Most common 2006 Lexus IS 250 problems
Share of the 189 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lexus IS 250 complaints by model year
Best IS 250 years: 2013, 2012, 2015. Years to avoid: 2007, 2006, 2008. Compare all years →
2006 Lexus IS 250 recalls (6)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver 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 GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430,…
Remedy: 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.
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, Hawaii, Louisiana,…
Remedy: 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…
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, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and…
Remedy: 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…
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 September 10, 2010.
Remedy: 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.
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, through July 10, 2011.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2006 Lexus IS 250:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
What 2006 Lexus IS 250 owners say
Body & structure all 53 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Lexus IS 250. The contact stated that the vehicle had an abnormal odor and oil was leaking from the panel of all the vehicle doors. The contact stated that the rear passenger and front driver side door panels leaked more oil. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. There was one injury that required medical attention. The two year old child touched the oil and rubbed it on the face, which resulted in severe coughing and vomiting. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
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 well. I have to make an appointment for the recalls on the melting dashboard and doors and engine. Lexus should really take care of this problem. I have purchased several new vehicles however I have had more problems with this car than I did with my other cars.
Air bags all 46 →
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.
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Lexus IS 250. While driving approximately 40 MPH, another vehicle attempted to make a left turn without stopping. As a result, the contact's vehicle crashed into the passenger side of that other vehicle. The contact stated that all the air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The driver sustained minor injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed by the insurance company. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Engine & cooling all 30 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Lexus IS 250. While the contact's daughter was driving approximately 20 MPH, the check engine and vehicle stability control indicators illuminated, as well as other unknown warning indicators. The vehicle lost power and began to emit a burning odor from under the hood. The driver examined the vehicle and noticed fluid underneath the vehicle. The Lexus of milwaukee dealer diagnosed that the fuel rail on one side of the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened case number: 170731228. The contact was informed that the vehicle had received a recall repair for a corroded fuel rail in 2010. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
The car was shaking and would not excelerate over 40mph. It was brought in to Lexus of pohanka in December of 2016. They performed a top engine clean. The car started having the same issues in the beginning of 2017. I called Lexus customer service and opened a case as I was told there was a recall on a manufacturing defect of the pistons. I had paid $1500.00 for the work performed. I was told a should have received a letter in regard to this problem. Lexus was calling it a customer support program. I never received the letter but repeatedly ask le us to reimburse me and solve the piston misfire. I have all of my emails to support my case. Lexus stopped replying to them. The car at this point IS still shaking and the engine light IS flashing. We have been instructed by Lexus in the past not to drive when light IS flashing. At this time I do not know where to turn. …
2006 Lexus IS 250 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 21 / 29 / 24 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Lexus IS 250 a good car?
Based on 189 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 IS 250 rates avoid: 2.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the IS 250 at the same age. It is one of the IS 250 years we suggest avoiding. 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 IS 250?
The body & structure — 53 complaints, 28% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body. Next are the air bags (46) and engine & cooling (30).
How many recalls does the 2006 Lexus IS 250 have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2006 Lexus IS 250, the most recent from October 17, 2019 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lexus IS 250?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013, 2012 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2007, 2006 and 2008. See the full Lexus IS 250 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 Lexus IS 250 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 84,000 miles; 29% 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.