Owners filed 32 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 1 time.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Electrical System
6
0
1
0
Steering
4
0
0
0
Service Brakes
4
0
0
0
Fuel/Propulsion System
4
0
0
0
Engine
4
0
0
0
Structure
2
0
0
0
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
2
0
0
0
Air Bags
2
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
1
1
0
1
Seats
1
0
1
0
1 safety recall
Part 573 reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder10V499000
Filed Oct 21, 2010728,544 vehiclesToyota Motor North America, Inc.
Defect. TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 LEXUS RX, AND MODEL YEAR 2006 LEXUS GS AND IS VEHICLES. BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING POLYMERS IS USED THAT ACTS AS LUBRICANTS FOR CERTAIN BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF REPLACEMENT BRAKE FLUID IS USED THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN SUCH POLYMERS, OR THAT CONTAINS ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS, A PART OF THE RUBBER SEAL LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY BECOME DRY, AND THE SEAL MAY CURL DURING MOVEMENT OF THE PISTON. IF THIS OCCURS, A SMALL AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID COULD SLOWLY LEAK FROM THE SEAL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Risk. A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID COULD LEAD TO A CHANGE IN BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND OVERTIME A DEGRADATION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAL WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 AND LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Engine
Filed Sep 6, 2026CT
My vehicle runs hot after just five minutes and steam or smoke starts emitting from engine with a strange smell. It left me stranded on a narrow and busy highway where I felt unsafe
Service Brakes
Filed Jan 13, 2026TN
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.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 2, 2025VA
After adding gasoline to the tank, gasoline begins dripping from the left rear of the vehicle to the rear of the left rear wheel well. This happens even if the tank is only filled to 2/3 of a tank. I have stopped filling up since when the tank is filled up a LARGE amount of gasoline leaks out onto the ground. FIRE HAZARD while parked or driving. I have seen HUNDREDS of reports of this problem reported online.
Service Brakes
Filed Jul 27, 2025CT
Brake calipers continuously seize up making vehicle unsafe to drive
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 12, 2025CA
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.
Electrical System
Filed Mar 17, 2025TX
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
Electrical System
Filed Mar 2, 2025CA
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
Steering
Filed Dec 20, 2024TX
The power steering and hybrid system failed and vehicle completely stopped in middle of busy freeway with no prior warnings or issues before. The safety of my son and I, and others around me during the abrupt stop of the engine. I could not move out of way. The vehicle has been serviced for this exact issue during a recall campaign lasting from 2011 to 2014. Ten years later and it is still happening! There were NO warning lamps or messages or symptoms prior to this failure. It just passed vehicle inspections for the year
Electrical System
Filed Oct 5, 2023OK
Dear manager: I have this 2006 LEXUS RX400H which has CHECK VSC SYSTEM and CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM problems. When I was driving on the highway, the cruise control button is unable to turn on, when at speed of 65 MPH it will suddenly stall in the middle of the road and the READY light will be off and the vehicle has to be stopped by the emergency lane which is REALLY DANGEROUS. I have searched online and found out there were many complains about this issue and LEXUS issued a recall for this type of car and the dealer can change the inverter and ICM free of charge. This recall link is as follows: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2011/RCONL-11V342-6633.pdf So tonight I am sending this message to see if you can help me to solve this problem.
Hybrid Propulsion System
Filed Sep 25, 2023227,500 milesMD
The contact owns a 2006 Lexus RX400H. The contact stated while driving at slow speeds in a parking area, the ABS warning light illuminated. Upon returning and attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle had electrical power but failed to start. The check hybrid system warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V396000 (Hybrid Propulsion System), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 227,500.
