YearToAvoid

2006 Lexus RX Hybrid Engine Problems

NHTSA has 32 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid, 21% of all 154 complaints for this model year. That is the highest engine complaint count among 19 RX Hybrid model years. These complaints report 9 crashes and 6 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 79,500 miles.

Engine complaints
32
21% of 154
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
6
Median mileage
79,500 mi
Related recalls
3

When 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid engine complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 21, 2006, latest Jul 19, 2019.

2006 Lexus RX Hybrid engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Feb 2006Feb 2010Dec 2010Oct 2012Jun 2014May 2017Aug 2018
32 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2006 to Jul 2019; peak Feb 2010 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid

  1. 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.

  2. NHTSA 11V112000Feb 24, 2011Engine769,379 vehicles

    Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 highlander, highlander hybrid, and model year 2004-2007 lexus rx330, rx350, and rx400h vehicles. If the forward retention clip used to secure the floor carpet cover, which is located in front of the center console, is not installed properly the cover may lean toward the accelerator pedal and interfere with the accelerator pedal arm.

    Risk: If this occurs, the accelerator pedal may temporarily become stuck in a partially depressed position rather than return to the idle position. A stuck accelerator pedal may result in unintended and sustained vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the floor carpet cover with a newly designed one free or charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during march 2011. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

  3. NHTSA 06V253000Jul 13, 2006Engine367,594 vehicles

    Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal

    On certain sport utility and hybrid vehicles, the two retaining clips for the driver's side forward center console can become loose. If both clips separate from the floor carpet cover, the cover may lean toward the accelerator pedal, causing interference with the accelerator pedal rod.

    Risk: This condition may interfere with the accelerator pedal returning to the idle position increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the two floor carpet cover retaining clips free of charge. The recall began on july 24, 2006, and should be completed by early september 2006. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or lexus at 1-800-255-3987.

Engine complaints by RX Hybrid model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20050 (0%)
  2. 200632 (21%)
  3. 200715 (25%)
  4. 200822 (39%)
  5. 20104 (50%)
  6. 20115 (42%)
  7. 20120 (0%)
  8. 20130 (0%)
  9. 20141 (50%)
  10. 20152 (40%)
  11. 20161 (14%)
  12. 20172 (20%)
  13. 20181 (33%)
  14. 20191 (33%)
  15. 20201 (50%)
  16. 20210 (0%)
  17. 20230 (0%)
  18. 20240 (0%)
  19. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid have engine problems?
NHTSA has 32 owner complaints about the engine in the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid, 21% of all complaints for this model year, including 9 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 79,500 miles.
Which Lexus RX Hybrid year has the most engine complaints?
The 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid has the most engine complaints (32), compared with 32 for the 2006.
Is there a engine recall for the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid concern the engine: 11V539000, 11V112000, and 06V253000.

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.