Acceleration complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Lexus RX330. While driving at an undetermined speed, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a drain pipe. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 246,357.
Backing car out of garage and accelerator automatically increased high speed. I was unable to stop. Car hit garage door and damaged the garage door, wall, front driver side quarter panel, front bumper. Approx $3600 car damage and $1500 garage damage. Fortunate that no other damage or injuries occurred. This never happened before and was very unexpected. I am now afraid that this May happen again under unexpected circumstances with more severe consequences.
2005 Lexus RX330 would not stop nor brake as headed downhill in slightly snowy weather at about 25mph. As road curved, I could not slow vehicle and thus started to lose steering control. I attempted to accelerate thinking it wa a forward slide but that didn't change things and vehicle continued to accelerate. So I hit the breaks hard-- no result, no additional control. Vehicle continued for about a block, hit curb, then tree. Totaled vehicle and injury to myself. Assumed at the time the speed was lower but after seeing damage later and getting physical therapy, it clearly had accelerated before hitting the curb-- which did slow it down before hitting the tree. Three of four tires blew out with holes on the sides from force of impact with curb.
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 updated 12/28/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Lexus RX330. While driving approximately 2 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated. As a result, the contact crashed into two other vehicles and a curb. The two passengers in the other vehicles sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for body repairs. The vehicle was not diagnosed for the failure. The failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure was unable to be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Lexus RX330. While backing up the vehicle in the driveway at a low rate of speed, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and crashed into the garage and house. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. During the incident, the vehicle failed to immediately stop while depressing the brake pedal. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 119,000.
Related recalls (2)
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
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…
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.
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Lexus RX330 years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (34), 2005 (14) and 2006 (12) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Lexus RX330 acceleration problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 11V-112 (accelerator pedal, Feb 24, 2011); 06V-253 (accelerator pedal, Jul 13, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Lexus RX330 acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 49,000 miles; 50% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (5 mentions), followed by the cruise control (1).
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.