VehicleVerdict

2006 Lexus LS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 26 complaints on file for the 2006 Lexus LS — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

26

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other LS years?

LS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted59 complaints1994: 6 complaints1995: 2 complaints1996: 3 complaints1997: 1 complaints1998: 2 complaints1999: 3 complaints2000: 1 complaints2001: 3 complaints2002: 10 complaints2003: 1 complaints2004: 11 complaints2005: 6 complaints2006: 26 complaints2007: 58 complaints2008: 59 complaints2009: 23 complaints2010: 9 complaints2011: 12 complaints2012: 6 complaints2013: 8 complaints2014: 3 complaints2015: 3 complaints2016: 7 complaints2018: 19 complaints2019: 1 complaints2020: 0 complaints2021: 5 complaints2023: 1 complaints2024: 0 complaints2025: 3 complaints
LS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all LS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Lexus LS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels727%
Speed Control519%
Brakes28%
Fuel System28%
Electrical System28%
Airbags28%
Body & Structure28%
Visibility & Wipers14%
Engine14%
Lighting14%
Steering14%

Does the 2006 Lexus LS have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

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.

“ALL FOUR TIRES WERE WORN OUT AND AIR WAS KEEP OUT CONTINUOUSLY STARTING AROUND 25,000 MILES. COULDN'T FIND THE REASON UNTIL ALMOST 30,000 MILES EVEN TOOK A LOOK SEVERAL TIMES. FINALLY I FOUND ALL FOUR TIRES GOT SEVERE WEAR ON INSIDE TREAD WHICH EXPOSED WIRE THREAD. THE FACT I'D LIKE TO COMPLAINT IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · December 1, 2008

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS LS430. WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. SECONDS LATER, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A NEARBY VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT A POLICE REPORT WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 10, 2010 · crash

“LEXUS LS 430 BRAKES FAILED MOVING INTO A PARKING SPACE. PRESSED ON THE BREAKS THE SURGED FORWARD WENT OVER A BUMP, CURB, HANDICAP SIGN AND INTO THE BUILDING. WAS PRESSING ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR JUST TOOK OFF. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 19, 2008 · crash

“ON 3/27/12 THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND INSPECTED FOR A STRONG FUEL ODOR UPON STARTING THE ENGINE. NONE WAS DETECTED. ON 4/18/12 IT WAS RETURNED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. A SECOND INSPECTION FOUND THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS LEAKING FUEL AND DID REPRESENT A HAZARD, BUT WAS NOT THE SAME ISSUE AS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 27, 2012

“AT APPROXIMATELY 2:00 PM ON JAN. 5, 2020, I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 LEXUS LS 430 IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA IN BETHESDA, MD. I DECIDED TO TURN AROUND. I TURNED RIGHT INTO A DRIVEWAY (AT A LOW SPEED) WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED. SUDDENLY, AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR ACCELERATED WILDLY, MAKING A GREAT DEAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 5, 2020 · crash

2006 Lexus LS — common questions

Is the 2006 Lexus LS reliable?

The record is thin — 26 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2006 LS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (7 complaints), speed control (5 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints).

Does the 2006 Lexus LS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2006 Lexus LS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Lexus LS years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the LS years to avoid are 2008, 2007. The cleanest record among LS years belongs to 2024.

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.