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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

1997 Lexus LS400 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
2about this part
Share
15%of 13 total for the year
Median mileage
111,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Lexus LS400, 15% of the 13 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 111,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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 miles

“While driving my 1997 Lexus LS400 in ca on the 605 fwy, west toward 210 fwy, all systems on the car locked (steering wheel, brakes, gas pedal) as I was changing lanes. I had no control of the car and after spinning several times ran into the center divider. I was very lucky not to go over the divider into oncoming traffic and be killed. I sustained neck and head injuries and the car was totaled. I was very lucky that I survived and that no other cars or people were involved. Early in 1998 I received a recall notice and took the car in to Lexus on 2/24/98. …”

NHTSA complaint #10313402, filed 2010-02, 25,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2000325%
199915%
199824%
1997215%
199525%
199423%
199346%
1992113%
199014%

Other parts of the 1997 Lexus LS400

Brakes
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1997 Lexus LS400

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology