Sell your 2005 Lexus RX for cash

The 2005 Lexus RX is a SUV that came with a 3.3L 6-cyl engine. At 21 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

  • Free offer for your 2005 RX in about 30 seconds
  • Free towing, running or not
  • Paid at pickup

Get an offer for your 2005 RX

Six quick questions. No obligation.

Thanks! Online offers are launching soon. Please check back shortly.

Free, no-obligation offer. Free towing included.

2005 Lexus RX at a glance

Body styleSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines3.3L 6-cyl
TransmissionsAutomatic 5-spd, Automatic (S5)
DriveFront-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline
Fuel economy16–17 city / 22–23 highway / 18–20 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$3,350–$3,700 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂444–494 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA4 configurations: RX 330 2WD, RX 330 4WD
Age21 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 21 years old, most of a 2005 RX's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a SUV, it's heavier than a typical car, and scrap weight is a big part of any junk offer. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2005 RX. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the steering, typically around 109,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2005 Lexus RX recalls

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls covering the 2005 Lexus RX. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Engine and Engine CoolingNov 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V539000

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…

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.

Vehicle Speed ControlFeb 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V112000

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…

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 diffic

Service Brakes, HydraulicOct 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V499000

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…

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.

Vehicle Speed ControlJul 2006 · NHTSA campaign 06V253000

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.

Risk: This condition may interfere with the accelerator pedal returning to the idle position increasing the risk of a crash.

Common 2005 RX problems

Owners have filed 194 complaints about the 2005 Lexus RX with NHTSA. 17 reports involved a crash and 2 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 10 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Steering31
  • Exterior Lighting24
  • Structure22
  • Air Bags21
  • Unknown or Other21
  • Vehicle Speed Control14

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Steering109,000 mi
  • Exterior Lighting69,000 mi
  • Structure56,000 mi
  • Air Bags74,000 mi
  • Unknown or Other113,000 mi
  • Vehicle Speed Control78,000 mi

2005 Lexus RX service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 120 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2005 Lexus RX. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Electrical System16
  • Equipment15
  • Structure15
  • Structure6
  • Structure6
  • Electrical System5

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsDec 2025 · L-SB-0030-24 Rev2

    Some 2005 - 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to re

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJul 2024 · L-SB-0030-24 Rev1

    Some 2005 - 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to re

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJul 2024 · L-SB-0030-24 Rev1

    Some 2005 - 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to re

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJun 2024 · L-SB-0030-24

    Some 2005 - 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to r

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJun 2024 · L-SB-0030-24

    Some 2005 - 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to r

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 2022 · Safety Recall 22

    Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 1 defect investigation covering the 2005 Lexus RX.

Electrical SystemRQ10003 · opened Feb 2010, closed Mar 2011Led to recall 11V112000

Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration

On February 16, 2010, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened RQ10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior Toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, Toyota recalls 07E-082, 09V-388, 10V-017, and 10V-023.NHTSA also requested informatio

Other Lexus RX years

‹ Sell a 2004 RX · Sell a 2006 RX › · All Lexus RX years

Other 2005 Lexus models

Selling a 2005 RX: questions

How much is a 2005 Lexus RX worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. As a heavier vehicle, its scrap weight adds to the offer. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2005 RX that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2005 RXs that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2005 RX with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2005 Lexus RX; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2005 RX?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Before you sell

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

Get cash for your 2005 RX today

Get a free offer in minutes. Towing is always free and you get paid at pickup.

Get my offer
Get my offer