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Lexus LS400Model year report

1991 Lexus LS400 Problems

Complaints
21filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
119,812miles, 2 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 4.0L 8-cyl RWD · 16 city / 21 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1991 Lexus LS400 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1991 Lexus LS400. The part named most often is brakes, with 5 complaints (24% of the total), followed by air bags (3) and other or unknown (3). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 119,812 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 21 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Seat belts (1), Body and structure (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “The contact owns a 1991 Lexus ls 400. The contact was exiting a parking space when the brake pedal was depressed into the floorboard abnormally. In addition, the contact noticed that brake fluid was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was at local repair shop where it was diagnosed that the brake lines were fractured and had caused the brake fluid leak. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance other than filing a complaint for the contact. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 134,625 and the current mileage was 134,900. …”

NHTSA complaint #10412439, filed 2011-07, 134,625 miles

Air bags: “Stopped at a toll booth on route 355 and north aveue, and was rear ended by a geo metro traveling 50mph. Upon impact, neither airbags deployed. Insurance company has refused to pay for repairs. Consumer has spent over $5,000. For the necessary repairs. Didn't contact the dealer or manufacturer.”

NHTSA complaint #853099, filed 1999-11

Other or unknown: “This Lexus LS400 caught on fire during smog check and both new catalytic converters were on fire and 2 fire extinguishers were used. The car is still drive-able and only take very short short stop and go trips if you really want it go from point a to b. I have attached 2 pics on the smog check place and a report from the smog check place before it can finished the smog test process. I also have a friend got a Lexus es300 1998 similar problems which he spent and replaced fuel injectors, tune up, maf, oxygen senor etc but get no where.. …”

NHTSA complaint #10938905, filed 2016-12, 105,000 miles

Engine cooling: “While idiling in neutral, driver placed the gear into drive while his foot was on the brake and the vehicle surge forward and the engine accelerated to maximum throttle despite holding the brake pedal down as far as it could go. Vehicle struck a parked vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #540456, filed 1998-09

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 105,000 and 134,625 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–100100%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 119,812 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

1995519971999200120112017
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1991 Lexus LS400 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
LS 400 RWD4.0L 8-cyl4-speed automatic162118$4,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1991 Lexus LS400 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 21 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 21 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus LS400

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20001281,5000—19—Not enough data
19992284,5000—19—Stable
199845110,1660—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199713111,5001—19—Not enough data
199619116,0001—19—Stable
199539118,0001—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19946890,0000—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199365107,5000—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1992875,0000—18—Not enough data
199121119,8120—18—Stable
199024125,0001—18—Stable

All Lexus LS400 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1991 Lexus LS400 have?

NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1991 Lexus LS400 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1991 Lexus LS400 is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 5 complaints (24% of the total), followed by air bags with 3.

Has the 1991 Lexus LS400 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1991 Lexus LS400 get?

The EPA rates the 1991 Lexus LS400 (LS 400, 4.0L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1991 Lexus LS400 reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 119,812 miles and the middle half falls between 105,000 and 134,625 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.