FaultScore

FaultScore report

1993 Lexus SC400 problems

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 1993 Lexus SC400 with NHTSA between 1999 and 2019. The largest single group is the acceleration & cruise control.

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

12

Complaints

5

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries reported

132,768 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

20%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

How 1993 compares with every other Lexus SC400

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1993 Lexus SC400

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Equipment & Accessories 2 16.7%
Lights 2 16.7%

Median failure at 87,000 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 2 16.7%

2 crashes, 0 fires

Other & Unspecified 1 8.3%
Tires 1 8.3%
Brakes 1 8.3%

Median failure at 112,000 miles

Airbags 1 8.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 8.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 132,768 mi

Engine & Cooling 1 8.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 132,768 mi

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.

Feb 1999 peak 3 Sep 2019

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

LOS Angeles, CA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1993 LEXUS SC400. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, WHICH SEVERELY BURNED THE CONTACT'S CHIN, LIPS, AND NECK. THE AIR BAG ALSO BURNED PARTS OF THE CONTACT'S CHEST AND TORSO AREA. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND DEEMED TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11256446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 132,768 miles Westlake Village, CA Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I WAS INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON 4/25/10 WITH A 1993 LEXUS SC400 VIN# [XXX] . I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT CONTROLLED INTERSECTION WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I FEEL THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP CONTROLLING EITHER THE TRANSMISSION OR IDLING SPEED FAILED AS THE VEHICLE COULD NOT COME TO A HALT AND RESULTED IN A COLLISION. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO DROP DOWN TO NEUTRAL AND/OR THE IDLE COULD NOT DROP DOWN TO LESS THAN 1000 RPM. I REALIZE IT IS AN OLDER VEHICLE AND COMPUTER CHIPS COULD FAIL DUE TO AGE BUT I WONDER IF THIS COULD BE A DESIGN FLAW OF THE FAIL SAFE ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY. COULD YOU LET ME KNOW IF ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN LODGED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10334615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 132,768 miles Westlake Village, CA Crash

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I WAS INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON 4/25/10 WITH A 1993 LEXUS SC400 VIN# [XXX] . I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT CONTROLLED INTERSECTION WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I FEEL THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP CONTROLLING EITHER THE TRANSMISSION OR IDLING SPEED FAILED AS THE VEHICLE COULD NOT COME TO A HALT AND RESULTED IN A COLLISION. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO DROP DOWN TO NEUTRAL AND/OR THE IDLE COULD NOT DROP DOWN TO LESS THAN 1000 RPM. I REALIZE IT IS AN OLDER VEHICLE AND COMPUTER CHIPS COULD FAIL DUE TO AGE BUT I WONDER IF THIS COULD BE A DESIGN FLAW OF THE FAIL SAFE ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY. COULD YOU LET ME KNOW IF ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN LODGED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10334615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CONSUMER WAS PARKING VEHICLE INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN ACCELERATTED FOR UNKNOWN REASON, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLLOVER TWO OTHER VEHICLES, WHICH WERE DAMAGED. DEALER/ MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND.

NHTSA complaint #835325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO FULL SPEED WHILE CONSUMER WAS COMING TO A STOP. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA complaint #834900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

LOS Angeles, CA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1993 LEXUS SC400. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, WHICH SEVERELY BURNED THE CONTACT'S CHIN, LIPS, AND NECK. THE AIR BAG ALSO BURNED PARTS OF THE CONTACT'S CHEST AND TORSO AREA. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND DEEMED TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11256446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 132,768 miles Westlake Village, CA Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I WAS INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON 4/25/10 WITH A 1993 LEXUS SC400 VIN# [XXX] . I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT CONTROLLED INTERSECTION WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I FEEL THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP CONTROLLING EITHER THE TRANSMISSION OR IDLING SPEED FAILED AS THE VEHICLE COULD NOT COME TO A HALT AND RESULTED IN A COLLISION. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO DROP DOWN TO NEUTRAL AND/OR THE IDLE COULD NOT DROP DOWN TO LESS THAN 1000 RPM. I REALIZE IT IS AN OLDER VEHICLE AND COMPUTER CHIPS COULD FAIL DUE TO AGE BUT I WONDER IF THIS COULD BE A DESIGN FLAW OF THE FAIL SAFE ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY. COULD YOU LET ME KNOW IF ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN LODGED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10334615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 132,768 miles Westlake Village, CA Crash

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I WAS INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON 4/25/10 WITH A 1993 LEXUS SC400 VIN# [XXX] . I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT CONTROLLED INTERSECTION WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I FEEL THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP CONTROLLING EITHER THE TRANSMISSION OR IDLING SPEED FAILED AS THE VEHICLE COULD NOT COME TO A HALT AND RESULTED IN A COLLISION. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO DROP DOWN TO NEUTRAL AND/OR THE IDLE COULD NOT DROP DOWN TO LESS THAN 1000 RPM. I REALIZE IT IS AN OLDER VEHICLE AND COMPUTER CHIPS COULD FAIL DUE TO AGE BUT I WONDER IF THIS COULD BE A DESIGN FLAW OF THE FAIL SAFE ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY. COULD YOU LET ME KNOW IF ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN LODGED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10334615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 112,000 miles Milwaukee, WI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 LEXUS SC400. THE TRACTION CONTROL LOGIC PROGRAM FAILED AND CAUSED LOSS OF STOPPING POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR BRAKES WERE DRAGGING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. THE DEALER HAS ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10184344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,000 miles Zephyr Cove, NV

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

PART FAUILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10169355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 142,000 miles Palm BAY, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

CONDENSATION DEVELOPED OVER THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO STATED THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHY THIS WAS HAPPENING .

NHTSA complaint #10105580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNK, UN

TIRES

TIRE WORN OUT. YH

NHTSA complaint #548783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNK, UN

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

BAD ODOR AND MOLD COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM CAUSES NOUSEA, SORE THROAT AND HEADACHE TO THE OWNER. YH

NHTSA complaint #548783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sacramento, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE ILLUMINATION FOR THE INSTRUMENTS ON THE DASH HAS FAILED. VEHICLE SPEED IS NOT KNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #714934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Margate, NJ

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

I HAVE HAD PERSISTENT MOLD AND BAD ORDOR COMING FROM AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. I'M ALLERGIC TO MOLD AND OTHER THINGS AT TIMES IT CAUSES NAUSEA, SORE THROAT, HEADACHE AND CONGESTION.

NHTSA complaint #548783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CONSUMER WAS PARKING VEHICLE INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN ACCELERATTED FOR UNKNOWN REASON, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLLOVER TWO OTHER VEHICLES, WHICH WERE DAMAGED. DEALER/ MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND.

NHTSA complaint #835325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO FULL SPEED WHILE CONSUMER WAS COMING TO A STOP. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA complaint #834900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.