1997 Lexus LS400
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Lexus › LS400 › 1997
These records cover every 1997 Lexus LS400. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1997 Lexus LS400. Newest first.
Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the 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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Remedy
Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. the recall began on july 1, 2006. owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. due to improper assembly of the terminal for the starter motor magnetic switch, an electrical short circuit can occur if electrically-conductive liquid, such as road splash with deicing salt, enters this area.
Risk and remedy
Risk
A starter motor no-start condition or an underhood fire can result.
Remedy
Dealers will repair the magnetic switch.
Owner complaints
13 complaints2 involved a crash1 involved a fire3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Tires
Crash caused by poor wet traction of goodyear integrity tires. Accident was preceded by numerous instances of lost lateral grip and slipping under normal acceleration in normal driving.
- Electrical system · Engine · Power train
Vehicle does not start when hot. starter does not turn. vehicle was never recalled for nhtsa campaign ID: 98v016000. My car has a production date of 7/97. cut off date for this campaign was 6/97. I believe my vehicle should have been recalled for the repair of the magnetic switch in the…
Vehicle does not start when hot. starter does not turn. vehicle was never recalled for nhtsa campaign ID: 98v016000. My car has a production date of 7/97. cut off date for this campaign was 6/97. I believe my vehicle should have been recalled for the repair of the magnetic switch in the starter. a no start condition exists and a fire can result if the solenoid shorts out. this IS a safety issue and needs to be addressed.
- Engine · Service brakes · Vehicle speed control
As I was driving, my vehicle started accelerating on it's own. when I had previously checked the speed odometer it said 50. all of a sudden the vehicle started gaining speed. I took my foot off of the gas pedal and the speed kept accelerating. I pressed the brakes and the brakes did not work!…
As I was driving, my vehicle started accelerating on it's own. when I had previously checked the speed odometer it said 50. all of a sudden the vehicle started gaining speed. I took my foot off of the gas pedal and the speed kept accelerating. I pressed the brakes and the brakes did not work! the vehicle kept accelerating. I saw a side road and turned onto it. I kept trying to stop the vehicle and it kept going. I thought to pull the emergency brake and it slowed the vehicle considerable, but it kept moving. the engine continued to accelerate. I kept pumping the breaks with the emergency brake on and the car was still moving. it finally stop, but the engine was still accelerating. I put the vehicle in park and the more the engine accelerated. I put back in drive and it continued to accelerate. the vehicle started smoking. I didn't know what to do or what was going to happen to the vehicle. I told my sons to get out of the car. I turn the engine off, the car jumped and I ran away from the car. the vehicle was still smoking. I called 911. the car stopped smoking and remained in place. my husband came and started the vehicle it accelerated and he pressed the gas pedal and it stopped. I drove the car home and parked it. I am not driving the vehicle and this IS the reason that I have not entered a vin number. *tr
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Steering · Vehicle speed control
While driving my 1997 lexus ls400 in ca on the 605 fwy, west toward 210 fwy, all systems on the car locked (steering wheel, brakes, gas pedal) as I was changing lanes. I had no control of the car and after spinning several times ran into the center divider. I was very lucky not to go over the…
While driving my 1997 lexus ls400 in ca on the 605 fwy, west toward 210 fwy, all systems on the car locked (steering wheel, brakes, gas pedal) as I was changing lanes. I had no control of the car and after spinning several times ran into the center divider. I was very lucky not to go over the divider into oncoming traffic and be killed. I sustained neck and head injuries and the car was totaled. I was very lucky that I survived and that no other cars or people were involved. early in 1998 I received a recall notice and took the car in to lexus on 2/24/98. the recall was for a "starter plug problem". I trusted that after the repair I wouldn't have any problems with my lexus. In fact, just over a month later I had the accident and the car was totaled. I very happily drove lexus cars from 1992 until the accident and they were my favorite cars. I have 2 friends who had the same malfunction with a 1996 and a 1997 lexus LS 400. I feel it IS my duty to provide this information to make sure it's included in studies and historical data the nhtsa keeps. I hope the information will be put to good use to prevent future accidents, injuries and deaths, regardless of the auto manufacturer. I believe the problems toyota IS currently experiencing are probably happening with other auto manufacturers. *Tr
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc · Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
A fire started in engine compartment while vehicle was parked in the garage. Manufacturer was notified via letter. *Ak consumer states that 1 week prior to the fire, all the lights on the instrument panel illuminated, the radio died and the windshield wiper died, the problem was then diagnosed as…
A fire started in engine compartment while vehicle was parked in the garage. Manufacturer was notified via letter. *Ak consumer states that 1 week prior to the fire, all the lights on the instrument panel illuminated, the radio died and the windshield wiper died, the problem was then diagnosed as a faulty alternator. An investigator concluded after inspecting vehicle that the fire was caused by an overcurrent at the ABS controller voltage conductor, the 10 gauge cable IS unprotected and has 12 volt, or battery, power potential when the engine IS not running and the engine IS in the off position, an overcurrent will eventually produce sufficient heat and metl the connector that was secured to the bracket on top of the controller unit, once the plastic melts, a direct connection between battery voltage and ground IS attained which produces a short circuit and the resultant fire. Vehicle experienced a front brake shimmy. vehicle experienced a rough idle. *slc
- Air bags › Frontal · Air bags › Side/window
Vehicle was involved in a driver side front fender collision at 50 mph, and both frontal air bags and side air bags did not deploy. dealer/manufacturer were notified. *Ak toyota's legal department confirmed that the direct frontal collison forces were below the threshold for deployment, impacting…
Vehicle was involved in a driver side front fender collision at 50 mph, and both frontal air bags and side air bags did not deploy. dealer/manufacturer were notified. *Ak toyota's legal department confirmed that the direct frontal collison forces were below the threshold for deployment, impacting the softer portion of the left front corner of the vehicle, and was not a direct frontal impact, therefore the air bags did not deploy, two people were injured in the accident. *tt
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
Left front tire was wearing out. then, shifted the tire to right front and wearing continued. consumer took vehicle to dealership for alignment. mechanic told him that he could do that because balljoints needed to be replaced. the balljoint are made from substance that would wear out at certain mileage. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
While driving, consumer applied brakes and heard an extremely loud grinding noise, dealer had to sand rotors to remove rust. *slc
- Tires
New tires were needed at 20,000 miles. *yc
- Unknown or other · Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices
Rear view mirror sensor creates problems in visibility due to design.
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Vehicle was parked and noticed that there was smoke coming out from under the hood in the engine area. Attempted to open the hood and the engine was burned out. *ak mr. Davis wrote in saying this IS not his vehicle, nor has his vehicle experienced any problems described, he has not filed any complaints. *slc
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
Doors not designed to be opened from the inside, trapping passengers who are left in vehicle.
- Structure
Cotter pins on the upper front 'a' frame were undersized and rusted.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Unintended engine speed increase/sa
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…
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.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10214355Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022
- 10207945POL: 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.
- 10205352Windshield Wiper Blade Maintenance and cleaning
- 10205346Auto matic Transmission Replacement kPrecautions
- 10205331Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset
- 10205330Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset
- 10205329Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset.
- 10205319Brake Pedal Force Gauge SST for Parking Brake Inspection.
- 10176283Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10174889TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 06, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0008-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates
- 10174888TSB: 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.
- 10133923Lexus vehicles are equipped with SRS, including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. If a customer expresses any concerns that the SRS airbags or pretensioner devices did not per
- 10133849A new Special Service Tool (SST 09709-00002) has been introduced to aid in the inspection procedure for certain vehicles equipped with a floor pedal-type parking brake system. This bulletin references the correct method for installing the Brake Pedal Force Gauge. Refer to the appropriate Repair Manual for parking brake pedal travel inspection and adjustment specification.
- 10132734TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased.
- 10132726TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased.
- 10132108This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0082-14.
- 10132083Adhesive & sealant cross reference Information
- 10132006This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0092-13.
- 10132004The following procedures are recommended during routine maintenance or in the event of a customer concern for wiper performance.
- 10131964Lexus vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. If a customer expresses any concerns that the SRS airbags or pre-tensioner devices did not perform as expected (including an unintended deployment event), please follow the steps in the recommendations section below.
- 10131653TSB: Replacement Certification Labels. OBSOLETE NOTICE November 28, 2017: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0179-17.
- 10111398LSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many lubricants, cleaners, and automotive chemicals contain silicone or other compounds that may contaminate electrical contacts, and therefore increase electrical resistance and decrease switch performance. The use of any cleaners or fluids may increase the risk of further damage to electrical components.
- 10111205LSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many lubricants, cleaners, and automotive chemicals contain silicone or other compounds that may contaminate electrical contacts, and therefore increase electrical resistance and decrease switch performance. The use of any cleaners or fluids may increase the risk of further damage to electrical components.
- 10109447TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE-October 16, 2014: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0082-14.
- 10109445TSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle assembly replacement. Incorrect torque converter bolts or missing washers can cause damage to the torque converter assembly. Use the information in this bulletin when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly.
- 10109444TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or transmission damage. Use the information in this bulletin when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly.
- 10109384TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased.
- 10000251Suspension ball joint inspection method.
- 619796Subject regarding steering wheelnut service specification.
- 619119Subject regarding new seat belt tongue plate stopper service parts.
- 619113Subject regarding retro-fit internal trunk release kits.
- 612528Subject regarding seat heater replacement procedure.
- 611200Information on the seat heater replacement procedure. *Mjs
- 600995Starter switch special service campaign .
- 600355Vehicle experiencing static noise on weak am stations.
- 52028Publication correction information.
Every Lexus LS400 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.