Makes›Lexus›RX›2005

2005 Lexus RX

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.

Lexus RX
Pictured: Lexus RX 500h F SPORT+ (V) – f 14072024. Photo: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Body styles
330 4dr SUV AWD
Engines
3.3L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
20 combined · 17 city / 23 hwy
Length
186.6 in
Curb weight
4,065 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 17 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2005 Lexus RX is a SUV - offered with a 3.3L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 187 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 107-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,065 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (17 city / 23 highway), 11% better than the 2005 SUV - average of 18 MPG, for an estimated $3,350 a year in fuel.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
330 4dr SUV AWD186.6 in72.8 in66.1 in107.1 in61.8 / 60.2 in4,065 lb57/43

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
RX 330 2WD3.3L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive17 / 23 / 20+11%$3,350444
RX 330 2WD3.3L 6-cylAutomatic (S5)Front-Wheel Drive17 / 23 / 19+6%$3,550468
RX 330 4WD3.3L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 19+14%$3,550468
RX 330 4WD3.3L 6-cylAutomatic (S5)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 18+8%$3,700494
Spend $4,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18 MPG2005 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Lexus RX under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2005 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2005 Lexus RX (this car)20 MPGNot rated3
2005 Mercedes-Benz G-Class12 MPGNot rated0
2005 Land Rover Range Rover12 MPGNot rated0
2005 Porsche Cayenne15 MPGNot rated3
2005 BMW X516 MPGNot rated0
2005 BMW X318 MPGNot rated0
2005 Volvo XC9018 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (3)

Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 9, 2011

NHTSA campaign 11V539000 · 420,326 vehicles

Problem
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AVALON VEHICLES; 2004 AND 2005 CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA, HIGHLANDER, AND SIENNA VEHICLES, 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID; 2004 AND 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND RX330; AND 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH THE 1MZ-FE OR 3MZ-FE ENGINE. THE AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE AGENT APPLIED BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE TORSIONAL RUBBER DAMPER (INNER RING) IN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THE ADHESIVE IS INSUFFICIENT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE OUTER RING MAY BECOME MISALIGNED AND IT MAY NOT PROPERLY ROTATE WITH THE INNER RING, CAUSING NOISE AND/OR ILLUMINATION OF THE BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR LIGHT.
Risk
IN SOME CASES, THE BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PULLEY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND A SUDDEN INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL CHECK THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY TO IDENTIFY WHETHER IT WAS PRODUCED BY THE U.S. SUPPLIER. IF SO, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PULLEY WITH A NEW ONE AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING EARLY JANUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal · Feb 24, 2011

NHTSA campaign 11V112000 · 769,379 vehicles

Problem
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 ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM.
Risk
IF THIS OCCURS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY TEMPORARILY BECOME STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION RATHER THAN RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION. A STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN UNINTENDED AND SUSTAINED VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder · Oct 21, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V499000 · 728,544 vehicles

Problem
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 LEXUS RX, AND MODEL YEAR 2006 LEXUS GS AND IS VEHICLES. BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING POLYMERS IS USED THAT ACTS AS LUBRICANTS FOR CERTAIN BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF REPLACEMENT BRAKE FLUID IS USED THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN SUCH POLYMERS, OR THAT CONTAINS ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS, A PART OF THE RUBBER SEAL LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY BECOME DRY, AND THE SEAL MAY CURL DURING MOVEMENT OF THE PISTON. IF THIS OCCURS, A SMALL AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID COULD SLOWLY LEAK FROM THE SEAL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Risk
A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID COULD LEAD TO A CHANGE IN BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND OVERTIME A DEGRADATION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAL WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 AND LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2005 Lexus RX is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

67Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
6Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
2Injuries reported
109,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Unknown Or Other16
Air Bags13
Steering12
Engine7
Structure › Body6
Service Brakes5
Structure4
Vehicle Speed Control4
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
17/10: 218/02: 118/03: 318/05: 218/06: 118/07: 418/08: 118/10: 118/12: 119/02: 119/08: 119/11: 119/12: 120/04: 120/05: 120/08: 121/04: 121/10: 122/01: 123/11: 224/01: 125/09: 125/10: 125/11: 117/1018/0518/0819/0219/1220/0822/0125/09max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2005 Lexus RX buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 13 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Steering — 12 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  4. Engine — 7 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 109,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Lexus RX. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other RX years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 RX36192.5 inNot rated312
2025 RX36192.5 inNot rated424
2024 RX36192.5 inNot rated461
2023 RX36192.5 inNot rated467
2022 RX30192.5 inNot rated039
2021 RX30192.5 inNot rated271
2020 RX30192.5 inNot rated256
2019 RX30192.5 inNot rated468
2018 RX30192.5 inNot rated247
2017 RX30192.5 inNot rated3103
2016 RX30192.5 inNot rated393
2015 RX29187.8 inNot rated167

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lexus. How we calculate this →