Is the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid a bad year?
154 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other RX Hybrid years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid are in line with other RX Hybrid years. Brakes stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2006 RX Hybrid owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 58,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 48 (31%) | 35k–116k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Speed control | 17 (11%) | 10k–97k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 29 (19%) | 68k–134k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 16 (10%) | 70k–104k miles · ahead | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 16 (10%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine | 15 (10%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Hybrid system | 13 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 11 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 11 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 10 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 10 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 58,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 154 complaints: 15 mention a crash · 5 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Mar 2023.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid: 5
The Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module may contain transistors that have higher operating temperatures than the solder can support and the transistors may be heat damaged by the solder. The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle.
The amount of adhesive agent applied between the outer ring and the torsional rubber damper (Inner ring) in the crankshaft pulley may be inadequate. In some cases, the belt for the power steering pump may become detached from the pulley which could result in a loss of power steering and a sudden increase in steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
A module inside the inverter module may contain inadequately soldered transistors that during high-load driving, may be damaged by heat caused by the large current. The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle.
If the forward retention clip used to secure the floor carpet cover, which is located in front of the center console, is not installed properly the cover may lean toward the accelerator pedal and interfere with the accelerator pedal arm. If this occurs, the accelerator pedal may temporarily become stuck in a partially depressed position rather than return to the idle position.
On certain sport utility and hybrid vehicles, the two retaining clips for the driver's side forward center console can become loose. If both clips separate from the floor carpet cover, the cover may lean toward the accelerator pedal, causing interference with the accelerator pedal rod. This condition may interfere with the accelerator pedal returning to the idle position increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Lexus: 75
Repair instructions Lexus sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components
Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels…
Warranty Enhancement Program: Update: Technician requirements and parts order processes have been updated
Some vehicles may exhibit a condition where the brake, ABS, and/or TRAC warning light(s) are ON and/or a Check VSC message is displayed
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Pedestrian alert sounds
Hybrid inverter failure - vehicle stall
Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration
Neighbouring years
2007 RX Hybrid: 59 complaints, keep it.
Every Lexus RX Hybrid year
2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2024 · 2025 · All RX Hybrid years side by side
Other Lexus models: Lexus ES · Lexus ES 300 · Lexus ES 330 · Lexus ES 350 · Lexus GS 300 · Lexus GS 350 · Lexus GX · Lexus GX 470 · Lexus IS · Lexus IS 250 · Lexus IS 350 · Lexus LS · Lexus LS 430 · Lexus LS 460 · Lexus NX · Lexus RX · Lexus RX 300 · Lexus RX 330 · Lexus RX 350. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid a bad year?
154 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other RX Hybrid years. At 58,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (48), speed control (17), electrical system (29), body structure (16), transmission and drivetrain (16).
How many recalls does the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Hybrid system (NHTSA 13V-396), Engine (NHTSA 11V-539), Electrical system (NHTSA 11V-342), Speed control (NHTSA 11V-112) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.