Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Lexus ES, most frequently naming the airbags, electrical and engine categories. 31 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
When owners filed reports about this model year
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| May 2015 | 1 | 1 |
| Jun 2015 | 1 | 2 |
| Oct 2015 | 1 | 3 |
| Jul 2016 | 1 | 4 |
| Apr 2017 | 1 | 5 |
| Aug 2017 | 1 | 6 |
| Sep 2017 | 1 | 7 |
| Nov 2017 | 1 | 8 |
| Aug 2019 | 2 | 10 |
| Oct 2019 | 1 | 11 |
| Dec 2020 | 1 | 12 |
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
No recalls in our database for this model year
That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG APPEARS TO BECOMING DETACHED FROM THE DASH. IT SEEMS THAT IT MAY DEPLOY AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THIS DOES NOT FEEL SAFE TO ME AS MY FAMILY RIDES IN THE CAR WITH ME.
THE AIRBAG COVER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS CRACKED AND LOOKS AS IF IT IS GOING TO POP. THIS COULD BE A HAZARD.
THE AIRBAG COVER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR IS STARTING TO CRACK AND LIFT,SEEMS LIKE PRESSURE IS CAUSING THE LIFT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT'S BECAUSE THE DASHBOARD IS OLD. COMPARED IT TO AN ES300, THE AIR BAG DEFINITELY HAS STARTED TO LIFT.
CRACKING AROUND THE AIRBAG LINING. THIS LOOKS LIKE A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.
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.
TAKATA RECALL
MY 2006 LEXUS I250 DASH BROAD IS CRACKING AND STICKY AND SO WHEN I'M DRIVING IN THE SUN, IT CREATES A GLARE ON YOUR DASHBOARD. NEVER RECEIVE A RECALL. I DID GO TO A LOCAL LEXUS IN 2014 AND TOLD THEM THAT THIS CAR WASN'T LIKE THIS WENT I PURCHASED IT. WORKED IN AL (BALDWIN COUNTY) AND I NOTICE THAT MY LEXUS INTERIOR STARTED TO CRACK AND MELT DUE TO MY CAR BEING PARKED OUT IN THE SUN DURING MY WORKING HOURS. THIS SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPEN TO A LEXUS
THE AIRBAG COVER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR IS STARTING TO CRACK AND LIFT,SEEMS LIKE PRESSURE IS CAUSING THE LIFT. I LOOKS LIKE ITS READY TO BLOW OUT.
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Some 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to all model and model year specific Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to all model and model year specific Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. While Lexus paint quality, durability, and resistance to environmental factors is continuously being improved, it remains the responsibility of the dealer to protect and maintain the vehicle’s paint finish from the time of arrival at the dealership until retail delivery to the customer. In areas known for high frequency and/or concentration of acid rain, frequent vehicle washing during high heat or humidity periods will minimize the potential for paint damage caused by acid rain. It is further recommended that either reverse osmosis or deionized water be used to prevent water spotting. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No. BO029-91. •The entire bulletin has been updated. Service Bulletin No. BO029-91 is obsolete
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 9 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 65.8 |
| 2022 | 8 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 51.4 |
| 2020 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 56.8 |
| 2019 | 34 | 1 | 0 | 53.0 |
| 2018 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 9 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 49.1 |
| 2012 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 54.1 |
| 2011 | 46 | 0 | 0 | 46.4 |
| 2010 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 44.0 |
| 2009 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 49.3 |
| 2008 | 68 | 0 | 1 | 50.0 |
| 2007 | 125 | 0 | 1 | 49.7 |
| 2006Viewing | 12 | 0 | 0 | 29.7 |
| 2005 | 58 | 0 | 1 | 54.8 |
| 2004 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 43.6 |
| 2003 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 54.1 |
| 2002 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 54.2 |
| 2001 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2000 | 6 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1999 | 8 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1998 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1997 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1996 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1995 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1994 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.