2006 Lexus ES330 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2006 Lexus ES330 has a complaint index of 50, ranking 2nd worst of 3 model years tracked, well below 2005's index of 100. Engine complaints (38% of all complaints, median mileage 26,286) dominate, largely tied to unintended acceleration reports, with no recalls issued for this model year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #2 of 3 ES330 years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 64
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 17
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Engine
- Best nearby year
- —
- no alternative with data
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 1
Top 2006 Lexus ES330 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine24 (38%)
- Airbags19 (30%)
- Transmission & Powertrain10 (16%)
- Brakes7 (11%)
- Steering5 (8%)
- Electrical System3 (5%)
- Fuel System2 (3%)
- Other2 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (3%)
- Structure & Body1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while merging, turning, or stopping, sometimes leading to collisions with vehicles, poles, or fences.
- Several reports describe brakes failing to stop the car even when the driver pressed firmly, resulting in low-speed crashes into curbs, buildings, or walls.
- One owner described a headlight igniting into a fire after a deer collision, spreading damage across the engine compartment.
- Airbag-related complaints reference unintended acceleration incidents that Toyota reportedly attributed to floor mat issues rather than a deeper cause.
- A transmission complaint described the vehicle speeding up unexpectedly while parking, jumping a curb before stopping against trees.
2006 Lexus ES330 recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2006 Lexus ES330 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other ES330 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Lexus ES330 reliable?
- NHTSA lists 64 complaints for the 2006 ES330, giving it a complaint index of 50, which ranks 2nd worst among the 3 model years tracked. Engine problems make up 38% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 26,286.
- What is the top problem area for the 2006 Lexus ES330?
- Engine complaints lead, accounting for 24 of 64 total complaints (38%), followed by airbag complaints at 30% and transmission/powertrain issues at 16%.
- Does the 2006 Lexus ES330 have any recalls?
- No, NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2006 ES330, compared to 2 recalls for the 2005 model year.
- How does the 2006 ES330 compare to other years?
- The 2006 model's complaint index of 50 is half that of the 2005 ES330's index of 100, though 2005 also had more total complaints at 141 versus 64 for 2006.
- What mileage do 2006 ES330 problems typically occur at?
- The median mileage at failure across all complaints is 32,000 miles, with engine issues appearing earlier at a median of 26,286 miles.