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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2006 Lexus IS 250 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
4%of 189 total for the year
Median mileage
133,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 Lexus IS 250, 4% of the 189 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 133,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Lexus is250. Drive shaft came off. I had an accident on inter-state 75/85 north bound in downtown atlanta around exit 248b. The front driver side wheel came off in the middle of highway. I did not hit any car except the broken tire hit concrete wall and stopped against concrete wall. I reported this issue to toyota immediately but it took them 3 months to inspect the car. Since I can not afford to let it sat in collision center for a while, I had to repaired. By the time, they inspected on nov. 25, 2009. It got all repaired. I did show picture to them. …”

NHTSA complaint #10312305, filed 2010-02, 48,000 miles

“Automatic transmission. When slowing to a stop or anytime (everytime) the car needs to auto downshift from 2nd to 1st the car hard shifts and the entire car jerks really hard causing almost whiplash. This is a widely discussed issue with is and gs models on many forums. New ecu units needed each time costing thousands.”

NHTSA complaint #11111358, filed 2018-07, 100,000 miles

“Takata recall, car raditor hose busted without any notice while hood was open which cause burn to passenger, let the car sit for an over an hour before the car was brought to an shop where the car was tested an head gasket was blowed”

NHTSA complaint #11003849, filed 2017-07, 158,000 miles

“Car parked parallel to curb. Opened door, got into driver's seat, fastened seat belt, turned on ignition, as normal. Shifted from park into drive, immediately engine began to rev up uncontrolled, based on sound from engine. After a few seconds of increasing pitch of engine noise, car jumped the curb, over the adjacent side walk, and slammed into the brick wall in front of my house, slid along the wall, and car ended up against the fence of next door neighbor. Car moved about 6 feet in 2-3 seconds. …”

NHTSA complaint #10445613, filed 2012-01, 82,822 miles

“The contact owns a 2006 Lexus is250. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle failed to decelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis but they were unable to duplicate the problem. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10514124, filed 2013-05, 133,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201216%
201113%
201013%
200924%
200854%
200731%
200684%

Other parts of the 2006 Lexus IS 250

Body and structure
53 complaintsAir bags
46 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
21 complaintsEngine
19 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2006 Lexus IS 250

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology