RoadVitals

1999 Lexus LS400

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
22
Latest Dec 5, 2012
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Mar 23, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
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
102 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 22 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Lexus LS400, most frequently naming the driver assistance, electrical and body & structure categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 50 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance1246.2%
  • Electrical415.4%
  • Body & structure27.7%
  • Tires & wheels27.7%
  • Engine13.8%
  • Interior & seats13.8%
  • Powertrain (other)13.8%
  • Seat belts13.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E026000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Mar 23, 2006
61,944 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
PRO-A MOTORS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP03003ClosedDefect Petition

UNINTENDED ENGINE SPEED INCREASE/SA

Opened Jul 17, 2003
Closed Sep 23, 2003

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 AMONGST THE THIRTY-SIX REPORTS HE CITES IS ONE INVOLVING A LEXUS THAT COLLIDED WITH FIVE OTHER CARS IN THE SPACE OF ONE-HALF MILE BEFORE IT COULD BE STOPPED.ODI FOUND NO DATA INDICATING THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND RELATED TO THE PETITIONER'S ALLEGATIONS AT THIS TIME.THEREFORE, THERE IS NO REASONABLE POSSIBILITY THAT AN ORDER CONCERNING THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT WOULD BE ISSUED AS A RESULT OF GRANTING MR. BODDAERT'S PETITION.CONSEQUENTLY, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 22
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 5, 2012
Crash reported1 injury reported

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 ID
10487438
Incident
Sep 4, 2012
Mileage
130,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 1, 2010

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 ID
10353316
Incident
Aug 20, 2007
Mileage
100,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 25, 2010

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10339955
Incident
Jun 10, 2010
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Mar 12, 2010

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10319258
Incident
Sep 11, 2008
Mileage
91,080 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 1, 2010

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.*JB

NHTSA ID
10315079
Incident
Dec 22, 2009
Mileage
90,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Mar 1, 2010

1999 400LS LEXUS DASH PANEL DEFECTIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10315075
Incident
Dec 20, 2009
Mileage
90,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 16, 2010

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10310746
Incident
Mar 15, 2000
Mileage
10,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 3, 2010
Crash reported

1999 LEXUS LS 400. SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10304673
Incident
May 15, 2002
Mileage
50,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

Safety Recall 22

EQUIPMENT

Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022

Lexus PRO19-02 -

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; TIRES; WHEELS

POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Lexus. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. Customers can find this information on the Owner?s section of Lexus.com. Dealers can locate a copy of this guide on the Claims Processing & Resource Center in Dealer Daily as well.

Lexus Safety Re

EQUIPMENT

Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements

L-SB-0179-17 Obs

EQUIPMENT

TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 06, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0008-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates

L-SB-0008-20

EQUIPMENT

TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-97, PG003-93, PG002-90, L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-97, PG003 93, and PG002-90. The aforementioned bulletins are obsolete, and any printed versions should be discarded. Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1990 ? 2020 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin.

L-SB-0048-08 Obs

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

TSB: Replacement Certification Labels. OBSOLETE NOTICE November 28, 2017: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0179-17.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Lexus LS400 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2001210—
2000121151.2
1999Viewing221156.9
1998451150.3
1997132156.5
1996192053.6
1995392047.9
1994680033.9
1993650037.8
1992800—
1991210045.0
1990241050.9

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.