1994 Lexus LS400 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
65 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
90,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 33 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 65 complaints (35.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 1.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 23 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 14 |
| Interior Lighting | 10 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 7 |
| Seat Belts | 4 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
Electrical System: 23; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 14; Interior Lighting: 10; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 7; Seat Belts: 4; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 2; Steering: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 12 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 12; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 10
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 32 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2003 | 17 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2001: 2; 2002: 10; 2003: 17; 2004: 4; 2005: 2; 2006: 5; 2007: 1; 2008: 6; 2009: 3; 2010: 1; 2011: 5; 2012: 3; 2014: 4; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 10007746 · 2003-02-18 (February 18, 2003)
INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL NOT LIGHT UP AT ALL. THE GUAGES WILL NOT ILLUMINATED, YOU CANNOT TELL HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING, HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE, OR IF THERE ARE HAVE BEEN ANY TYPE OF ENGINE FAILURES, BRAKE FAILURES, ETC. THIS CONTINUES FOR DAYS TO WEEKS AT A TIME. THIS IS WORSE AT NIGHT, YOUR COMPLETELY IN THE DARK, YOU CAN'T EVEN SEE WHAT GEAR YOUR IN - IT IS VERY DANGEROUS.
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007746 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10146699 · 2006-01-02 (January 2, 2006)
SINCE 80,000 MILES, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS HAVE DISPLAYED INTERMITENT LIGHTING. THE PROBLEM IS WORST WHEN THE CAR IS COLD (BELOW 60F). WHEN YOU START IT UP, THE DASH IS DARK. THEN, AS THE CAR WARMS UP, THE NEEDLES WILL FLICKER AND COME ON ( IF YOU ARE LUCKY), FOLLOWED BY THE BACKGROUND FLICKERING AND THEN COMING ON. WHILE THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING, GENERALLY IT IS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD. NOW, WITH THE MILEAGE OVER 100,000 BLACKOUT IS NEARLY 100% OF THE TIME. LEXUS DOES NOT ADMIT THEY HAVE HEARD OF THIS ISSUE. THEY TELL YOU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10146699 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10478319 · 2012-10-02 (October 2, 2012)
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DOES NOT LIGHT UP. IT TAKES ABOUT AN HOUR OF DRIVING TO "WARM UP" THE DASHBOARD AND WILL EVENTUALLY FLICKER. THIS HAPPENS CONSTANTLY AND SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH ALL LEXUS LS400S. I AM ALSO HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING LEAKING. THE LEAKAGE HAS CAUSED MY ALTERNATOR TO GO BAD. I HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR, STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK. THE ISSUE ALSO SEEMS TO BE FOR ALL LEXUS LS400S. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10478319 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016922 · 2003-05-02 (May 2, 2003)
I OWNED A LEXUS 1994 LS400 CAR. I HAD A SAFETY COMPLAINT AGAINST LEXUS FOR PRODUCING FAULTY INSTRUMENT COCKPIT. WHEN I START THE CAR IN THE MORNING, THE INSTRUMENTATION COCKPIT IS COMPLETELY DARK IE NO ILLUMINATION. I HAVE TO DRIVE THE CAR WITHOUT ANY IDEA ON SPEED, OR MILEAGE, OR FUEL TANK LEVEL OR WHATEVER INDICATORS. THIS IS A KNOWN DESIGN DEFECT AND A LOT OF OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016922 at NHTSA ↗