Makes›Lexus›LX›2006

2006 Lexus LX

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2006 models.

Lexus LX
Pictured: 2018 Lexus LX 570 (facelift), front 3.24.23. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Body styles
470 4dr SUV
Engines
4.7L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
13 combined · 12 city / 15 hwy
Length
192.5 in
Curb weight
5,401 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Few owner complaints7 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 26 for similar models.

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 13 MPG combined, 24% below the 2006 SUV - average of 17 MPG.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 16 similar 2006 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2006 Lexus LX is a SUV - offered with a 4.7L 8-cyl engine and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 193 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,401 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 13 MPG combined (12 city / 15 highway), 24% worse than the 2006 SUV - average of 17 MPG, for an estimated $5,150 a year in fuel.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2006

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2005 LX — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2005; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2005 LX →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
470 4dr SUV192.5 in76.4 in72.8 in112.2 in63.8 / 63.8 in5,401 lb51/49

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
LX 4704.7L 8-cylAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive12 / 15 / 13-24%$5,150684
Spend $13,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
17 MPG2006 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2006 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2006 Lexus LX under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2006 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2006 Lexus LX (this car)13 MPGNot rated3
2006 Mercedes-Benz G-Class12 MPGNot rated0
2006 Land Rover Range Rover14 MPGNot rated1
2006 Porsche Cayenne15 MPGNot rated3
2006 BMW X516 MPGNot rated1
2006 Cadillac Escalade14 MPGNot rated0
2006 Lexus RX27 MPGNot rated5

Recalls (3)

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Aug 31, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V548000 · 21 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2016 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2006 Lexus LX470, and 2008-2013 Lexus LX570 vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with an incorrect driver or front passenger air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
An incorrect driver or front passenger air bag may not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bag assemblies, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0S. Lexus' number for this recall is HLD.
Air Bags › Side/Window · Feb 5, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V065000 · 320,409 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX470, 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, 2004-2006 Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX470 vehicles equipped with side curtain-shield-air bags. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.
Risk
If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.
Fix
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module with one that has improved programming, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-271-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0C and GLB.
Steering › Gear Box › Shaft Pitman · Jul 29, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V346000 · 39,159 vehicles

Problem
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2007 LEXUS LX470 VEHICLES. THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE STEERING SHAFT IS SUCH THAT THE SNAP RING ON THE SHAFT MAY DISENGAGE WHEN THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES AN UNUSUALLY SEVERE IMPACT TO THE FRONT WHEELS. IF THE SNAP RING BECOMES DISENGAGED AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS THEN REPEATEDLY TURNED TO THE LOCKED POSITION, OVER TIME THE STEERING SHAFT MAY BECOME DISCONNECTED.
Risk
THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SNAP RING WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE AND INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL COMPONENT WHICH WILL PREVENT SEPARATION OF THE STEERING SHAFT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2006 Lexus LX is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

7Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
Air Bags6
Power Train1
Engine1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
17/01: 117/02: 217/06: 117/12: 118/07: 123/01: 117/0117/0217/0617/1218/0723/01max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2006 Lexus LX buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 6 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Power Train — 1 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  4. Engine — 1 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2006 Lexus LX. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other LX years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 LX20200.4 inNot rated11
2025 LX20200.4 inNot rated10
2024 LX19200.4 inNot rated43
2023 LX19200.4 inNot rated513
2022 LX19200.4 inNot rated65
2021 LX14200 inNot rated00
2020 LX14200 inNot rated01
2019 LX15200 inNot rated21
2018 LX15200 inNot rated24
2017 LX15200 inNot rated11
2016 LX15200 inNot rated12
2015 LX14197.2 inNot rated20

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lexus. How we calculate this →