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2006 Lexus RX Hybrid Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 154 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid, most often about the brakes (23% of complaints, typically around 72,000 miles). It is the most complained-about RX Hybrid model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid problems
Brakes
36 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock.
I have 2006 Lexus rx 400h and have the same problem with my brake as prius has. When I slow down a car and my car hits a rough patch of surface, or pothole, the brake seems to release and I experience 'brake surging'. Several instance I almost hit a pedestrian because the car surged forward at an intersection. I…
Momentary acceleration during normal braking. Problem occurs regularly (but not every time) during normal braking. Lexus dealer service writer reports this as normal and expected performance. It appears that normal braking starts with regenerative brakes and then transitions to friction brakes. There is a moment…
Electrical
29 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 95,000 miles. Parts named most often: alternator/generator/regulator.
Years ago, I began to have a series of battery failures while still under warranty. Each time, Lexus just told me it was a dead battery, and replaced it (pro rata, not free to me). I gradually became aware that these failures were being accompanied by a message to "shift to p when turning off ignition," which I always…
I read on the edmunds site for Lexus 400h, many owners are complaining about the failure of the electric inverter on the model year 2006. I own this car and I have not experienced any problem. I believe your agency should be looking into this situation as it appears that owners are reporting that Lexus is not…
Speed control
17 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 72,500 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control.
Following are the series of events on november 11, 2009: 1.I was looking for a parking space in the parking garage of university of maryland. 2.I found one open space on my left. 3.I applied the brakes and slowed down my car to almost zero speed. 4.I turned the steering wheel to left towards the parking space. 5.I…
The contact owns a 2006 Lexus rx400h. The contact stated that while parked with the engine in operation, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated, crashing into a residential garage door. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center…
Transmission
16 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 77,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
No failure, yet. But vehicle (Lexus rx400h - 2006) is a hybrid. There is a separate cooling system for the hybrid components (inverter, and electric motors in transaxle). Coolant is leaking from the transaxle. If all coolant leaks out, the inverter will fail. Without the inverter, there is no power - no electric…
Dear sirs! The car was bought feb 2009 from ira Lexus in denver ma with 17k miles on it. Now the car has 65k mi. It did die on the street about two weeks ago mechanics did check the car and did write a report, that the problem is due to the manufacturing issue which was a reason for the recall. I have recall info and…
Body and structure
16 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
As I was pulling into a parking space on the 4th level of a 6 story parking building, I had my foot on the brake pedal and the vehicle was coming to a stop, suddenly the vehicle accelerated (lounged) forward. There were steel cables (rail guards) that stopped the vehicle from going over and nose diving onto the street…
The vehicle developed cracks in the passenger side of the dashboard. We were told this could be a safety risk related to function of the airbag. Lexus offered to provide a new dashboard if we paid the labor charge of $800. Eventually the dealer split the labor charge with US and we replaced the dashboard.
Engine
15 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 82,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2006 Lexus rx400 hybrid. The contact was driving 5 MPH and making a left turn when a clunking noise was heard from under the hood, followed by the engine stalling. The contact added that prior to the failure, a warning light illuminated stating to check all systems including 4WD and hybrid. The…
Two different times, after driving 2 hours over a mountain pass on the highway, pulling a small popup camper, the vehicle died at the campground. After doing some research, I found out that toyota/Lexus used prius inverters on 2006 hylander and rx440h vehicles and they overheat and fail because they are meant for a…
Service Brakes, Electric
13 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles.
My Lexus rx400 h hybrid vehicle is experiecing smilar problem regarding the break like toyota prius . When bumpy , down hill and ice road, the brake will experience temporary disable and the car will move forward.when braking on uneven or slippery surfaces, the braking system gets confused and braking power is lost…
I went to the dealership last morning of feb 3 2010 for my regular serivice. I didn't know yet that time about the story behind the break time lag of prius. Because that day I told Lexus to take a look on my brake as I am having the same problem as the prius. My car is a rx400h 2006 model. Not only I'm having the same…
Hybrid system
13 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: inverter.
