Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Vehicle safety record

1999 Lexus LS400 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 22 complaints about the 1999 Lexus LS400 with NHTSA, most often about the acceleration & cruise control (12) and the electrical system (4). Those complaints describe 7 crashes and 102 injuries. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in March 2006 for the exterior lighting. For comparison, the 1998 has 44 and the 2000 has 12.

NHTSA data checked

FFar more problems than a typical LS400 year, for its age

#150 most complained-about 1999 vehicle

Complaints
22
Recalls
1
Crashes
7
Fires
0
Injuries
102
Deaths
0

Most common 1999 Lexus LS400 problems

Share of all 22 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

1999 Lexus LS400 recalls 1

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

Exterior lighting

06E02600061,944 vehicles affected

The problem
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 fix
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.

What owners say

Be the first LS400 owner to share.

Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now

22 complaints about the 1999 Lexus LS400

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Acceleration & cruise controlCrash1 injury

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...

Read the full complaint

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

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10487438
Body, doors & structure

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.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 10353316
Electrical system

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

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10339955
Engine & coolingAcceleration & cruise control

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...

Read the full complaint

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

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10319258
Electrical system

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

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10315079
Electrical systemLights

1999 400LS LEXUS DASH PANEL DEFECTIVE. *TR

Filed Incident Electrical system · Interior lightingNHTSA 10315075
Acceleration & cruise control

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

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10310746
Acceleration & cruise controlCrash

1999 LEXUS LS 400. SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *TR

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10304673
SteeringSeats & seat belts

The seat belts on my car do not retract or stay tight on me anymore. They continue to loosen as I drive. They are stiff almost brittle. The steering wheel does not move out like it used to. Now it moves away from the dash in an upward direction toward my face. *Tr

Filed Incident Steering · Seat beltsNHTSA 10229242
Electrical system

We have owned 3 lexus and all 3 of them have had problems with the digital radio print out. We took it to a dealer and they would replace it for over $500.00. We also contacted the customer service dept. And they would do nothing to replace it. It seem to me that such an expensive vehicle should have a radio that works.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10181244
Transmission & drivetrainCrash

While slowly pulling into a shoppping center parking place that was perpendicular to the street, I had my foot on the brake when my vehicle suddenly accelerated and lunged over the curb and across the sidewalk into a building. Lexus has been notified and intimated they would investigate. *Nm

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10133046
Acceleration & cruise control99 injuries

Lexus ls 400 1999 model. Dangerous hesitation upon acceleration. Further after driving this car for two years, I have neck pains from the daily whiplash. Toyota is igrnoring this system wide. It is an outrage. Its damaging peoples necks all over the country. They will not fix it - they claim its normal. Other dealers are telling customers about it - - my wife refuses to drive my car - it's dangerous!

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10129899
Body, doors & structure

While working on the vehicle, the hood fell down on the consumer. *Jb the pistons in the hood were not sufficient enough to hold the weight of the hood. *Sc

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 10092433
Acceleration & cruise controlCrash

While driving 2 mph, the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. The consumer was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and crashed into a building. Upon impact, both frontal air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. *Ak the consumer was pulling into a parking space, slowly, with his foot on the brake when the vehicle suddenly accelerated, went over the curb and into the side of the building. *Sc *jb

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10083578
Acceleration & cruise controlCrash

Petition seeking nhtsa to investigate the lexus vehicles model years 1997 to 2000 which have experienced problems with speed control linkages resulting in sudden acceleration. *Mr the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning which caused the vehicle to rear end the vehicle ahead of his. As a result the consumer received a police citation. The dealer was unable to duplicate the problem (odi# 760680). *Scc *nlm

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10021804
Wheels & tires

Right rear tire had a blowout while driving at 30 mph on a 1999, lexus ls400. Original equipment, tire size p225/60r16, dot# ela6 cbc528. Manufacturer and tire dealer were notified.*Ak *yh

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 8017706
Acceleration & cruise control

Engine revs to extremely high rpm ( ~5000 ) with no throttle input from driver. This problem has occurred twice on this vehicle recently . The second time this occurred was after engaging reverse gear. Fortunately the breaks were able to restrain the vehicle. In neither incident was my foot on the accelerator.*Ak

Filed Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 760680
Acceleration & cruise controlCrash2 injuries

It was raining and I was entering highway, I had my left turn signal on and started to accelerate. The car started to fish tail and when into a 360 degree spin, maybe twice, at least 1 1/2 times. When I came out of spin I crashed into the cement median. At no time did the vsc (vehicle skid control) activate. It is something that you can't miss. A lound warning sound comes on and the dashboard lights up with a skid warning. It had happened once before in the snow.*Ak

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 753195
Acceleration & cruise control

The throttle sensor failed causing the vehicle to suddenly stop while driving or causing it to start but the car would not rev when depressing the accelerator, the consumer was told that the grease from the throttle cable assembly can migrate down onto the throttle sensor interfering with its operation. Nlm

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 785593
Wheels & tires

Firestone turanza original equipment on a lexus ls400 1999. While driving 75mph right rear tire's air went out. Tread was still on the tire, but sidewall was gone. *Ak the tire is dot ela6 (cbc 218) # 035629 made in japan. It failed due to poor material, poor adhesive and workmanship. *Yh

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 866810
Acceleration & cruise control

When skid control light is on throttle disables, causing vehicle not to accelerate at any speed, and vehicle still idles. Driver has to turn off the engine. Dealer cannot determine the cause of the problem. Please provide further information. *Ak

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 857304
BrakesAcceleration & cruise controlCrash

While making a u-turn the vehicle suddenly accelerated. Driver put the brakes on, and the brakes squealed and did not stop vehicle. It lost control and hit the side of the wall. Dealer have been contacted, but cannot determine the problem. *Ak please provide further information and vin#.

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 836060

Lexus LS400: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20012120AirbagsA
200012130Acceleration & cruise controlB
199922170Acceleration & cruise controlF
199844170Acceleration & cruise controlD
199713221BrakesB
199619241Electrical systemB
199539240Seats & seat beltsC
All LS400 years

1999 Lexus LS400 vs rivals

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.

Own a 1999 Lexus LS400? Share your experience.

Your experience goes live straight away and helps every owner and buyer who checks this vehicle. Anonymous, free, no account.

Overall, how would you rate it? *

0/4000 · Please leave out names, phone numbers and your full VIN.

By posting you confirm it's your own, honest experience and agree to the rules. Safety defect? Also report it to NHTSA - that's how recalls start.

Questions about the 1999 Lexus LS400

Does the 1999 Lexus LS400 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1999 Lexus LS400: exterior lighting (March 2006). 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 1999 Lexus LS400?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the acceleration & cruise control (12), electrical system (4), body, doors & structure (2).

How many complaints has the 1999 Lexus LS400 had?

22 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on March 23, 1999 and the latest on December 5, 2012. Of these, 7 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 102 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 1999 Lexus LS400 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 8 out of 100 (grade F: far more 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?
What should I do if my 1999 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

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience