2006 Lexus ES 330 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 Lexus ES 330, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Driver assistance2128.0%
- Airbags1925.3%
- Powertrain (other)68.0%
- Steering56.7%
- Brakes56.7%
- Transmission56.7%
- Engine56.7%
- Visibility22.7%
- Fuel system22.7%
- Exterior lighting22.7%
- Suspension11.3%
- Electrical11.3%
- Body & structure11.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO PICK-UP OUR GRANDDAUGHTER FROM SCHOOL ON 10-22-2018. SHE MADE A FULL STOP AT THE CORNER AND TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND STARTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. WHEN SHE STARTED TO PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL LIGHTLY, THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO FULL THROTTLE AND THE CAR ACCELERATED AND LUNGED UNCONTROLLABLY FORWARD. HER STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. BECAUSE OF THIS ACCELERATION, SHE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT WITH GREAT FORCE AND SEVERELY DAMAGING OUR FRONT END AND THE CAR BUMPER IN FRONT OF HER. SHE WAS GETTING GET IN LINE TO WAIT FOR THE SCHOOL CHILDREN TO LET OUT. HAD HER THE CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL WHEN CHILDREN WERE CROSSING THE STREET, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT CATASTROPHE AND DEAD CHILDREN. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO ALERT THE PUBLIC. ANOTHER SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. BUT THE DEALER SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. OUR CAR HAS A LITTLE OVER 60,000. EACH TIME I TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THEY REMOVED THE FLOOR MAT. THEY SAY THE FLOOR MAT CAN GET IN THE WAY OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I DON'T THINK SO, BUT WE KEEP THE FLOOR MAT IN THE TRUNK. I HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO A LEXUS HEADQUARTER IN TEXAS, (800) 255-3987. THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID A CASE MANAGER WILL BE CONTACTING ME. I'M NOT SURE WHAT THEY WILL DO. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO PREVENT RUNNING OVER PEOPLE. THERE WILL BE DEATHS IF NOTHING IS DONE!
THE CAR WAS REVERSED AND DRIVEN FORWARD, SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD. APPLYING BRAKES WERE NOT HELPING AS ACCELERATION STILL CONTINUED. THERE IS NO FLOOR MAT ON THE DRIVER SEAT SIDE TO BLAME IT ON FOR GAS PEDAL GETTING STUCK TO THE MAT.. THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS WERE ADJUSTED TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL FROM THE FLOOR. HAPPENED A WEEK AGO AND HAPPENED AGAIN ON 17/02/2018. FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS ON FOUR LANE CITY STREET. SECOND TIME ON TWO LANE CITY STREET. IT CAN HAPPEN ANY TIME ANY WHERE. I ASKED THE DEALER. NO RECALL YET I SEE LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM ON THIS SITE. HTTPS://WWW.VEHICLEHISTORY.COM/LEXUS/ES-330/2006
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SEAL IS BROKEN ON DASH AND APPEARS AS IT COULD INFLATE AT ANY MOMENT. NO ACCIDENTS TO CAUSE THIS.
TAKATA INFLATOR . PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATING DUE TO HEAT. DASH BUMPED. LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO EXPLODE EVENTUALLY.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE ON A PRIVATE PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SPEED UP AND BRAKES DID NOT STOP IT. THE VEHICLE JUMPED A CURB AND CONTINUED UNTIL IT HIT TWO TREES THAT STOPPED IT. DAMAGE WAS ESTIMATED AT $9000. *TR
MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS CAR ON THE HIGHWAY FOR APPROX. 1HR AND EXITED THE HIGHWAY TO A SIDE ROAD. AT THE FIRST LIGHT THE CAR WOULD START IN 1ST BUT NOT GO INTO 2ND AND AFTER 2/3 SECS IT WOULD LUNGE INTO GEAR. THE SAME HAPPENS WHEN PUTTING THE CAR INTO REVERSE. IT SHAKES THE WHOLE CAR. AFTER RESEARCH THESE TRANSMISSIONS WERE RECALLED IN 04 AND 05 BUT NOT 06. LEXUS SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM BUT OUR FRIEND THE INTERNET SAYS SOMETHING ELSE. REPAIR COST 5800.00 FROM LEXUS AND NOT COVERED BECAUSE NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO PICK-UP OUR GRANDDAUGHTER FROM SCHOOL ON 10-22-2018. SHE MADE A FULL STOP AT THE CORNER AND TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND STARTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. WHEN SHE STARTED TO PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL LIGHTLY, THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO FULL THROTTLE AND THE CAR ACCELERATED AND LUNGED UNCONTROLLABLY FORWARD. HER STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. BECAUSE OF THIS ACCELERATION, SHE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT WITH GREAT FORCE AND SEVERELY DAMAGING OUR FRONT END AND THE CAR BUMPER IN FRONT OF HER. SHE WAS GETTING GET IN LINE TO WAIT FOR THE SCHOOL CHILDREN TO LET OUT. HAD HER THE CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL WHEN CHILDREN WERE CROSSING THE STREET, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT CATASTROPHE AND DEAD CHILDREN. