2006 Lexus RX: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
130,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 32 complaints (31.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 28.1% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 25.0% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 12.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 12.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Engine | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Steering | 5 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
Electrical System: 10; Engine: 8; Service Brakes: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Steering: 5; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 3; Air Bags: 2; Power Train: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 6
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 19 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2014: 3; 2016: 3; 2019: 2; 2020: 5; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 5; 2024: 1; 2025: 5; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10436411 · 2011-11-18 (November 18, 2011)
I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK HAS DEVELOPED A SEVERE LEAK AND WILL COST $1,800 TO REPAIR. I HAVE SEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND OTHER OWNERS WITH A SIMILAR DEFECT WITH THEIR LEXUS 330'S. IT DOES NOT SEEM THAT THE STEERING RACK IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE FAILING LIKE THIS EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS 5 YEARS OLD. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 87,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10436411 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10477014 · 2012-09-25 (September 25, 2012)
STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RACK AND PINION. MAKING IT HARD TO STEER.THE RACK AND PINION MUST NOW BE REPLACED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 41,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10477014 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10619116 · 2014-08-05 (August 5, 2014)
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2006 LEXUS RX330 HAS DETERIORATED OVER TIME. THERE ARE CRACKS IN THE DASH, AND SOFT SPOTS THAT REFLECT SUNLIGHT AS GLARE TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR. MY LEXUS DEALERSHIP (LEXUS OF TAMPA BAY, FL) HAS SO FAR BEEN UNABLE TO HELP ME WITH THE DASHBOARD DEFECT. THEY TOLD ME TOYOTA CORPORATE WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEFECT, NOR PROVIDE ANY RELIEF, ESPECIALLY SINCE MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I SHOULD NOTE MY CAR IS KEPT IN A GARAGE, AND THE DASHBOARD IS ONLY EXPOSED TO THE FLORIDA SUN WHEN I AM DRIVING (WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON…
Owner-reported narrative. 58,123 miles reported. Look up ODI 10619116 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10619446 · 2014-08-06 (August 6, 2014)
EARLIER THIS YEAR I NOTICED CRACKS SHOWING UP AROUND MY IGNITION, THOSE CRACKS HAVE SPREAD UP TO THE TOP OF THE DASH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. NOW, THERE ARE CRACKS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE LEADING UP TO AND AROUND THE AIRBAG. JUST THIS WEEK, I NOTICED THE DASH IS STARTING TO GET TACKY AND DUST IS STARTING TO STICK TO IT. I AM BEGINNING TO BE CONCERNED. ABOUT THE SAFETY AS IT APPEARS THE DASH IS DETERIORATING MORE AND MORE AS THE DAYS GO BY AND AM CONCERNED FOR ANYONE RIDING WITH ME. I UNDERSTAND LEXUS HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM F…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10619446 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10650125 · 2014-10-26 (October 26, 2014)
I STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING, AND MY SEAT WARMER LIGHT WOULDN'T TURN OFF. THE SEAT KEPT GETTING HOTTER TO THE POINT IT WAS UNCOMFORTABLY HOT. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ONLY 5 MI AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHEN I STARTED TO SMELL THE BURNING. DURING THAT TIME, THE PLASTIC UNDER MY SEAT BUBBLED AND WAS WITHIN MINUTES OF CATCHING FIRE ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC. THE PREVIOUS MORNING I DROVE INTO BOSTON AND WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC FOR AND HOUR AND 45 MINUTES. HAD THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED ONE DAY EARLIER, I HAVE NO DOUBT THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A FIRE U…
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10650125 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10871397 · 2016-05-29 (May 29, 2016)
I BOUGHT IT ON MAY 2015 FROM A DEALERSHIP, IT HAS NOW 150,000 MILES ON IT, RECENTLY I SAW THE ENGINE LIGHT AND VSC LIGHT CAME ON, I TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE TO CHECK THE CODE, THEY TOLD ME THAT IT IS THE SENSOR COOLANT SYSTEM THAT MUST BE REPLACED, I TOOK IT A MECHANIC SHOP TO DO IT AND THAT NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND THE MECHANIC DID A SECOND CHECK, HE FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR IS CRACK,AND THAT WILL COST ME $600 AND I STILL A LOAN BALANCE FOR 12000 ON IT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10871397 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10920628 · 2016-11-01 (November 1, 2016)
CRACKED DASHBOARD ISSUE (AS PER THE SO-CALLED WARRANTY ISSUE PER CSC-10057809-9406). 10-MONTHS AGO I WAS PROMISED PARTS BY LEXUS OF MONTEREY, CA, AND, I'VE SINCE CONTACTED THEM FIVE OR MORE TIMES...NO PARTS ARE FORTHCOMING. THE LEXUS REGIONAL MANAGER OFFERS NO HELP. WHAT CAN I DO?
Owner-reported narrative. 180,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10920628 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10928159 · 2016-11-27 (November 27, 2016)
THE BRAKES MAKE A STRANGE CHIRP-TYPE NOISE WHEN I APPLY PRESSURE, USUALLY IT HAPPENS WHEN I AM STOPPED AND MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. HOLDING MY FOOT STEADY ON THE BRAKE AND IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND OFTEN. I HAD MY BRAKES CHECKED AND THE PADS AND ROTORS ARE FINE; THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE ACTUATOR AND WAS A KNOWN LEXUS PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND I HAVE NEVER GOTTEN A NOTICE FROM LEXUS STATING IT IS A PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 151,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10928159 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
10V499000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder
Reported: 2010-10-21 (October 21, 2010)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