2006 Lexus RX Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 19 RX Hybrid years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid ranks worst of 19 model years for owner complaints, with a complaint index of 100 and 154 complaints, 53 of them about brakes. Five recalls apply to this year, and it is rated Avoid relative to other RX Hybrid years.
- Complaints
- 154
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 15 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26.5
- 27.5 city / 25 hwy
Top 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes53 (34%)
- Engine32 (21%)
- Electrical System30 (19%)
- Fuel System23 (15%)
- Structure & Body16 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain16 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires12 (8%)
- Steering11 (7%)
- Other7 (5%)
- Airbags2 (1%)
What owners report
- Owners describe pressing hard on the brake pedal with no braking response, sometimes leading to a crash.
- Some report the vehicle lurching or accelerating forward on its own while parking or braking, striking walls or other vehicles.
- One owner reported the vehicle lunging forward while braking in a parking structure, stopped only by rail guards before it could go over an edge.
- A dashboard warning showed a VSC (vehicle stability control) malfunction along with ABS and other service lights illuminated.
- Several brake- and engine-related incidents happened while owners were slowing down or parking at low speed.
2006 Lexus RX Hybrid recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 13V396000Sep 4, 2013Fuel System133,081 vehicles
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid vehicles manufactured February 16, 2005, through July 29, 2010; and model year 2006-2008 Lexus RX400h vehicles manufactured February 23, 2005, through December 2, 2008. 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. If this occurs, various warning lamps, including the malfunction indicator lamp, slip indicator light, brake system warning light, and master warning light, will be illuminated on the instrument panel.
Risk: The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. It is possible that the hybrid system will shut down while the vehicle is being driven, causing the vehicle to stall unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the IPM free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicles that had their IPM replaced under recall 11V-342 are not affected by this campaign.
- NHTSA 11V539000Nov 9, 2011Engine420,326 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004 avalon vehicles; 2004 and 2005 camry, camry solara, highlander, and sienna vehicles, 2006 highlander hybrid; 2004 and 2005 lexus es330 and rx330; and 2006 lexus rx400h vehicles manufactured from june 1, 2004 through march 31, 2005, equipped with the 1mz-fe or 3mz-fe engine. The amount of adhesive agent applied between the outer ring and the torsional rubber damper (inner ring) in the crankshaft pulley may be inadequate. If the adhesive is insufficient, there is a possibility that the outer ring may become misaligned and it may not properly rotate with the inner ring, causing noise and/or illumination of the battery discharge indicator light.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will check the crankshaft pulley to identify whether it was produced by the u.s. Supplier. If so, the dealer will replace the pulley with a new one at no charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during early january 2012. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
- NHTSA 11V342000Jun 29, 2011Electrical System82,273 vehicles
Electrical system
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 highlander hybrid and lexus rx400h passenger cars manufactured from february 16, 2005, through august 30, 2006. 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. If this occurs, various warning lamps, including the malfunction indicator lamp, slip indicator light, brake system warning light, and master warning light, will be illuminated on the instrument panel.
Risk: The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. It is possible that the hybrid system will shut down while the vehicle is being driven, causing the vehicle to stall unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota/lexus mailed an interim owner notification on july 19, 2011 to advise owners of this recall and the fact that they will receive a future notice when parts become available to complete repairs. Toyota dealers will inspect the hybrid inverter production number to determine whether the inverter contains suspect transistors and replace the module free of charge. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
2006 Lexus RX Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 27.5 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 26.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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 RX Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2006 RX Hybrid has a complaint index of 100, the highest among 19 model years of the RX Hybrid, with 154 complaints and 5 recalls. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other years of this model.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid?
- Brakes account for 53 complaints (34% of the total) with a median failure mileage of 60,130 miles, followed by engine issues (32 complaints, median 79,500 miles) and electrical system problems (30 complaints, median 97,400 miles).
- Does the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering the fuel system, engine, and electrical system, including an inverter module issue and a floor carpet clip that could interfere with the accelerator pedal.
- How does the 2006 RX Hybrid compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 100 is higher than 2007 (89) and 2008 (94), which are also rated Avoid, and far higher than later years like 2015 (44, rated Good).