2006 Lexus IS 250 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other IS 250 years
- Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 11 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 6 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 189 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Lexus IS 250. That ranks 2nd out of 11 IS 250 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is structure (53 complaints, 28%), typically at around 78,000 miles. Complaints mention 10 crashes, 3 fires, 14 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 189owner complaints
- 6safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 10complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2006 Lexus IS 250 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure problems | 53 | 28% | 78,000 | “door panels” (34%) | — |
| Air Bags | 46 | 24% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 19 | 10% | 102,500 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 18 | 10% | 28,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 17 | 9% | 119,750 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 17 | 9% | 103,750 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 11 | 6% | 63,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 11 | 6% | 120,560 | — | — |
| Steering | 9 | 5% | 120,075 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 8 | 4% | 63,800 | — | — |
| Power Train | 8 | 4% | 133,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 5 | 3% | 89,653 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 5 | 3% | 22,500 | — | — |
| Visibility | 5 | 3% | 125,000 | — | — |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 4 | 2% | 20,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 1% | 35,951 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 1% | 58,650 | — | — |
| Seats | 2 | 1% | 168,601 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 1% | 161,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 2 | 1% | 57,300 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1% | 30,100 | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 1% | 250 | — | — |
| Traction Control System | 1 | 1% | 85,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2006 Lexus IS 250 recalls (6)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module; air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2009 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Yaris HB, Scion xB, Pontiac Vibe, Lexus, ES350, IS250, IS350, and IS-F vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and IS350, 2007-2008 Lexus ES350, Toyota Yaris, Yaris HB, and 2008 Lexus IS-F and Scion xB vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), H0A (Toyota Zone C), GLG (Lexus Zone A), GLH (Lexus Zone B) and HLA (Lexus Zone C).
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2007-2008 Toyota Yaris, 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 and 2007-2008 Lexus ES350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are G1P (Toyota Zone A), G1R (Toyota Zone B), G2G (Lexus Zone A), and G2H (Lexus Zone B). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), GLG (Lexus Zone A), and GLH (Lexus Zone B).
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Lexus LS vehicles manufactured May 9, 2006, to July 20, 2010, 2006-2011 Lexus GS vehicles manufactured January 6, 2005, to September 10, 2010, and 2006-2011 Lexus IS vehicles manufactured August 30, 2005, to September 10, 2010. Due to anti-corrosion plating remnants, fuel may leak from where the fuel pressure sensor is attached to the fuel delivery pipe.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will clean and reseal the fuel pressure sensor mounting area, free of charge. The recall began March 3, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Visibility/wiper
Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 vehicles manufactured August 23, 2005, through October 5, 2011; 2010-2012 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles manufactured April 10, 2009, through October 6, 2011; and 2008-2011 Lexus IS-F vehicles manufactured December 14, 2007, through July 10, 2011. The nuts that fasten the wiper arms may be insufficiently torqued such that if the wiper arms are restricted by an external load, such as a buildup of heavy snow, one or both of the wipers may become inoperative.
Risk: Inoperative wipers could reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and Lexus dealers will install new wiper arm nuts, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on April 4, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, there is a possibility that the accelerator pedal may temporarily become stuck in the partially depressed position due to inadequate clearance between the accelerator pedal linkage and a plastic pad embedded into the vehicle's carpet.
Risk: This condition may interfere with the accelerator pedal returning to the idle position, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the clearance of the acceleration pedal and carpet, replace the pedal assembly with a revised assembly, and modify the carpet free of charge. The recall began on december 27, 2005. Owners may contact lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2006 Lexus IS250. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and following the road around a left turn, the steering wheel became loosened as if the steering wheel had detached from the column. The contact stated that the power steering warning light was illuminated…
The contact owns a 2006 Lexus IS250. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light activated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the air bag sensor on the driver's side needed to be replaced. The…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 lexus is250. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the transmission failed to shift into third gear. The contact stated that the check engine and the vehicle stability control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be…
Melting dash and all doors peeling of in places and dash is almost completely melted in places . Every wheel sensor went out on the same day and air light stuck on now..
Purchased car a year ago noticed that when it gets really hot the dash board and the door panels comes off if scraped with finger nails and the dash is very sticky.
Other Lexus IS 250 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 IS 250 | 1 | 0 |
| 2015 IS 250 | 16 | 0 |
| 2014 IS 250 | 35 | 0 |
| 2013 IS 250 | 5 | 2 |
| 2012 IS 250 | 17 | 4 |
| 2011 IS 250 | 30 | 4 |
| 2010 IS 250 | 40 | 6 |
| 2009 IS 250 | 48 | 6 |
| 2008 IS 250 | 125 | 5 |
| 2007 IS 250 | 213 | 5 |
| 2006 | 189 | 6 |
See all Lexus IS 250 problems by year, every Lexus model, or the Lexus VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Lexus IS 250?
Owners most often report structure, air bags, engine problems. The top one, structure, accounts for 53 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2006 Lexus IS 250?
Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2006 Lexus IS 250 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other IS 250 model years, the 2006 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.