Electrical System
Filed Sep 5, 2023CA
Hello, I had this issue on my Lexus RX400H recently, and it was diagnosed and repaired by a third party auto repair shop at my expense. I want to know if I have any recourse to recover my cost Approx $700. Thanks! VIN Recall Consequence: THE VEHICLE MAY ENTER A FAIL-SAFE/LIMP-HOME MODE THAT LIMITS THE DRIVABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE HYBRID SYSTEM WILL SHUT DOWN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall Summary 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. Recall Solution TOYOTA/LEXUS MAILED AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION ON JULY 19, 2011 TO ADVISE OWNERS OF THIS RECALL AND THE FACT THAT THEY WILL RECEIVE A FUTURE NOTICE WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE REPAIRS. TOYOTA DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HYBRID INVERTER PRODUCTION NUMBER TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE INVERTER CONTAINS SUSPECT TRANSISTORS AND REPLACE THE MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 27, 2023TN
I am financing a 2006 Lexus rx400h hybrid and the other day I went out to start it up and the light and everything came on but would not display ready and would not start. Check hybrid system with red triangle was on dash display along with several other warning lights, also when I put the key in the ignition it will release in the ACC position. Where I am purchasing the vehicle will not fix it saying my Vin is not part of the recall list and the lexus dealership to me it was to late to have the recalled parts replaced for free. What do I do?
Power Train
Filed Jan 28, 2023WA
This vehicle seems to have a well-documented problem with water intrusion that damages the ECU and hybrid battery. The 2006 and 2007 RX400h has the HV battery located under the seat, which is the low spot in the rear section of the car. If water is spilled or the body has a water leak, the water will pool at the center of the battery. Lexus considered this, and added a drain under the battery, but the drain has a filter, presumably to keep insects out, and the filter is easily clogged. This, coupled with a pattern problem of split body seams near the rear hatch strut mount causing a water leak in the rear of the car, has created isolation faults in many of the RX400h SUVs. The condition presents as warnings on the instrument cluster and a no-start condition where the vehicle is inoperable. A search for "lexus ECU water intrusion" brings up my vehicle's exact model and year so this is well-documented.
Engine
Filed Nov 28, 2022FL
I was running 72mph on the interstate and the whole car shut down - shifter, engine, lost steering, EVERYTHING!
Steering
Filed Jan 21, 2022MA
The Rack and pinion is leaking and needs to be replaced causing the steering to lock
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 9, 2021HI
Engine dies out as per recall but already did recall and still has same problem and code coming. Out took to Lexus Dealer to check they came out to be battery cooling fans being defective. Got estimates and was crazy amount told them don't repair suv. After talking to Dealer they state the fans has nothing to do with recall and warranty is over.
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Oct 1, 2021NY
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.
Engine
Filed Nov 17, 2020130,000 milesTN
CAR DIES AFTER DRIVING FOR A BIT. WE'VE SPENT OVER $3K FIXING FUEL PUMP, BATTERIES, AND OTHERS. FROM WHAT I'M READING IT SOUNDS LIKE MY CAR SHOULD BE ON THE INVERTER RECALL LIST, BUT IT'S NOT.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 5, 2020169,311 milesOH
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM - INVERTER FAILURE HOW DO WE GET OUR VIN ON THE RECALL LIST? OUR REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED. OUR ISSUE IS EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM ENCOUNTERED BY THE VEHICLES COVERED UNDER THE HYBRID PROPULSION RECALL (2005-2008) AND OUR 2006 VEHICLE IS A YEAR WHICH IS COVERED MY WIFE WAS IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR 4 HOURS BECAUSE OF THIS FAULTY SYSTEM WHICH HAS A HISTORY OF FAILING AND HAS A KNOWN RECALL A VEHICLE WHICH HAD NO ISSUES, WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, TURNED INTO A DANGEROUS VEHICLE LOSING POWER ON THE TURNPIKE, BREAKING DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, AND IS NOW INOPERABLE AND WORTHLESS, IS UNACCEPTABLE IF TOYOTA AND LEXUS ARE REPUTABLE COMPANIES AND STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT, I WOULD HOPE THEY STAND UP AND ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR AN OBVIOUS FAULTY HYBRID SYSTEM
Service Brakes
Filed Jun 23, 2020160,000 milesCA
FOUND OUT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR IS FAILING AND TOLD FROM TOYOTA THEY HAVE RECALLS ON THE ACTUATOR FOR HIGHLANDER HYBRID AND PRIUS HYBRID. LEXUS STATED THEY DO NOT RECALL FOR SAME ISSUE. FEELS UNSAFE WHEN BRAKING AS IT MAKES LOUD NOISE AND GRINDS A BIT. I'VE READ FORUMS ON OTHER SAME YEAR AND MAKES CAUSING THEM TO CRASH. LOUD CHIRPING ON IDLE BRAKING AND WHEN BRAKING HARDER AND SOMETIMES SKIPPING. *TR
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Oct 21, 2010. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.