2005 Lexus ES recalls & problems
The 2005 Lexus ES has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 59 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is power train (25 complaints).
Recalls0safety recalls
Complaints59filed by owners
Crashes · fires13 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths11 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2005 Lexus ES.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Power train Automatic transmission; Manual transmission | 25 | 100 mi |
| Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal | 15 | 13,000 mi |
| Air bags Frontal › Sensor/control module; Frontal | 10 | 13,425 mi |
| Steering | 5 | — |
| Exterior lighting Headlights; Brake lights | 4 | 63,000 mi |
| Suspension | 4 | — |
| Unknown or other | 2 | — |
| Engine and engine cooling Engine | 2 | — |
| Structure Body | 2 | — |
| Child seat | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, gasoline Delivery | 1 | — |
| Tires Sidewall | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Feb 10, 2025Electrical system
Description of Defect: The crankshaft pulley (harmonic balancer) experienced an adhesive bond failure between its inner hub and outer metal ring, mirroring the exact factory defect in NHTSA Campaign 11V539000 (Lexus Campaign BLG). The issue manifested directly following an air conditioning Freon recharge at a licensed automotive service facility. Restoring the correct system pressure introduced normal mechanical load back onto the compressor accessory drive belt. The defective factory adhesive could not withstand standard operating resistance, causing the outer ring of the pulley to immediately begin slipping against its internal torsional rubber damper. This resulted in a chronic, severe… - Oct 21, 2025Suspension
Authorized dealership service department (Toyota West/Germain Automotive Group) performed structural repairs and released a vehicle back to me as safe. I operated this vehicle on public highways with my child. Upon subsequent inspection, the same dealership declared the vehicle a 'Total Loss' due to structural frame damage caused by their own technician. The dealership knowingly allowed a structurally compromised, unsafe vehicle to be driven off their lot without disclosing the safety risks. - Oct 21, 2025Steering
FORMAL COMPLAINT: CONSUMER FRAUD & SAFETY VIOLATION Dealership: Germain Toyota West (Columbus, OH) Case Reference: #[XXX] âTo the Consumer Protection Division: âI am filing a formal complaint regarding Theft by Deception, Gross Negligence, and Reckless Endangerment by this dealership. â1. THEFT & BILLING FRAUD On Oct 24, 2025, the dealership charged me $455.00 for labor to install rear sway bar links. I provided my own parts. The technician (Maciah Houpe) failed to install the parts but still charged me. He later admitted via text message: "I did not do your rear links... you didn't pay for rear links." The dealership has refused to refund this money despite the written confession.… - Oct 24, 2025Suspension
[XXX] : âfor parts it's $375. I'll drop the labor down to $80 for $455 totalâ¦âYou: âWell I already have the sway bar links but yes that's fine bro. [XXX] : âGot it let me see if I can change the order real quick. [XXX] : âGot it changed ðð½âScreenshot that whole block.Text 2 â âGood to goâ / work doneFind where he talks about finishing and testi [XXX] ah: âGot the rear brakes done, fighting the links right no [XXX] ah: âFirst ones out ðð½ should be [XXX] ciah: âGot it done, about to test drive and bring it upâScreenshot from âGot the rear brakes doneâ through âbring it up.âText 3 â Apology and refund offerFind this [XXX] ciah: âXXX bro it… - Feb 5, 2023Air bags
passenger dash airbag is coming apart at the seems. - Nov 22, 2021Suspension
Severe vibration from 30-70mph when acceleration, outboard boot split/slinging grease on left/right sides. CV axle has alot of movement. Right and Left axle shaft needs removed and replaced. - Mar 1, 2020 · 72,000 milesPower train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. - May 1, 2012 · 100,000 milesExterior lighting
THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY DEGRADES THEREBY CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO APPEAR EXTREMELY DIM WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. *TR
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
- DP05002 · opened Aug 5, 2005 · closed Jan 5, 2006VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
IN A LETTER DATED JULY 8, 2005, AND AFTER EXPERIENCING TWO INCIDENTS (AND ONE CRASH) WHERE HE ALLEGES HIS MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002 CAMRY ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT, MR. JORDAN ZIPRIN PETITIONED THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION?S (NHTSA) OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) TO COMMENCE A PROCEEDING TO DETERMINE THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT WITHIN THE ETC SYSTEM IN MY 2002 TO 2005 TOYOTA AND LEXUS VEHICLES, OR TO REOPEN A PRIOR INVESTIGATION PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE) 04-021.IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 18, 2005, MR. ZIPRIN AMENDED HIS PETITION TO INCLUDE ALLEGATIONS OF INTERRELATED BRAKE AND ACCELERATION PROBLEMS THAT ALLEGEDLY RESULT IN INAPPROPRIATE AND UNCONTROLLABLE VEHICLE ACCELERATIONS.THE 1172 VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE REPORTS CITED BY THE PETITIONER INVOLVE 4 LEXUS AND 15 TOYOTA MODELS DEFINING A POPULATION OF 7 MILLION VEHICLES.THE REPORTS TYPICALLY ALLEGED A…