2006 Lexus IS Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 5%of 143 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 Lexus IS, 5% of the 143 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,000 miles.
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.
“When driving the the vsc and check engine light comes on. When I'I was driving, my vehicle got stuck in 3rd gear on the freeway. I had to slow down abruptly because my RPM's were high due to the fact that it was stuck in 3rd gear. I didnt want to blow out my engine due to high RPM's and I slowed down suddenly. I almost caused an accident because of this reason.”
NHTSA complaint #11291819, filed 2019-12, 95,000 miles“Owner manual, saying it's lifetime no changing transmission fluid. Now having problems with my transmission because of that. I went on Lexus forums, and a lot of Lexus owner having transmission problems because of transmission fluid. Lexus IS not standing behind their products.”
NHTSA complaint #11406494, filed 2021-04“After having our car in the local dealerships shop to fix recalls and a Very hard jerking of the car when slowing to 8mph thinking it was the ABS accutator, that unit was replaced and system bled and tested we picked the car up and before we got 100 feet away from the shop our car still had the same problem. After much talking with a lexus forum group I now believe based on their experiences and testing myself it's a Hard 2nd to 1st gear downshift ! and through my investigating, this is a common issue among lexus transmission between years 2006 - 2013”
NHTSA complaint #11475164, filed 2022-07“The contact owns a 2006 Lexus IS 250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from underneath the hood. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a transmission and radio failure. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the were no recalls associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11691198, filed 2025-10, 89,000 miles“Camshaft problem. Loud rattle at start up bad ticking. Transmission fluid needs to be changed and serviced at a schedule time. Bad performance all together with only 119,000 miles. I have now rebuilt the motor paying $3000 to fix the cams and now have to repair the transmission”
NHTSA complaint #11458565, filed 2022-03Related service bulletins
- 10179697Aug 5, 2020TSB: 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…
- 10179601Aug 5, 2020TSB: 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…
- 10205346Oct 16, 2014Auto matic Transmission Replacement kPrecautions
- 10039124May 31, 2011Toyota: transmission or park/neutral switch installation information.
- 10037625Jan 6, 2011Lexus: information on an improved transmission fluid.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 20% |
| 2020 | 1 | 17% |
| 2011 | 1 | 7% |
| 2010 | 5 | 12% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 5 | 5% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 7 | 5% |
| 2005 | 2 | 17% |
| 2003 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2006 Lexus IS
43 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
29 complaintsAir bags
26 complaintsOther or unknown
24 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Lexus IS
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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