Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Lexus ES330 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Did not have a car accident, or experience any injuries or car damage, but this car, like numerous other cars of the same make, model, and year has some serious transmission/computer software issues at times. It hesitates and lurches often. I drove on the highway yesterday and the car acted up in the worst way ever.but it seems to me that with information on these same transmission issues plastered all over the internet, your organization would make Toyota engineer a permanent fix for this problem, and recall and fix these cars.
(1) car was nearly new, only 100 miles, no abnormal behavior up to that point. (2) while shifting into park as part of the process of parking, and with no pressure on accellerator, car suddenly lurched forward, striking concrete stancheon of parking lot light pole. This resulted in damage to the front bumper, frame, right quarter-panel, right headlight assembly, causing over $4,000 in repair costs. (3) above problems were repaired by a dealer-approved auto body shop.
I bought a new 2005 Lexus ES330 in December 2004. I currently have about 3,900 miles on it. Beginning at around 1,000 miles and continuing to today, I regularly experience a serious transmission problem. When I am in stop-and-go traffic and press the accelerator pedal down smoothly to accelerate, the car does nothing for about 1-2 seconds. Then the car surges forward uncontrollably. I have nearly rear-ended other cars because I cannot predict or control this transmission hesitation/surge problem. I experience the same problem when I am merging onto a freeway and need to accelerate quickly. If I press down on the gas pedal, nothing happens for 1-2 seconds, then the car leaps forward uncontrollably. I have come close to crashing into other cars because my car jerks forward so unpredictably. …
I did not have a car accident, or experience any injuries or car damage, but this car, like numerous other cars of the same make, model, and year has some serious transmission/computer software issues at times. It hesitates and lurches often, especially in d4. I drove on the highway yesterday in d4, and the car acted up in the worst way ever. I later tried driving in d, and the car did better in town and on the highway, but it seems to me that with information on these same transmission issues plastered all over the internet, your organization would make Toyota engineer a permanent fix for this problem, and recall and fix these cars. By the way, this car had the Lexus software update for its transmission issues last summer, and I only use the highest octane gasoline. …
2005 Lexus ES330. Hesitation & stumbling on acceleration. Also transmission will not downshift. This is a well documented problem with the 2005 model year ES330. There was one revision of transmission software/firmware provided but it did not fix this problem. After several complaints the Lexus dealer stated "there's nothing more we can do." several internet postings suggest that this "delay" or hesitation is designed in. Also, if while entering a highway, for example, the gas pedal is depressed, released and depressed again there is a much longer 2-3 second delay until power is delivered and to get proper upshifts and downshifts I have to shift the automatic transmission manually. The Lexus dealer was/is very familiar with this problem but has no fix beyond what was provided for back in 2005 by Lexus. …
Tl contact owns a 2005 Lexus ES330 sedan. While driving approximately 45 MPH the vehicle down shifted intermittently into a lower gear and began to lunge forward. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle to his destination. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the failure could not be duplicated. The failure was diagnosed by the dealer five times. The contact stated that the failure had begun to occur more frequently. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that after speaking with the dealer they confirmed that they were unable to duplicate or diagnose the failure. The service manager advised him that other customers had experienced the identical failure; however, unless Lexus advised him, there was nothing he could do. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000 and the current mileage was 59,496. Updated 9/1/10 updated 09/02/10
We purchased our Lexus 2005 ES330 brand new. We noticed the hesitation and jerking when accelerating immed after buying the car. It was taken back to the Lexus dealership for the complaint two or more times. When we recieved normal services, I would ask about the acceleration and I was told that there were not any bulletins issued for the issue in which I spoke of. We were told that the car would adjust to the driver over a period of time. Presently the car shifts improperly when driven at 20-35 MPH, unexpected up shifts that occur to early and down shifts while slowing down causing the driver to have to modulate the braking to avoid either coming up to cars in traffic ahead to quickly or traffic coming from behind so as to avoid an accident from behind as you slow to quickly. Constantly scares me when I drive it because of the non responsive and quick acceleration.
Transmission hesitates from a stopped position on my 2005 Lexus ES330 causing a feeling that the car May stall or lunge forward unexpectedly. I purchased the car a few months ago with 22,500 miles. I brought this problem to the dealer's attention and read about it online. Apparently, Lexus provides a "flash" fix to the software. But, my local Lexus service manager suggested not using the fix because, according to his personal experience, the fix can cause damage somehow to the car's computer that is irreparable. Apparently, the fix is not always a good fix. I was told the fix cannot be set back once it is been addressed. It is my understanding thousands of Lexus dealers have been effected. Also, occasionally I feel like my car lunges forward suddenly and briefly for no apparent reason. Any guidance you can provide about these matters would be appreciated.
I had purchased a brand new 2005 Lexus ES330 in 2005. The car started exhibiting transmission hesitation problems almost immediately. I brought it to the Lexus dealer in cerritos, ca many times, and asked them about this behavior as something they should look at and fix. I was told it is how the computers are in the car and they refuse to acknowledge this problem. The car hesitates to pick up speed while you ar on stop sign or more importantly when changing lanes on freeway or at times you need to accelerate the car suddenly. You will get a jolt and lack of power for a second and then quick speed. Now with all of the problems coming out of this company, I think it is important for me to bring this issue and I am sure there are many people who have complained about it. I use this car but try to use sparingly as much as possible.
I leased a 2005 ES330 from Lexus a year and a half ago. Immediately after leaving the dealership I noticed that the car had a transmission problem. At low speeds, under 30 MPH, the car would not transition through the gears properly and would jerk suddenly upon acceleration. I also noticed that there were times when the car would hesitate for a few seconds upon acceleration from a stop or low speeds. This jerking motion and hesitation of the transmission is a common problem with my type of vehicle and has been known by Lexus to be a problem for the past 5 years, since 2002. This vehicle is a safety hazard in high traffic situations as it does not respond appropriately to the drivers needs, or commands.
Transmission complaints in other ES330 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Lexus ES330?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Lexus ES330, 30% of the model year's 141 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (31 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Lexus ES330 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2005 Lexus ES330, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Lexus ES330 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 23,000 miles, and 54% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.