Owners have filed 27 complaints
about the 1999 Lexus LS400 with NHTSA between 1999 and 2012.
The largest single group is the acceleration & cruise control.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 8 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 31
Against the median year of the Lexus LS400. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
40.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 11
7% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
16.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
213.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
213.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
853.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
213.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 1999peak 5Dec 2012
NHTSA investigations into the 1999 Lexus LS400
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
ON MAY 13, 2003 THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) RECEIVED AN APRIL 25, 2003 LETTER FROM MR. PETER BODDAERT PETITIONING THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT A PETITION ANALYSIS OF CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2000 MODEL YEAR LEXUS 300 AND 400 SERIES VEHICLES FOR PROBLEMS OF VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL LINKAGES WHICH RESULTS IN SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED EXCESSIVE (VEHICLE) ACCELERATION EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO PRESSURE [SIC]APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.IN SUPPORT OF HIS PETITION, MR. BODDAERT CITES A NUMBER OF ODI REPORTS CONCERNING VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL LINKAGES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INCLUDED AMONGS...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 130,000 milesSouthampton, NYCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS LS400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, HE APPLIED THE BRAKE DUE TO TRAFFIC. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CRASH CAUSED DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES AS WELL AS AN INJURED KNEE OF THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE THAT WAS STRUCK. THE FAILURE HAD RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND HE WAS INFORMED THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD PROBABLY NEED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, HE WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO THE TYPE OF FAILURE HE WOULD HAVE TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT WOULD HAVE TO BE NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 02/19/13
NHTSA complaint #10487438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesNEW York, NYCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1999 LEXUS LS 400. SUDDEN ACCELERATION.
NHTSA complaint #10304673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,121 milesSAN Ramon, CACrash
POWER TRAIN
WHILE SLOWLY PULLING INTO A SHOPPPING CENTER PARKING PLACE THAT WAS PERPENDICULAR TO THE STREET, I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND LUNGED OVER THE CURB AND ACROSS THE SIDEWALK INTO A BUILDING. LEXUS HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND INTIMATED THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE.
NHTSA complaint #10133046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,000 milesChattanooga, TN99 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
LEXUS LS 400 1999 MODEL. DANGEROUS HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION. FURTHER AFTER DRIVING THIS CAR FOR TWO YEARS, I HAVE NECK PAINS FROM THE DAILY WHIPLASH. TOYOTA IS IGRNORING THIS SYSTEM WIDE. IT IS AN OUTRAGE. ITS DAMAGING PEOPLES NECKS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. THEY WILL NOT FIX IT - THEY CLAIM ITS NORMAL. OTHER DEALERS ARE TELLING CUSTOMERS ABOUT IT - - MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE MY CAR - IT'S DANGEROUS!
NHTSA complaint #10129899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,869 milesDowney, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, SLOWLY, WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, WENT OVER THE CURB AND INTO THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10083578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Braintree, MACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
PETITION SEEKING NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THE LEXUS VEHICLES MODEL YEARS 1997 TO 2000 WHICH HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH SPEED CONTROL LINKAGES RESULTING IN SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *MR THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO REAR END THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF HIS. AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A POLICE CITATION. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM (ODI# 760680). *SCC *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10021804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 130,000 milesSouthampton, NYCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS LS400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, HE APPLIED THE BRAKE DUE TO TRAFFIC. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CRASH CAUSED DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES AS WELL AS AN INJURED KNEE OF THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE THAT WAS STRUCK. THE FAILURE HAD RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND HE WAS INFORMED THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD PROBABLY NEED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, HE WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO THE TYPE OF FAILURE HE WOULD HAVE TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT WOULD HAVE TO BE NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 02/19/13
NHTSA complaint #10487438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesSeritos, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
TL*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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chesterfield, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
OUR 1999LS400 LEXUS IS EXPERIENCING MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE ELECTRONICS IN THE DASH. THE ODOMETER AND THE SPEEDOMETER ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. LEXUS WANTS 1200.00 TO PULL OUT DASH AND SEND AWAY TO REPAIR. I AM CONCERNED THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. I DON'T KNOW WHOSE REPLACING WHAT AND ARE THEY CERTIFIED LEXUS MECHANICS??? ARE THESE EARLY MODEL LS400'S HAVING ELECTRONICS PROBLEMS OR IS THIS JUST A SINGLE CASE? PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
NHTSA complaint #10339955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,080 milesFresno, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE IT MIGHT PROVIDE A CLUE TO THE TOYOTA RACING ENGINE PROBLEM. ON EACH OF TWO DAYS BEFORE I TOOK MY 1999 LEXUS 400 TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, THE ENGINE WOULD RACE AT AN ESTIMATED 4,000+ RPMS AND EMITTED A GRINDING SOUND AS THE CAR WAS STARTED. AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE WITH THE KEY, THE CAR WOULD RESTART WITHOUT A PROBLEM. STRANGELY, THE DEALER DID NOT RECORD THIS PARTICULAR COMPLAINT, BUT STATED THAT DIAGNOSIS REVEALED THAT STARTER WAS FAILING. I WAS CHARGED $990 FOR REPLACEMENT AND REPAIRS. I COULD NOT GET A SATISFACTORY ANSWER AS TO WHY A FAULTY STARTER WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO RACE. I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR OVER 10,000 MILES SINCE THEN WITHOUT A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10319258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,080 milesFresno, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE IT MIGHT PROVIDE A CLUE TO THE TOYOTA RACING ENGINE PROBLEM. ON EACH OF TWO DAYS BEFORE I TOOK MY 1999 LEXUS 400 TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, THE ENGINE WOULD RACE AT AN ESTIMATED 4,000+ RPMS AND EMITTED A GRINDING SOUND AS THE CAR WAS STARTED. AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE WITH THE KEY, THE CAR WOULD RESTART WITHOUT A PROBLEM. STRANGELY, THE DEALER DID NOT RECORD THIS PARTICULAR COMPLAINT, BUT STATED THAT DIAGNOSIS REVEALED THAT STARTER WAS FAILING. I WAS CHARGED $990 FOR REPLACEMENT AND REPAIRS. I COULD NOT GET A SATISFACTORY ANSWER AS TO WHY A FAULTY STARTER WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO RACE. I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR OVER 10,000 MILES SINCE THEN WITHOUT A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10319258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesCharlottesville, VA
INTERIOR LIGHTING
1999 400LS LEXUS DASH PANEL DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10315075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesCharlottesville, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1999 400LS LEXUS DASH PANEL DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10315075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesCharlottsville, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS LS400. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD PANEL WOULD NO LONGER FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90000. UPDATED 07/07/10.
NHTSA complaint #10315079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesBanning, CA
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesNEW York, NYCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1999 LEXUS LS 400. SUDDEN ACCELERATION.
NHTSA complaint #10304673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesOAK Park, CA
SEAT BELTS
THE SEAT BELTS ON MY CAR DO NOT RETRACT OR STAY TIGHT ON ME ANYMORE. THEY CONTINUE TO LOOSEN AS I DRIVE. THEY ARE STIFF ALMOST BRITTLE. THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT MOVE OUT LIKE IT USED TO. NOW IT MOVES AWAY FROM THE DASH IN AN UPWARD DIRECTION TOWARD MY FACE.
NHTSA complaint #10229242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesOAK Park, CA
STEERING
THE SEAT BELTS ON MY CAR DO NOT RETRACT OR STAY TIGHT ON ME ANYMORE. THEY CONTINUE TO LOOSEN AS I DRIVE. THEY ARE STIFF ALMOST BRITTLE. THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT MOVE OUT LIKE IT USED TO. NOW IT MOVES AWAY FROM THE DASH IN AN UPWARD DIRECTION TOWARD MY FACE.
NHTSA complaint #10229242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho Mirage, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,121 milesSAN Ramon, CACrash
POWER TRAIN
WHILE SLOWLY PULLING INTO A SHOPPPING CENTER PARKING PLACE THAT WAS PERPENDICULAR TO THE STREET, I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND LUNGED OVER THE CURB AND ACROSS THE SIDEWALK INTO A BUILDING. LEXUS HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND INTIMATED THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE.
NHTSA complaint #10133046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,000 milesChattanooga, TN99 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
LEXUS LS 400 1999 MODEL. DANGEROUS HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION. FURTHER AFTER DRIVING THIS CAR FOR TWO YEARS, I HAVE NECK PAINS FROM THE DAILY WHIPLASH. TOYOTA IS IGRNORING THIS SYSTEM WIDE. IT IS AN OUTRAGE. ITS DAMAGING PEOPLES NECKS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. THEY WILL NOT FIX IT - THEY CLAIM ITS NORMAL. OTHER DEALERS ARE TELLING CUSTOMERS ABOUT IT - - MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE MY CAR - IT'S DANGEROUS!
NHTSA complaint #10129899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 milesRaleigh, NC
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
WHILE WORKING ON THE VEHICLE, THE HOOD FELL DOWN ON THE CONSUMER. *JB THE PISTONS IN THE HOOD WERE NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO HOLD THE WEIGHT OF THE HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10092433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,869 milesDowney, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, SLOWLY, WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, WENT OVER THE CURB AND INTO THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10083578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Braintree, MACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
PETITION SEEKING NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THE LEXUS VEHICLES MODEL YEARS 1997 TO 2000 WHICH HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH SPEED CONTROL LINKAGES RESULTING IN SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *MR THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO REAR END THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF HIS. AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A POLICE CITATION. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM (ODI# 760680). *SCC *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10021804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NV
TIRES
RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH ON A 1999, LEXUS LS400. ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, TIRE SIZE P225/60R16, DOT# ELA6 CBC528. MANUFACTURER AND TIRE DEALER WERE NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8017706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Summit, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE THROTTLE SENSOR FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY STOP WHILE DRIVING OR CAUSING IT TO START BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT REV WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE GREASE FROM THE THROTTLE CABLE ASSEMBLY CAN MIGRATE DOWN ONTO THE THROTTLE SENSOR INTERFERING WITH ITS OPERATION. NLM
NHTSA complaint #785593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Braintree, MA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ENGINE REVS TO EXTREMELY HIGH RPM ( ~5000 ) WITH NO THROTTLE INPUT FROM DRIVER. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWICE ON THIS VEHICLE RECENTLY . THE SECOND TIME THIS OCCURRED WAS AFTER ENGAGING REVERSE GEAR. FORTUNATELY THE BREAKS WERE ABLE TO RESTRAIN THE VEHICLE. IN NEITHER INCIDENT WAS MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR.
NHTSA complaint #760680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Summit, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE THROTTLE SENSOR FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY STOP WHILE DRIVING OR CAUSING IT TO START BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT REV WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE GREASE FROM THE THROTTLE CABLE ASSEMBLY CAN MIGRATE DOWN ONTO THE THROTTLE SENSOR INTERFERING WITH ITS OPERATION. NLM
NHTSA complaint #785593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mercerville, NJCrash2 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
IT WAS RAINING AND I WAS ENTERING HIGHWAY, I HAD MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL ON AND STARTED TO ACCELERATE. THE CAR STARTED TO FISH TAIL AND WHEN INTO A 360 DEGREE SPIN, MAYBE TWICE, AT LEAST 1 1/2 TIMES. WHEN I CAME OUT OF SPIN I CRASHED INTO THE CEMENT MEDIAN. AT NO TIME DID THE VSC (VEHICLE SKID CONTROL) ACTIVATE. IT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN'T MISS. A LOUND WARNING SOUND COMES ON AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP WITH A SKID WARNING. IT HAD HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE IN THE SNOW.
NHTSA complaint #753195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fresno, CA
TIRES:SIDEWALL
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. *AK THE TIRE IS DOT ELA6 (CBC 218) # 035629 MADE IN JAPAN. IT FAILED DUE TO POOR MATERIAL, POOR ADHESIVE AND WORKMANSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #866810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Banning, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN SKID CONTROL LIGHT IS ON THROTTLE DISABLES, CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE AT ANY SPEED, AND VEHICLE STILL IDLES. DRIVER HAS TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #857304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.