2006 Lexus IS Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other IS years
- Far more complaints than other years 1st of 27 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 7 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 143 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Lexus IS. That is the most of any IS model year in the database (27 years). The most reported problem area is structure (43 complaints, 30%), typically at around 70,000 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 5 fires, 2 injuries. There are 7 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 143owner complaints
- 7safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 3complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2006 Lexus IS 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 | 43 | 30% | 70,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 26 | 18% | 108,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 26 | 18% | 85,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 24 | 17% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 16 | 11% | 115,081 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 11 | 8% | 139,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 8 | 6% | 136,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 7 | 5% | 95,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 4 | 3% | 130,500 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 2% | 140,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 2% | 124,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 3 | 2% | 116,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 3 | 2% | 71,500 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 1% | 78,800 | — | — |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 1% | 90,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 1% | 180,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1% | 131,059 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 1% | 139,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2006 Lexus IS recalls (7)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery
Problem: 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.
Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Engine and engine cooling
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: 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).
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Fix: 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.
Seat belts:front
Problem: 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.
Risk: An occupant not properly wearing a seat belt may have an increased risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front seat belt assemblies. The recall began on april 21, 2006. Owners may contact lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Air bags
Problem: 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.
Risk: This may increase the risk of injury to the occupant in the involved seating position in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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.
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.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2006 Lexus IS 250. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle and driving for two hours, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 135,000, and at the…
My dashboard is melting and I understand that there was a campaign to resolve this that ended in 2016. I bought the vehicle in 2019 and it has only gotten worse to the point that the dashboard has a sheen to it that causes a glare on the interior of the windshield when the sunlight hits it, making…
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2006 Lexus IS 250. The contact stated that upon selling the vehicle, the new owner later informed the contact that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy while the vehicle was undergoing a diagnostic test. The vehicle was a private sale. At…
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2006 Lexus IS 250. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private seller. At the time of purchase, the odometer mileage was 119,000. The contact purchased a Carfax Report, which indicated that the odometer mileage was…
The contact owns a 2006 Lexus IS 250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from underneath the hood. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed…
Other Lexus IS years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 IS | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 IS | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 IS | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 IS | 5 | 0 |
| 2022 IS | 4 | 1 |
| 2021 IS | 2 | 0 |
| 2020 IS | 6 | 0 |
| 2019 IS | 2 | 0 |
| 2018 IS | 3 | 0 |
| 2017 IS | 11 | 0 |
| 2016 IS | 2 | 0 |
| 2015 IS | 9 | 0 |
| 2014 IS | 12 | 0 |
| 2013 IS | 9 | 0 |
| 2012 IS | 18 | 0 |
| 2011 IS | 15 | 0 |
| 2010 IS | 40 | 1 |
| 2009 IS | 40 | 2 |
| 2008 IS | 102 | 3 |
| 2007 IS | 122 | 3 |
| 2006 | 143 | 7 |
| 2005 IS | 12 | 0 |
| 2004 IS | 10 | 0 |
| 2003 IS | 12 | 0 |
| 2002 IS | 12 | 0 |
| 2001 IS | 1 | 0 |
| 1999 IS | 1 | 0 |
See all Lexus IS problems by year, every Lexus model, or the Lexus VIN decoder.
Similar Lexus models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Lexus IS?
Owners most often report structure, air bags, visibility/wiper problems. The top one, structure, accounts for 43 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2006 Lexus IS?
Yes, 7 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2006 Lexus IS a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other IS model years, the 2006 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.