VehicleVerdict

2006 Lexus IS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 185 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 15.4 times the median IS year — the 2006 model ranks #1 of 28 IS years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (44), visibility & wipers (29), and airbags (26), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

185

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other IS years?

See all IS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Lexus IS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure4424%
Visibility & Wipers2916%
Airbags2614%
Other2514%
Engine169%
Electrical System158%
Steering84%
Transmission74%
Brakes42%
Fuel System42%
Suspension32%
Speed Control21%
Tires & Wheels11%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2006 Lexus IS have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V029000Fuel SystemJanuary 26, 2011 · 244,779 units

Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 LEXUS IS AND MODEL YEAR 2006-2007 LEXUS GS VEHICLES. DUE TO INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING OF THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR CONNECTED TO AN ENGINE FUEL DELIVERY PIPE WITH NICKEL PHOSPHORUS PLATING, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT, OVER TIME, THE PRESSURE SENSOR COULD LOOSEN. IF LOOSENING OCCURS, FUEL COULD LEAK PAST A GASKET USED IN THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SENSOR AND THE PIPE AND THROUGH THE THREADED PORTION OF THE SENSOR.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE THREADED PORTION OF THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR AND IF A FUEL LEAK IS NOT CONFIRMED, DEALERS WILL FURTHER TIGHTEN THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR WITH THE PROPER TORQUE. IF A FUEL LEAK IS CONFIRMED, THE GASKET BETWEEN THE SENSOR AND THE FUEL DELIVER PIPE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE, AND THE SENSOR WILL BE TIGHTENED WITH THE PROPER TORQUE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

10V499000BrakesOctober 21, 2010 · 728,544 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

09V388000Speed ControlOctober 5, 2009 · 4,445,056 units

Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.

Consequence

A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

TOYOTA FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, STATING THAT DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR SURFACE UNDER THE PEDAL. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

09V020000EngineJanuary 16, 2009 · 214,570 units

Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING 214,570 MY 2006-2008 LEXUS IS, MY 2006-2007 GS AND MY 2007-2008 LS PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ALUMINUM FUEL DELIVERY PIPES (FUEL RAILS). ETHANOL FUELS WITH A LOW MOISTURE CONTENT WILL CORRODE THE INTERNAL SURFACE OF THE FUEL RAILS. AS THIS CONDITION PROGRESSES, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE.

Consequence

OVER TIME, THE CORROSION MAY CREATE A PINHOLE RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FUEL DELIVERY PIPES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA/LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

07V545000Fuel SystemNovember 28, 2007 · 34,343 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, HIGH STRESS AREAS MAY HAVE BEEN CREATED IN TWO SPECIFIC FUEL PIPES LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. COMBINED WITH OTHER FACTORS SUCH AS THE PRESENCE OF CORROSIVE AGENTS IN FUEL, A CRACK MAY FORM OVER TIME LEADING TO FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE FUEL LINE(S).

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO INVOLVED FUEL LINES WITH NEWLY DESIGNED LINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

06V121000Seat BeltsApril 13, 2006 · 28,947 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, IF THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS (BOTH DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER) BECOME LOCKED, THEY MAY NOT RELEASE DUE TO A COMPONENT OF THE EMERGENCY LOCKING SYSTEM. IF THE SEAT BELT IS LOCKED IN THIS CONDITION, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY FASTEN THE SEAT BELT.

Consequence

AN OCCUPANT NOT PROPERLY WEARING A SEAT BELT MAY HAVE AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY DURING A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

06V096000AirbagsApril 3, 2006 · 133 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.

Consequence

THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPECIFIC SRS AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371, SCION AT 1-866-548-1851, OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS IS250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR PANELS, AND THE DASHBOARD HAD MELTED AND BECAME STICKY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE DOOR PANELS AND THE DASH BOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 1, 2013 · fire

MY NAVIGATION SYSTEM SCREEN STOPPED WORKING WHILE 1000 MILES AWAY FROM HOME. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH THE SCREEN GOING OUT WAS THE FACT THAT ALL OF THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING CONTROLS ARE RAN THROUGH THAT SAME UNIT. WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO ADJUST MY TEMPERATURE IN THE VEHICLE I AM NOT ABLE TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · August 14, 2014

I GOT AN ACCIDENT, TRY TO SAVE DEER AND FOX BUT BRAKE DIDN'T WORK PROPERLY AND DIS-BALANCED THE CAR AND MY CAR ROLL OVER FEW TIME AND HIT FROM FRONT AND BACK BUT NO AIRBAG DEPLOYED, AND STABILITY CONTROL DIDN'T WORK.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 11, 2019 · crash

While I was driving, I went to slow down to turn around and my car started smoking and caught fire. It started from under the hood towards the passenger side front closer to the headlight you could just start seeing flames coming from there so I put it in park and hopped out and got as much stuff…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 1, 2022 · fire

While driving there was no warning lamps messages or other symptoms to any problems. I went to slow down so I could turn around because I missed my stop. The brakes started feeling less pressure I looked up and there was black smoke coming from under the hood then I saw flames. Then the car blew up

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 1, 2022 · fire

2006 Lexus IS — common questions

Is the 2006 Lexus IS reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 185 complaints put the 2006 model at #1 of 28 IS years. It is one of the IS years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 IS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (44 complaints), visibility & wipers (29 complaints), airbags (26 complaints).

Does the 2006 Lexus IS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Lexus IS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Lexus IS years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the IS years to avoid are 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. The cleanest record among IS years belongs to 2000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.