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO ALERT THE PUBLIC. ANOTHER SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. BUT THE DEALER SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. OUR CAR HAS A LITTLE OVER 60,000. EACH TIME I TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THEY REMOVED THE FLOOR MAT. THEY SAY THE FLOOR MAT CAN GET IN THE WAY OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I DON'T THINK SO, BUT WE KEEP THE FLOOR MAT IN THE TRUNK. I HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO A LEXUS HEADQUARTER IN TEXAS, (800) 255-3987. THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID A CASE MANAGER WILL BE CONTACTING ME. I'M NOT SURE WHAT THEY WILL DO. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO PREVENT RUNNING OVER PEOPLE. THERE WILL BE DEATHS IF NOTHING IS DONE!
DURING OIL CHANGE, MECHANIC NOTICES POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING. WORRIED THAT THIS IS SAFETY PROBLEM AND COULD LOSE STEERING IF SEALS BREAK. HAD RACK AND PINION REPLACED. COST OVER $1000. FEEL THAT TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS COST. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR WOULD NOT STOP AT ALL AT LOW SPEEDS, CRASH INTO BUILDING IN PARKING LOT DUE TO FAILURE
WHEN TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE ON A PRIVATE PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SPEED UP AND BRAKES DID NOT STOP IT. THE VEHICLE JUMPED A CURB AND CONTINUED UNTIL IT HIT TWO TREES THAT STOPPED IT. DAMAGE WAS ESTIMATED AT $9000. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I OWN A 2006 LEXUS ES330. I PURCHASED THE CAR LAST YEAR AND ABOUT A MONTH OR TWO LATER I NOTICED WHILE DRIVING THERE SEEMS TO BE A JERK OR SHIFT AROUND 30 MPH. IT SHIFTS HARD WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE TO KEEP UP WITH OTHER DRIVERS OR IT SEEMS THE CAR WANTS TO ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN. I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR IN TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR ON BOTH OCCASIONS. ALSO, I HAVE CONTACTED THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP INQUIRING ABOUT OTHER LEXUS OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER LEXUS OWNERS WITH THE SAME MODEL AND THERE CAR DOES THIS AS WELL. THEY ALSO HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. I WAS EVEN TOLD MY A MECHANIC SINCE I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR MAYBE THE CAR HAD TO ADJUST TO MY DRIVING. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS AND NONE HAVE HAD TO ADJUST TO MY DRIVING. THIS IS THE FIRST CAR I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AND I FEEL IT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. I HAVE GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM AND NOTICED MANY MORE LEXUS ES330 VEHICLE OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) OUR 2006 LEXUS ES330 HESITATES AND STUTTERS WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER A SLOW-DOWN, STOP OR DURING A TURN. I HAVE READ VARIOUS THINGS WHICH SUGGEST IT COULD BE THROTTLE CONTROL, COMPUTER CONTROLLED ACCELERATOR, OR MASS AIR FLOW MAF SENSOR OR AIR INTAKE SENSOR AIS, ETC. ETC. BUT SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG. DEALER IS NO HELP. WE TOOK THE CAR FOR THIS TROUBLE TO LEXUS OF VALENCIA AND SAW ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER [XXX] . HE TOLD US THAT THIS THE WAY THE CAR WAS BUILT. I THEN TRIED MY BEST TO HANDLE THIS CAR BUT IT CAUSED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN AND AGAIN. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER A 2ND TIME -- VALENCIA LEXUS AND THE MANAGER TOLD US NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 1/14/2009. IT HESITATES WHEN I TAKE TURNS, OR WHEN I STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS. MANY TIMES THE ACCELERATOR GOES IDLE DURING THESE EVENTS AND CAR DOES NOT MOVE AND THAN I PUT MORE PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR BUT THEN IT GOES FAST AND I ALMOST END UP HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CAR WAS REVERSED AND DRIVEN FORWARD, SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD. APPLYING BRAKES WERE NOT HELPING AS ACCELERATION STILL CONTINUED. THERE IS NO FLOOR MAT ON THE DRIVER SEAT SIDE TO BLAME IT ON FOR GAS PEDAL GETTING STUCK TO THE MAT.. THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS WERE ADJUSTED TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL FROM THE FLOOR. HAPPENED A WEEK AGO AND HAPPENED AGAIN ON 17/02/2018. FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS ON FOUR LANE CITY STREET. SECOND TIME ON TWO LANE CITY STREET. IT CAN HAPPEN ANY TIME ANY WHERE. I ASKED THE DEALER. NO RECALL YET I SEE LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM ON THIS SITE. HTTPS://WWW.VEHICLEHISTORY.COM/LEXUS/ES-330/2006
