Lexus LS400 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 336 consumer complaints across the 11 model years of the Lexus LS400 (1990–2000) that have at least 5 complaints. 1994 has the most, with 68. Across all years, the part named most often is electrical system (128 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All LS400 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 12 | 81,500 | 0 | 32 | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 22 | 84,500 | 0 | 29 | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 45 | 110,166 | 0 | 29 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 13 | 111,500 | 1 | 27 | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 19 | 116,000 | 1 | 21 | — | Stable |
| 1995 | 39 | 118,000 | 1 | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 68 | 90,000 | 0 | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 65 | 107,500 | 0 | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 8 | 75,000 | 0 | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 21 | 119,812 | 0 | 21 | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 24 | 125,000 | 1 | 21 | — | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Electrical system128 44%
- Vehicle speed control47 16%
- Seat belts25 8.5%
- Brakes22 7.5%
- Tires19 6.5%
- Transmission and drivetrain18 6.1%
- Air bags18 6.1%
- Other or unknown16 5.5%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1993: “Dash functions don't work at times. Speed, fuel level,etc are not indicated when car is at rest or moving. This has been a recurring problem with the result that I fear driving the car and won't sell it as it is now. At around $1800 to repair with no guarantee the replacement is not buggy, I feel betrayed and dismissed by toyota.”
NHTSA complaint #10934343, filed 2016-12, 160,000 miles1997: “Vehicle does not start when hot. Starter does not turn. Vehicle was never recalled for NHTSA campaign id: 98v016000. My car has a production date of 7/97. Cut off date for this campaign was 6/97. I believe my vehicle should have been recalled for the repair of the magnetic switch in the starter. A no start condition exists and a fire can result if the solenoid shorts out. This is a safety issue and needs to be addressed.”
NHTSA complaint #10761776, filed 2015-09, 198,000 miles1990: “Accelerator pedal sticks and engine continues to accelerate. I can only stop it by pushing on the brake hard, putting it in neutral or turning off engine. Sometimes if I have room in front of my car, I can stop it by pumping the brake. This has occurred several times. I cannot tell what causes it. Definitely not floor mat.”
NHTSA complaint #10307216, filed 2010-02, 120,000 milesOther Lexus models
1,448 complaintsLexus RX
962 complaintsLexus RX350
833 complaintsLexus RX300
719 complaintsLexus IS 250
718 complaintsLexus ES300
677 complaintsLexus ES
658 complaintsLexus IS
579 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology