1998 Lexus GS400: problems, recalls and reliability

1 recall and 31 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (19% of complaints).

Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 1998

recalls

owner complaints

fire reports

81,500

typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

No fire reportsProblems tend to appear late (median 81,500 mi)

Common problems Recalls FAQ

Common problems

Computed from 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)19% · 6 complaints

Seat Belts13% · 4 complaints

Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)13% · 4 complaints

Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)10% · 3 complaints

Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)6% · 2 complaints

Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)6% · 2 complaints

“I was driving down the street, a rather busy street trying to stop. The lexus would not stop, due to the struts and mounts are broken. Which I learned from sears automotive. The defects interfere with car overall ability to stop properly, it also sways over into the opposite lanes. Because the car wouldn't stop properly, I was rear ended, by another car that was going about 35-45 miles per hour. The driver told me that he thought I was at a complete stop. I now have severe back and head pains.”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2016

“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 lexus gs400. The contact stated that as he was driving 15 mph onto a ramp, the vehicle accelerated and as he depressed his brakes the vehicle lunged forward and rear ended a truck pushing him into another vehicle. There were two other occupants in the vehicle with minor injuries to their knees. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The toyota manufacturer was not called and informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 184,867. Updated 04/13/10. *lj updated 09/22/10”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2009

“22 sets of tires worn out on the front. I had a head on collision with a building--the seat belt failed to restrain me be cause of slack and the deception/fraud of lexeus po005-1. You have to make a "specific complaint about the belts" or they are not covered by warranty. Po005-1 has beed with held from the public. Lexus is trying to find a way to coverup the tb. We have over 250,000 vehicles on the road with out the po005-1 not being . *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2005

Show 7 more owner reports

“While driving 7 mph vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. Consumer was not able to maintain control of the vehicle, and it crashed into a cement wall. Upon impact, both frontal air bags failed to deploy, and driver's seat belt failed to lock. As a result, driver sustained minor injuries, and was transported to a hospital. Vehicle was towed to a garage for inspection. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 2004

“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 lexus gs 400. While driving 17mph in a parking lot, his foot accidentally slipped causing him to accelerate. The vehicle crashed into a brick wall. The seat belt never locked and caused the contacts chest to slam into the steering wheel and then into the seat. The engine size and number of cylinders was unavailable. The failure mileage was 96,000. The current mileage was 126,000. Pictures are available. The VIN was confirmed but is listed as invalid.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 2004

“While driving at 40mph, had a front collision and neither of the air bag deployed, no air bag light warning prior to the crash. Driver was wearing the seat belt. Please provide further information. *ph”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2003

“Product defect when the lexus gs400 hit head on a concrete anti-terrorist restrain t between 40-50 miles a hr. Speed could have been faster according to the repair shop cause the engine was knowed of its mountings, hand break handle broke and turned 90+ degrees to the left. The coin change closed container broke open and cracked as it through its contents all over the drivers area. The air bag failed to deploy and the I was thrown with full force against the steering wheel which hit me directly in the sternum causing blunt contusion to the rib cage and sternum. The pain cause is greater than a kidney stone and it has been two weeks a go. *la”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2003

“Consumer was involved in a frontal collision at 30 mph, upon impact the airbags did not deploy, causing injury to driver.*ak *slc”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2002

“While driving on the hwy I started noticing that my vehicle was not driving correctly....after finding the nearest exit a passenger from another vehicle informed me that my tire was flat...when I pulled over I noticed that the tire was completely flat....the tire inspector checked the tire and found several air pockets ....he also noticed that the tire was shreaded severely and had a lots of tire pieces (dust) in the inside....he also went as far as to say that the tire looked as if someone had been cooking inside of it...the tire looked as if it had been at least 3 years old not 1 month. *ak (tiresize: 235/45r17)”Owner report · Tires · Dec 2001

“On the first day I purchased my lexus in virginia I almost drove the car over the curb. I thought my foot hit the gas accidentally, but it had not. Since that time I have had numerous instances where the car lurched forward while I was stopped with my foot on the brake. Luckily the problem never caused an accident so I never complained about it. I thought my car was the only one with the problem. I read a recent article in usatoday about the problem, and realized that my car was not the only one doing it. My 1998 lexus gs400 has lurched forward several times while my foot was applied to the brake.*ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2001

When filing, owners marked a crash in 14 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 1 campaign

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC)98V080000 · Apr 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT OF THE YAW RATE SENSOR FOR THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL (VSC), THE VSC CAN OPERATE IMPROPERLY IF THE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY CERTAIN ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES, SUCH AS FROM A CELLULAR PHONE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE YAW RATE SENSOR.

Check your exact GS400 by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the 1998 Lexus GS400 reliable?

NHTSA has 31 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1998 Lexus GS400. The most complained-about area is air bags (19% of complaints).

At what mileage do 1998 Lexus GS400 problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 81,500 miles or less.

Does the 1998 Lexus GS400 have open recalls?

1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning electronic stability control:automatic (asc). Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.