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THE BATTERY DISCHARGE WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE ALSO COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO FIND THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
SINCE THE BEGINNING THE BACK DOOR'S WINDOWS ALWAYS GET STUCK AND I HAD TO TAKE THEM TO LEXUS TO HAVE THEM FIXED. WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THEY STILL HAVE THE ISSUE. LEXUS SAID THEY KNOW ABOUT IT BUT THERE IS NOT A FIX. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS ES330. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OF 10 MPH DURING A RAIN STORM, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD, UNUSUAL POP AND NOTICED THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR HAD SHATTERED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MIRROR AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH THE EXACT SAME AREA AS THE INITIAL FAILURE, THE FAILURE OCCURRED A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,200.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
IN CITY TRAFFIC, ACCELERATION WITH MY 2006 ES330 IS NOT PREDICTABLE AND IT HESITATES RATHER THAN RESPONDING APPROPRIATELY AS THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED. HAS ALSO HAPPENED AS I AM TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. OCCURS SPORADICALLY AND IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE. CAN GO WEEKS WITHOUT IT HAPPENING. NO ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS - YET. I HAVE TAKEN CAR BACK INTO LEXUS DEALERSHIP AND GOT A CANNED RESPONSE OF IT ADAPTING TO THE DRIVER PATTERNS AND IT IS RESPONDING THE WAY IT IS SUPPOSED TO - BASICALLY TELLING ME THAT MY PROBLEM IS NOT A PROBLEM. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER LEXUS AND WILL PROBABLY GET RID OF THIS ONE MUCH SOONER THAN HOW I NORMALLY KEEP VEHICLES. *TR
MY LEXUS ES 330 2006 SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE PULLING SLOWLY INTO A DRIVEWAY. IT TRAVELED ABOUT 80 FEET, CRASHED OVER A 2.5 FT CEMENT WALL, THROUGH AN IRON RAIL FENCE AND CAME TO REST ON THE COLLAPSED FENCE WITH THE FRONT WHEELS PARTIALLY SUBMERGED IN A SWIMMING POOL. THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL INJURY. THE CAUSE OF THE ACCELERATION IS UNEXPLAINED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THERE WAS A LIMITED RANGE OF THE HEADLIGHT BEAMS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THIS WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED, AND WITHIN COMPLIANCE OF THE MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
COLLISION WITH A DEER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE HOOD, GRILLE, RIGHT FENDER AND RIGHT HEADLIGHT (HID). IMPACT CAUSED THE HEADLIGHT TO IGNITE RESULTING IN A FIRE THAT SPREAD OVER THE HOOD TOTALLY DESTROYED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. RIGHT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED DURING THE FIRE. MY CONCERN IS THE FACT THAT HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID) LIGHTS IGNITE ON IMPACT. THESE LIGHTS ARE WIDELY USED TODAY EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE FIRE HAZARDS. PLEASE PROVIDE INFORMATION PERTAINING TO ANY OTHER REPORTS OF FIRES RESULTING FROM THESE HID LIGHTS. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
STARTING AT APPROX. 4,000MILIES, MY 2006 ES330 HAS VIBRATION THROUGH FLOOR AND STEERING WHEEL. DEALER HAS MADE MORE THAN 4 REPAIR ATTEMPTS, INCLUDING REPLACEMENT OF A TRANSMISSION AT APPROX. 8,500 MILES. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS ES330. WHILE ENGAGING THE POWER LOCKS, THE SUN ROOF, REAR TRUNK AND ALL 4 WINDOWS OPENED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE MORE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS ES330. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG HOUSING THERE WAS A BULGE ALONG THE INNER LINING OF THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,838.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .