NHTSA has 79 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Lexus ES[1]. 18 of them mention a crash[1].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.
- Air Bags. 26 complaints[3]. Owners describe a cracked or shrinking cover over the passenger air bag, and a seal that wore down and left a bulge in the dash. One story says the bags did not open in a crash.
- Speed Control. 22 complaints[4]. Owners describe the car surging forward when they expected it to slow, sometimes at parking lot speeds. 15 of these complaints mention a crash[4]. In at least one story, the dealer could not find a cause.
- Power Train. 11 complaints[5]. Owners describe a delay or stutter when they press the gas after slowing down, and one describes a stall that cleared up on its own.
- Brakes. 6 complaints[6]. Owners describe worn rotors and pads sooner than they expected, a shudder when stopping, and a car that kept rolling when they pressed the pedal.
- Engine. 6 complaints[7]. We did not read enough of these stories to say more.
- Steering. 5 complaints[8]. We did not read enough of these stories to say more.
Recalls
NHTSA's records show 0 recalls for the 2006 ES[9].
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| ES 330, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive[2] | 18 / 27 / 21 | $3,900 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR FWD[10].
Engine and size
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES 330 4DR SEDAN FWD[11] | 191 in | 71 in | 57 in | 107 in | 3,461 lb |
How 2006 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 38 | 1 |
| 1996 | 38 | 1 |
| 1997 | 47 | 2 |
| 1998 | 53 | 1 |
| 1999 | 35 | 0 |
| 2000 | 62 | 0 |
| 2001 | 31 | 0 |
| 2002 | 180 | 2 |
| 2003 | 139 | 0 |
| 2004 | 190 | 2 |
| 2005 | 200 | 2 |
| 2006 | 79 | 0 |
| 2007 | 664 | 4 |
| 2008 | 323 | 4 |
| 2009 | 173 | 5 |
| 2010 | 179 | 5 |
| 2011 | 199 | 3 |
| 2012 | 120 | 3 |
| 2013 | 70 | 1 |
| 2014 | 46 | 1 |
| 2015 | 27 | 1 |
| 2016 | 37 | 1 |
| 2017 | 26 | 1 |
| 2018 | 15 | 2 |
| 2019 | 40 | 4 |
| 2020 | 24 | 3 |
| 2021 | 35 | 1 |
| 2022 | 16 | 1 |
| 2023 | 11 | 2 |
| 2024 | 9 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the ES show 79 complaints and 0 recalls for 2006[9]. Among the 32 model years listed, 21 have fewer complaints than 2006 and 10 have more[9]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (1) and the most are for 2007 (664)[9]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2006 ES?
The complaint file for this car is not small, with 79 reports in all[1]. Air bags and speed control top the list[3][4]. Speed control stands out because 15 of its complaints mention a crash[4]. These are unverified owner reports, and they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. If you are shopping for one, check the recall section on this page and have a shop look at the air bag cover and the throttle response.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Lexus ES?
- Air bags lead the complaint list with 26 reports[3]. Speed control follows with 22[4]. See the problems section for what owners describe.
- Does the 2006 Lexus ES have any recalls?
- The recall count for this year is 0 in our data[9]. Check the recalls section on this page for the current list.
- How many complaints does the 2006 Lexus ES have?
- NHTSA has 79 owner complaints on file[1]. They are unverified reports from owners.
- Is the 2006 Lexus ES reliable?
- Owner complaints are spread across several groups, led by air bags and speed control[3][4]. The problems section has the details. The fuel and safety sections cover the rest.
- What is the best year for the Lexus ES?
- See the by-year comparison section on this page. It lines up complaints and recalls for each year of the same model[9].
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Lexus ES
Compare all model years of the Lexus ES
Other Lexus models from 2006
Similar cars from 2006: midsize cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 79 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Lexus ES (18 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 8 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for ES 330, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 26 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 22 complaints name the speed control component group (15 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 23,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 23,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,325). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Lexus ES model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ES 330 4DR SEDAN FWD: length 191 in, width 71 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,461 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov