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Vehicle safety record

1992 Lexus SC400 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 30 complaints about the 1992 Lexus SC400 with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (12) and the lights (6). Those complaints describe 5 crashes and 1 fire. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in April 1992 for the foundation components. For comparison, the 1993 has 9.

NHTSA data checked

FFar more problems than a typical SC400 year, for its age

#83 most complained-about 1992 vehicle

Complaints
30
Recalls
1
Crashes
5
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Most common 1992 Lexus SC400 problems

Share of all 30 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

1992 Lexus SC400 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

Service brakes: foundation components

92V0460001,415 vehicles affected

The problem
The anti-lock brake/traction control computer logic program was incomplete, resulting in the trapping of brake fluid pressure in the rear brake lines. Failure to release the rear brake line pressure causes a condition where brake pedal application results in activation of the front brake only, and continual rear brake drag.
The risk
Failure to release the hydraulic pressure in the rearbrake lines causes the rear brakes to "drag" and a condition where only thefront brakes are applied when the brake pedal is depressed by operator. Thisresults in early wear of the rear brake lining, increases of stopping distances,and possible loss of vehicle control and a possible accident.
The fix
Replace the defective anti-lock brake/traction control computer, and if any brake system is damaged from the defective operation of the anti-lock brake/traction control system, repair the damage at no cost.

What owners say

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30 complaints about the 1992 Lexus SC400

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.

Electrical system

Dash instrument speed, tach, gas, and temperature needles no longer illuminate. Therefore, you can not view them at night and, often, during the day. No adequate repair is available. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10455277
Acceleration & cruise control

Unintended acceleration, my 1992 lexus sc400 accelerated to nearly 90 mph on a 50 mph rd. After going through a yellow light. When I was near the speed limit of 50 mph I let up off the accelerator but the car was climbing in speed as if I was still on the accelerator, I applied the brakes twice and each time I did it felt like I was being pushed from behind so I put on "n" only to hear the rpm's rev really high. I don't have floor mats but I had the car serviced earlier that day but when I took it to the automotive...

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department of the college I was attending they found nothing wrong, it has never happened again since then despite the fact I constantly take my foot off the accelerator to see if it slows down. There was no crash and therefore no injuries. *Tr

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10317540
Transmission & drivetrain

1. The last time my car had sudden acceleration was at a service station when I shift the gear from "d" to "r". I hold the brake real hard and shifted the gear in "n" and the engine rpm back to normal. The whole event caused about two second and almost hit a car behind my car, smoke was generated from tire spinning. 2. Sudden acceleration problem occurred about 2 times a year at random. 3. Nothing have done to my car because repair shop can not find any problem, and every time the problem occur, I just put the...

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gear in "n" and the engine will back to normal. The problem appeared mostly when the gear is in "d", and happened once in "r". Did not keep record on incident date, date should below is estimate. *Tr

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10304653
Electrical systemFire

My car is a used 1992 lexus sc400 and I bought it from a private owner and I didn't have the car for a week and the car caught on fire. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10221817
Brakes

Tl*the contact owns a 1992 lexus sc400. While driving 35 mph, the hydraulic braking system trapped the brake fluid pressure and the rear brake line. As a result, the rear brakes began to drag and only the front brakes could be used. The dealer stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 92v046000 (service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components). The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 191,000 and failure mileage was 185,000.

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 10212734
BrakesElectrical system

Tl*the contact owns a 1992 lexus sc400. While driving 40 mph the traction control light remained illuminated. When the brake pedal was depressed there was a popping noise in the rear brakes. The road conditions were not a factor. The current and failure mileage were 230,000. *Ak the rear brakes would lock up when coming to a full. Updated 05/04/07*tr

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Electrical systemNHTSA 10185911
Engine & coolingCrash

Tl* - the contact stated that the 1992 lexus sc400, accelerated rapidly to about 50 mph while in the driveway. She stated that while backing into a driveway at about 2 mph the vehicle accelerated. This was early morning of 01/31/06, the weather and driveway conditions were dry. The gas pedal accelerated and pressed to the floor. She applied the brakes with force, but the vehicle didn't stop. The contact stated that the vehicle hit another vehicle in the driveway. This also happened to her husband last month, and he almost ran into the a garage. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10181318
LightsElectrical system

The instrument cluster of my 1992 sc400 is going out and at night, I have to use a flash light to see my gauges. Lexus option is to replace the whole cluster with an improved design for around $1500! *Jb

Filed Incident Interior lighting · Electrical systemNHTSA 10169971
SteeringCrash

Lower control arm ball joint separated while vehicle was moving at approx 30mph, rusulting in loss of vehicle control. Major damage to fender weld, wheel and tire. No person were injured due to low speed and no traffic.*Ak

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 10095675
Acceleration & cruise control

Vehicle accelerates when brakes are applied. *Mr when the consumer stepped on the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated instead of stopping. The service dealer stated that there was no problem. *Sc *jb

