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2006 Lexus ES330

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

49 reports with mileage · 15 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

64 reports
15,000 miles · Jul 29, 2014
Visibility

SINCE THE BEGINNING THE BACK DOOR'S WINDOWS ALWAYS GET STUCK AND I HAD TO TAKE THEM TO LEXUS TO HAVE THEM FIXED. WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THEY STILL HAVE THE ISSUE. LEXUS SAID THEY KNOW ABOUT IT BUT THERE IS NOT A FIX. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10617247

45,907 miles · Aug 26, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF APPLYING AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF APPLYING AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT NO CAUSE FOR FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,907.

NHTSA ODI #10537301

82,767 miles · Jun 5, 2013
Steering

DURING OIL CHANGE, MECHANIC NOTICES POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING. WORRIED THAT THIS IS SAFETY PROBLEM AND COULD LOSE STEERING IF SEALS BREAK. HAD RACK AND PINION REPLACED. COST OVER $1000. FEEL THAT TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS COST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515381

86,000 miles · Mar 14, 2013
Steering

UPON ROUTINE INSPECTION AT DEALER, SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT THE STEERING RACK WAS IN IMMINENT DANGER OF FAILING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SOON. FAILURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503051

110,000 miles · Mar 12, 2013
Power Train

MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS CAR ON THE HIGHWAY FOR APPROX. 1HR AND EXITED THE HIGHWAY TO A SIDE ROAD. AT THE FIRST LIGHT THE CAR WOULD START IN 1ST BUT NOT GO INTO 2ND AND AFTER 2/3 SECS IT WOULD LUNGE INTO GEAR. THE SAME HAPPENS WHEN PUTTING THE CAR INTO REVERSE. IT SHAKES THE WHOLE CAR. AFTER RESEARCH THESE TRANSMISSIONS WERE RECAL…

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MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS CAR ON THE HIGHWAY FOR APPROX. 1HR AND EXITED THE HIGHWAY TO A SIDE ROAD. AT THE FIRST LIGHT THE CAR WOULD START IN 1ST BUT NOT GO INTO 2ND AND AFTER 2/3 SECS IT WOULD LUNGE INTO GEAR. THE SAME HAPPENS WHEN PUTTING THE CAR INTO REVERSE. IT SHAKES THE WHOLE CAR. AFTER RESEARCH THESE TRANSMISSIONS WERE RECALLED IN 04 AND 05 BUT NOT 06. LEXUS SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM BUT OUR FRIEND THE INTERNET SAYS SOMETHING ELSE. REPAIR COST 5800.00 FROM LEXUS AND NOT COVERED BECAUSE NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502434

55,000 miles · Sep 28, 2012
Air Bags

I HAVE A 2006 LEXUS ES-330. A FEW YEARS BACK I NOTICED THE AIRBAG COVER ON THE PASSENGER DASH SEEMED TO BE SHRINKING. WHEN I WENT IN FOR SERVICE, I ASKED ABOUT THIS AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOTHING. HOWEVER, THE COVER LOOKS SMALLER. I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP 2 WEEKS AGO AND WAS ADVISED, AFTER MUCH ARGUING, THAT T…

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I HAVE A 2006 LEXUS ES-330. A FEW YEARS BACK I NOTICED THE AIRBAG COVER ON THE PASSENGER DASH SEEMED TO BE SHRINKING. WHEN I WENT IN FOR SERVICE, I ASKED ABOUT THIS AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOTHING. HOWEVER, THE COVER LOOKS SMALLER. I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP 2 WEEKS AGO AND WAS ADVISED, AFTER MUCH ARGUING, THAT THE DASHBOARD IS SHRINKING. MY CONCERN, OF COURSE, WAS THAT THE COVER WOULD LOOSEN, FALL OFF AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOY WHILE I AM DRIVING. I WAS TOLD THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN BUT I COULDN'T GET GUARANTEES. I PRESSED ON BUT WAS ADVISED THAT SINCE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY ACCEPT NO LIABILITY. AFTER SOME ARGUING, THE MANAGER AGREED TO CONTACT THE LEXUS REP WHO, AFTER SEVERAL DAYS, AGREED TO SHARE THE EXPENSE IN A TOTAL DASH REPLACEMENT. THE APPROXIMATE COST IS $2200 OF WHICH I SHOULD PAY 50% AND THEY WOULD ABSORB THE OTHER 50%. I DECLINED THEIR OFFER AND CONTINUED TO MAKE SOME NOISE. TODAY, I WAS INFORMED BY LEXUS CORPORATE THAT THE OFFER WAS FAIR AND I SHOULD ACCEPT. AGAIN, I ASKED ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE AND THE REPRESENTATIVE COULDN'T ASSURE ME THAT THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. SO WHY SHOULD I ACCEPT LIABILITY? REGARDLESS OF THE WARRANTY, A DASHBOARD IS NOT SUPPOSED TO SHRINK! NOR IS THE CAR MANUFACTURER SUPPOSED TO PUT THE LIABILITY ON ME. I'VE GONE ON CLUBLEXUS.COM FORUMS AND APPARENTLY THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE. I AM LOOKING FOR ASSISTANCE WITH THIS MATTER, PLEASE. IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS, I AM LISTENING. YES, I WOULD LIKE THIS REPAIRED BUT I WILL NOT PAY A CENT! MORE IMPORTANTLY, HOWEVER, IS MY SAFETY. I WANT TO KNOW DEFINITIVELY THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY SHOULD THE COVER BECOME LOOSE. A DASHBOARD IS NOT SUPPOSED TO SHRINK. HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10477443

72,000 miles · Aug 24, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THE BATTERY DISCHARGE WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE ALSO COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THE BATTERY DISCHARGE WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE ALSO COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO FIND THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ODI #10472343

60,000 miles · Nov 3, 2011
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS ES 330. THE CONTACT SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR IN THE PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AFTER THE CRASH AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAK…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS ES 330. THE CONTACT SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR IN THE PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AFTER THE CRASH AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED11/29/11 *BF UPDATED 12/14/11

NHTSA ODI #10434092

60,366 miles · Jul 6, 2011
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP WHICH WAS PROVIDED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP WHICH WAS PROVIDED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN ENGINEER TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE YET THE ENGINEER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND FEARED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,366.

NHTSA ODI #10410762

32,000 miles · Nov 15, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WOBBLE WHEN BRAKING DIAGNOSED AS FRONT BRAKE ROTOR PROBLEM. AT 32,000 MILES HAD TO PAY $500+ FOR REPLACEMENT OF ROTORS AND PADS. SEEMS LIKE TOO MUCH TOO SOON ON A CAR OF THIS QUALITY! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10365688

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.