LEXUS IS 250 · model year

2006 LEXUS IS 250

252 NHTSA complaints, 13 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006LEXUSIS 250 carries 252 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 13 crashes, 4 fires, 17 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 IS 250 is air bags with 46 filings, followed by structure (35) and engine (19). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2006 IS 250. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

252
Complaints
13
Crashes
4
Fires
17
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

252 filings

Crashes Reported

13 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS46
STRUCTURE35
ENGINE19
UNKNOWN OR OTHER17
VISIBILITY/WIPER17
STRUCTURE:BODY15
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL15
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM11
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING9
STEERING9
POWER TRAIN7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)5
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:INTERIOR4
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY4

Recalls (6)

13V03000030/01/2013

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 vehicles manufactured August 23, 2005, through October 5, 2011; 2010-2012 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles manufactured April 10, 2009, through October 6, 2011; and 2008-2011 Lexus IS-F vehicles manufactured December 14, 2007, th

16V34000023/05/2016

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 20

05V56500019/12/2005

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY TEMPORARILY BECOME STUCK IN THE PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION DUE TO INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL LINKAGE AND A PLASTIC PAD EMBEDDED INTO THE VEHICLE'S CARPET.

19V74100017/10/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX4

14V64700015/10/2014

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Lexus LS vehicles manufactured May 9, 2006, to July 20, 2010, 2006-2011 Lexus GS vehicles manufactured January 6, 2005, to September 10, 2010, and 2006-2011 Lexus IS vehicles manufactured August 30, 2005, to

17V00600009/01/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia,

Recent Complaints

20230222STEERING

The contact owns a 2006 Lexus IS250. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and following the road around a left turn, the steering wheel became loosened as if the steering wheel had detached from the column. The contact stated that the power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and no longer driven. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

Mileage: 135,000

20220916AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2006 Lexus IS250. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light activated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the air bag sensor on the driver's side needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

Mileage: 155,000

20210413POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS IS250. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000.

Mileage: 145,000

20190724WHEELS

MELTING DASH AND ALL DOORS PEELING OF IN PLACES AND DASH IS ALMOST COMPLETELY MELTED IN PLACES . EVERY WHEEL SENSOR WENT OUT ON THE SAME DAY AND AIR LIGHT STUCK ON NOW..

20190724UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MELTING DASH AND ALL DOORS PEELING OF IN PLACES AND DASH IS ALMOST COMPLETELY MELTED IN PLACES . EVERY WHEEL SENSOR WENT OUT ON THE SAME DAY AND AIR LIGHT STUCK ON NOW..

20190703UNKNOWN OR OTHER

PURCHASED CAR A YEAR AGO NOTICED THAT WHEN IT GETS REALLY HOT THE DASH BOARD AND THE DOOR PANELS COMES OFF IF SCRAPED WITH FINGER NAILS AND THE DASH IS VERY STICKY.

Mileage: 167,000

20190622STRUCTURE:BODY

I WAS INFORM BY OTHER LEXUS THAT THERE ARE RECALL FOR 2006-2013 LEXUS ON SERVERAL PARTS. I MADE A CALL TO LEXUS DEALERSHIP OF SACRAMENTO AND SPOKE TO REPRESENTATIVE SHE HAD ALSO CONFIRM THE RECAL ON MY CAR AND BOOKED ME AN APPOINTMENT SEVERAL DAYS LATER. I WENT TO MY APPOINTMENT AND WAS DENIED MY SERVICES, THEY TOLD ME IT HAD EXPIRED AND THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR ALL MY REPAIRS. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT ANY RECALLS. I FEEL LIKE I WAS RIP OFF FOR BEING 17YEARS OLD KID. I FELT CHEATED.

20190622FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I WAS INFORM BY OTHER LEXUS THAT THERE ARE RECALL FOR 2006-2013 LEXUS ON SERVERAL PARTS. I MADE A CALL TO LEXUS DEALERSHIP OF SACRAMENTO AND SPOKE TO REPRESENTATIVE SHE HAD ALSO CONFIRM THE RECAL ON MY CAR AND BOOKED ME AN APPOINTMENT SEVERAL DAYS LATER. I WENT TO MY APPOINTMENT AND WAS DENIED MY SERVICES, THEY TOLD ME IT HAD EXPIRED AND THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR ALL MY REPAIRS. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT ANY RECALLS. I FEEL LIKE I WAS RIP OFF FOR BEING 17YEARS OLD KID. I FELT CHEATED.

20190622UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I WAS INFORM BY OTHER LEXUS THAT THERE ARE RECALL FOR 2006-2013 LEXUS ON SERVERAL PARTS. I MADE A CALL TO LEXUS DEALERSHIP OF SACRAMENTO AND SPOKE TO REPRESENTATIVE SHE HAD ALSO CONFIRM THE RECAL ON MY CAR AND BOOKED ME AN APPOINTMENT SEVERAL DAYS LATER. I WENT TO MY APPOINTMENT AND WAS DENIED MY SERVICES, THEY TOLD ME IT HAD EXPIRED AND THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR ALL MY REPAIRS. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT ANY RECALLS. I FEEL LIKE I WAS RIP OFF FOR BEING 17YEARS OLD KID. I FELT CHEATED.

20190611ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

SOLENOIDS IN MY CAR IS CAUSING MY CAR TO GO INTO LIMP MODE DUE TO THE FACT THAT LEXUS STATES TRANSMISSION FLUID NEVER NEEDS TO BE CHANGED IS NOW HAVING ME BUYING A NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE SOLENOIDS ARE BAD AND IS STUCK IN 3RD GEAR.

20190611ENGINE

SOLENOIDS IN MY CAR IS CAUSING MY CAR TO GO INTO LIMP MODE DUE TO THE FACT THAT LEXUS STATES TRANSMISSION FLUID NEVER NEEDS TO BE CHANGED IS NOW HAVING ME BUYING A NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE SOLENOIDS ARE BAD AND IS STUCK IN 3RD GEAR.

20190611UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SOLENOIDS IN MY CAR IS CAUSING MY CAR TO GO INTO LIMP MODE DUE TO THE FACT THAT LEXUS STATES TRANSMISSION FLUID NEVER NEEDS TO BE CHANGED IS NOW HAVING ME BUYING A NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE SOLENOIDS ARE BAD AND IS STUCK IN 3RD GEAR.

20190422AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL: THE RECALL SHOULD MOST DEFINITELY INCLUDED THE AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS, I HAD NO ISSUES WITH MY AIRBAG LIGHT UNTIL I PLACE MY CAR BACK IN THE SHOP TO GET THE RECALL A DAY LATER THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OUT. I TOOK IT BACK TO LEXUS AND THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT THE IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PART THEY JUST REPLACED. HOWEVER IT WAS NOT ON PRIOR TOO. THE ARE GETTING A DIAGNOSTIC MYSELF I WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS BAD AND MY AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY, IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN, AND A WELL KNOWN ISSUE TO HAPPEN TO THE LEXUS IS 250, THIS IS A DIRECT LINK WITH THE TAKATA RECALL AND SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE COVER BY LEXUS. FAULTY AIR BAGS ARE NOT A CUSTOMERS FAULT. AIR BAGS WHERE PLACED IN CARS FOR LIFE SAVING PROTECTION, TO NOT INCLUDE THIS IS THE RECALL IS A DEATH SENTENCE FOR THE DRIVERS AND THERE FAMILY WHO ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM.

20190422ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TAKATA RECALL: THE RECALL SHOULD MOST DEFINITELY INCLUDED THE AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS, I HAD NO ISSUES WITH MY AIRBAG LIGHT UNTIL I PLACE MY CAR BACK IN THE SHOP TO GET THE RECALL A DAY LATER THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OUT. I TOOK IT BACK TO LEXUS AND THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT THE IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PART THEY JUST REPLACED. HOWEVER IT WAS NOT ON PRIOR TOO. THE ARE GETTING A DIAGNOSTIC MYSELF I WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS BAD AND MY AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY, IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN, AND A WELL KNOWN ISSUE TO HAPPEN TO THE LEXUS IS 250, THIS IS A DIRECT LINK WITH THE TAKATA RECALL AND SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE COVER BY LEXUS. FAULTY AIR BAGS ARE NOT A CUSTOMERS FAULT. AIR BAGS WHERE PLACED IN CARS FOR LIFE SAVING PROTECTION, TO NOT INCLUDE THIS IS THE RECALL IS A DEATH SENTENCE FOR THE DRIVERS AND THERE FAMILY WHO ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM.

20190415ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

CHECK VSC LIGHT. CAR WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY PAST 3RD GEAR.. SOLENOID OR BAD TRANSMISSION

20190415UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CHECK VSC LIGHT. CAR WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY PAST 3RD GEAR.. SOLENOID OR BAD TRANSMISSION

20190308STEERING

CAR WAS DRIVING FINE ALL DAY. AT 7PM WENT TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND THE P/S LIGHT CAME ON AND STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN, BUT PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE STEERING WHEEL IS IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE, VERY HARD.

Mileage: 138,220

20190220ENGINE

HI WHEN I AM DRIVING A STRONG ODOR COMES INTO CAB SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS AND FUEL ITS VERY OVER POWERING WHILE DRIVING I HAVE TALKED TO MECHANICS AND THEY CANT FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS OR WHERE IT COMES FROM. I HAVE READ ON FORUMS AND IT IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL

Mileage: 135,000

20190220FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

HI WHEN I AM DRIVING A STRONG ODOR COMES INTO CAB SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS AND FUEL ITS VERY OVER POWERING WHILE DRIVING I HAVE TALKED TO MECHANICS AND THEY CANT FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS OR WHERE IT COMES FROM. I HAVE READ ON FORUMS AND IT IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL

Mileage: 135,000

20190113ENGINE

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY CAR HAS ISSUES JERKING WHEN IN GEAR AND STOPPING WHEN IN USE. I TOOK MY CAR TO A CERTIFIED LEXUS DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT. I'M SURE BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION MACHANIC AND I BOUGHT A 2006 IS250 USED TRANSMISSION FROM A CAR THAT WAS TOTALED THAT HAD LESS MILES AND WAS TOTALED BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS BENT BECAUSE IT WAS REAR ENDED. IN LESS THAN A YEAR SAME PROBLEM TRANSMISSION AGAIN! I SPENT $4500 THE FIRST GO AROUND I COULDN'T AFFORD THAT AGAIN. I HAD TO BUY ANOTHER CAR FOR WHAT I PAID TO REPAIR THE LEXUS. I'VE CHECKED FOR RECALLS YEAH MY DASH HAS MELTED AND ALL OF THE OTHER RECALLS! I CAN'T GET THOSE CORRECTED!! I'M STARTING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT!!! I'VE SPENT TO MUCH MONEY ON A HIGH CLASS TOYOTA THAT HAS MORE PROBLEMS THAN ITS WORTH!!!!

Compare 2006LEXUSIS 250 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 LEXUS IS 250 have?
The 2006 LEXUS IS 250 has 252 NHTSA complaints, 13 crashes, 4 fires, 17 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 LEXUS IS 250?
Yes, the 2006 LEXUS IS 250 has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is VISIBILITY/WIPER. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 LEXUS IS 250?
The most-complained component for the 2006 LEXUS IS 250 is AIR BAGS with 46 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE and ENGINE.
Is the 2006 LEXUS IS 250 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.