1990 Lexus LS400 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
125,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 20 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 20.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 10.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring: Rear Compartment/Trunk | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 4; Electrical System: 3; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: Rear Compartment/Trunk: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 4 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
1995: 1; 1996: 4; 2000: 2; 2001: 1; 2003: 3; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2007: 1; 2010: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 3; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10307216 · 2010-02-07 (February 7, 2010)
ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS AND ENGINE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE. I CAN ONLY STOP IT BY PUSHING ON THE BRAKE HARD, PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL OR TURNING OFF ENGINE. SOMETIMES IF I HAVE ROOM IN FRONT OF MY CAR, I CAN STOP IT BY PUMPING THE BRAKE. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. I CANNOT TELL WHAT CAUSES IT. DEFINITELY NOT FLOOR MAT. *TW
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10307216 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10916975 · 2016-10-17 (October 17, 2016)
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING - ENCLOSING AN AGENDA REPORT SERVICE HISTORY MAY 2014 - MAY/JUNE 2016 ON BLACK 1990 LEXUS LS 400. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED EACH TIME THE REPAIR SHOP PERFORMED SERVICES ON HER VEHICLE, IT LED TO ANOTHER PROBLEM(S). A CLAMP WAS MISSING. A WIRE LEFT DANGLING, A HOSE WAS NOT PLACED ON CORRECTLY OR IT WAS THE WRONG HOSE AND/OR A GOOD HOSE WAS TORN, BROKEN OR TATTERED. A SCREW WAS LEFT MISSING. A PART OR COMPONENT WAS NOT PUT IN PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE MORE THAN 10 MILES, BECAUSE IT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10916975 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10189177 · 2007-04-28 (April 28, 2007)
I HAVE A 1990 LEXUS LS 400 AND I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE MY ALTERNATOR AND POWER STEERING PUMP 3 TIMES DUE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAVING A LEAK AND THERE ARE MILLIONS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT COST A LOT OF MONEY I THINK LEXUS SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THEIR PUMPS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM PLEASE HELP ME THIS IS BECOMING RIDICULOUS. EVERY YEAR I HAVE TO CHANGE MY PUMP DUE TO THIS PROBLEM THEY COST 600 DOLLARS JUST THE PART SOMEONE SHOULD TAKE SOME KIND OF NOTICE TO THIS MAJOR PROBLEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 12,398 miles reported. Look up ODI 10189177 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10764167 · 2015-09-16 (September 16, 2015)
IN APPROXIMATELY 1995, I EXPERIENCED THE "SUDDEN ACCELERATION" PROBLEM TWICE WITH MY LEXUS LS. AT THE TIME, NO ONE HAD EVER HEARD OF IT AND THE DEALER SAID HE COULD NOT REPRODUCE IT AND COULD DO NOTHING. AFTER THAT I WAS MORE CAREFUL WITH THE FLOOR MATS AND THOUGHT I HAD SOLVED THE PROBLEM. FOR THE LAST 7 TO 8 YEARS, THE CAR SUDDENLY SLOWS AND STALLS. I HAVE REPEATEDLY COMPLAINED TO NEW COUNTRY LEXUS BUT THEY JUST SAY THAT THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AND DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS. IN JUNE, IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND I HAD TO BE TOW…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10764167 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 711179 · 2000-04-07 (April 7, 2000)
THE WIRING HARNESS ALONG THE TRUNK KEEPS BREAKING. DEPENDING ON WHICH WIRE BREAKS EACH TIME, THE EFFECTS RANGE FROM LOSS OF REAR TAILIGHT FUNCTIONS TO JERKING OF CAR WHEN TOUCHING THE BRAKES TO SUDDEN JUMP IN RPM WHEN MOVING GEARSHIFT. I HAVE HAD THE HARNESS REPAIRED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 711179 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10780156 · 2015-10-06 (October 6, 2015)
MY CAR, MADE BY TOYOTA, HAS ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS, FAULTY PARTS, AS THE CARS THAT WERE RECALLED FOR SUDDEN ACCELERATION. I HAVE HAD THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM HAPPEN TWICE AND I AM CURRENTLY UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF A FAULTY RESISTOR THAT CONTROLS THE FUEL FEED TOT THE FUEL PUMP KEEPS CAUSING THE CAR TO ACT LIKE IT IS RUNNING OUT OF GAS. VERY DANGEROUS. LEXUS HAS REFUSED TO FIX IT EVEN THOUGH I AM WILLING TO PAY. THEY WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH CARS WITH THE SAME PARTS AS SUDDEN ACCELERATION.
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10780156 at NHTSA ↗