KnownCarProblems2006 Lexus IS 250 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 189 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Lexus IS 250, most often about the body and structure (28% of complaints, typically around 74,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about IS 250 model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2006 Lexus IS 250 problems
Body and structure
53 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Dashboard is melting / sticky / cracked. We have concerns for safety with the airbags malfunctioning as a result of the faulty dashboard.
I noticed a black spot in my rear view mirror one day and did not think anything of it, however the one spot turned into multiple streaks. It's getting harder to see out of the mirror which to me is a safety issue. I noticed that there are many complaints on this issue and there should be a recall on this defect as…
Air bags
46 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: knee bolster.
Takata recall -- I have notified the dealership nearest me in san francisco and no one is able to replace the defective bag. I have contacted the dealership in daly city serramonte multiple times.
Airbag indicator on dash randomly comes on then goes off. This happened again most recently on 10-20-15. Apparently this is due to a defective wiring harness from the manufacturer effecting 2006 to 2008 vehicles, which when in a failed state disables the airbag system entirely......updated 12/07/15 contact noticed…
Engine
30 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 89,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
I took my vehicle in to a Lexus dealership on march 15, 2013 because the engine has powered down while driving & the check engine and vsc indicators came on simultaneously, the car is also idling hard. I had the vehicle inspected and it was found to misfire by the technicians at the dealership. I was told that this is…
The contact owns a 2006 Lexus IS 250. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the vehicle?s temperature gauge increased then immediately returned to normal. The check engine and vsc warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be diagnosed. The…
Visibility and wipers
21 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 104,000 miles. Parts named most often: rearview mirrors/devices.
I copied one of the other complaints, since my experience is exactly the same. Car dashboard is literally melting. The surface is now sticky which reflects a glare on the front windshield obstructing safe viewing for driving. When the sun is shining, it is very hard to see through the reflection of the dash on the…
The dashboard is melted on the drivers side making it almost impossible to see clearly at certain times during the day. This is a serious problem that needs to be looked into because it can cause wrecks if it hasn't already. I know there are probably thousands of people that have this problem and Lexus should stand by…
Speed control
18 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 28,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
Lexus fast acceleration in my car. It has happened 4 or 5 times in my 2006 Lexus IS 250, which I bought new. At first, I thought it was my fault since I usually wear wide athletic shoes. I thought that I was touching both the brake and accelerator and mentioned it to my sister, who works for a Lexus dealer. She told…
Tl contact owns a 2006 Lexus is250. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle began accelerating on its own to 80 MPH. The vehicle failed to completely slow down when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact was able to keep the speed at approximately 50 MPH; however, the vehicle was continuously accelerating to higher…
Other or unspecified
17 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 120,000 miles.
IS 250 dash has melted and creates harsh glare and reflects into the windshield blocking the view out the front (see the attached picture in which the gooey surface of the dash is blocking the view of other vehicles on the road) when driving east or west towards the sun making it dangerous to drive. The problem is…
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.
Fuel system
13 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 114,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
Bought car maybe two weeks ago first day fuel line busted, third day suspension and tires came apart, my electrical components under the hood are mostly fried and worn out could cause for, brake lights uncontrollable
About 3-4 times a day when I'm driving freeway my car will let off a roton egg smell. I was told by a mechanic it might be my cytalist converter but when checked it passed.
Steering
9 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 120,000 miles.
I drove approximately 65 miles stopped and parked for 15 minutes. I then turned the car on and while commencing to drive away, noticed that my steering wheel was locked and incredibly hard to steer left or right. My dashboard had no problem indicator lights on, so I turned the car off and restarted it and regained…
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2006 Lexus IS 250 recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began november 20, 2019. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are j0a, j0b, and j0c. Lexus' numbers for this recall are jli, jlj, and jlk.
Full defect summary
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 gx460, 2002-2010 lexus sc430, 2006-2012 lexus is250 and is350 and 2010-2015 lexus is250c and is350c vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify the toyota, scion and lexus owners. General motors will contact the pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on february 1, 2017. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are g0p (toyota zone a), g0r (toyota zone b), h0a (toyota zone c), glg (lexus zone a), glh (lexus zone b) and hla (lexus zone c).
Full defect summary
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, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." additionally, unless included in "zone a" above, toyota is recalling certain 2009 toyota corolla, corolla matrix, yaris, yaris hb, scion xb, pontiac vibe, lexus, es350, is250, is350, and is-f vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsy
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify the toyota and lexus owners. General motors will contact the pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on december 6, 2016. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are g1p (toyota zone a), g1r (toyota zone b), g2g (lexus zone a), and g2h (lexus zone b). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are g0p (toyota zone a), g0r (toyota zone b), glg (lexus zone a), and glh (le
Full defect summary
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, 2007-2011 lexus es350, and 2009-2010 pontiac vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." additionally, unless included in "zone a" above, toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 scion xb and lexus is f, 2007-2008 toyota yaris, 2006-2008 lexus is250 and lexus is350 and 2007-2008 lexus es350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in arizona, arkansas, delaware, distric
Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will clean and reseal the fuel pressure sensor mounting area, free of charge. The recall began march 3, 2015. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
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 september 10, 2010. Due to anti-corrosion plating remnants, fuel may leak from where the fuel pressure sensor is attached to the fuel delivery pipe.
Visibility and wipers: visibility/wiper
Risk: Inoperative wipers could reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and lexus dealers will install new wiper arm nuts, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on april 4, 2013. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
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, through july 10, 2011. The nuts that fasten the wiper arms may be insufficiently torqued such that if the wiper arms are restricted by an external load, such as a buildup of heavy snow, one or both of the wipers may become inoperative.
Speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk: This condition may interfere with the accelerator pedal returning to the idle position, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the clearance of the acceleration pedal and carpet, replace the pedal assembly with a revised assembly, and modify the carpet free of charge. The recall began on december 27, 2005. Owners may contact lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Questions about the 2006 Lexus IS 250
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Lexus IS 250?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (53 complaints, typically around 74,000 miles); air bags (46 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles); engine (30 complaints, typically around 89,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2006 Lexus IS 250 have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 17, 2019 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2006 a bad year for the Lexus IS 250?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about IS 250 model year since 2000, with 189 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.