Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
24
Latest Oct 17, 2016
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
7
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Apr 24, 1995
What this page shows
Our database holds 24 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Lexus LS400. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaints, most recent first
Showing 1–24 of 24
Body & structureElectricalEngine+6 more
Filed Oct 17, 2016
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING - ENCLOSING AN AGENDA REPORT SERVICE HISTORY MAY 2014 - MAY/JUNE 2016 ON BLACK 1990 LEXUS LS 400. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED EACH TIME THE REPAIR SHOP PERFORMED SERVICES ON HER VEHICLE, IT LED TO ANOTHER PROBLEM(S). A CLAMP WAS MISSING. A WIRE LEFT DANGLING, A HOSE WAS NOT PLACED ON CORRECTLY OR IT WAS THE WRONG HOSE AND/OR A GOOD HOSE WAS TORN, BROKEN OR TATTERED. A SCREW WAS LEFT MISSING. A PART OR COMPONENT WAS NOT PUT IN PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE MORE THAN 10 MILES, BECAUSE IT WOULD SMOKE AND LEAK FLUID. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED, THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY, THE HOOD WOULD NOT SHUT COMPLETELY, THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT WORK, DESPITE HAVING A FULL TANK OF GAS, THE DEFROSTER DID NOT WORK. ALSO, THE OIL SHOWED A QUART LOW, THE INTERIOR GAUGES ON THE STEERING PANEL WENT HAYWIRE, THE INTERIOR TURN SWITCHES WERE NOT WORKING AS THEY SHOULD, THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE TRANSMISSION STICK WAS LOOSE, THE BRAKE HOSE AND IGNITION CYLINDER, CONTROL ARMS AND WINDOW REGULATORS WERE REPLACED. *JB UPDATED 04/10/2017*JS *TR
NHTSA ID
10916975
Incident
May 1, 2014
Fuel system
Filed Oct 6, 2015
MY CAR, MADE BY TOYOTA, HAS ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS, FAULTY PARTS, AS THE CARS THAT WERE RECALLED FOR SUDDEN ACCELERATION. I HAVE HAD THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM HAPPEN TWICE AND I AM CURRENTLY UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF A FAULTY RESISTOR THAT CONTROLS THE FUEL FEED TOT THE FUEL PUMP KEEPS CAUSING THE CAR TO ACT LIKE IT IS RUNNING OUT OF GAS. VERY DANGEROUS. LEXUS HAS REFUSED TO FIX IT EVEN THOUGH I AM WILLING TO PAY. THEY WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH CARS WITH THE SAME PARTS AS SUDDEN ACCELERATION.
NHTSA ID
10780156
Incident
Jun 21, 2011
Mileage
100,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 16, 2015
IN APPROXIMATELY 1995, I EXPERIENCED THE "SUDDEN ACCELERATION" PROBLEM TWICE WITH MY LEXUS LS. AT THE TIME, NO ONE HAD EVER HEARD OF IT AND THE DEALER SAID HE COULD NOT REPRODUCE IT AND COULD DO NOTHING. AFTER THAT I WAS MORE CAREFUL WITH THE FLOOR MATS AND THOUGHT I HAD SOLVED THE PROBLEM. FOR THE LAST 7 TO 8 YEARS, THE CAR SUDDENLY SLOWS AND STALLS. I HAVE REPEATEDLY COMPLAINED TO NEW COUNTRY LEXUS BUT THEY JUST SAY THAT THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AND DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS. IN JUNE, IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND I HAD TO BE TOWED BY AAA. AT THIS TIME I RESEARCHED "LEXUS LS STALLING PROBLEM" AND GOT HUNDREDS OF HITS. ONE LEXUS SITE PERFECTLY EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM, HOW TO REPRODUCE IT AND HOW TO FIX IT. THE POSTING ON THE LEXUS SITE WAS DATED 2005, TEN YEARS AGO. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER REPRODUCED THE PROBLEM WITHIN AN HOUR BUT NEW COUNTRY LEXUS WOULD NOT SELL HIM THE REQUIRED RESISTOR TO FIX IT. I TOOK THE CAR TO NEW COUNTRY LEXUS, JUST NORTH OF ALBANY NY, AND THEY HAVE HAD IT SINCE JUNE. THEY KEEP SAYING THAT THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM BUT I KEEP GIVING THEM THE PRINT-OUT FROM THE LEXUS SITE AND THE BILL FROM THE TOWING COMPANY EXPLAINING EXACTLY HOW TO REPRODUCE AND FIX THE PROBLEM. FINALLY YESTERDAY JOE MORAN SAID THAT HE COULD FIX IT BUT "AS SOON AS ANYONE BRINGS UP ANYTHING TO DO WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION" I AM TOLD TO STOP AND DO NOTHING." HE SAID "IT IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COMPANY TO FIX IT." THEY CLEARLY SEEMED TO BE TELLING ME THAT THIS RESISTOR (OR SENSOR) IS PART OF THE RAPID ACCELERATION PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA VEHICLES AND, ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE LIST OF VEHICLES INDICATED FOR A "SPECIAL PROTOCOL," THIS PARTICULAR PART IS TRACED TO THE RAPID ACCELERATION AND THEY WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.
NHTSA ID
10764167
Incident
Sep 1, 1995
Mileage
50,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 4, 2015
BENDS AFTER DRIVING ON A CROWN ROAD......3X.....BCP IN SMYRNA DE WILL NOT GIVE ME ANOTHER CHANGED LEFT AND RIGHT TIE ROD ENDS TWIICE AND STILL CANNOT KEEP THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD.
NHTSA ID
10761658
Incident
Sep 10, 2013
Mileage
200,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed May 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 LEXUS LS400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED BOTH AUTOMATICALLY AND MANUALLY BUT THE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK AND OPEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO EXIT THROUGH THE PASSENGERS SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA ID
10594578
Incident
May 27, 2014
Mileage
130,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Feb 7, 2010
ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS AND ENGINE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE. I CAN ONLY STOP IT BY PUSHING ON THE BRAKE HARD, PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL OR TURNING OFF ENGINE. SOMETIMES IF I HAVE ROOM IN FRONT OF MY CAR, I CAN STOP IT BY PUMPING THE BRAKE. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. I CANNOT TELL WHAT CAUSES IT. DEFINITELY NOT FLOOR MAT. *TW
NHTSA ID
10307216
Incident
Dec 1, 2009
Mileage
120,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Apr 28, 2007
1 injury reported
I HAVE A 1990 LEXUS LS 400 AND I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE MY ALTERNATOR AND POWER STEERING PUMP 3 TIMES DUE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAVING A LEAK AND THERE ARE MILLIONS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT COST A LOT OF MONEY I THINK LEXUS SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THEIR PUMPS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM PLEASE HELP ME THIS IS BECOMING RIDICULOUS. EVERY YEAR I HAVE TO CHANGE MY PUMP DUE TO THIS PROBLEM THEY COST 600 DOLLARS JUST THE PART SOMEONE SHOULD TAKE SOME KIND OF NOTICE TO THIS MAJOR PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ID
10189177
Incident
Apr 27, 2007
Mileage
12,398 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 6, 2005
THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A BUBBLE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER ,AND THEY STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY COLLISION.*AK
NHTSA ID
10117521
Incident
Mar 22, 2005
Mileage
320,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 2, 2004
WHEN CLOSING THE FRONT DOORS THE HANDLE SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME.*AK
NHTSA ID
10102035
Incident
Dec 2, 2004
Mileage
108,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 12, 2003
Crash reported1 injury reported
CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A LIGHT AND THE CONSUMER HIT THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGERS NECK AND BACK WAS INJURED AS A RESULT. PASSENGERS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS. *PH *TS *JB
NHTSA ID
10032423
Incident
Apr 12, 2003
Mileage
140,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 16, 2003
INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS DON'T WORK (SPEEDOMETER) ON 90 LEXUS LS400. APPARENTLY IT'S HAPPENED TO ALL OF THEM OR IS HAPPENING TO ALL OF THEM. COST $2000 TO REPAIR! NOT SAFE DRIVING WITHOUT SEEING SPEED. (ENTIRE CLUSTER IS ELECTRONIC SO CAN'T SEE EVEN IN DAYLIGHT.*AK
NHTSA ID
10032917
Incident
Jul 1, 2003
Interior & seats
Filed May 1, 2003
PASSENGER DOOR LOCK MECHANISM ON MY 1990 LEXUS LS400 HAS FAILED TO THE POINT WHERE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE NOR INSIDE. LEXUS DEALER WANTS $800 TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGING DOOR PANEL AND SCRATCHING WINDOW. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY HAZARD THAT LEXUS (TOYOTA) SHOULD PAY FOR. I HAVE ASKED THEM TO PAY FOR IT THEY REFUSED. I AM ALSO ADDING THE FACT THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAS HAD OTHER LS400'S THAT THEY'VE FIXED FOR THIS SPECIFIC SAFETY PROBLEM.
NHTSA ID
10016883
Incident
Apr 25, 2003
Mileage
139,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 20, 2001
Crash reported1 injury reported
WHILE DRIVING 30MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER, AND CONSUMER REARENDED VEHICLE. CONSUMER'S AIRBAG DIDNOT DEPLOY.*AK
NHTSA ID
894742
Incident
Jun 28, 2001
Body & structure
Filed Apr 7, 2000
THE WIRING HARNESS ALONG THE TRUNK KEEPS BREAKING. DEPENDING ON WHICH WIRE BREAKS EACH TIME, THE EFFECTS RANGE FROM LOSS OF REAR TAILIGHT FUNCTIONS TO JERKING OF CAR WHEN TOUCHING THE BRAKES TO SUDDEN JUMP IN RPM WHEN MOVING GEARSHIFT. I HAVE HAD THE HARNESS REPAIRED. *AK
NHTSA ID
711179
Incident
Nov 23, 1998
Filed Feb 26, 2000
INSTRUMENT GAUGE LIGHTING (NEEDLES AND GAUGE FACE) STARTED TO FAIL IN NOV. NOW I HAVE NO GAUGE LIGHTING AT ALL! PANEL IS WHAT I THINK IS CALLED ELECTROLLUMINESCENT. LEXUS WANTS APPROXIMATELY $1500.00 TO FIX. I FEEL THAT THIS IS AN EXTEMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, SINCE I CAN NOT SEE HOW FAST I AM TRAVELING. I FEEL THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD COVER THE EXPENSE OF REPAIR, AT LEAST PARTIALLY, IF NOT TOTALLY. *AK
NHTSA ID
719307
Incident
Nov 23, 1999
Body & structure
Filed Aug 10, 1999
Crash reported1 injury reported
SPEED WAS ABOUT 20-35 MPH. ENGINE RACED AND CAR SURGED FORWARD INTO CAR AH EAD, PUSHING THE CAR AHEAD FORWARD. BRAKING WAS VERY DIFFICULT. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MY MECHANIC INSPECTED THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT BRACKET WAS SHEARED IN TWO WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT FORWARD ACCELERATING THE CAR.
NHTSA ID
709790
Incident
Jul 1, 1999
Airbags
Filed Feb 5, 1998
Crash reported1 injury reported
WHEN DRIVER SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING A ANIMAL IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE HEAD-ON, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED. *AK
NHTSA ID
820641
Incident
Dec 24, 1997
Seat belts
Filed May 4, 1997
THE TWO FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AGAINST THE BODY AND HANG LOOSELY. PROBLEM NOT CORRECTED AT THIS TIME. *AK
NHTSA ID
810666
Seat belts
Filed Apr 15, 1997
BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT FULLY RETRACT.
NHTSA ID
516426
Brakes
Filed Jul 17, 1996
Crash reported
BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *SD
NHTSA ID
506290
Incident
Jun 13, 1996
Airbags
Filed May 28, 1996
OTHER: LEATHER COVERING OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG CRACKED. *SD
NHTSA ID
505021
Incident
May 28, 1996
Seat belts
Filed Mar 10, 1996
RETRACTOR FAILS TO RETRACT SHOULDER BELTS, RESULTING IN BELTS GETTING CAUGHT IN DOORS. *DSH
NHTSA ID
502400
Incident
Jan 1, 1993
Engine
Filed Jan 26, 1996
Fire reported
THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA ID
978273
Incident
Dec 31, 1995
Airbags
Filed Apr 24, 1995
Crash reported1 injury reported
AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WAS VIOLENT, RESULTING IN AN INJURY. *AK
NHTSA ID
489667
Incident
Nov 25, 1994
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.