Model year record

2006 Lexus IS recalls & problems

The 2006 Lexus IS has 7 safety recalls and 143 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is structure (44 complaints).

Recalls7safety recalls

Complaints143filed by owners

Crashes · fires3 · 5reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineJan 26, 2011

Delivery

Recall 11V029000244,779 vehicles

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, hydraulicOct 21, 2010

Foundation components › Master cylinder

Recall 10V499000728,544 vehicles

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 controlOct 5, 2009

Accelerator pedal

Recall 09V3880004,445,056 vehicles

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 coolingJan 16, 2009

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 09V020000214,570 vehicles

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, gasolineNov 28, 2007

Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 07V54500034,343 vehicles

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 beltsApr 13, 2006

Front

Recall 06V12100028,947 vehicles

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 bagsApr 3, 2006

Air bags

Recall 06V096000133 vehicles

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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
StructureBody; Interior panels › Dashboard	44	0	1	0	67,500 mi
Air bags	26	2	0	1	108,000 mi
Visibility/wiper	26	0	0	0	85,000 mi
Unknown or other	24	0	2	0	80,000 mi
Engine	16	0	1	0	115,080 mi
Electrical systemInstrument panel › Speedometer/odometer	11	0	2	1	139,000 mi
Steering	8	1	0	0	136,000 mi
Power train	7	0	0	0	95,000 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)	4	1	1	2	130,500 mi
Service brakes	3	1	0	1	124,000 mi
VisibilityRearview mirrors/devices › Interior	3	0	0	0	—
Suspension	3	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system › Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer
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 time of scanning the vehicle, it was discovered that the mileage was 221,000. The title showed a different name. A Carfax report was not obtained. The Montgomery police department was contacted and referred him to the NHTSA hotline.
Apr 29, 2026 · 221,000 miles
Visibility/wiper
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 visibility very difficult.
Apr 20, 2026
Electrical system › Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer
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 the time the contact purchased the vehicle, the mileage was 150,604; however, an Experian Auto Check History Report listed the mileage at over 300,000.
Feb 19, 2026 · 300,000 miles
Electrical system › Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer
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 reported in September 2022 at 144,556, and the vehicle failed inspection. In addition, in October 2018, the odometer was reported at 155,811.
Feb 11, 2026 · 155,811 miles
Power train
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 with a transmission and radio failure. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the were no recalls associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
Sep 17, 2025 · 89,000 miles
Visibility/wiper
The dashboard glares when it is sunny outside and at night when cars are driving past on the other side, this is a huge safety issue as it impairs visibility. The dashboard is also very sticky
Mar 25, 2025
Visibility/wiper
Under hot conditions the dashboard and door materials starts to become sticky and it becomes ultra shiny which reflects on the windshield and when the sun is up you can totally loose visibility in front of you, has happened to me a few time when I have to stop because it becomes very dangerous
Jan 8, 2025
Engine
The vehicle is burning engine oil at an increasingly severe rate, with the manual stating that burning 1.1 quarts every 600 miles is normal. This consumption is excessive given the 5.5-quart capacity and the requirement for expensive full synthetic oil, causing frequent and costly top-offs. This poses a safety risk due to the potential for engine damage or failure if oil levels are not closely monitored. Some owners have had the issue inspected, and Lexus has acknowledged the problem. However, they have stated that repairs require replacing components costing multiple thousands of dollars just for parts, leaving many owners without a feasible solution. This problem is widespread, with…
Dec 24, 2024

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.