2006 Lexus ES330 Problems
- Complaints
- 64filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 32,000miles, 49 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 3.3L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 27 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 Lexus ES330 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often describe unintended or unexpected acceleration, typically at low speed (parking, turning, pulling into a driveway) and often with the brake pedal applied. A second large group reports the passenger-side airbag cover on the dashboard cracking, bulging or lifting, mostly at higher mileage, and a third group describes hesitant or delayed transmission response. Reported mileages span a wide range, from a few hundred miles to well over 100,000.
- Vehicle speed control
Unintended acceleration at low speed
Mentioned in 20 of 55 sampled complaints
Complaints describe the car surging forward on its own during parking maneuvers, turns, driveway entries or braking, sometimes with the brake pedal pressed. Several owners say the vehicle continued to accelerate despite hard braking and struck vehicles, poles, walls or buildings; a few mention a floor mat or pedal involvement. According to the complaints, dealers were often unable to duplicate or diagnose the condition, and some owners were told the behavior was normal or design-related. Reported from a few thousand miles to over 100,000, most often at low speeds in parking lots, driveways and intersections.
What to check: During a test drive, check that the floor mat is properly clipped and clear of the pedals, and ask the seller whether any throttle or pedal work has been done. Have a shop inspect the accelerator pedal and throttle body if the car has a history of surging.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“On 9/27/2007, my car (Lexus ES330) went out of control due to sudden acceleration in a parking lot of a shopping center in glenview, il, and crashed with cars parked nearby. This car incident was reported to the car dealer, but I was told there was no problem with the car. The cost of repair was very high.”
NHTSA complaint #10319499, filed 2010-03, 15,000 miles“I was backing out of my garage in my 2006 Lexus es 330. The car was idling at about 1400 RPM, with my foot on the brake I put the car in reverse, released the hand brake and started to slowly back up. Suddenly, the car shot out of my garage, down my driveway, across the street, jumped the far side curb turning right and struck a light pole which was broken off. The car was traveling on its own at a high rate of speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10330985, filed 2010-05, 22,145 miles - Air bags
Passenger airbag cover cracking or bulging
- 17 complaints (27%)
- median 56,500 mi at 9.2 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
- filed 2010–2019
Owners describe the dashboard cover over the front passenger airbag cracking, shrinking, lifting or bulging outward, with some saying it appears ready to pop open. Complaints say dealers acknowledged the condition but declined to repair it, often citing warranty status or stating it was not a safety issue; some owners were quoted a substantial cost for a dashboard replacement. Mostly reported between roughly 35,000 and 115,000 miles, and some describe it worsening over time.
What to check: Look closely at the dashboard around the passenger airbag for cracks, lifting edges or bulging, and ask whether the dashboard has ever been replaced or repaired.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The edges around the passenger side airbag cracking and the condition keeps deteriorating as time goes by. I'm worried about the safety of my family as we use the car all the time. We contacted a local Lexus dealer and we told the same thing as rest of the folks experienced with dealers.”
NHTSA complaint #10881994, filed 2016-07, 58,000 miles“My dashboard has severe cracks all around the airbag. That is the only area on my dashboard with cracks. My concern is that my airbag may explode and injure me or my passengers. I took my vehicle to the dealership and was informed by servicemen that the dashboard needed to be changed. They gave me the number to Lexus. So, I contacted them on april 27, 2015 and again on may 11, 2015 and filed 2 incident reports to no avail, they finally contacted me on may 14, 2015 to inform me there is nothing they can do for me. …”
NHTSA complaint #10716491, filed 2015-05, 113,000 miles - Transmission and drivetrain
Hesitation and delayed transmission response
Mentioned in 8 of 55 sampled complaints
Complaints describe the car hesitating or lagging when accelerating from a stop or after slowing down, then lurching or shifting hard into gear; some mention harsh reverse engagement and a delayed downshift. Owners say dealers told them the behavior was normal or could not find a fault, and one complaint cites a high transmission replacement quote. Reported across a wide mileage range, from near-new to over 100,000 miles, often during low-speed acceleration or rolling stops.
What to check: Drive the car from a stop and through a rolling slowdown to feel for hesitation or a hard shift, and ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced or the unit replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I acquired an 06 Lexus ES330. I noticed the transmission hesitates under certain conditions, notably when slowing down and commencing acceleration while still moving. I have had a couple of close calls when it was necessary for me to accelerate quickly from a slow speed. The dealer tells me Lexus is aware of the problem but won't do anything about it, claiming that's how it was designed. There are hundreds if not thousands of complaints posted on the net about this exact problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10281303, filed 2009-08, 1 miles“I own a 2006 Lexus ES330. I purchased the car last year and about a month or two later I noticed while driving there seems to be a jerk or shift around 30 MPH. It shifts hard when I try to accelerate to keep up with other drivers or it seems the car wants to accelerate on it's own. I have taken this car in to the toyota dealership and was told nothing was wrong with the car on both occasions. Also, I have contacted the Lexus dealership inquiring about other Lexus owners with the same problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10327042, filed 2010-04, 86,000 miles - Steering
Steering drift and power steering rack leaks
- 6 complaints (9%)
- median 32,800 mi at 4.0 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2006–2013
Owners report the car wandering or drifting left and right at highway speeds, and others describe power steering fluid leaking with a recommendation to replace the rack and pinion. Complaints say the drift was not noticeable in city driving but pronounced on the highway, and that the leak was found during routine service. Reported from very low mileage up to roughly 110,000 miles, with drift noted mainly at highway speeds.
