1998 Lexus LS400 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
110,167 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 25 complaints (36.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 40.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 8.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 9; Electrical System:Starter Assembly: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm): 2; Tires: 2; Tires:Tread/Belt: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages: 2; Air Bags: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 15 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 | 4 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2000: 4; 2001: 5; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2004: 2; 2005: 2; 2008: 2; 2010: 3; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 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 10032159 · 2003-08-05 (August 5, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES WHILE APPLYING BRAKES SUUDENLY VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032159 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10102593 · 2004-12-10 (December 10, 2004)
DRIVING AT 25 MPH I HEARD A BEEPING SOUND AND THE VSC OFF LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME UP ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE THEN WENT INTO FAIL SAFE MODE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ALLOW ME TO ACCELERATE WITH GAS PEDAL. HOWEVER VEHICLE WOULD MOVE APPROXIMATELY 12(MPH) ON ITS OWN WHEN I RELEASE CONSTANT PRESSURE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN I PLACED IN NEUTRAL OR PARK POSITION, RPM'S WOULD RISE TO ABOUT 2000(RPM). TURNED OFF POWER TO VEHICLE AND RESTARTED, STILL VEHICLE WOULD ONLY MOVE 12(MPH) ON ITS OWN. AGAIN POWERE…
Owner-reported narrative. 82,697 miles reported. Look up ODI 10102593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10246855 · 2008-10-27 (October 27, 2008)
THIS HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING. STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN COUNTER CLOCKWISE AND WOULD BIND WHEN TURNED ALMOST ALL THE WAY. I TURNED IT ALL THE WAY AND THERE WAS A LOUD "SNAP" SOUND. I THEN NOTICED THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IN THE DASH. AFTER THE "SNAP" IT WAS EASIER TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL CLOCKWISE AND COUNTER CLOCKWISE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG BUT WILL TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO CHECK THIS OUT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 109,633 miles reported. Look up ODI 10246855 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 883407 · 2001-03-19 (March 19, 2001)
AUTOMATIC TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON, THERE IS A BEEPING SOUND, AND VEHICLE SWERVES LIKE IT IS GOING INTO A CURVE, USUALLY TO LEFT. PROBLEM WILL OCCUR RANDOMLY OVER 40 MPH, WEATHER CONDITIONS DO NOT PLAY A FACTOR IN DEFECT. *AK CONSUMER STATES WHEN PROBLEM OCCURS, THE ACCELERATOR, BRAKES, AND STEERING ARE ACTUATED WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM THE DRIVER AND PROBLEM IS NOT WEATHER RELATED, DEALER HAS KEPT VEHICLE LONG PERIODS OF TIME, ONE INSTANCE FOR ALMOST 1 MONTH, ALWAYS COMES BACK AND CAN NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM, CONSUMER FEELS …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 883407 at NHTSA ↗