2006 Lexus IS 350 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 17, 2021 · 93 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other IS 350 years
Far more complaints than other years 1st of 15 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 93 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Lexus IS 350. That is the most of any IS 350 model year in the database (15 years). The most reported problem area is structure (30 complaints, 32%), typically at around 79,000 miles. Complaints mention 5 crashes, 3 injuries. There are 8 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2006 Lexus IS 350 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Structure30 · ~79,000 mi
Air Bags17 · ~84,500 mi
Visibility/wiper13 · ~88,000 mi
Engine11 · ~92,007 mi
Steering8 · ~112,000 mi
Visibility5 · ~50,000 mi
Electrical System4 · ~141,000 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling4 · ~90,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control4 · ~44,000 mi
Service Brakes3 · ~80,750 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Structure3032%79,000——
Air Bags1718%84,500——
Visibility/wiper1314%88,000——
Engine1112%92,007——
Steering89%112,000——
Visibility55%50,000——
Electrical System44%141,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling44%90,000——
Vehicle Speed Control44%44,000——
Service Brakes33%80,750——
Unknown or Other33%79,000——
Equipment22%13,000——
Fuel/propulsion System22%———
Fuel System, Gasoline22%58,500——
Seat Belts22%93,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic22%32,000——
Tires22%58,000——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)11%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2014, with 29 complaints
2006: 3200632007: 1200712008: 2200822009: 1200912010: 7201072011: 2201122012: 1201212013: 6201362014: 292014292015: 7201572016: 8201682017: 132017132018: 7201872019: 620196

n = 93 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2006 Lexus IS 350 recalls (8)

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 moduleOct 17, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V741000 · 928,220 vehicles

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.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsJun 26, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V432000 · 114,998 vehicles

Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Lexus GS350 and GS450h, 2006-2013 Lexus IS350 and 2010-2014 Lexus IS350C vehicles, equipped with 3.5L V6 2GR-FSE gasoline engines. The diaphragms in the fuel pulsation dampers may harden over time and develop cracks, possibly causing a fuel leak.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery pipe with a new pipe that has improved pulsation dampers, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2018. Owners may contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's number for this recall is JLF.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleJan 9, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V006000 · 577,875 vehicles

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 moduleMay 23, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V340000 · 1,754,517 vehicles

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 fittingsOct 15, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V647000 · 422,509 vehicles

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.

EngineSep 4, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V395000 · 101,584 vehicles

Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Lexus GS350 vehicles manufactured June 19, 2006, through July 12, 2011; and model year 2006-2011 Lexus IS350 vehicles manufactured May 27, 2005, through July 13, 2011; and model year 2010-2011 Lexus IS350c vehicles manufactured November 25, 2009, through July 19, 2011. These vehicles, equipped with the 2GR-FSE engine, use bolts to secure the housing and sprocket of the Variable-Valve Timing (VVT) system gear assembly. These bolts could become loose due to abnormal impacts generated within the gear assembly immediately after a cold start-up.

Risk: The loose bolts could cause the VVT gear housing and sprocket to separate and result in the engine stopping while the vehicle is being driven, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and Lexus dealers will replace the VVT unit free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Visibility/wiperJan 30, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V030000 · 267,718 vehicles

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.

Engine and engine cooling:engineJul 6, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V309000 · 138,874 vehicles

Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2008 lexus passenger cars manufactured from august 26, 2005 through august 4, 2008. Micro-foreign objects in the material of the valve spring may degrade the strength of the valve spring, possibly causing the spring to break.

Risk: The engine could fail and stop suddenly while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on september 2, 2010. 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.

My 2006 lexus is 350 is using oil at an alarming rate. I bought the car new in 2006 and it gets it's regular oil changes, i have to add a quart of oil around around 600 milles driven. It currently has 189,000 miles, but this has been going on for some time. I looked up the information on the…

Engine · received Jul 19, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11233298

Door interior quarter panel melts when it gets hot in the day time.

Structure · received Jul 10, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11230614

On june 11, 2019 i was driving on regular speed limit of road 55mph and suddenly deer and fox came, so i try to avoid them and hit the brake and abs brake didn't work hit the fox and car stability control didn't work and car flip 5times and hit the deer as well, but none of my car airbags deployed…

Air Bags · received Jul 2, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11229010

Air bag light goes on and than off

Air Bags · received May 10, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11206847

Oil consumption. Vehicle has no leaks and needs 1quart of oil added every 2k miles. Car has 150k and has been well maintained. It uses valvoline 5w-30 full synthetic oil and gets changed every 4-5k miles of oil usage. I've read many complaints about this issue and toyota/lexus is not willing to…

Engine · received Feb 26, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11182575

Other Lexus IS 350 years

2007 IS 350 →

See all Lexus IS 350 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 350?

Owners most often report structure, air bags, visibility/wiper problems. The top one, structure, accounts for 30 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2006 Lexus IS 350?

Yes, 8 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2006 Lexus IS 350 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other IS 350 model years, the 2006 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.