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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

1998 Lexus LS400 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
2about this part
Share
4%of 45 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Lexus LS400, 4% of the 45 complaints for this model year.

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.

“Driving under normal conditions, traction control warning beeper and light would come on, car would swerve as brakes and accellerator would actuate without input from driver. This happened four times over the past year. Each time car was taken to dealership. They say they can't duplicate the problem so take car back and bring it in when it does it again. We have done that 4 times now. Problem does not get fixed. While we can't predict when it will occur, the swerving was more pronounced on this last episode and almost caused veering into on-coming traffic. …”

NHTSA complaint #743094, filed 2001-03

“Automatic traction control light comes on, there is a beeping sound, and vehicle swerves like it is going into a curve, usually to left. Problem will occur randomly over 40 MPH, weather conditions do not play a factor in defect. Consumer states when problem occurs, the accelerator, brakes, and steering are actuated without any input from the driver and problem is not weather related, dealer has kept vehicle long periods of time, one instance for almost 1 month, always comes back and can not figure out the problem, consumer feels the problem is related to computer or sensor defect.”

NHTSA complaint #883407, filed 2001-03

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 1998 Lexus LS400

Vehicle speed control
14 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsTires
6 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1998 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