Owners have filed 16 complaints
about the 2000 Lexus LS400 with NHTSA between 2000 and 2014.
The largest single group is the acceleration & cruise control.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 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 — 18
Against the median year of the Lexus LS400. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
31.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2000 Lexus LS400
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Acceleration & Cruise Control
637.5%
3 crashes, 0 fires · median 55,361 mi
Electrical System
318.8%
Median failure at 101,309 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
318.8%
Median failure at 103,106 miles
Equipment & Accessories
16.3%
Median failure at 104,000 miles
Doors, Latches & Locks
16.3%
Tires
16.3%
Median failure at 104,000 miles
Brakes
16.3%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
327.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
19.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
763.6%
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.
Oct 2000peak 6Aug 2014
NHTSA investigations into the 2000 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 100,000 milesRichmond, VACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS LS400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SLOWLY PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A WALL AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10463436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,000 milesNorth Woodmere, NYCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT: THE CALLER SAID WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO A FASTER SPEED VERY QUICKLY. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT. THE CALLER SUSTAINED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE CALLER SAID THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING WITHOUT WARNING FOR ABOUT A YEAR. THE CALLER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM. DEALER SAID THEY WOULD GET BACK TO HIM. HE WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AFTER THE ACCIDENT, AND THEY SAID THEY WILL SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2005 AT 8:00 AM, MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WOULD CALL IN TWO DAYS. THIS WAS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THEY SAID THEY WOULD COME AND LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THE CALLER SAID SHE CALLED MANUFACTURER AGAIN ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2005 AT 9:00 AM TO TELL THEM OF THE ACCIDENT, THEY SAID SOMEONE WOULD CALL BACK. ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2005 MANUFACTURER SAID IT WOULD TAKE SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THE CALLER TOLD THEM THEY WERE GOING TO SUE, AND THE MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WILL NOT COME TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10138104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,000 milesBerkeley, CACrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED. THE CONDITION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HIT THREE PARKED VEHICLES AND ONE VEHICLE IN MOTION. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES TO HER FACE DUE TO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE OTHER DRIVER AND PASSENGER OF THE OTHER VEHICLES APPEARED TO SHOW NO INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10101511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 101,309 milesRaleigh, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
OWNER WAS DRIVING AN A BUSY STREET AT 25 MILES PER HOUR AND NOTICED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS NOT WORKING. OWNER DROVE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BEGAN TO FUNCTION AGAIN. OWNER DROVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE PARKING LOT, HIT A SMALL POTHOLE. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AGAIN. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, CIRCUIT BOARD AND GAUGE KIT WERE REPLACE AT A COST OF $1335.02.
NHTSA complaint #10622431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,213 milesRaleigh, NC
POWER TRAIN
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR MASTER KEY ADDITION . MASTER KEY WAS MADE BY DEALER AND WAS DEFECTIVE CAUSING DAMAGE TO IGNITION. (21 APRIL 2014) AT INTERVALS KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION. IGNITION WOULD LOCK. DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE KEY OR TO REFUND $186.00 PAID BY OWNER FOR ADDITIONAL MASTER KEY. TIRES 4-03-2014 AS APART OF THE VEHICLE INSPECTION TIRES WERE CHECKED BY TECHNICIAN, DEEMED TO BE SAFE. CRACKS BECAME NOTICEABLE IN THE SIDE WALLS OF THE TIRES ON 6-17-2014. NEW TIRES WERE PLACED ON VEHICLE BY DIFFERENT COMPANY ON 6-17-2014 THIS COMPANY DETERMINED ALL FOUR OF THE TIRES TO BE ROTTEN AND NOT SAFE TO BE USED AS A SPARE. OLD ROTTEN TIRES REMAIN IN THE POSSESSION OF THIS OWNER.
NHTSA complaint #10621909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesRaleigh, NC
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS LS400. THE CONTACT HAD A NEW KEY MADE FOR HER VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE IGNITION TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. UPDATED 09/16/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE KEY OR REFUND THE COST OF THE BATTERIES. THE DEALER FAILED TO DETERMINE THAT THE TIRES WERE ROTTEN DURING SERVICE CHECK, FAILED TO PROVIDE WORKING BATTERIES FOR KEYS AND ORIGINAL COPY OF KEY. THERE WAS AN OVERFLOW OF TRANSMISSION FLUID FOUR TIMES. UPDATED 1/16/2015
NHTSA complaint #10621534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesRaleigh, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS LS400. THE CONTACT HAD A NEW KEY MADE FOR HER VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE IGNITION TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. UPDATED 09/16/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE KEY OR REFUND THE COST OF THE BATTERIES. THE DEALER FAILED TO DETERMINE THAT THE TIRES WERE ROTTEN DURING SERVICE CHECK, FAILED TO PROVIDE WORKING BATTERIES FOR KEYS AND ORIGINAL COPY OF KEY. THERE WAS AN OVERFLOW OF TRANSMISSION FLUID FOUR TIMES. UPDATED 1/16/2015
NHTSA complaint #10621534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesRaleigh, NC
TIRES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS LS400. THE CONTACT HAD A NEW KEY MADE FOR HER VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE IGNITION TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. UPDATED 09/16/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE KEY OR REFUND THE COST OF THE BATTERIES. THE DEALER FAILED TO DETERMINE THAT THE TIRES WERE ROTTEN DURING SERVICE CHECK, FAILED TO PROVIDE WORKING BATTERIES FOR KEYS AND ORIGINAL COPY OF KEY. THERE WAS AN OVERFLOW OF TRANSMISSION FLUID FOUR TIMES. UPDATED 1/16/2015
NHTSA complaint #10621534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesRaleigh, NC
EQUIPMENT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS LS400. THE CONTACT HAD A NEW KEY MADE FOR HER VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE IGNITION TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. UPDATED 09/16/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE KEY OR REFUND THE COST OF THE BATTERIES. THE DEALER FAILED TO DETERMINE THAT THE TIRES WERE ROTTEN DURING SERVICE CHECK, FAILED TO PROVIDE WORKING BATTERIES FOR KEYS AND ORIGINAL COPY OF KEY. THERE WAS AN OVERFLOW OF TRANSMISSION FLUID FOUR TIMES. UPDATED 1/16/2015
NHTSA complaint #10621534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesRichmond, VACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS LS400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SLOWLY PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A WALL AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10463436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,000 milesFort Charlotte, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS LS400. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER DIAL REMAINED ON ZERO AND NEVER REGISTERED THE SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SPEEDOMETER COULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNTIL THE ENTIRE CLUSTER FAILED. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,500. THE SPEEDOMETER IS CURRENTLY WORKING AGAIN WITHOUT BEING REPAIRED; HOWEVER, IT COULD FAIL AGAIN AT ANY MOMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,073.
