 Lexus RX owner · NHTSA complaint 10103466
More owner reports
Lexus rx 330 stolen headlights, this has happened twice.
NHTSA complaint 10112951
My 2005 rx330 hesitates and I feel it's dangerous. There are times that after making a turn and stepping on the accelerator that the car behind me has almost rammed me.
NHTSA complaint 10227778
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Lexus RX reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 16 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2005 Lexus RX problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lights (25%), transmission & drivetrain (25%) and body structure (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Lexus RX have?
4 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Lexus RX get?
18 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Lexus RX problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 45,400 and 109,000 miles. The middle report was at 80,000 miles, from 142 complaints.
Does the 2005 Lexus RX have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 25% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Lexus RX cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Lexus RX have?
3.3L 6-cyl.
What Lexus RX year is better than the 2005?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2011 and 2012.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works