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.
The worst 1997 Lexus LS400 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Acceleration3
- Brakes3
- Electrical2
- Engine2
- Tires2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Acceleration3
- Brakes3
- Electrical2
- Engine2
- Tires2
- Transmission2
- Airbags1
- Body1
- Locks1
- Steering1
- Suspension1
- Visibility1
Recalls 1
Electrical system: starter assembly
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A starter motor no-start condition or an underhood fire can result.
- Remedy
- Dealers will repair the magnetic switch.
Recall number 98V016000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 1997 Lexus LS400
Defect investigations
Unintended engine speed increase/sa
On may 13, 2003 the federal safety agency received an april 25, 2003 letter from mr. Peter boddaert petitioning the agency to conduct a petition analysis of certain 1997 through 2000 model year lexus 300 and 400 series vehicles for problems of vehicle speed control linkages which results in sudden, unexpected excessive (vehicle) acceleration even though there is no pressure [sic]applied to the accelerator pedal.in support of his petition, mr. Boddaert cites a number of odi reports concerning vehicle speed control linkages in the subject vehicles.included amongst the thirty-six reports he cites is one involving a lexus that collided with five other cars in the space of one-half mile before it could be stopped.odi found no data indicating the existence of a defect trend related to the petitioner's allegations at this time.therefore, there is no reasonable possibility that an order concerning the notification and remedy of a safety-related defect would be issued as a result of granting mr. Boddaert's petition.consequently, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize the federal safety agency's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is denied.
DP03003
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Lexus LS400 36
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign
- POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground...
- Safety Recall and Service Campaign
- Supersession notice
- Obsolete notice
- Replacement Certification Labels
- The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master...
- LSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this...
- The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic...
- The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct...
1997 Lexus LS400 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L 8‑cyl | RWD | 17 | 23 | 19 |
What 1997 Lexus LS400 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Vehicle does not start when hot. Starter does not turn. Vehicle was never recalled for the federal safety agency 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 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.
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 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 federal safety agency 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.
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, 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.
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.
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.
While driving, consumer applied brakes and heard an extremely loud grinding noise, dealer had to sand rotors to remove rust.
New tires were needed at 20,000 miles.
Dashboard indicators lights working improperly, illuminating when no problems are found.
Compare the 1997 Lexus LS400
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Questions about the 1997 Lexus LS400
Is the 1997 Lexus LS400 reliable?
Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 1997 Lexus LS400, 6.5 times a typical LS400 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Lexus LS400?
Acceleration and speed control, with 3 complaints. Next is brakes (3).
How many recalls does the 1997 Lexus LS400 have?
1 recall, covering electrical system.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Lexus LS400 get?
Official estimates for the 1997 Lexus LS400 range from 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.0L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 17 city and 23 highway.
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