What to check: Check the power steering fluid level and look for leaks at the rack, and take a highway test drive to see whether the car tracks straight.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I purchased a used 2006 Lexus ES330 in february, 2009. Upon the first long range highway trip, january, 2010, I experienced the vehicle drifting either left or right. I do not notice the drifting in city driving, but it is very exaggerated and potentially dangerous at highway speeds. I have checked for recalls, but found none.”
NHTSA complaint #10330266, filed 2010-05, 45,000 miles“During oil change, mechanic notices power steering fluid leaking. Worried that this is safety problem and could lose steering if seals break. Had rack and pinion replaced. Cost over $1000. Feel that toyota should be responsible for this cost.”
NHTSA complaint #10515381, filed 2013-06, 82,767 miles
Buying note. This model year draws a notable share of unintended-acceleration complaints, so verify the floor mat retention and pedal condition and take a careful low-speed test drive. Also inspect the passenger-side dashboard around the airbag and check for transmission hesitation and steering rack leaks before purchase.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 55 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 64 consumer complaints for the 2006 Lexus ES330. 49 of the complaints include a mileage, and 59% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 32,000 miles. Of all complaints, 17 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 8 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 57 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Vehicle speed control21 33%
- Air bags19 30%
- Brakes5 7.8%
- Steering5 7.8%
- Engine cooling3 4.7%
- Engine2 3.1%
- Exterior lighting2 3.1%
- Fuel system2 3.1%
Also reported: Other or unknown (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Electrical system (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1).
Example complaints
Vehicle speed control: “I own a 2006 330 Lexus. Recently on two separate trips, I have had an incident relating to the cruise control. I had the car set on the speed limit of 75mph (an interstate) and put my foot on the brake. When I went to the resume speed button, suddenly the car charged forward beyond where it was originally set and of its own volition, the gas pedal went to the floor. When I braked it slowed back down. This happened more than once.”
NHTSA complaint #10313389, filed 2010-02, 75 milesAir bags: “I have a 2006 Lexus es-330. A few years back I noticed the airbag cover on the passenger dash seemed to be shrinking. When I went in for service, I asked about this and was told it was nothing. However, the cover looks smaller. I brought my car into the local dealership 2 weeks ago and was advised, after much arguing, that the dashboard is shrinking. My concern, of course, was that the cover would loosen, fall off and the air bag deploy while I am driving. I was told this shouldn't happen but I couldn't get guarantees. …”
NHTSA complaint #10477443, filed 2012-09, 55,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “My son was driving his car on the highway for approx. 1hr and exited the highway to a side road. At the first light the car would start in 1st but not go into 2nd and after 2/3 secs it would lunge into gear. The same happens when putting the car into reverse. It shakes the whole car. After research these transmissions were recalled in 04 and 05 but not 06. Lexus says there is no problem but our friend the internet says something else. Repair cost 5800.00 from Lexus and not covered because not enough complaints.”
NHTSA complaint #10502434, filed 2013-03, 110,000 milesBrakes: “When turning into a parking space on a private parking lot, the vehicle speed up and brakes did not stop it. The vehicle jumped a curb and continued until it hit two trees that stopped it. Damage was estimated at $9000.”
NHTSA complaint #10689508, filed 2015-02, 66,534 milesMileage when problems were reported
59% of the 49 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 15,000 and 60,366 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Lexus ES330. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES330 · sedan FWD | not rated | 5 / 5 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2006 Lexus ES330 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES 330 FWD | 3.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,900 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2006 Lexus ES330 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 57 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10214355Apr 13, 2022Equipment. Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022
- 10209023Feb 24, 2022Air bags. TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year 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…
- 10207945Jan 12, 2022Tires, Wheels, Equipment. POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Lexus. This information must be kept near the point of…
- 10179697Aug 5, 2020Transmission and drivetrain. TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. Cases…
- 10179601Aug 5, 2020Transmission and drivetrain, Engine. TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. Cases…
- 10177783Jun 23, 2020Steering. TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE June 23, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0023-20.
- 10177780Jun 23, 2020Wheels. TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. ST004-01, SU001-08, and L-SB-0174-08. The aforementioned bulletins are obsolete, and any printed…
- 10176283May 1, 2020Equipment. Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10174889Apr 6, 2020Equipment. TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 06, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0008-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates
- 10174888Apr 6, 2020Equipment. TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-97, PG003-93, PG002-90, L-SB-0048-08…
Other model years of the Lexus ES330
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 64 | 32,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 141 | 31,750 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 174 | 32,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Lexus ES330 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Lexus ES330?
Owners of this model year most often describe unintended or unexpected acceleration, typically at low speed (parking, turning, pulling into a driveway) and often with the brake pedal applied. The issues reported most often: Unintended acceleration at low speed; Passenger airbag cover cracking or bulging; Hesitation and delayed transmission response.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 Lexus ES330 have?
NHTSA recorded 64 consumer complaints for the 2006 Lexus ES330 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2006 Lexus ES330 is reported most often?
Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 21 complaints (33% of the total), followed by air bags with 19.
Has the 2006 Lexus ES330 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Lexus ES330 get?
The EPA rates the 2006 Lexus ES330 (ES 330, 3.3L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2006 Lexus ES330 reported?
Among the 49 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 32,000 miles and the middle half falls between 15,000 and 60,366 miles; 59% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.