1998 Lexus LS400 Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 31%of 45 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 116,250miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1998 Lexus LS400, 31% of the 45 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 116,250 miles. 6 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.
“Time, date and location: monday, may 19 at approximately 3:30 pm at the blockbuster parking lot in stafford, va vehicle: 1998 Lexus LS400 I was pulling into a parking space in front of the blockbuster. I had my foot on the brake to slowly pull into the space. Suddenly, the engine revved and the car jumped the curb and repeatedly hit the front of the blockbuster. I pushed down hard on the brake, but it would not respond. I put the car in park and the car stopped.”
NHTSA complaint #10228267, filed 2008-05, 103,000 miles“Acceleration stuck, rpms lock in at about 2000. Failure occurs about once or twice day, but usually only if the air condition is turned off. This has been going on for years now with my vehicle. I turn off vehicle and restart it to correct the problem and regain control of the accelerator, it almost always returns after restart. I believe this may be caused by fault in Lexus electronic throttle system and since you all are finally investigating this I thought I should report it in case you would like to examine my vehicle since it occurs so often. …”
NHTSA complaint #10305077, filed 2010-02, 85,000 miles“Twice, with two different drivers, this vehicle has accelerated/surged at a stop. The vehicle was able to be held steady by pressing the brake as hard as possible, but vehicle still surged and tried to move forward. On the first incident, the vehicle was put in neutral and continued to rev momentarily. After the first incident, the Lexus oem floor mat (standard, not all season) was removed. The same event occurred again tonight with a different driver and the floor mat still removed. I am quite concerned this may be related to other toyota recalls.”
NHTSA complaint #10672882, filed 2015-01, 129,500 miles“The contact owns a 1998 Lexus LS400. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning. The vehicle traveled into a residential garage and crashed into a wall. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The shop technician diagnosed the wrong problem. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 153,000 and the current mileage was 160,000. Updated 07/22/14 ma”
NHTSA complaint #10576757, filed 2014-04, 153,000 miles“At a stop vehicle lurched out of control and accelerated without touching gas pedal. Brakes did not stop vehicle, and rearended another vehicle. Damaged hood and grill on vehicle. Contacted dealer and vehicle was repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #891432, filed 2001-06Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 6 | 50% |
| 1999 | 12 | 55% |
| 1998 | 14 | 31% |
| 1997 | 3 | 23% |
| 1996 | 1 | 5% |
| 1995 | 1 | 3% |
| 1993 | 5 | 8% |
| 1992 | 1 | 13% |
| 1991 | 2 | 10% |
| 1990 | 2 | 8% |
Other parts of the 1998 Lexus LS400
9 complaintsTires
6 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 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 31, 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