YearToAvoid

2006 Lexus LS Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2006 Lexus LS ranks 3rd worst out of 19 model years, with a complaint index of 89 and 17 NHTSA complaints, mostly tied to engine and suspension issues. Owners also reported one airbag inflator recall. It's rated Avoid relative to other LS years.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
89/100
#3 of 19 LS years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
17
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
6
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
5
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2005
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19
16 city / 23 hwy
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0

Top 2006 Lexus LS problems

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

  1. Engine6 (35%)
  2. Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (35%)
  3. Electrical System3 (18%)
  4. Airbags2 (12%)
  5. Brakes2 (12%)
  6. Fuel System2 (12%)
  7. Structure & Body2 (12%)
  8. Steering1 (6%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers1 (6%)

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 shifting from reverse to drive, sometimes resulting in collisions with buildings or objects.
  • Some drivers report the vehicle failing to respond to braking at low speed before lurching forward into another vehicle.
  • Several complaints describe brakes that were grabby or produced a groaning noise and caused the wheel to lock, especially when wet.
  • Tire wear complaints describe uneven inside-tread wear starting around 25,000 miles that was hard to detect until tires were nearly worn through.
  • One owner reported an electrical fault where dashboard icons illuminated together, the trunk opened, flashers activated, and the alarm sounded on their own.
  • A steering-related complaint describes the steering wheel intermittently failing to unlock, preventing the car from starting.
2006 Lexus LS complaints: complaints filed per month2Oct 2006Apr 2008Feb 2010Jun 2010Mar 2012Jan 2015Oct 2019Aug 2022
17 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2006 to Aug 2022; peak Dec 2008 (2).

2006 Lexus LS recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 06V096000Apr 3, 2006Airbags133 vehicles

    Air bags

    On certain vehicles, due to improper assembly of the air bag inflator, which is used in the side air bag, the curtain shield air bag, and the knee air bag assembly, some inflators were produced with an insufficient amount of the heating agents necessary for proper air bag deployment. In this condition, the expansion force of the gas may be insufficient to properly inflate the air bag when the SRS system is activated during a crash.

    Risk: This may increase the risk of injury to the occupant in the involved seating position in the event of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the specific SRS air bag. The recall began on april 6, 2006. Owners may contact toyota at 1-888-270-9371, scion at 1-866-548-1851, or lexus at 1-800-255-3987.

2006 Lexus LS fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16 MPG
Highway
23 MPG
Combined
19 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,200
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 LS years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’18’19’20’21’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Good445118
2006Avoid8917119
2007Avoid100451—
2008Avoid9443121

All Lexus LS years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 Lexus LS reliable?
Compared to other LS model years, the 2006 ranks 3rd worst of 19 years tracked, with a complaint index of 89 and 17 NHTSA complaints, mostly in the engine and suspension areas.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Lexus LS?
NHTSA data shows engine complaints (6, including reports of sudden acceleration) and suspension/wheels/tires complaints (6, including uneven tire wear) tied as the top problem areas, each making up 35% of complaints.
Does the 2006 Lexus LS have a recall?
Yes, one recall (campaign 06V096000) covers airbag inflators that may have been produced with an insufficient propellant amount in the side, curtain shield, and knee airbags.
Should I avoid the 2006 Lexus LS?
Among LS model years, 2006 carries an Avoid verdict, ranking 3rd worst of 19 years with a complaint index of 89, higher than the 2005 (44) and 2013 (39) model years.
What is the fuel economy of the 2006 Lexus LS?
The 2006 Lexus LS is EPA-rated at 19 mpg combined (16 city / 23 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200.

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.