Menu

2006 Lexus RX HybridProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 154 owner complaints about the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

35
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.8× the RX Hybrid median · #1 of 6 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints15420 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage95kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 6, 2023. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid has problems

154 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system291
Service brakes192
Service brakes, hydraulic172
Vehicle speed control179
Structure164
Power train160
Service brakes, electric131
Hybrid propulsion system130
Steering110
13 other systems552

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

2006 Lexus RX Hybrid recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Hybrid propulsion system: inverter

Recall 13V-396 · Sep 4, 2013 · 133,081 vehicles

Risk. The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 11V-539 · Nov 9, 2011 · 420,326 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Electrical system

Recall 11V-342 · Jun 29, 2011 · 82,273 vehicles

Risk. THE VEHICLE MAY ENTER A FAIL-SAFE/LIMP-HOME MODE THAT LIMITS THE DRIVABILITY OF THE VEHICLE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Recall 11V-112 · Feb 24, 2011 · 769,379 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY TEMPORARILY BECOME STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION RATHER THAN RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Recall 06V-253 · Jul 13, 2006 · 367,594 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION MAY INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Lexus.

Mileage at failure

When do electrical system problems start?

95kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 27 electrical system complaints. 52% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
1under 30k miles14under 100k miles13100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2006 vs. every other RX Hybrid year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RX Hybrid median. How we score

'04'05'06'07'08'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Pedestrian alert soundsDP22005 · closed Aug 7, 2023
    Led to recall 22V-063
  2. Hybrid inverter failure - vehicle stallPE11005 · closed Jul 20, 2011
    Led to recall 11V-342
  3. Unintended and Uncontrolled AccelerationRQ10003 · closed Mar 1, 2011
    Led to recall 11V-112
In owners' words

What RX Hybrid owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

The contact owns a 2006 Lexus RX400H. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the "All-Wheel Drive and Hybrid System Failure" warning messages were displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with inverter assembly failure. The vehicle was not repaired and…
Complaint 11449610 · Jan 31, 2022 · 150,000 miles
MY VEHICLE IS DISPLAYING A HYBRID SYSTEM CHECK MESSAGE, AND THE HYBRID SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. THIS IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL IN DRIVE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL CAPABILITIES TO PROPERLY FUNCTION. I WAS ON A CITY STREET WHEN THIS HAPPENED, AND HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE…
Complaint 11229830 · Jul 6, 2019 · 66,040 miles
CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE. THE INVERTER WAS REPLACED FOLLOWING THE FIRST OCCURRENCE IN 2011. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING DURING THE FIRST OCCURRENCE.
Complaint 11152656 · Nov 19, 2018

Own a 2006 RX Hybrid?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.