1998 Lexus LS400 problems
The 1998 Lexus LS400 has 52 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (27%) concerns cruise control. Next are electrical system (17%) and tires (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 52 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Cruise control 27% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 8 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 4 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 111,000 miles 11 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 0 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 0 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 0 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 4 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 11 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 111,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 8 complaints mention a crash; 4 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1998 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 7 model years of the Lexus LS400 with enough data (28 complaints in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Sudden acceleration when applying brakes to bring vehicle to a stop, causing vehicle to rear end another vehicle in front of consumer. Driver received a sprained waist. Dealer notified.
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.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 lexus ls400. The contact stated that the hood of the vehicle was fully opened in a secured position and without warning, it suddenly released in a downward position and closed. The hood released on the contacts left hand and caused injury to the middle finger. The contact planned to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
1. Vehicle has trouble starting. 2. Starter failure. Have to turn ignition several times (15-20) to get the starter to rotate. I know there was a NHTSA campaign 98v016000 on the 1995 through 1997 lexus ls400 for the starter assembly due to improper assembly of the terminal for the magnetic switch. My question is can my vehicle be covered under this campaign considering the 1998 ls400 was built in 1997.