Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2006 Lexus RX330Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 99 owner complaints for the 2006 Lexus RX330. Most complaints involve structure (18) and engine (13). The EPA rates it 18–20 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
18–20mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Feb 2011
Owner complaints
99
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$4,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Free remedy

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND MODEL YEAR 2004-2007 LEXUS RX330, RX350, AND RX400H VEHICLES. IF THE FORWARD RETENTION CLIP USED TO SECURE THE FLOOR CARPET COVER, WHICH IS LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE CENTER CONSOLE, IS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY THE COVER MAY LEAN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM.

Vehicle speed controlReported Feb 24, 2011NHTSA 11V112000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

99 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2006 – Sep 2026
  1. Structure18
  2. Engine13
  3. Vehicle speed control13
  4. Electrical system13
  5. Steering13
  6. Exterior lighting9
  7. Service brakes8
  8. Engine and engine cooling8
  9. Fuel/propulsion system7

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each RX330 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2004327
2005192
200699
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

18 reports1 crash1 fire
“My car exploded- huge fire. I was not driving- it had been parked. The fire marshal indicated that it was an electrical problem located near the battery. There we no indicators of any issues. I only had liability on the car- so i am out of luck. but the NYFD inspected. It happened on Wednesday 9/29/21. Was inspected on 9/30.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 1, 2021Electrical system, Structure, EngineFire reportedODI 11435153

Engine

13 reports1 crash1 fire
“My vehicle runs hot after just five minutes and steam or smoke starts emitting from engine with a strange smell. It left me stranded on a narrow and busy highway where I felt unsafe”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 6, 2026EngineODI 11762434

Vehicle speed control

13 reports4 crashes
“2006 Lexus RX 400h didn't stop even after breaks were applied, it did continue to move forward and slowly push another car for about 15 feet until another car hit a pile of dirt.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 12, 2025Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 11666621
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.3L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd · Automatic (S5)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-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 Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
RX 330 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172320$4,000444
RX 330 2WD
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172319$4,200468
RX 330 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162219$4,200468
RX 330 4WD
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162218$4,400494
  • RX 330 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,000/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • RX 330 2WD
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • RX 330 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • RX 330 4WD
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $4,400/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Lexus RX330 as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 1895
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat 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.
09 —FAQ

2006 RX330 questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Lexus RX330 have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2006 Lexus RX330 problems?

Owners filed 99 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (18), engine (13), vehicle speed control (13). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Lexus RX330 get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Lexus RX330 at 18–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026