Most common 2006 Lexus RX330 problems
Share of the 67 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lexus RX330 complaints by model year
Best RX330 years: 2007, 2006. Years to avoid: 2004, 2005. Compare all years →
2006 Lexus RX330 recalls (1)
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
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…
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2006 Lexus RX330:
Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration
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.
What 2006 Lexus RX330 owners say
Body & structure
At approximately 4 in afternoon, I had come to a complete stop in front of my townhouse. My foot was still on the brake from stopping (I was just about to put it in park and take out key and unfastened seat belt) when it lurched forward and started to accelerate. I tried to steer and pump the brakes but nothing worked. It was totally out of my control. The car lunged forward going over the side walk and into my front porch, directly hitting my wrought iron bannister. The distance from the parking place to the bannister is about 10 feet. The car acceleration stopped on impact. I immediately called my insurance co and I called the police and filled out a police report. I live across from our community swimming pool. Children are constantly walking on sidewalk in front of my house on way to pool. Neighbors walk by my house to walk their dogs as well. …
In April 2014, my mom was contacted by Lexus about the melting dashboard issue that has plagued almost 5 million Lexus vehicles. She was told she would have to "wait in line" for her customer number to pop up in the system in order to fix the melting dashboard, which has affected her visibility when it is sunny outside as well as her steering mechanism. We do not know if there is damage to the airbags, but with a continuously melting dashboard we can only imagine the damage and danger that lurks underneath. The steering has gotten progressively more difficult as the dash cracks and melts more. There are multiple cracks throughout the dash that have gotten progressively worse and interfere with the integrity of the inside of the car. Soon, the parts attached to the dash May disassemble while she is driving, which can potentially kill other passengers on the road and herself. …
Engine & cooling
Backing car out of garage and accelerator automatically increased high speed. I was unable to stop. Car hit garage door and damaged the garage door, wall, front driver side quarter panel, front bumper. Approx $3600 car damage and $1500 garage damage. Fortunate that no other damage or injuries occurred. This never happened before and was very unexpected. I am now afraid that this May happen again under unexpected circumstances with more severe consequences.
Complete engine failure while driving. No leaks. Vehicle was towed to service station and mechanic diagnosed seized engine due to clogged oil intake due to excessive sludge build up. Vehicle oil was routinely changed iaw manufacture guidelines with synthetic oil. Replaced engine with a used engine and after one day of driving the same thing happened on the replacement engine. Currently unable to locate a third engine that doesn't suffer from excessive sludge build up in the engine.
Speed control & acceleration
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Lexus RX330. While driving at an undetermined speed, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a drain pipe. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 246,357.
Backing car out of garage and accelerator automatically increased high speed. I was unable to stop. Car hit garage door and damaged the garage door, wall, front driver side quarter panel, front bumper. Approx $3600 car damage and $1500 garage damage. Fortunate that no other damage or injuries occurred. This never happened before and was very unexpected. I am now afraid that this May happen again under unexpected circumstances with more severe consequences.
2006 Lexus RX330 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 23 / 20 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 22 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Lexus RX330 a good car?
Based on 67 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 RX330 rates better than average: 43% fewer complaints than a typical year of the RX330 at the same age. It is one of the best RX330 years by this measure. 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 RX330?
The body & structure — 15 complaints, 22% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body. Next are the engine & cooling (13) and speed control & acceleration (12).
How many recalls does the 2006 Lexus RX330 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2006 Lexus RX330, the most recent from February 24, 2011 (accelerator pedal). 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 RX330?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2007 and 2006. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2004 and 2005. See the full Lexus RX330 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 Lexus RX330 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 66,000 miles; 25% 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.