NHTSA complaint #10250578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eden Prairie, MN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2000 LEXUS LS400 LURCHED FORWARD NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. *KB
NHTSA complaint #10170134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,000 milesNorth Woodmere, NYCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT: THE CALLER SAID WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO A FASTER SPEED VERY QUICKLY. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT. THE CALLER SUSTAINED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE CALLER SAID THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING WITHOUT WARNING FOR ABOUT A YEAR. THE CALLER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM. DEALER SAID THEY WOULD GET BACK TO HIM. HE WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AFTER THE ACCIDENT, AND THEY SAID THEY WILL SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2005 AT 8:00 AM, MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WOULD CALL IN TWO DAYS. THIS WAS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THEY SAID THEY WOULD COME AND LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THE CALLER SAID SHE CALLED MANUFACTURER AGAIN ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2005 AT 9:00 AM TO TELL THEM OF THE ACCIDENT, THEY SAID SOMEONE WOULD CALL BACK. ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2005 MANUFACTURER SAID IT WOULD TAKE SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THE CALLER TOLD THEM THEY WERE GOING TO SUE, AND THE MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WILL NOT COME TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10138104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,000 milesBerkeley, CACrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED. THE CONDITION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HIT THREE PARKED VEHICLES AND ONE VEHICLE IN MOTION. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES TO HER FACE DUE TO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE OTHER DRIVER AND PASSENGER OF THE OTHER VEHICLES APPEARED TO SHOW NO INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10101511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,723 milesMinnetonka, MN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THREE EVENTS OCCURRED WHERE MY 2000 LEXUS 400 ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN IN BEGINNING TO START MOVING BY RELEASING MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURED IN CANNON FALLS MN. WE HAD COME TO A STOP AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN THE TRAFFIC STARTED MOVING I LIFTED MY TOE FROM THE BRAKE AND THE CAR LEAPED FORWARD --- I IMMEDIATELY SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE AGAIN SINCE MY TOE WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE. IT LURCHED SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN QUITE. I BARELY STOPPED IT BEFORE HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. IT HAPPENED AGAIN THE SAME WAY SEVERAL WEEKS LATER BUT NOT AS VIOLENT. THE THIRD TIME HAPPENED AS I WAS BRINGING MY CAR INTO LEXUS TO DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM. THIS TIME IT VIOLENTLY LEAPT FORWARD CAUSING ME TO BRACE MYSELF ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO GET MORE LEVERAGE ON THE BRAKE. IT LURCHED FORWARD WHAT SEEMED TO BE IN JUMPS OF SIX INCHES TO A FOOT WITH ME PUSHING AS HARD AS I COULD ON THE BRAKE. FINALLY I HAD THE PRESENCE OF MIND TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. AGAIN I BARELY WAS ABLE TO STOP IT BEFORE HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS IS A HIGHLY DANGEROUS CONDITION AND I HAVE TOLD LEXUS I WILL NOT DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN UNTIL IT IS FIXED. LEXUS IS LOOKING AT IT AND SO FAR CLAIMS THAT NOTHING IS WRONG. IE NOTHING CAN BE FOUND WITH THE DIAGNOSTICS. I AM WILLING TO LET NHTSA HAVE THE CAR FOR TESTING IF I CAN GET REPLACEMENT TRANSPORTATION DURING THE TESTING. NORM TALSOE.
NHTSA complaint #10074925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cape Coral, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE CONSUMER WAS PARKING IN A PARKING SPACE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10063297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntsville, AL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #762463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntsville, AL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #762463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE DOORS AUTOMATACALY LOCKED. I REPEATEDLY HIT THE UNLOCK BUTTON TO TRY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. I THEN ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR MANUALLY WITH THE BUTTON ON THE DOOR. IT STILL WOULD NOT UNLOCK. I WENT THE THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. STILL THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THEN THE ALARM WENT OFF. THE SALESMAN GOT THE KEY TO GET ME OUT.
NHTSA complaint #9001731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.