Research · Midsize Cars
2006 Lexus ES330Recalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 79 owner complaints for the 2006 Lexus ES330. Most complaints involve air bags (26) and vehicle speed control (22). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
21mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
79
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2006 Lexus ES330 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
79 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2006 – Dec 2020
- Air bags26
- Vehicle speed control22
- Power train11
- Steering5
- Service brakes, hydraulic4
- Electronic stability control (esc)3
- Engine3
- Engine and engine cooling3
- Exterior lighting3
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Air bags
26 reports3 crashes
“THE PASSENGER AIR BAG APPEARS TO BECOMING DETACHED FROM THE DASH. IT SEEMS THAT IT MAY DEPLOY AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THIS DOES NOT FEEL SAFE TO ME AS MY FAMILY RIDES IN THE CAR WITH ME.”
Vehicle speed control
22 reports15 crashes
“MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO PICK-UP OUR GRANDDAUGHTER FROM SCHOOL ON 10-22-2018. SHE MADE A FULL STOP AT THE CORNER AND TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND STARTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. WHEN SHE STARTED TO PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL LIGHTLY, THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO FULL THROTTLE AND THE CAR ACCELERATED AND LUNGED UNCONTROLLABLY FORWARD. HER STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. BECAUSE OF THIS ACCELERATION, SHE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT WITH GREAT FORCE AND SEVERELY DAMAGING OUR FRONT END AND THE CAR BUMPER IN FRONT OF HER. SHE WAS GETTING GET IN LINE TO WAIT FOR THE SCHOOL CHILDREN TO LET OUT. HAD HER THE CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL WHEN CHILDREN WERE CROSSING THE STREET, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT CATASTROPHE AND DEAD CHILDREN. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO ALERT THE PUBLIC. ANOTHER SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. BUT THE DEALER SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. OUR CAR HAS A LITTLE OVER 60,000. EACH TIME I TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THEY REMOVED THE FLOOR MAT. THEY SAY THE FLOOR MAT CAN GET IN THE WAY OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I DON'T THINK SO, BUT WE KEEP THE FLOOR MAT IN THE TRUNK. I HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO…”
Power train
11 reports2 crashes
“TRANSMISSION WAS HESITANT AND SUDDENLY RELEASE CREATING A SUDDEN ACCELERATION RUSH WHEN GAS PEDAL WAS APPLIED AT 10 TO 15 MPH. THIS HAPPEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN DOWNSHIFT GEAR MODE AND WAS ASKED TO ACCELERATE UPSHIFT GEAR SUDDENLY. THE TRANSMISSION JERKING/HESITANT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ESPECIALLY IN MERGING TRAFFIC. THIS COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS ACCIDENT. TRANSMISSION ALSO HAS A ROUGH SHIFT FROM TIME TO TIME.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
1 version rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
- Engines
- 3.3L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic 5-spd
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES 330 Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,700 | 423 |
- 21mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Lexus ES330 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 1825
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2006 ES330 questions
How many recalls does the 2006 Lexus ES330 have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.
What are the most common 2006 Lexus ES330 problems?
Owners filed 79 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (26), vehicle speed control (22), power train (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2006 Lexus ES330 get?
The EPA rates the 2006 Lexus ES330 at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026