CarModelProblems.com

2006 Lexus IS Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Structure — runs 4.9× the fleet median for that category across the 1175 model-years tracked on this site.
143Complaints
7Recalls
3Crashes
5Fires
2Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Structure (23.1% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Structure complaints here are 4.9× the median for that category across the 1175 model-years tracked on this site.

2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Structure33 · 23.1%No official action
Air Bags26 · 18.2%RecalledRecall 06V096000
Visibility/wiper26 · 18.2%No official action
Engine16 · 11.2%RecalledRecall 09V020000
Structure:body8 · 5.6%No official action
Electrical System8 · 5.6%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

STRUCTURE33 · 23.1%
AIR BAGS26 · 18.2%
VISIBILITY/WIPER26 · 18.2%
Unspecified / other24 · 16.8%
ENGINE16 · 11.2%
STRUCTURE:BODY8 · 5.6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8 · 5.6%
STEERING8 · 5.6%
POWER TRAIN7 · 4.9%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)4 · 2.8%

Percentages are the share of the 143 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 7 campaigns

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

NHTSA campaign 09V388000 · 2009 · reported 10/05/2009

A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA campaign 09V020000 · 2009 · reported 01/16/2009

OVER TIME, THE CORROSION MAY CREATE A PINHOLE RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts:front

NHTSA campaign 06V121000 · 2006 · reported 04/13/2006

AN OCCUPANT NOT PROPERLY WEARING A SEAT BELT MAY HAVE AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY DURING A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

NHTSA campaign 10V499000 · 2010 · reported 10/21/2010

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

NHTSA campaign 11V029000 · 2011 · reported 01/26/2011

FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags

NHTSA campaign 06V096000 · 2006 · reported 04/03/2006

THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

NHTSA campaign 07V545000 · 2007 · reported 11/28/2007

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“INTERIOR DASH AND DOOR PANELS MATERIAL HAS BECOME RUBBERY AND STICKY, TENDS TO CHIP OFF AND SMEAR LIKE MELTED RUBBER.”NHTSA complaint 11329642 — filed 06/18/2020 · STRUCTURE
“THE DASHBOARD IS TURNING INTO A STICKY SHINY MESS. IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT THE DASH IS SO SHINY THAT IT REFLECTS THE SUNSHINE BACK INTO THE…”NHTSA complaint 10678156 — filed 01/21/2015 · STRUCTURE
“AFFECTED PART IS THE DASHBOARD THE DASHBOARD IS SHINY TO WERE I CAN'T SEE WHEN THE SUN OR AT NIGHT HEADLIGHTS REFLECTS OFF IT. ITS…”NHTSA complaint 10667713 — filed 12/22/2014 · STRUCTURE

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

2201255520147212016962018122120209172022762024442026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Lexus IS?

Structure issues are the most-reported category, cited in 33 of 143 NHTSA complaints (23.1%), followed by air bags (26), visibility/wiper (26), unspecified/other issues (24). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2006 Lexus IS have?

143 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 3 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 2 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2006 Lexus IS have any recalls?

Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09V388000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2006 Lexus IS's reported problems?

2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.