- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
- The fix
- 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 safety record
1997 Lexus LS400 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 1997 Lexus LS400 with NHTSA, most often about the brakes (3) and the acceleration & cruise control (3). Those complaints describe 2 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in May 2006 for the exterior lighting. For comparison, the 1996 has 19 and the 1998 has 44.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical LS400 year, for its age
#148 most complained-about 1997 vehicle
- Complaints
- 13
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 2
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 3
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1997 Lexus LS400 problems
Share of all 13 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1997 Lexus LS400 recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- A starter motor no-start condition or an underhood fire can result.
- The fix
- DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE MAGNETIC SWITCH.
What owners say
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13 complaints about the 1997 Lexus LS400
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
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.
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.
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...
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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
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...
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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
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,...
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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
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
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
While driving, consumer applied brakes and heard an extremely loud grinding noise, dealer had to sand rotors to remove rust. *Slc
NEW TIRES WERE NEEDED AT 20,000 MILES. *YC
Dashboard indicators lights working improperly, illuminating when no problems are found.
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
Doors not designed to be opened from the inside, trapping passengers who are left in vehicle.
Cotter pins on the upper front 'a' frame were undersized and rusted.
Lexus LS400: every year compared
All LS400 years1997 Lexus LS400 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Lexus LS400 | 13 | 2 | B | |
| 1997 Lexus ES300 | 45 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 1997 Lexus LX450 | 7 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 1997 Lexus SC300 | 5 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1997 Lexus ES | 2 | 1 | A | Compare |
| 1997 Lexus Lexus | 1 | 0 | B | Compare |
| 1997 Lexus SC400 | 1 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1997 Lexus LS | 1 | 0 | B | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1997 Lexus LS400
Does the 1997 Lexus LS400 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1997 Lexus LS400: exterior lighting (May 2006); starter assembly (January 1998). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Lexus LS400?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the brakes (3), acceleration & cruise control (3), electrical system (2).
How many complaints has the 1997 Lexus LS400 had?
13 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on May 8, 1997 and the latest on May 12, 2019. Of these, 2 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 3 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1997 Lexus LS400 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 67 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Lexus LS400 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Lexus LS400 years have the most complaints?
1994 (68), 1993 (65), 1998 (44). See every Lexus LS400 year compared.
What should I do if my 1997 Lexus LS400 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data