Body complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
At approximately 4 in afternoon, I had come to a complete stop in front of my townhouse. My foot was still on the brake from stopping (I was just about to put it in park and take out key and unfastened seat belt) when it lurched forward and started to accelerate. I tried to steer and pump the brakes but nothing worked. It was totally out of my control. The car lunged forward going over the side walk and into my front porch, directly hitting my wrought iron bannister. The distance from the parking place to the bannister is about 10 feet. The car acceleration stopped on impact. I immediately called my insurance co and I called the police and filled out a police report. I live across from our community swimming pool. Children are constantly walking on sidewalk in front of my house on way to pool. Neighbors walk by my house to walk their dogs as well. …
In April 2014, my mom was contacted by Lexus about the melting dashboard issue that has plagued almost 5 million Lexus vehicles. She was told she would have to "wait in line" for her customer number to pop up in the system in order to fix the melting dashboard, which has affected her visibility when it is sunny outside as well as her steering mechanism. We do not know if there is damage to the airbags, but with a continuously melting dashboard we can only imagine the damage and danger that lurks underneath. The steering has gotten progressively more difficult as the dash cracks and melts more. There are multiple cracks throughout the dash that have gotten progressively worse and interfere with the integrity of the inside of the car. Soon, the parts attached to the dash May disassemble while she is driving, which can potentially kill other passengers on the road and herself. …
Lexus had a recall to repair cracks rapidly developing in the dashboard. When the recall came out I was in the hospital having cancer surgery. The date for the recall had just passed. I called Lexus and was told to bring the car to9 the dealer. The dealer found the problem and wrote of an estimate to summit from headquarters for coverage. Headquarters got back to me and said I was too late to have it fixed under the recall. This was after the dealer said they would. I wrote to the ceo of Lexus USA and never even got the courtesy of a reply. Now the dashboard is cracking worse.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Lexus RX330. The contact stated that the dashboard was fractured near the passenger's side air bag housing. The dashboard fracture expanded throughout the dashboard and caused the front passenger's air bag outline to be visible. The manufacturer informed the contact that the dashboard replacement warranty had expired in 2018. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000. The VIN was not available. Carfax states that according to the VIN number, the vehicle is actually a 2005 Lexus RX330 not a 2010.\
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Lexus RX330. The contact stated that the dashboard experienced melting and cracking. Also, several sections of the dashboard separated and fell off. In addition, while driving, a glare from the sunlight was present on the melted dashboard, which caused a visibility hazard. The cause of the failures was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer( Lexus of cool springs, 1636 westgate cir, brentwood, tn) were both notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 92,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Lexus RX330. The contact stated that while inspecting the interior of the vehicle, he noticed that the dashboard on the driver's and passenger's side air bag enclosure area was cracked. Pohanka Lexus (13909 lee jackson memorial highway, chantilly, va 20151, [phone]) was informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
Frequently asked questions
Which Lexus RX330 years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (34), 2005 (32) and 2006 (15) model years. Body complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Lexus RX330 body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for any Lexus RX330 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Lexus RX330 body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles; 20% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (32 mentions), followed by the body › hatchback/liftgate (3).
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.