1993 Lexus LS400: wrong fuel gauge reading

Filed Dec 10, 2016 · Electrical · 160,000 miles · TX

Dash functions don't work at times. Speed, fuel level,etc are not indicated when car is at rest or moving. This has been a recurring problem with the result that I fear driving the car and won't sell it as it is now. At around $1800 to repair with no guarantee the replacement is not buggy, I feel betrayed and dismissed by toyota.

Filed Apr 18, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 150,000 miles · TN

While traveling on the interstate at night-time, the lighting on the instrument panel went completely dark and it became impossible to read any of the cars instrumentation such as vehicle speed and warning indicators. At various times since then the gauges in the instrument panel have also become unreliable, these include the fuel level gauge, the speedometer, and the tachometer. At times they will not move from their "0" setting, such as when the vehicle is powered off, until they warm-up or you bang the dash with your hand and at other times they will not work at all. The lighting problem still occurs on the instruments also. The dealer said all they could do was replace the instrument panel and components in the dash at a cost of over $2000 plus labor, so often I just have to guess how fast I am driving or how much fuel is in the car as the repair would be almost as much as I paid for the car (the instruments were working when I purchased the car).

Filed Oct 22, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 115,000 miles · IN

While driving or when first starting the vehicle the whole dash will go dark and not light back up or keep flickering. You are unable to see how fast you are going or any warning lights and the gas gauge does not work when the dash lights go out. Driving alone is unsafe and even with our 2 children makes it very unsafe not knowing how fast you are going and fuel gauge not working so you could run out of fuel and left stranded with kids on the road. Many complaints have been made about this problem and lexus refuses any acknowledgement of this problem and something really needs to be done!

Filed Dec 3, 2009 · Electrical · KS

The gauge cluster lighting on my 1993 lexus ls400 does not come on unless it is above 75 degrees or so outside or in the passanger compartment. The lighting of the gauge cluster is not just needed at night. With the gauges being electronicly lit you can't see your speed, revs, engine temp, or fuel level day or night unless the car is fully warmed up or it's hot outside. Needless to say that in the winter even during the day, the lights are no where neer warm enough to light up. Lexus has no suggestions other than replace the unit with an expensive brand new one that will have the same problem in a few years. They have not made any change to the circutry or lighting in order to accomadate for their problem.

Filed Mar 5, 2009 · Electrical · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 1993 lexus ls400. While driving approximately 40 MPH on normal road conditions, the instrument cluster failed to display readings for the speedometer, tachometer, and fuel gauge. There were no warnings prior to these failures. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing and it was confirmed that the instrument cluster required replacement. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were unknown.

Filed Nov 26, 2008 · Electrical · 138,000 miles · CA

My instrument cluster lighting does not illuminate when the car is started, but sometimes will come on after several minutes. The problem has just recently started, but seems to be getting worse (taking longer for the lights to come on if at all). No steps have been taken yet to repair, but given the severity of the impact, safety concerns will probably force me to pay a significant service bill at the dealer soon. When I drive at night, the entire instrument cluster and center console is dark. Even during full daylight, I can not tell how fast I am going, the fuel level, etc. The lexus club forum indicates that many others have experienced the same problem and have registered complaints with both lexus and this site.

Filed Aug 8, 2007 · Electrical · MO

1993 lexus ls400 malfunctioning front display panel customer is asking for a recall to be done**cc the defective panel at times lights up initially and immediately goes off. The consumer is unable to read odometer, fuel level and temperature gauges.

Filed Mar 7, 2007 · Electrical · 125,000 miles · IA

Instrument cluster does not come on until the car warms up, sometime it takes 30 minutes. You can not see how fast your going,fuel level or anything related to dash lights.

Filed Oct 23, 2006 · Electrical · 101,000 miles · OK

1993 lexus ls 400 instrument cluster failure - speedometer, tachometer and gas gauge do not work in cold weather until vehicle warms up. Occasionally the electroluminescent instrument lighting fails too. Either situation results in a safety concern related to vehicle operation. Dealer explained that this model year has a problem with the circuit board that controls the instrument cluster. As other complainants have stated, this clearly seems to be a recurrent and common failure in this vehicle and impedes the safe operation of the vehicle. I would ask the federal safety agency to investigate and determine if a recall is warranted.

Filed Jan 4, 2006 · Electrical · 65,000 miles · CA

Dt: the contact stated while driving the back lighting for the gauge cluster did not come on, until the vehicle was warm. The mileage was not recorded properly. The fuel gauge malfunctioned,causing the vehicle to run out of gasoline. Also, the headlights did no stay lighted in the darkness, and nothing on the dashboard was working correctly. The vehicle was taken to a dealership for inspection, and they determined the circuit board needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted. No repairs were made.*ak updated 01/23/06.

Filed Nov 2, 2004 · Electrical, Fuel system · CA

Hello, have a 1993 ls400, which has bad instrument cluster. No lights turn on in cold days. The fuel gauge is also not working, even the trip computer dose not record while the lights are off. It is impossible to find out how mucn fuel is left. This car is my wife's car and she is really frustrated about the whole sittuation because the gas ran out twice in last month and she was stuck on the road. Dealer are asking 1200-1500 to fix this which is not fair because this is manufacture defect they should do a recall.*ak I bought lexus because I thought they here is the company in relentless persuit of perfection, maybe not I will think twice before buying lexus again. Thanks jigar.

Filed Apr 25, 2004 · Acceleration, Body · 65,000 miles · TX

To whom it may concern: I have a '93 lexus ls400. Apparently, 80% of these cars in this year have faulty instument panels. The speedometer and tach needles do not work, gas gauge is hardly responsive, and at night the lights fail to turn on leaving the driver in a dangerous situation. This of course is a safety issue and I believe is a direct result of a factory design flaw, which lexus should help resolve. The problem has been lingering for over 6 years now because lexus has quoted me at $1500 to replace the circuit board!!!! How can they get away with this??? Maybe people need to die in car accidents for someone to take action and get these faulty parts recalled!!!!!! I refuse to spend hard earned money on this replacement. I have already gave lexus over $50,000 for the car and service. My opinion about lexus and its "persuit for perfection" has changed; they are just a bunch of thieves. If you search your records I am sure there is many complaints about this some issue. Thank you for your time. Carlos.