2006 Lexus IS 250

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2006 Lexus IS 250
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:50:34.156Z

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Lexus IS 250 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2006 highlighted. 2006: 189 complaints 2006 2007: 213 complaints 2008: 125 complaints 2008 2009: 48 complaints 2010: 40 complaints 2010 2011: 30 complaints 2012: 17 complaints 2012 2013: 5 complaints 2014: 35 complaints 2014 2015: 16 complaints 2016: 1 complaints 2016
2006: 189 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
2006189
2007213
2008125
200948
201040
201130
201217
20135
201435
201516
20161

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 24%

24% of complaints: air bags — 46 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 LEXUS IS 250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WITHOUT STOPPING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THAT OTHER VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20170412

STRUCTURE 19%

19% of complaints: structure — 35 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
ENGINE 10%

10% of complaints: engine — 19 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

VSC AND ENGINE LIGHT ARE ON. INSIDE OF CAR SMELLS LIKE EXHAUST IS COMING THROUGH. STEERING SEEMS TO BE IMPAIRED

NHTSA ODI report, 20171031

VISIBILITY/WIPER 9%

9% of complaints: visibility/wiper — 17 distinct reports on file.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 8%

8% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 15 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS IS250. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN TO 80 MPH. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COMPLETELY SLOW DOWN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20090112

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20051227 — vehicle speed control

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY TEMPORARILY BECOME STUCK IN THE PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION DUE TO INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLEARANCE OF THE ACCELERATION PEDAL AND CARPET, REPLACE THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY WITH A REVISED ASSEMBLY, AND MODIFY THE CARPET FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 27, 20

Campaign 05V565000 — check if this car was fixed

2006 — complaint volume: 189
R 20131029 — visibility/wiper

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 vehicles manufactured August 23, 2005, through October 5, 2011; 2010-2012 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles manufactured April 10,

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and Lexus dealers will install new wiper arm nuts, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on April 4, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Campaign 13V030000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150305 — fuel system, gasoline

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Lexus LS vehicles manufactured May 9, 2006, to July 20, 2010, 2006-2011 Lexus GS vehicles manufactured January 6, 2005, to September 10, 2010, and 2006-2011...

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will clean and reseal the fuel pressure sensor mounting area, free of charge. The recall began March 3, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Campaign 14V647000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161118 — air bags

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus...

Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge.

Campaign 16V340000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170201 — air bags

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever...

Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge.

Campaign 17V006000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191120 — air bags

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F,...

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator.

Campaign 19V741000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2006 Lexus IS 250 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (46 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (35 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 05V565000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V030000 (visibility/wiper) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V647000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V340000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V006000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V741000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2011 ▲ 2014 ▲ 2010

WORST YEARS

■ 2007 ■ 2008 ▲ 2009

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2006 Lexus IS 250 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Lexus IS 250 is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Lexus IS 250?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2006 Lexus IS 250 have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.