1999 Lexus GS400 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1999 Lexus GS400, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Driver assistance624.0%
- Suspension416.0%
- Electrical416.0%
- Brakes312.0%
- Exterior lighting28.0%
- Engine28.0%
- Transmission14.0%
- Fuel system14.0%
- Seat belts14.0%
- Airbags14.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS GS400. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND SURGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES UNTIL THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE SAME FAILURE IN 2013 BY BAY RIDGE LEXUS (6502 5TH AVENUE BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 11220). THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,044.
MAY 9, 2017. AT APPROXIMATELY 5:50 PM, I GOT IN MY CAR WHICH WAS PARKED IN A SMALL OUTDOOR PARKING LOT. I STARTED IT AND PUT IT IN REVERSE AND THE CAR TOOK OFF. EVEN THOUGH I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE CAR DID NOT STOP OR SLOW DOWN. IT SLAMMED INTO A PARKED 2016 MERCEDES WITH SUCH FORCE THAT THE MERCEDES WAS LEFT ALMOST PERPENDICULAR WITH ITS SPACE. POLICE WERE CALLED AND CAME TO SCENE BUT BECAUSE THE PARKING LOT IS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, NO REPORT WAS FILED. THE OWNER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE AND I EXCHANGED INFORMATION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS GS400. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE LOWER BALL JOINT MADE A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE AND THEN FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP AND THE DIAGNOSTIC INDICATED THAT THE SENSOR WIRE HAD TO BE REWIRED AND THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAS RESEARCHED A COUPLE OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS FAILURE ON THE INTERNET. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 147,000. UPDATED 04/24/09. *LJ UPDATED 04/27/09.*JB
FRONT SUSPENSION HAS CLUNK NOISE WHEN GOING OVER SPEED BUMP IN SLOW SPEED. DEALER NEVER ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM AND SAME SYMPTON RECUR EVERY 6K MILES AFTER DEALER REPAIR THE SUSPENSION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
BATTERY DRAIN AND DAMAGING ALTERNATER . HEADLIGHTS FLICKERS AND GAS LEAK AND POWER STEERING PROBLEMS.
VEHICLE ENGINE SUDDENLY TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING. HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, AS WELL AS MORE THAN ONCE WHEN ENTERING A FREEWAY ON FREEWAY ON-RAMP. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS GS400. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND SURGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES UNTIL THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE SAME FAILURE IN 2013 BY BAY RIDGE LEXUS (6502 5TH AVENUE BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 11220). THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,044.
MAY 9, 2017. AT APPROXIMATELY 5:50 PM, I GOT IN MY CAR WHICH WAS PARKED IN A SMALL OUTDOOR PARKING LOT. I STARTED IT AND PUT IT IN REVERSE AND THE CAR TOOK OFF. EVEN THOUGH I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE CAR DID NOT STOP OR SLOW DOWN. IT SLAMMED INTO A PARKED 2016 MERCEDES WITH SUCH FORCE THAT THE MERCEDES WAS LEFT ALMOST PERPENDICULAR WITH ITS SPACE. POLICE WERE CALLED AND CAME TO SCENE BUT BECAUSE THE PARKING LOT IS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, NO REPORT WAS FILED. THE OWNER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE AND I EXCHANGED INFORMATION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
BATTERY DRAIN AND DAMAGING ALTERNATER . HEADLIGHTS FLICKERS AND GAS LEAK AND POWER STEERING PROBLEMS.
THE TRUNK MOUNTED BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE FADED FROM RED TO PINK. IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. THIS CAR HAS BEEN GARAGED WHEN IT IS NOT DRIVEN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LEXUS GS400. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED CAUSING A VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE WILL JUST DIE OUT, CAUSING A LOSS OF ALL POWER. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH TRACTION CONTROL WHILE DRIVING ON SNOW COVERED ROADS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO FISHTAIL TO RIGHT. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
BATTERY DRAIN AND DAMAGING ALTERNATER . HEADLIGHTS FLICKERS AND GAS LEAK AND POWER STEERING PROBLEMS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
WAS IN A SERIOUS CAR WRECK..HAVE SEVER MAKES ON BODY FROM SEATBELT...WHEN AIRBAG DEPLOY KNOCKED OUT WINDSHIELD..HAVE STITCHES IN ARM FROM GLASS.CAR IS TOTAL..HAD TO GET CUT OUT OF CAR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WAS IN A SERIOUS CAR WRECK..HAVE SEVER MAKES ON BODY FROM SEATBELT...WHEN AIRBAG DEPLOY KNOCKED OUT WINDSHIELD..HAVE STITCHES IN ARM FROM GLASS.CAR IS TOTAL..HAD TO GET CUT OUT OF CAR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .