2006 Lexus IS 350 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report interior trim problems: the dashboard and upper door panels become sticky, shiny and cracked over time, and the glossy surface can throw glare onto the windshield. A second common theme is the airbag warning light coming on, which several owners link to a wiring harness connector. Mechanical complaints centre on oil loss from the timing chain area and on electric power steering assist.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Sticky, melting or cracked dashboard and door panels

   • 30 complaints (32%)
   • median 77,000 mi at 8.0 yrs old (22 state mileage)
   • filed 2013–2019

   Owners describe the dashboard and the tops of the door panels turning soft, tacky and glossy, with cracks appearing and material rubbing off on hands or cloth. Many say the reflection of the shiny surface on the inside of the windshield makes it hard to see the road in bright sun. According to the complaints, dealers either quoted a full dashboard replacement at the owner's expense or said the condition was not covered once the vehicle was out of warranty; a warranty enhancement programme existed but owners report parts and reimbursement were often unavailable. Reported across a wide mileage range from about 33,000 to over 180,000 miles, and owners commonly tie it to heat and strong sunlight.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Inspect the dashboard and door panel tops in direct sunlight for a tacky or glossy finish and fine cracks, and ask whether any dashboard replacement or reimbursement programme was applied to the car.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a Lexus is and the dash and the side door panels get molten or sticky. This causes severe safety issues since I am not sure of the chemicals that are emitted and if they are carcinogenic. Kids get this all over them and its hard to get this sticky material from their hands. I am not sure if this material is poisonous.”

   NHTSA complaint #10619335, filed 2014-08, 80,000 miles

   “There is an sticky, melting and gloss areas on the dash due to poor quality materials that reflect a glare on the windshield while driving. I called Lexus and the rep. Told that's my car and my problem, many other people are experiencing this issue and Lexus USA not recalling this dash panels.”

   NHTSA complaint #10566405, filed 2014-02, 116,500 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Heavy oil use and oil loss at the timing chain area

   • 13 complaints (14%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 8.8 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2019

   Owners describe adding a quart of oil every few hundred to few thousand miles with no external leak, or finding oil coming from the front timing chain cover seal. Some report the engine stalling or losing power with warning lights on and abnormal noise, followed by diagnosis of timing chain, timing gear or timing cover work. In the complaints, dealers quoted substantial repair costs; one owner noted a recall for an engine bolt issue had not been received. Most reports fall between roughly 60,000 and 190,000 miles, with oil consumption often described as gradually worsening over years of ownership.

   Recall 13V395000Recall 10V3090001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the oil level and look for seepage at the front timing cover, and ask whether the engine bolt and valve spring recalls were completed for this VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2006 Lexus IS 350 is using oil at an alarming rate. I bought the car new in 2006 and it gets it's regular oil changes, I have to add a quart of oil around around 600 milles driven. It currently has 189,000 miles, but this has been going on for some time. I looked up the information on the internet and it said to go to this website and report it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11233298, filed 2019-07, 90,000 miles

   “In normal driving situations my 2006 Lexus is350 burns oil very quickly. I am adding oil at least every 3 weeks (about a quart or more). There are no specific engine leaking issues per my mechanic. The engine seems to burn oil abnormally fast.”

   NHTSA complaint #11114357, filed 2018-07, 175,000 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Electric power steering assist loss or heavy steering

   • 6 complaints (6%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 9.6 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2008–2018

   Owners report the steering suddenly becoming very heavy or losing assist while driving, in some cases with a whining noise and the wheel drifting off centre. Complaints describe diagnosis as an internal failure of the electric power steering rack or its control unit, with dealers replacing the rack or quoting diagnostic fees only. Some owners question whether replacement racks carry the same weakness as the original. Spread from about 15,000 to 200,000 miles, with several reports above 100,000 miles.

   What to check: On a test drive, check that steering effort is even and light at low speed and that the wheel returns to centre smoothly; ask whether the steering rack or its control unit has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The car was driving normally all day on main roads around town until the steering wheel started to feel kind of loose. Than the steering wheel began making a whining noise while turning and sometimes lose the center position and drag one way or the other. It seems like the power steering wants to give up but it catches itself. Braking seems fine and driving at low speeds seems okay until I get up to 30-40 MPH. I believe this has to do with the power steering since in this Lexus model it is electric power steering. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11098252, filed 2018-05, 200,000 miles

   “There have been multiple accidents due to the electric p/s failing, including a near miss when my frail wife lost the assist. In my search for the cause, I have found that Lexus is replacing the entire steering rack as the fix . Lexus is simply installing a replacement steering rack that has the same manufacturing defect as the original steering rack, costing some owners $1000 plus. After a few years, the replacement power steering rack will fail, just as the original did. When I purchased my Lexus, it was already 10 years old. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10837396, filed 2016-02, 40,000 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light on (wiring harness connector)

   • 8 complaints (9%)
   • median 93,000 mi at 11.9 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2014–2019

   Complaints describe the SRS warning light coming on and staying on after start-up, sometimes with a stored trouble code pointing to a knee airbag squib or the seat belt pretensioner. Owners say the cause is described as degradation of a connector or wiring harness, and that the airbag system may then not work in a collision. Several report the dealer confirming the diagnosis and quoting repairs of roughly two to four thousand dollars because the car was outside warranty, while noting a service bulletin exists for the symptom. Reported from around 80,000 to 145,000 miles, typically appearing at start-up rather than during driving.

   Recall 16V340000Recall 17V006000Recall 19V7410004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Switch the ignition on and confirm the SRS light goes out after the bulb check; if it stays on, ask for the stored codes and whether the harness connector bulletin has been applied. Also confirm any open Takata inflator recalls have been completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall- took my car to the Lexus dealership in honolulu hi for the recall on the passenger side airbag which they claimed it was completed and resolved. Two days later the airbag light on dash would blink. I called them to let them know and we made an appt. When I took the Lexus back they did a diagnostic test and claimed the drivers side airbag needed to be repaired at a $4,000.00. I feel it should be repaired at $0.00. If you can, please help. The service manager there is not helpful at all.”

   NHTSA complaint #11036002, filed 2017-10, 80,000 miles

   “The airbag light on the cluster is on. Happened randomly one morning upon start up of vehicle and hasn't went away even after resetting the battery. I and several other 2nd generation is owners from club Lexus have the same issue and it is attributed to a loose wire harness. In the event of a collision there's a high risk that the airbag will not deploy. Please fix this as this is a serious and fatal issue. It was a fairly well know issues amongst is owners and this I feel that Lexus should be responsible for the fix.”

   NHTSA complaint #10882267, filed 2016-07, 125,000 miles
5. 5
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Rear view mirror dimming, discoloration or vibration

   • 9 complaints (10%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 7.7 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2006–2017

   Complaints describe the interior rear view mirror losing its reflective coating, developing dark spots or a permanent tint that makes traffic behind hard to see, particularly at night. Others report the mirror vibrating badly on rough roads or with the stereo playing, to the point that images behind are blurred. Owners say dealers quoted replacement of the mirror assembly, in one case over a thousand dollars. Reported from very low mileage up to around 148,000 miles, with several cases noted between 35,000 and 90,000 miles.

   Recall 13V0300002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Sit in the car and look at the mirror glass for dark patches or a blotchy tint, and check that the mirror housing and wiper arms feel firmly attached.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Rear view mirror inside vehicle is becoming difficult to see out of, especially at night! According to Lexus forms and dealerships, the mirror is flaking from the inside and if out of warranty will cost over $1000 to repair. I do understand normal wear and tear on a vehicle, however, this is clearly a poorly made part and many other individuals have had this exact same issue. I feel it is a the dealers cost for the part and replacement when it is a safety issue of the car, regardless if the vehicle is out of warranty. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10547918, filed 2013-10, 80,700 miles

   “Rear view mirror vibrates so badly on slightly rough roads, with sunroof and windows open and with manufacturer stereo loud that driver cannot see out of the back of the car. Everything is distorted. This represents a significant safety issue for the driver. Based on information gleaned from popular online forums, this appears to be a design issue associated with the 2006-7 Lexus is25/350 lines. 2006 Lexus is350 w/sport package.”

   NHTSA complaint #10169660, filed 2006-09, 43 miles

Buying note. Budget for interior trim work, since the dashboard and door panel finish is the most frequently reported problem and repairs are usually at the owner's cost. Before buying, confirm the open airbag inflator recalls and the engine bolt recall were completed, check the SRS light at start-up, and verify oil level and steering feel on a test drive.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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.