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Lexus LS400Model year report

1999 Lexus LS400 Problems

Complaints
22filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
84,500miles, 12 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
19 mpgcombined, 4.0L 8-cyl RWD · 16 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1999 Lexus LS400 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1999 Lexus LS400. The part named most often is vehicle speed control, with 12 complaints (55% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and body and structure (2). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 84,500 miles. Of all complaints, 7 involved a crash, 102 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 29 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 5 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.

Example complaints

Vehicle speed control: “I'm writing this in the hopes that it may be of some help in toyotas brake problem. My 1999 Lexus LS400 would loose throttle control, the engine speed would drop to idle regardless of what was done to the throttle itself. After 3 trips to the dealer, they found that the throttle position sensor would not work if it had become wet. They replaced the tps and that cured the problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10310746, filed 2010-02, 10,000 miles

Electrical system: “We have owned 3 Lexus and all 3 of them have had problems with the digital radio print out. We took it to a dealer and they would replace it for over $500.00. We also contacted the customer service dept. And they would do nothing to replace it. It seem to me that such an expensive vehicle should have a radio that works.”

NHTSA complaint #10181244, filed 2007-01

Body and structure: “The contact owns a 1999 Lexus LS400. The contact stated that while working under the hood it started closing creating a safety hazard. The vehicle was repaired by a local mechanic. Toyota was not contacted. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The current mileage was 120,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10353316, filed 2010-09, 100,000 miles

Tires: “Firestone turanza original equipment on a Lexus LS400 1999. While driving 75mph right rear tire's air went out. Tread was still on the tire, but sidewall was gone. The tire is DOT ela6 (cbc 218) # 035629 made in japan. It failed due to poor material, poor adhesive and workmanship.”

NHTSA complaint #866810, filed 2000-08

Mileage when problems were reported

25% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 50,000 and 90,000 miles.

0%0–108%10–2517%25–5017%50–7542%75–10017%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (12 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 84,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

1999200120032005200872012
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 1999 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-cyl5-speed automatic162319$4,350

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 1999 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. 29 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 29 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 1999 Lexus LS400 have?

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1999 Lexus LS400 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1999 Lexus LS400 is reported most often?

Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 12 complaints (55% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.

Has the 1999 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 1999 Lexus LS400 get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Lexus LS400 (LS 400, 4.0L 8-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1999 Lexus LS400 reported?

Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 84,500 miles and the middle half falls between 50,000 and 90,000 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. 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.