2006 Lexus RX Hybrid Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 5%of 154 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid, 5% of the 154 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“Traveling down the interstate between 75-80 MPH, the car completely shut-off. Lost all power and check hybrid system lights came on. Was not able to restart the vehicle. It turns out that the inverter on this car was recalled in june 2011 and I was not notified. I took my car in for service in november of 2011 at the dealership where it was purchased, and they did nothing to resolve the problem. Saline kirkland at Lexus of mobile (service manager) said she found out about the problem one week ago.”
NHTSA complaint #10454137, filed 2012-04, 62,000 miles“Leakage of coolant from the radiator discovered and in less than 50 miles an engine warning light lit, indicating failure of the hybrid synergy drive system , namely the hybrid inverter. Vehicle was brought into a Lexus dealership and the radiator and inverter were replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10561527, filed 2014-01, 53,602 miles“Vehicle lost control on brakes and almost stalls while driving. It happened 1 year ago and no problem was found and now it happened 3 times. The dealer is unable to find what is causing it. It has been a hazard to drive. The computer was changed and still it occurred and is with service department.”
NHTSA complaint #10324848, filed 2010-04, 61,401 miles“No failure, yet. But vehicle (Lexus rx400h - 2006) is a hybrid. There is a separate cooling system for the hybrid components (inverter, and electric motors in transaxle). Coolant is leaking from the transaxle. If all coolant leaks out, the inverter will fail. Without the inverter, there is no power - no electric steering, no electric brakes, and no motive power to the wheels. Additionally, the coolant may leak somewhere or onto something that may short out or cause a fire. This is not a leak from a worn out coolant hose, but directly from the transaxle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10371976, filed 2010-12, 90,000 miles“The contact owns a 2006 Lexus rx400h. The contact was driving approximately 70 MPH when the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and it was towed to the dealer. The dealer advised the contact that the hybrid inverter had failed and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 123,300.”
NHTSA complaint #10382945, filed 2011-02, 123,300 milesRelated recalls
- 11V539000Nov 9, 2011Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004 avalon vehicles; 2004 and 2005 camry, camry solara, highlander, and sienna vehicles, 2006 highlander hybrid; 2004…Covers: Lexus RX Hybrid 2006, RX330 2004–2005, Toyota Sienna 2004–2005 +6 more
Related service bulletins
- 10179595Aug 4, 2020TSB: Some 2006 - 2020 model year Lexus hybrid vehicles may exhibit an excessive buildup of dust, lint, or debris in the HV battery cooling fan or intake filter. This condition…
- 10132146Oct 2, 2013If a customer states there is an unpleasant odor in the vehicle from the HVAC system, there are various factors that may be involved.
- 10030326Apr 22, 2009Lexus: some vehicles may exhibit a m.I.l. On condition with one or more of the following diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) stored as a result of an ignition coil malfunction…
- 10019327Mar 29, 2006Ilsac gf-4 engine oil standard. '06 lexus. *tt excluding hybrid vehicles. *tt recommendation.
- 10018285Nov 17, 2005Malfunction indicator lamp on diagnostic trouble code p0171, p0174, p2195, or p2197.
Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid
48 complaintsElectrical system
29 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaintsBody and structure
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsHybrid propulsion system
13 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsElectronic stability control
10 complaintsTires
10 complaintsEngine
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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