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10089705
Electrical system

The instrument panel gauge lights on my 1992 sc40 began going bad at around 75,000 miles [1999]. By 95,000 miles 50% of lights are out. By design the panel/needles must be replaced which is a very expensive procedure. I have been putting it off because my wife usually only drives the sc400 during the daylight hours, but now my son would like to take it over and the problem of safety during night driving comes into play. Toyota/lexus should be ashamed of building such a great car with a monumental flaw such as this. I am not the only owner with this problem nor is it restricted to the lexus brand of the parent toyota motor company. *Jb

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10080462
BrakesElectrical system

The vehicle has had an on going problem with the traction control lights coming on and off. The problem has worsened over time and now the light remains on. There was a hydraulic brakes recall 92v046000 on this issue but the manufacture is indicating that the vin number isn't included. The consumer had the vin number run by alldata and a mechanic who indicated that the vin number was included. *Nm the all data description of the recall indicated that the rear brake pads would be stressed because of the malfunctioning traction control and abs system. The rear pads were replaced at 15000 miles. *Nm

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Electrical systemNHTSA 10074381
Brakes

Traction control failed. Consumer was concerned that abs brakes malfunctioned. A recall was issued. However, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin. *Ak

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 10075465
Lights

Front headlamps fill with moisture reducing night visability to next to nothing. All years of this sc400 model have the same problem. The dealer wants $500.00 Per light and labor. This is a safety defect!!!. A seal should be made available and installed by the dealer at no cost. Spending 1k every few years is a rip off. The front dash splits at air vent. The am radio does not work properly. *Ak the cd player does not work properly. There are many factory defects not addressed by the manufacturer and lives at stake with a headlamp problem. Just one person getting injured or dieing is too much. I need to drive my car at night!

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · Unknown or otherNHTSA 10072808
Electrical systemEquipment & accessories

My lexus sc400 1992 has a cracked center ac vent, bad cd changer and almost all of the dash lights are burned out. These problems occur on almost every sc400 in the early model years and I believe they are due to design faults by the lexus company.*Jb

Filed Incident Electrical system · EquipmentNHTSA 10014286
Electrical system

The electronic speedometer needle does not light up and you cannot tell the speed of your vehicle. Lexus made the replacement part ridiculously expensive to replace. It sells for around $1000. This should be investigated. *Jb

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10013807
Electrical systemLights

Headlamp lens fog up, reducing illumination dramatically and causing a saftey hazard when driving at night. Have noted much newer models with the same problem, so it is obvious to me that this is a manufactuer's defect and not normal wear and tear. Other issues include premature: speedometer needle light failure, cd changer failure, and cracked dash air vent frames.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Interior lighting · Unknown or otherNHTSA 10002784
Acceleration & cruise control

TS

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 8021943
Electrical system

While driving dash gauge needles for all gauges did not illuminate to indicate speed/ gas. Please provide any further information, an dvehicle identification number.

Filed Electrical systemNHTSA 8003265
LightsEquipment & accessoriesCrash

Cd changer has been replaced twice, for the same problem of errors and the bad part is that there is no solution for adapters to get new units. The dealer is the only place to get a unit from at horrible prices $700. For a new one and around $450.00 For a refurbish one that will probably fail in a year right after the warr. Go by www.Clublexus.Com and go by the sc or any of the forums this is a major problem.. The headlights hold condinsation that blurs vision at night, the pwer steeringpump if leaks some...

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directly on the alternator causes premature failure my alt. Has been replaced before and I just found out why it has been failing by a lexus techician. And the dash vent cracks without a cause on many of the cars and the price to replace that center abs peice is $460.00 Only from lexus. Why is it cracking in the first place? Many cars have this problems.... Older and newer... .

Filed Exterior lighting · EquipmentNHTSA 744471
Lights

Moisture accumulation in both low beam assemblies has reduced light output to unsafe level.

Filed Exterior lightingNHTSA 723006
Transmission & drivetrain

The speedometer needle does not illuminate making it impossible to see especially during daytime driving. Nlm

Filed Power trainNHTSA 551377
Electrical system

Gauge needles burne dout. Replaced gauge cluster. *Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 719237
Other & unknown

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 719103
Lights

Low beam headlights condense large amounts of moisture,making low beam lumination inadequate. *Ak

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 716827

Lexus SC400: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
19964100Wheels & tiresD
19959010Electrical systemF
19942000Engine & coolingB
19939040LightsF
199230151Electrical systemF
19901000Visibility & wipersA
All SC400 years

1992 Lexus SC400 vs rivals

VehicleComplaintsRecallsCrashesGrade
1992 Lexus SC4003015F
1992 Lexus ES3003714CCompare
1992 Lexus SC3001003FCompare
1992 Lexus LS400802ACompare
1992 Lexus Lexus502FCompare
1992 Lexus ES250101CCompare

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.

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Questions about the 1992 Lexus SC400

Does the 1992 Lexus SC400 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1992 Lexus SC400: foundation components (April 1992). 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 1992 Lexus SC400?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (12), lights (6), brakes (5).

How many complaints has the 1992 Lexus SC400 had?

30 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on May 28, 1998 and the latest on April 15, 2012. Of these, 5 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 1992 Lexus SC400 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 3 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Lexus SC400 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 SC400 years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 1992 Lexus SC400 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

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