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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2006 Lexus RX400HRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 186 owner complaints for the 2006 Lexus RX400H. Most complaints involve electrical system (39) and service brakes (26). The EPA rates it 26–27 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
26–27mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Sep 2013
Owner complaints
186
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Hybrid propulsion system: inverter

Free remedy

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid vehicles manufactured February 16, 2005, through July 29, 2010; and model year 2006-2008 Lexus RX400h vehicles manufactured February 23, 2005, through December 2, 2008. The Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module may contain transistors that have higher operating temperatures than the solder can support and the transistors may be heat damaged by the solder. If this occurs, various warning lamps, including the malfunction indicator lamp, slip indicator light, brake system warning light, and master warning light, will be illuminated on the instrument panel.

Hybrid propulsion systemReported Sep 4, 2013NHTSA 13V396000

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AVALON VEHICLES; 2004 AND 2005 CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA, HIGHLANDER, AND SIENNA VEHICLES, 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID; 2004 AND 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND RX330; AND 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH THE 1MZ-FE OR 3MZ-FE ENGINE. THE AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE AGENT APPLIED BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE TORSIONAL RUBBER DAMPER (INNER RING) IN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THE ADHESIVE IS INSUFFICIENT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE OUTER RING MAY BECOME MISALIGNED AND IT MAY NOT PROPERLY ROTATE WITH THE INNER RING, CAUSING NOISE AND/OR ILLUMINATION OF THE BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR LIGHT.

Engine and engine coolingReported Nov 9, 2011NHTSA 11V539000

Electrical system

Remedy pending

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2007 HIGHLANDER HYBRID AND LEXUS RX400H PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 16, 2005, THROUGH AUGUST 30, 2006. A MODULE INSIDE THE INVERTER MODULE MAY CONTAIN INADEQUATELY SOLDERED TRANSISTORS THAT DURING HIGH-LOAD DRIVING, MAY BE DAMAGED BY HEAT CAUSED BY THE LARGE CURRENT. IF THIS OCCURS, VARIOUS WARNING LAMPS, INCLUDING THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP, SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT, BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT, AND MASTER WARNING LIGHT, WILL BE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

Electrical systemReported Jun 29, 2011NHTSA 11V342000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

186 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2006 – Sep 2026
  1. Electrical system39
  2. Service brakes26
  3. Structure19
  4. Vehicle speed control18
  5. Power train18
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic17
  7. Engine16
  8. Steering16
  9. Fuel/propulsion system14

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 RX400H model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2006186
2007117
2008127
Crashes reported
16
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
9
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

Electrical system

39 reports1 crash1 fire
“From what I have been reading on that year and model, there seems to be major issues with the invertors. Like many I was driving on the highway and the vehicle just quits. This put me and many others in a very dangerous situation and I could have been hit at high rates of speed. If as many people are having these issues, then Lexus needs to step up and recall this part before someone gets killed”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 17, 2025Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11648884

Service brakes

26 reports2 crashes
“Brake system sets a high tone pitch indicating failure accompanied by all Brake, ABS, PS, Traction Control Lights. This is an know failure for Hybrid systems. It can occur completely random, while driving without notice. Complete brake pressure is lost with exception of a hard feel to the pedal that allows some incomplete breaking to occur and can also cause locking of the brakes at slower speeds. We replaced The brake actuator as recommended with factory new in March of 2024 Started much earlier. Problem has returned Summer of 2025.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 13, 2026Service brakesODI 11710717

Structure

19 reports3 crashes1 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
All 2006 RX400H problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.3L 6-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular 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 400h 2WD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
282527$2,400329
RX 400h 4WD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
272526$2,450342
  • RX 400h 2WD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    28 city · 25 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • RX 400h 4WD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    27 city · 25 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
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 RX400H as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 1896
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 RX400H questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Lexus RX400H have?

5 safety recalls 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 RX400H problems?

Owners filed 186 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (39), service brakes (26), structure (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Lexus RX400H get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Lexus RX400H at 26–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026