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
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Hybrid propulsion system14
  11. Electronic stability control (esc)13
  12. Service brakes, electric13
  13. Tires10
  14. 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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20067
20074
20088
20095
201047
201113
20124
201310
201417
20155
201613
20174
201814
20198
20205
20212
20225
20237
20241
20255
20262

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.

03 —Owner reports

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”
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

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 12, 2025Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 11666621

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 2, 2025Power train, Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11645809

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 24, 2010Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10331959
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.