The contact owns a 2006 Lexus rx400h. The contact was driving approximately 50 MPH when the vehicle stalled without warning. The entire electrical system failed. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and it was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the failure as being the hybrid inverter battery which…
Driving off a stop light and the car just died. Check AWD - CVT - hybrid system warning lights went on . Towed to dealer next morning and they called to say lucky it is under warranty ( I have 64000 miles , warranty is 70 k ) and it needs a new inverter. I have not seen bill but here it is $ 7 to $ 9000 yikes ! This…
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 RX Hybrid recalls
Hybrid system: inverter
Risk: The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. It is possible that the hybrid system will shut down while the vehicle is being driven, causing the vehicle to stall unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ipm free of charge. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicles that had their ipm replaced under recall 11v-342 are not affected by this campaign.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 highlander hybrid vehicles manufactured february 16, 2005, through july 29, 2010; and model year 2006-2008 lexus rx400h vehicles manufactured february 23, 2005, through december 2, 2008. The intelligent power module (ipm) inside the inverter module may contain transistors that have higher operating temperatures than the solder can support and the transistors may be heat damaged by the solder. If this occurs, various warning lamps, including the malfunction indicator lamp, slip indicator light, brake system warning light, and master warning light, will be illuminated on the instrument panel.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
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 steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will check the crankshaft pulley to identify whether it was produced by the u.s. Supplier. If so, the dealer will replace the pulley with a new one at no charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during early january 2012. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004 avalon vehicles; 2004 and 2005 camry, camry solara, highlander, and sienna vehicles, 2006 highlander hybrid; 2004 and 2005 lexus es330 and rx330; and 2006 lexus rx400h vehicles manufactured from june 1, 2004 through march 31, 2005, equipped with the 1mz-fe or 3mz-fe engine. The amount of adhesive agent applied between the outer ring and the torsional rubber damper (inner ring) in the crankshaft pulley may be inadequate. If the adhesive is insufficient, there is a possibility that the outer ring may become misaligned and it may not properly rotate with the inner ring, causing noise and/or illumination of the battery discharge indicator light.
Electrical: electrical system
Risk: The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. It is possible that the hybrid system will shut down while the vehicle is being driven, causing the vehicle to stall unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota/lexus mailed an interim owner notification on july 19, 2011 to advise owners of this recall and the fact that they will receive a future notice when parts become available to complete repairs. Toyota dealers will inspect the hybrid inverter production number to determine whether the inverter contains suspect transistors and replace the module free of charge. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 highlander hybrid and lexus rx400h passenger cars manufactured from february 16, 2005, through august 30, 2006. A module inside the inverter module may contain inadequately soldered transistors that during high-load driving, may be damaged by heat caused by the large current. If this occurs, various warning lamps, including the malfunction indicator lamp, slip indicator light, brake system warning light, and master warning light, will be illuminated on the instrument panel.
Speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk: If this occurs, the accelerator pedal may temporarily become stuck in a partially depressed position rather than return to the idle position. A stuck accelerator pedal may result in unintended and sustained vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the floor carpet cover with a newly designed one free or charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during march 2011. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 highlander, highlander hybrid, and model year 2004-2007 lexus rx330, rx350, and rx400h vehicles. If the forward retention clip used to secure the floor carpet cover, which is located in front of the center console, is not installed properly the cover may lean toward the accelerator pedal and interfere with the accelerator pedal arm.
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 replace the two floor carpet cover retaining clips free of charge. The recall began on july 24, 2006, and should be completed by early september 2006. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility and hybrid vehicles, the two retaining clips for the driver's side forward center console can become loose. If both clips separate from the floor carpet cover, the cover may lean toward the accelerator pedal, causing interference with the accelerator pedal rod.
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
Pedestrian alert sounds
Summary
Nhtsa received a petition on or about july 18, 2022, requesting that federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the united states. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under odi number 11486072. Fmvss 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after march 1, 2021.on january 27, 2023, NHTSA opened defect petition (dp) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Hybrid inverter failure - vehicle stall
Summary
In a june 29, 2011 letter to NHTSA, toyota submitted a defect information report regarding a safety recall of certain toyota highlander hybrid and lexus rx400h vehicles to address a defect condition with the hybrid inverter assembly (NHTSA recall no. 11v-342).toyota's letter identified a defect related to inadequately soldered transistors on the intelligent power module (ipm) of some of the subject vehicles that could result in sudden loss of power while driving.toyota's remedy procedure instructs dealers to inspect the hybrid inverter production number to determine if the inverter contains suspect transistors.if so, the dealer will replace the ipm.the recall covers approximately 45,528 mode
Unintended and uncontrolled acceleration
Summary
On february 16, 2010, NHTSA's office of defects investigation (odi) opened rq10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, toyota recalls 07e-082, 09v-388, 10v-017, and 10v-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in toyota and lexus vehicles.I. Pedal interference from floor mats, carpet covers and plastic pads in carpets.during the rq10-003 investigation, odi reviewed a large volume of documents to assess whether additional vehicles should be recalled.following the agency's analysis, NHTSA requested that toyota recall ad
Questions about the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (36 complaints, typically around 72,000 miles); electrical (29 complaints, typically around 95,000 miles); speed control (17 complaints, typically around 72,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 4, 2013 (hybrid system). 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 RX Hybrid?
- It is the most complained-about RX Hybrid model year since 2000, with 154 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.