1994 Lexus LS400: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 68 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (58% of complaints); the 1995 and 1996 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
68
owner complaints
0
fire reports
92,000
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No fire reportsNo recall campaignsProblems tend to appear late (median 92,000 mi)One of the most complained-about LS400 years (#1 of 9, age-adjusted)Weak spot: electrical system (58%)
Common problems
Computed from 68 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)58% · 38 complaints
Interior Lighting14% · 9 complaints
Seat Belts9% · 6 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)3% · 2 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)3% · 2 complaints
Tires3% · 2 complaints
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 lexus ls400. The contact stated that the front seat belts failed to retract and the seat belts did not fit snug around a person. The vehicle failed to be equipped with three seat belts in the rear seat. The failure has continued to recur. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 219,950.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2014
“The instrument panel flickered and then went completely dark. First it would come back on after the car was driven for 10 minutes or more. Now it does not light up at all. I feel this is a safety issue. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 lexus ls400. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the vehicle started to jerk violently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 115,000.”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 lexus ls400. The contact stated that the instrument panel was defective and she was unable to see any of the gauges. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 122,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 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 report · Electrical System · Oct 2011
“1994 lexus ls400 instrument panel lights not working when cold, and now even in the summer it takes longer for the lights to come on. In colder weather my lights don't go on until the car is driven approximately 60 miles. I cannot see how fast I am going, and the safety of road construction workers is a huge issue and I want to maintain a safe the safe legal speed. The odometer doesn't register, I don't know how much gas I have, the mileage is incorrect. This continues to worsen and my fear is that eventually I will have no lights at all. Have checked into many web sites and seems to be a common issue, very expensive to repair. *tr”Owner report · Interior Lighting · Nov 2010
“I have a 1994 lexus ls 400, on days when the temp is below 70 degrees the cluster lights do not come on. When the vehicle warms up, which the time varies, the cluster lights flicker for several minutes and then they go on. When its colder they don't go on at all. It is impossible at night to see any gauges. Not sure why nothing is being done with lexus on this. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2010
“1994 lexus ls400 instrument panel lights not working when cold, and now even in the summer it takes longer for the lights to come on. In colder weather my lights don't go on until the car is driven approximately 60 miles. I cannot see how fast I am going, and the safety of road construction workers is a huge issue and I want to maintain a safe the safe legal speed. The odometer doesn't register, I don't know how much gas I have,. This continues to worsen and my fear is that eventually I will have no lights at all. Have checked into many web sites and seems to be a common issue, very expensive to repair. *tr”Owner report · Interior Lighting · Jan 2009
“I have 94 ls400 and when the place is cold instrument panel takes 10 to 15 minutes to light up and that only happens when the place is cold. When the place is hot every thing is fine. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2008
“Traveling at about 40 mph, I rear ended the vehicle in front of me. The air bags never deployed. My front end was destroyed. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
How other years compare
Check your exact LS400 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
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Is the 1994 Lexus LS400 reliable?
NHTSA has 68 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Lexus LS400. The most complained-about area is electrical system (58% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Lexus LS400 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 92,000 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.