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Research · Minicompact Cars

2006 Lexus SC430Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 7 owner complaints for the 2006 Lexus SC430. Most complaints involve air bags (6) and electrical system (1). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Oct 2019
Owner complaints
7
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$4,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Oct 17, 2019NHTSA 19V741000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

7 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2009 – Aug 2018
  1. Air bags6
  2. Electrical system1
  3. Vehicle speed control1

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 SC430 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200414
200512
20067
200718
20085
20100
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

6 reports1 crash
“TAKATA INFLATORS OR POTENTIAL OF RUPTURED INFLATOR ON PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED REGARDING THIS RECALL AS OF YET AND I DO SEE THIS RECALL WAS ISSUED IN MAY OF 2015. PLEASE NOTE NOTHING HAS HAPPENED BUT MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY COMMUNICATION ON THE RECALL AS OF YET.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2018Air bagsODI 11122880

Electrical system

1 report
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS SC430. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VOLUME AND THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE STEERING WHEEL WERE ACTIVATED AND THE RADIO AND NAVIGATION FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 21, 2015Electrical systemODI 10750348

Vehicle speed control

1 report1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS SC430. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. CONSEQUENTLY HE CRASHED INTO 2 IRON GATES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 16000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 6, 2009Air bags, Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 10291217
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minicompact Cars
Engines
4.3L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Rear-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
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
SC 430
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172319$4,050468
  • SC 430
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.3 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 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 SC430 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 1897
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 SC430 questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Lexus SC430 have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 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 SC430 problems?

Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (6), electrical system (1), vehicle speed control (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Lexus SC430 get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Lexus SC430 at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026