YearToAvoid

2006 Lexus ES Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2006 Lexus ES has a complaint index of 5, the second-lowest of all 21 model years, with only 12 complaints and no recalls. Its verdict is capped at Good rather than Best because NHTSA records for 2005-2009 are less complete.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
5/100
#20 of 21 ES years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
12
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
0
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2018
rated Best

Top 2006 Lexus ES problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags7 (58%)
  2. Other2 (17%)
  3. Electrical System1 (8%)
  4. Engine1 (8%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain1 (8%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Dashboard cracking or separating around the airbag cover, with owners worried the airbag could deploy improperly or fail to protect occupants.
  • Passenger-side airbag cover lifting and appearing ready to separate from the dashboard.
  • Transmission hesitating then suddenly releasing power at 10 to 15 mph, producing an unexpected acceleration surge while downshifting.
  • Unintended acceleration paired with a brake system that failed to respond, forcing the driver to shift to neutral to stop.
  • A rear window that will not open with either the driver switch or the door switch, though a click sound is heard when pressed.
2006 Lexus ES complaints: complaints filed per month2May 2015Oct 2015Apr 2017Sep 2017Aug 2019Dec 2020
12 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2015 to Dec 2020; peak Aug 2019 (2).

2006 Lexus ES recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2006 compared with other ES years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Avoid85580—
2006Good5120—
2007Avoid1001250—
2008Avoid90680—

All Lexus ES years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 Lexus ES reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 ES ranks 20th worst out of 21 model years, meaning it has one of the lowest complaint counts in the lineup, with 12 complaints and a complaint index of 5.
Does the 2006 Lexus ES have any recalls?
NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2006 Lexus ES.
What is the biggest problem area for the 2006 Lexus ES?
Airbags account for 58% of complaints (7 of 12), mostly involving dashboard cracking or separation around the airbag cover, with a median mileage at failure of 112,000.
Why is the 2006 Lexus ES rated Good instead of Best?
Its verdict is capped at Good because NHTSA complaint records for 2005-2009 model years are considered less complete, even though its complaint index of 5 is very low.
How does the 2006 ES compare to other Lexus ES years?
The 2006 ES has far fewer complaints than years like 2007 (125 complaints, index 100) or 2005 (58 complaints, index 85), both rated Avoid.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.