2006 Lexus RX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2006 Lexus RX carries a Good verdict with a complaint index of 15, ranking 18th worst out of 21 model years. It has 32 complaints, one recall, and a top problem area of Electrical System, though its verdict is capped due to less complete records for 2005-2009 models.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 15/100
- #18 of 21 RX years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 32
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26.5
- 27.5 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2006 Lexus RX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System10 (31%)
- Brakes9 (28%)
- Engine9 (28%)
- Fuel System7 (22%)
- Steering5 (16%)
- Structure & Body5 (16%)
- Airbags2 (6%)
- Other2 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (6%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Dashboard cracks and soft spots developed over time, sometimes spreading toward the airbag or ignition area.
- Power steering rack developed a severe fluid leak, making the vehicle hard to steer, reported around 41,000 and 87,000 miles.
- Owners reported an electrical fire near the battery while the vehicle was parked, with no prior warning signs.
- A seat warmer malfunctioned, overheating and causing plastic under the seat to bubble and begin smoking.
- Brakes made a chirping noise when pressure was applied, later attributed to an actuator issue.
- One owner reported the vehicle continued moving forward after brakes were applied, pushing another car.
2006 Lexus RX recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 10V499000Oct 21, 2010Brakes728,544 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 avalon, model year 2004-2006 highlander, model year 2004-2006 lexus rx, and model year 2006 lexus gs and is vehicles. Brake fluid containing polymers is used that acts as lubricants for certain brake system components. If replacement brake fluid is used that does not contain such polymers, or that contains only small amounts, a part of the rubber seal located at the rear of the brake master cylinder may become dry, and the seal may curl during movement of the piston. If this occurs, a small amount of brake fluid could slowly leak from the seal into the brake booster.
Risk: A leak of brake fluid could lead to a change in brake pedal feel and overtime a degradation in braking performance increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seal with a newly designed one. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 15, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331 and lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
2006 Lexus RX 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Lexus RX reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2006 RX a Good verdict with a complaint index of 15, the third-lowest among the 21 model years tracked. It has 32 complaints and one recall.
- What problems does the 2006 Lexus RX have?
- The top problem area is the Electrical System, followed closely by Brakes and Engine, each with 9 or 10 complaints. Owners also reported steering rack leaks and dashboard cracking under Structure & Body.
- Does the 2006 Lexus RX have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (10V499000) covers a brake fluid seal issue affecting 2004-2006 Lexus RX and related Toyota models. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2006 RX compare to other RX model years?
- The 2006 ranks 18th worst out of 21 years, better than 2010, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025, which all carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 75 or higher.
- Why is the 2006 RX capped at Good instead of a higher verdict?
- NHTSA complaint records for 2005-2009 RX models are less complete, so the verdict is capped at Good rather than reflecting the raw complaint index of 15.