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2005 Lexus ES: problems, recalls and fuel economy
Owners filed 200 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Lexus ES, and the two biggest groups, speed control and power train, have 67 each[1][2][3]. Two recalls are on file, including one for a crankshaft pulley that can lead to a loss of power steering[4][5].
Most reported problems
NHTSA has 200 owner complaints on file for the 2005 ES[1]. Of those, 48 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 29 injuries, and none report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.
| Component group | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed control[2] | 67 | 31 | 14 |
| Power train[3] | 67 | 2 | 1 |
| Air bags[8] | 27 | 13 | 14 |
| Engine[9] | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes[10] | 13 | 8 | 3 |
Smaller groups include steering with 9 complaints[11], electrical system with 8[12] and exterior lighting with 7[13].
Hesitation, then a lurch. In a sample of 12 speed control complaints we read, 10 describe a delay or lag after pressing the gas, and 6 of those also describe a sudden lurch or surge[2]. Some owners mention slowing down and then speeding up again, or merging onto a freeway. Four of the 12 say a dealer called the behavior normal or said nothing was wrong[2]. Speed control complaints have a median mileage at failure of 21,000[2].
Power train looks similar. In a sample of power train complaints, 10 of 12 describe hesitation or lag when accelerating[3]. Owners sometimes tie it to the transmission. A few describe jerking when the car changes gears. The median mileage at failure is 5,000[3].
Engine. In a sample of engine complaints, 7 of 12 describe hesitation, stalling or a jump forward on acceleration[9]. Three of the 12 mention the crankshaft pulley recall described below[9].
Air bags. In a sample of air bag complaints, 6 of 12 say the air bags did not deploy in a crash, and 3 of 12 describe a dashboard air bag warning or on/off light[8]. Air bag complaints have a median mileage at failure of 77,200[8]. We cannot tell from complaints alone whether the air bags should have deployed in those crashes.
Recalls
- Crankshaft pulley (11V539). Recalled in November 2011 for certain 2004 and 2005 ES330 cars built from June 1, 2004 through March 31, 2005, with a specific engine type[4]. The glue holding the pulley's outer ring may be inadequate, which can cause noise and the battery warning light. In some cases the power steering belt can come off, which means a loss of power steering and a sudden jump in steering effort, raising the risk of a crash. Dealers check the pulley and replace it free of charge if it came from the U.S. supplier. The notice said the repair was expected to begin in early January 2012[4].
- Passenger seat belt buckle switch (04V595). Recalled in December 2004 on vehicles with a front passenger power seat. If a rear-facing infant seat base is installed with very high belt tension, a small switch in the buckle can pop out of place. The passenger air bag system may then mistake the child seat for an unbelted adult and fail to turn the air bag off. Dealers replace the switch. The campaign began December 20, 2004[5].
Fuel economy
The EPA rates the ES 330 with the 3.3L 6-cylinder engine, a 5-speed automatic and front-wheel drive at 18 mpg city, 27 highway and 21 combined[7]. It uses regular fuel. The EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,200, based on the EPA's current fuel price assumptions rather than prices when the car was new[7].
Safety ratings
NHTSA lists its 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 4-door 2005 ES as not rated, so there are no star scores to compare[14].
Engine and size
The EPA lists a 3.3L 6-cylinder engine for the ES 330[7]. Our data has no horsepower figure for it. The size figures below are Canadian-market specifications for the 4-door sedan with front-wheel drive[15].
How 2005 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 38 | 1 |
| 1996 | 38 | 1 |
| 1997 | 47 | 2 |
| 1998 | 53 | 1 |
| 1999 | 35 | 0 |
| 2000 | 62 | 0 |
| 2001 | 31 | 0 |
| 2002 | 180 | 2 |
| 2003 | 139 | 0 |
| 2004 | 190 | 2 |
| 2005 | 200 | 2 |
| 2006 | 79 | 0 |
| 2007 | 664 | 4 |
| 2008 | 323 | 4 |
| 2009 | 173 | 5 |
| 2010 | 179 | 5 |
| 2011 | 199 | 3 |
| 2012 | 120 | 3 |
| 2013 | 70 | 1 |
| 2014 | 46 | 1 |
| 2015 | 27 | 1 |
| 2016 | 37 | 1 |
| 2017 | 26 | 1 |
| 2018 | 15 | 2 |
| 2019 | 40 | 4 |
| 2020 | 24 | 3 |
| 2021 | 35 | 1 |
| 2022 | 16 | 1 |
| 2023 | 11 | 2 |
| 2024 | 9 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 | 0 |
NHTSA lists complaints and recalls for each Lexus ES model year. The 2005 model has 200 complaints and 2 recalls[6]. Only 2007 with 664 complaints and 2008 with 323 have more complaints[6]. The neighbors are close in some ways. 2004 has 190 complaints and 2 recalls, while 2006 has 79 complaints and none[6]. Several later years carry more recalls than 2005, with 3 to 5 each from 2007 through 2012[6].
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat the comparison as a rough guide and not a reliability score.
Should you buy a used 2005 Lexus ES?
The 2005 ES has a fair amount of owner feedback, with 200 complaints and 2 recalls[1][6]. In the complaint samples we read, owners describe a pause when pressing the gas, sometimes followed by a lurch[2][3]. Test drive any car you are considering in slow traffic and when merging to see whether it behaves that way. Ask for proof that the crankshaft pulley recall work and the seat belt buckle switch work were done, or have a dealer check both by VIN[4][5]. Our data cannot say how any single car has aged, so a pre-purchase inspection still matters.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Lexus ES?
- Speed control and power train each have 67 of the 200 NHTSA complaints[1][2][3]. In the samples we read, owners describe hesitation followed by a lurch when accelerating[2][3]. Air bag complaints number 27[8].
- Does the 2005 Lexus ES have any recalls?
- Yes, two are on file. 11V539 covers a crankshaft pulley that can lead to a loss of power steering[4]. 04V595 covers a seat belt buckle switch that may affect the passenger air bag system[5].
- How many miles per gallon does a 2005 Lexus ES get?
- The EPA rates the ES 330 at 18 mpg city, 27 highway and 21 combined, on regular fuel[7].
- Is the 2005 Lexus ES a bad year compared with others?
- It has the third highest complaint count of the 32 model years listed, at 200, behind 2007 with 664 and 2008 with 323[6]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
- What are the dimensions of the 2005 Lexus ES?
- Length is 191 in, width 71 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 107 in and curb weight 3,461 lb[15].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 200 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Lexus ES (48 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 29 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 67 complaints name the speed control component group (31 crashes, 1 fires, 14 injuries, median mileage at failure 21,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 67 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 5,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 11V539, filed November 9, 2011: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 04V595, filed December 15, 2004: Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Lexus ES model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for ES 330, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 27 complaints name the air bags component group (13 crashes, 0 fires, 14 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,200). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 13 complaints name the brakes component group (8 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 37,309). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 8,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ES 330 4DR SEDAN FWD: length 191 in, width 71 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,461 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov