1998 Lexus SC400

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Engine and engine cooling1
2. Vehicle speed control1

Latest complaints

• Feb 15, 2011CA100,000 miCrash
  Vehicle speed control

  Tl*the contact owns a 1998 lexus sc400. the contact started the vehicle, shifted it into reverse and crashed. a police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop where they have not diagnosed the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 100,000.

• Jan 24, 2002IN
  Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
  The day I drove off the lexus lot only a couple hours later, it was pouring the rain. I came across standing water on the road. Several cars zoomed right through, including the ford escort in front of me. So I proceeded only to find that my engine would cease and for the next three months I would…

  The day I drove off the lexus lot only a couple hours later, it was pouring the rain. I came across standing water on the road. Several cars zoomed right through, including the ford escort in front of me. So I proceeded only to find that my engine would cease and for the next three months I would pay a hefty payment with nothing to drive. Lexus said they couldn't do a thing for us that it was an act of god. I want to know why every other car did not get affected by the "act of god". You'd expect a $58,0000 to be able to do what a ford escort can do at least. Luckily our insurance covered the $17,124 bill. the engine only had 4,329 miles on it,i bought a preowned. The engine had to be replaced,intake/gasketes, all headlight lamp assemlies,sensor etc.. Replaced. The night of the incident I called lexus customer hotline they gave me a confirmation # to get reimbursed for any hotel , restaurant receipts, or rental car fees but when I tried to get reimbursed they said their customer rep. Had made a mistake that they were not paying for anything. See we bought the car from out of town. I no longer own this vehicle but I just ran across this website and I think the consumer should know about this. the insurance was state farm the claim # 22-v169-45401.*ak

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.
• 10140576TT: Some customers may experience difficulty programming HomeLink.
• 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
• 10132082Spots in Window glass
• 10132074Beginning in 1998, Lexus introduced side airbags as optional equipment. Lexus does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Lexus leather or other seat cover materials on vehicles due to the following: Seat covers NOT recommended by Lexus may affect side airbag performance, in general or in part, during an accident. Modifications that negatively affect side airbag performance can result in severe occupant injuries. Seat covers are an integral part of this safety system. Replacing fabric seat covers with non-Lexus leather or other seat cover materials may compromise the effectiveness of this safety system. The design of the seat is complex, integrating safety and strength with comfort and luxury. Lexus strongly discourages modifying original equipment seats that have optional side airbags. Additionally, Lexus strongly advises against the installation or use of aftermarket seat covers, which could impair the performance of the side airbags in the event of an accident.
• 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.
• 10093004Tt: some customers may experience difficulty programming homelink.
• 10054797Lexus: information regarding the seat cover replacement, equipped with side air bags, the modifications that might negatively affect side air bag performance can result in severe injuries.
• 10000251Suspension ball joint inspection method.
• 622022Subject regarding repair manual corrections.
• 622013Subject regarding repair manual corrections.
• 619796Subject regarding steering wheelnut service specification.
• 619119Subject regarding new seat belt tongue plate stopper service parts.
• 619113Subject regarding retro-fit internal trunk release kits.
• 609100Subject regarding scantool key code utility.
• 606226Information regarding the scantool immbolizer key code utility.

Every Lexus SC400 model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.