Makes›Lexus›SC›2006

2006 Lexus SC

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

Class
Minicompact Cars
Body styles
430 2dr Convertible
Engines
4.3L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
19 combined · 17 city / 23 hwy
Length
177.6 in
Curb weight
3,840 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 17 similar 2006 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2006 Lexus SC is a minicompact car offered with a 4.3L 8-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive.

It measures about 178 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 103-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,840 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (17 city / 23 highway), 2% worse than the 2006 minicompact car average of 19.4 MPG, for an estimated $4,350 a year in fuel.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 6 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 SC — a carry-over year in the data.

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

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
430 2dr Convertible177.6 in72 in53.1 in103.1 in60.2 / 61.4 in3,840 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
SC 4304.3L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive17 / 23 / 19-2%$4,350468
Spend $9,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
19.4 MPG2006 Minicompact Cars 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 SC under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2006 minicompact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2006 Lexus SC (this car)19 MPGNot rated3
2006 Porsche Boxster21 MPGNot rated0
2006 Porsche Cayman21 MPGNot rated0
2006 BMW M17 MPGNot rated0
2006 Cadillac XLR18 MPGNot rated0
2006 Audi TT Coupe21 MPGNot rated0
2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR13 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (3)

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Oct 17, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V741000 · 928,220 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
Air Bags · May 13, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V285000 · 1,973,468 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March 18, 2003, to August 25, 2004. On June 16, 2015, Toyota expanded the recall to include an additional 1,270,468 vehicles, including model year 2002-2003 and 2005-2007 Sequoia, 2005-2006 Tundra, 2003-2007 Corolla, 2003-2007 Corolla Matrix, 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe and 2002-2007 Lexus SC vehicles. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-285 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag. The recall began on July 13, 2015. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Pontiac owners may call 1-800-762-2737. NOTE: This recall supersedes recall 14V-312 in its entirety.
Air Bags · May 13, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V286000 · 1,069,055 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa. On June 16, 2015 Toyota expanded the recall to cover an additional 769,055 vehicles, including certain model year 2002-2004 Lexus SC, Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix, Toyota Corolla, Pontiac Vibe, and Toyota Tundra vehicles, as well the vehicles covered by the May 13, 2015 notification in the portions of Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas that were not previously included. The inflators in the front passenger air bags are susceptible to rupture in the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the front passenger air bag.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-286 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota began the recall on July 13, 2015. Pontiac Vibe owners may contact GM at 1-800-762-2737. GM began the recall on June 29, 2015. NOTE: This recacll supersedes recall 14V-655 in its entirety. For vehicles located in the U.S. states not listed above, please see Toyota recall 15V-285 which covers all other U.S. states.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

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

Owner-reported problems

6Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
33,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags5
Electrical System1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/08: 215/09: 215/12: 118/08: 115/0815/0915/1218/08max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2006 Lexus SC buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 5 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Electrical System — 1 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 33,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  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 SC. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other SC years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2010 SC19177.6 inNot rated30
2009 SC19177.6 inNot rated30
2008 SC19177.6 inNot rated34
2007 SC19177.6 inNot rated318
2005 SC18177.6 inNot rated47

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