Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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. …
I was on interstate 5 on May 25, 2009 (memorial day) at the speed of 75-80 MPH with my whole family in the car. The car's model is Lexus RX330,2006 model. While I was driving on the leftmost lane, my left wheel went a little bit on the rumble strip. I tried to pull my car back on the lane. It is here that the problem started. My steering started to shake and vibrate and the car stopped to accelerate. When all the cars were going at such a high speed there was nothing I could do. I was unable to steer the car as well as accelerate or even brake for quite a while. Then I tried braking many times and could finally park the car in the emergency in the left lane shoulder. After that we tried calling all the numbers given in the Lexus handbook but no one picked up the phone to help us. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Lexus RX330. While the vehicle was in park, the steering wheel felt loose and a noise was coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. In addition, while in park, there was a noise when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician stated that the steering shaft and the rack and pinion nut needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,594.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Lexus RX330. The contact stated that the brake system failed and the brake warning indicator illuminated. The contact also stated that the steering wheel made a loud noise while being turned. The vehicle was taken to Lexus of annapolis (121 ferguson road, annapolis, md 21409, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the brake master cylinder failed and caused the brake fluid to leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 130,100.
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.
On January 17, 2005 I was involved in an automobile accident in my 2004 Lexus RX330. This accident occurred less than 1 mile from my home, on my own street, 1-2 minutes after leaving my home. It had snowed the night before and the roadway was still snow/ice covered, it was a frigid morning. I was traveling approximately 15 miles per hour and the vehicle brakes failed to engage. I attempted to push the brake petal to the floor without result. The anti-lock brakes did not function. The damage to this vehicle exceeded $8000. Days after the damage to the vehicle was fixed my husband took the vehicle to the Lexus of towson dealership to have the braking mechanism looked at. During the drive to the dealership (in similar, snow covered/frigid conditions) my husband was able to reproduce this problem, again just after leaving our home. …
NHTSA investigations
Vacuum brake booster failure
On February 10, 2005, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate alleged loss of brake power-assist in certain 2004 model year (my) Lexus rx330 vehicles built through approximately June 30, 2004.the subject vehicles were manufactured at Toyota motor manufacturing Canada, inc.?s cambridge, ontario assembly plant and were equipped with vacuum brake booster assemblies…
Frequently asked questions
Which Lexus RX330 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (65) and 2005 (11) model years. Brake complaints make up 23% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Lexus RX330 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 25,000 miles; 73% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the power assist (17 mentions), followed by the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (9).
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.