Twice, with two different drivers, this vehicle has accelerated/surged at a stop. The vehicle was able to be held steady by pressing the brake as hard as possible, but vehicle still surged and tried to move forward. On the first incident, the vehicle was put in neutral and continued to rev momentarily. After the first incident, the lexus oem floor mat (standard, not all season) was removed. The same event occurred again tonight with a different driver and the floor mat still removed. I am quite concerned this may be related to other toyota recalls.
1998 Lexus LS400 acceleration problems
14 complaints (31% of all complaints for this car). 6 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 14
- of this car's complaints
- 31%
- crashes
- 6
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Linkages2
- Accelerator pedal1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Lexus LS400 acceleration problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Lexus LS400 acceleration
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related 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
What 1998 Lexus LS400 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 lexus ls400. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning. The vehicle traveled into a residential garage and crashed into a wall. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The shop technician diagnosed the wrong problem. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 153,000 and the current mileage was 160,000. Updated 07/22/14 ma
Acceleration stuck, rpms lock in at about 2000. Failure occurs about once or twice day, but usually only if the air condition is turned off. This has been going on for years now with my vehicle. I turn off vehicle and restart it to correct the problem and regain control of the accelerator, it almost always returns after restart. I believe this may be caused by fault in lexus electronic throttle system and since you all are finally investigating this I thought I should report it in case you would like to examine my vehicle since it occurs so often. I was told by lexus I should purchase a new throttle body, I haven't done so because I do not see how that will correct my accelerator from sticking in one position during driving and I believe this is more of a serious safety issue now with the recalls finally being done.
Time, date and location: monday, may 19 at approximately 3:30 pm at the blockbuster parking lot in stafford, va vehicle: 1998 lexus ls400 I was pulling into a parking space in front of the blockbuster. I had my foot on the brake to slowly pull into the space. Suddenly, the engine revved and the car jumped the curb and repeatedly hit the front of the blockbuster. I pushed down hard on the brake, but it would not respond. I put the car in park and the car stopped.
Stopped at a red light and the car accelerated to the point it was spinning tires. Car was put into park and the car was brought under control.
Consumer states while applying brakes suudenly vehicle surged forward. Dealer notified.
While trying to park, vehicle suddenly surged forward and ran into a store before stopping. Consumer had brakes applied. Contacted dealer. *ak jlg
While parking vehicle at 5 MPH, and without warning, vehicle suddenly lunged foward, slamming into a wall. Vehicle was towed to a body shop. Please provide any further information.
At a stop vehicle lurched out of control and accelerated without touching gas pedal. Brakes did not stop vehicle, and rearended another vehicle. Damaged hood and grill on vehicle. Contacted dealer and vehicle was repaired.
Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration, causing an accident where no one was injured, the vehicle was towed to dealer who could find no problem even though this happened twice in one day.
Questions about the 1998 Lexus LS400 acceleration
Does the 1998 Lexus LS400 have acceleration problems?
Owners have filed 14 complaints about the acceleration of the 1998 Lexus LS400, 31% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 1998 Lexus LS400 acceleration problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Lexus LS400 acceleration?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Lexus LS400 have the most acceleration problems?
The Lexus LS400 model years with the most acceleration complaints are 1998 (14 complaints) and 1999 (12 complaints).
Other 1998 Lexus LS400 problems
Electrical 9Tires 6Airbags 4Brakes 4Lights 3Suspension 3Transmission 2Body 1Fuel system 1Visibility 1
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