10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
105,036 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Lexus IS 250 engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2006 Lexus IS 250:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2006 Lexus IS 250 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #33

Jan 152021

IS 250

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Power steering keeps going out and steering wheel making grinding noise. Almost crashed when lost steering on freeway. Car also makes noise while starting cold

- Port Orchard , WA, USA

problem #32

Jun 012022

IS 250

  • miles
While driving there was no warning lamps messages or other symptoms to any problems. I went to slow down so I could turn around because I missed my stop. The brakes started feeling less pressure I looked up and there was black smoke coming from under the hood then I saw flames. Then the car blew

- Warner Robins, GA, USA

problem #31

Mar 282022

IS 250

  • miles
Camshaft problem. Loud rattle at start up bad ticking. Transmission fluid needs to be changed and serviced at a schedule time. Bad performance all together with only 119,000 miles. I have now rebuilt the motor paying $3000 to fix the cams and now have to repair the transmission

- Lake Forest Park, WA, USA

problem #30

Feb 062022

IS 250

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car is consumed alot of oil. I've been using 5w30 motor oil. 2/6/2022 had my oil changed, 2/8/2022 oil light came on saying low oil level.

- Columbus , GA, USA

problem #29

Jun 012020

IS 250

  • 101,161 miles
Vehicle just turned over 100,000 miles. 6-2020 upon a morning start, the vehicle had trouble starting up almost as if it had fuel starvation. I cranked the vehicle up a few more times it was ok it turned on. Upon driving the vehicle had extremely unreliable acceleration, very had sputtering from and to stop lights this was from my commute to work. The vehicle had become unpredictable, some days it would act like that some days it wouldn't. this started to bother me as I rarely worry about situations unless they're dangerous. Late 6-2020 on my way home from work at about 5:00pm the vehichle started sputtering about 1 mile away from my home. As I crossed the intersection of taylor and railroad street. The vehicle died on me at the intersection. I had thought this was just the car with the acceleration problem. So I proceeded to turned it back on. After 10 minutes of cranking the vehicle I had drained the battery completely. Car Is stranded, traffic was a huge build up behind me, vehicle ways well over 3000lbs so I attempted to quick charge the battery, after 10 minutes I had already bystanders help me push the vehicle to the side, due to the massive build up of traffic. 7-2020 after 2 seperate diagnostics I had replaced the fuel injector pump and a cold start valve at the engine. Car was running ok until mid 7-2020 when it began having the same exact issues again. As this was my only vehicle at the moment I had no other choice but to use it one week later after going to my mothers house from work. The vehicle decided to shut off on me completely this time on the road at 35 mph zone. Car seemed to starve of fuel and I had to quickly react since the car was in motion and luckily pullover. Fortunately it was a light day of traffic at the road of cook St. Thats when I had enough, I am complaining because this vehicle Is extremely unsafe and its an issue I can't solve!

- Santa Maria, CA, USA

problem #28

Jan 012020

IS 250

  • miles
Engine burning so much oil after oil change. Dealer says thats normal. I have to keep adding oil every 1000 mile right after they changed the oil. This Is not normal.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #27

Aug 072019

IS 250

  • 179,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My engine burn oil more than it should. I added a full bottle in less than 3000 miles. When starting it in the morning I can smell the burning oil!!

- Stow, OH, USA

problem #26

Jun 022019

IS 250

  • miles
Solenoids in my car is causing my car to go into limp mode due to the fact that Lexus states transmission fluid never needs to be changed is now having me buying a new transmission because the solenoids are bad and is stuck in 3rd gear.

- Ontario, CA, USA

problem #25

May 242019

IS 250

  • 30,000 miles
At 30,000 miles, we are being told that the engine needs to be rebuilt due to excess carbon buildup. It has been serviced through Lexus of concord through 8/17 and then Lexus monterey until present. I accelerated on the freeway to get in to the other lane but the car lost power. I coasted to an exit and got off. The skid control light, check engine light and ! light all came on. I drove it on surface roads and the check vcs light came on. On a slight decline, it would only go 5 mph. I had it towed to Lexus of monterey peninsula.

- Aptos, CA, USA

problem #24

Feb 162019

IS 250

  • 135,000 miles
Hi when I am driving a strong odor comes into cab smells like rotten eggs and fuel its very over powering while driving I have talked to mechanics and they cant figure out what it is or where it comes from. I have read on forums and it is a common issue with this model

- La Mirada, CA, USA

problem #23

Aug 132016

IS 250

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The transmission on my car has issues jerking when in gear and stopping when in use. I took my car to a certified Lexus dealer and they could not repair it. I'm sure because it was no longer under warranty. I took it to a transmission machanic and I bought a 2006 IS250 used transmission from a car that was totaled that had less miles and was totaled because the frame was bent because it was rear ended. In less than a year same problem transmission again! I spent $4500 the first go around I couldn't afford that again. I had to buy another car for what I paid to repair the Lexus. I've checked for recalls yeah my dash has melted and all of the other recalls! I can't get those corrected!! I'm starting a class action lawsuit!!! I've spent to much money on a high class Toyota that has more problems than its worth!!!!

- Timberlake, NC, USA

problem #22

Jul 112016

IS 250

  • 100,000 miles
Automatic transmission. When slowing to a stop or anytime (everytime) the car needs to auto downshift from 2nd to 1st the car hard shifts and the entire car jerks really hard causing almost whiplash. This is a widely discussed issue with is and gs models on many forums. New ECU units needed each time costing thousands.

- Livermore, CA, USA

problem #21

Jan 222018

IS 250

  • 118,000 miles
Rattling sound at startup

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

problem #20

Oct 302017

IS 250

  • 125,350 miles
Vsc and engine light are on. Inside of car smells like exhaust is coming through. Steering seems to be impaired

- Wasco, CA, USA

problem #19

Dec 082016

IS 250

  • 110 miles
The car was shaking and would not excelerate over 40mph. It was brought in to Lexus of pohanka in December of 2016. They performed a top engine clean. The car started having the same issues in the beginning of 2017. I called Lexus customer service and opened a case as I was told there was a recall on a manufacturing defect of the pistons. I had paid $1500 for the work performed. I was told a should have received a letter in regard to this problem. Lexus was calling it a customer support program. I never received the letter but repeatedly ask le us to reimburse me and solve the piston misfire. I have all of my emails to support my case. Lexus stopped replying to them. The car at this point is still shaking and the engine light is flashing. We have been instructed by Lexus in the past not to drive when light is flashing. At this time I do not know where to turn. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am aware that many of these models and others have had the work performed or new engines.

- Schenectady, NY, USA

problem #18

Jul 292017

IS 250

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Lexus Is 250. While the contact's daughter was driving approximately 20 mph, the check engine and vehicle stability control indicators illuminated, as well as other unknown warning indicators. The vehicle lost power and began to emit a burning odor from under the hood. The driver examined the vehicle and noticed fluid underneath the vehicle. The Lexus of milwaukee dealer diagnosed that the fuel rail on one side of the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened case number: 170731228. The contact was informed that the vehicle had received a recall repair for a corroded fuel rail in 2010. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #17

Jun 142017

IS 250

  • 158,000 miles
Takata recall, car raditor hose busted without any notice while hood was open which cause burn to passenger, let the car sit for an over an hour before the car was brought to an shop where the car was tested an head gasket was blowed

- St.Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #16

May 022017

IS 250

  • 163,000 miles
Engine Is burning oil at a rapid rate. It requires 2 to 3 quarts of oil every 5000 miles.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #15

May 162016

IS 250

  • 1,000,089 miles
Hi ! so I have 2006 IS250 with carbon buildup, I was driving find I stop at a stop light car turn off out of nowhere I turn off power then try to restart.I had a hard time trying to start the car.you have to push gas pandel..I told to my car to glendale Lexus, they told me that I have carbon buildup so somehow I end up paying 800 for major tune

- Glendale, CA, USA

problem #14

Jan 012015

IS 250

  • miles
I have a unsafe vehicle that is dangerous for myself and the public. The dealership has fail to take responsibility for the problem. There is a recall for the problem and it was extended as well. ( carbon buildup). The registration history on the vehicle is very strange, it does not seem to be accurate, I believe this vehicle was a defect and the dealership has tampered the vehicle to cover the history. The vehicle service history has been purge and deleted for unknown reason. I am getting different answers and no help with the problem. It has cause me a lot of distress and concern, I have spent thousands of dollars trying to make it safe but from research this is a common defect for this particular vehicle and it can not be repaired. Here are few links : www.clublexus.com/forums/is-2nd-gen-2006-2013/570722-taking-car-in-to-do-tsb-carbon-recalls.html www.torquenews.com/1083/Lexus-IS250-GS300-carbon-build-what-you-need-know https://reports.carproof.com/main?id=9yckb+xxv2xt/llcdrpmg/B2twviuj4Y

- London Ontario. Disrgard Alb, AL, USA

Read the next 13 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?