Problems · NHTSA complaints
2006 Lexus RX400H problems
Owners filed 186 complaints about the 2006 Lexus RX400H with NHTSA between Feb 2006 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (39).
Complaints
186
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
16
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
9
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system39
- Service brakes26
- Structure19
- Vehicle speed control18
- Power train18
- Service brakes, hydraulic17
- Engine16
- Steering16
- Fuel/propulsion system14
- Hybrid propulsion system14
- Electronic stability control (esc)13
- Service brakes, electric13
- Tires10
- Engine and engine cooling7
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 Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
7
4
8
5
47
13
4
10
17
5
13
4
14
8
5
2
5
7
1
5
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 47 |
| 2011 | 13 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2014 | 17 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 13 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
39 reports1 crash1 fire1 related recall
“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”
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.”
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.”
Vehicle speed control
18 reports10 crashes2 related recalls
“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.”
Power train
18 reports
“There are multiple recalls on my vehicle and I am experiencing all of the recalls Inverter Failer vehicle stalls out alot. Crank shaft pulley is leaking oil and belt from the power steering maybe detached causing vehicle to stall. Inverter Assembly causing the vehicle to stall and become non drivable. Floor carpet cover and retention clips. And my brake master cylinder leaking fluid causing major break problems. Every item i mentioned is recalls for the vehicle i have”
Service brakes, hydraulic
17 reports2 crashes
“I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE EXACT BRAKING PROBLEM IN MY 2006 LEXUS RX400H AS DESCRIBED IN RECENT "CAR GUYS" COLUMN. WHILE COASTING TO A STOP WITH FOOT LIGHTLY ON BRAKE PEDAL, IF I SUDDENLY STEP HARDER ON BRAKE, IT SEEMS TO DISENGAGE FOR A SECOND BEFORE THE BRAKE TAKES HOLD AGAIN. MY GUESS, SAME AS THE CAR GUYS, IS THAT THERE IS A SLIGHT DELAY IN SWITCHING FROM REGENERATIVE BRAKING TO REGULAR FRICTION BRAKING. IT IS DISCONCERTING, BUT SOMETHING I CAN LIVE WITH AS I AM A CAUTIOUS DRIVER -- LEAVE PLENTY OF FOLLOWING DISTANCE, ETC. THIS HAS HAPPENED OCCASIONALLY, AT VARIOUS TIMES, SO "INCIDENT DATE" IS FICTITIOUS JUST TO GET THROUGH THIS FORM. *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.