2006 Lexus Rx problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (7) · Steering (5) · Fuel/Propulsion System (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Lexus Rx model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder 2010-10-21 · campaign 10V499000 · 728,544 vehicles
Defect: 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 M
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.
Service bulletins (60)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2025-12-15 · L-SB-0030-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-07-29 · L-SB-0030-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2024 lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-07-29 · L-SB-0030-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2024 lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-06-21 · L-SB-0030-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2024 lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-06-21 · L-SB-0030-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2024 lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-04-19 · L-SB-0023-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Showing the 6 most recent of 60 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-06 · Engine“my vehicle runs hot after just five minutes and steam or smoke starts emitting from engine with a strange smell. it left me stranded on a narrow and busy highway where i felt unsafe…”
2026-01-13 · Service Brakes“brake system sets a high tone pitch indicating failure accompanied by all brake, abs, ps, traction control lights. this is an know failure for hybrid systems. it can occur completely random, while driving without notice. complete brake pressure is lost with exception of a hard feel to the pedal that allows some incomplete breaking to occur and can …”
2025-10-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System“after adding gasoline to the tank, gasoline begins dripping from the left rear of the vehicle to the rear of the left rear wheel well. this happens even if the tank is only filled to 2/3 of a tank. i have stopped filling up since when the tank is filled up a large amount of gasoline leaks out onto the ground. fire hazard while parked or driving. …”
2025-07-27 · Service Brakes“brake calipers continuously seize up making vehicle unsafe to drive …”
2025-06-12 · Vehicle Speed Control · 💥 crash“2006 lexus rx 400h didn't stop even after breaks were applied, it did continue to move forward and slowly push another car for about 15 feet until another car hit a pile of dirt.…”
2025-03-17 · Unknown Or Other“from what i have been reading on that year and model, there seems to be major issues with the invertors. like many i was driving on the highway and the vehicle just quits. this put me and many others in a very dangerous situation and i could have been hit at high rates of speed. if as many people are having these issues, then lexus needs to step up…”
2025-03-02 · Service Brakes“there are multiple recalls on my vehicle and i am experiencing all of the recalls inverter failer vehicle stalls out alot. crank shaft pulley is leaking oil and belt from the power steering maybe detached causing vehicle to stall. inverter assembly causing the vehicle to stall and become non drivable. floor carpet cover and retention clips. and my …”
2024-12-20 · Steering“the power steering and hybrid system failed and vehicle completely stopped in middle of busy freeway with no prior warnings or issues before. the safety of my son and i, and others around me during the abrupt stop of the engine. i could not move out of way. the vehicle has been serviced for this exact issue during a recall campaign lasting from 20…”
2023-10-05 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control“dear manager: i have this 2006 lexus rx400h which has check vsc system and check hybrid system problems. when i was driving on the highway, the cruise control button is unable to turn on, when at speed of 65 mph it will suddenly stall in the middle of the road and the ready light will be off and the vehicle has to be stopped by the emergency l…”
2023-09-25 · Hybrid Propulsion System · 227,500 mi“the contact owns a 2006 lexus rx400h. the contact stated while driving at slow speeds in a parking area, the abs warning light illuminated. upon returning and attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle had electrical power but failed to start. the check hybrid system warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an ind…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.