2006 Lexus ES Problems & Complaints

Better than average78% fewer complaints than a typical year of the ES at the same age

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 2006 Lexus ES with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 78% fewer than a typical ES model year at the same age, making the 2006 one of the better ES years. The most reported problem area is the air bags (7 complaints, typically around 134,000 miles).

12complaints
0recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2006 Lexus ES problems

  • Air bags~134,000 miles
    758%
  • Other / not specified
    217%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~87,000 miles
    18%
  • Engine & cooling~149,000 miles
    18%
  • Electrical system~115,000 miles
    18%

Share of the 12 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Lexus ES complaints by model year

’99’00’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’15’16’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25862723165812125682841463134595341828111095
Owner complaints per model year, Lexus ES. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best ES years: 2015, 2016, 2018. Years to avoid: 2021, 2019, 2011, 2020, 2010. Compare all years →

What 2006 Lexus ES owners say

Air bags

The airbag cover where it is attached to the dashboard has separated. The separation began about 2 years ago and the gap continues to widen. This vehicle is not subject to the Takata recall and am unsure if the airbag May inflate if the gap continues to open.

90,000 miles · Nov 2015

All along the airbag on the dashboard; the dashboard is cracking all around the air bag. There is no other damage to my dashboard and except where the airbag was installed. This is definitely a defective airbag. I am trying to make people awear before someone gets injured or killed.

Jan 2016

2006 Lexus ES engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
3.3L 6-cyl5-speed automaticFWD18 / 27 / 21

EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 Lexus ES a good car?

Based on 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 ES rates better than average: 78% fewer complaints than a typical year of the ES at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2006 Lexus ES?

The air bags — 7 complaints, 58% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (1) and engine & cooling (1).

How many recalls does the 2006 Lexus ES have?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2006 Lexus ES. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Lexus ES?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2015, 2016 and 2018. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2021, 2019, 2011, 2020 and 2010. See the full Lexus ES years comparison.

At what mileage do 2006 Lexus ES problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 115,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.