1999 Lexus LS400: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 22 owner complaints on record; most reports concern vehicle speed control; the 1997 and 2000 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Our 1999ls400 lexus is experiencing malfunctions with the electronics in the dash. The odometer and the speedometer are working intermittently. Lexus wants 1200.00 to pull out dash and send away to repair. I am concerned this is a huge safety issue. I don't know whose replacing what and are they certified lexus mechanics??? Are these early model ls400's having electronics problems or is this just a single case? Please let me know. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 lexus ls400. When the contact started the vehicle she noticed that the dashboard panel would no longer function. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact was informed that the entire dashboard panel needed to be replaced. There were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 90000. Updated 07/07/10.*jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 lexus ls400. The contact stated that while working under the hood it started closing creating a safety hazard. The vehicle was repaired by a local mechanic. Toyota was not contacted. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The current mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“While slowly pulling into a shoppping center parking place that was perpendicular to the street, I had my foot on the brake when my vehicle suddenly accelerated and lunged over the curb and across the sidewalk into a building. Lexus has been notified and intimated they would investigate. *nm”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2005
“Lexus ls 400 1999 model. Dangerous hesitation upon acceleration. Further after driving this car for two years, I have neck pains from the daily whiplash. Toyota is igrnoring this system wide. It is an outrage. Its damaging peoples necks all over the country. They will not fix it - they claim its normal. Other dealers are telling customers about it - - my wife refuses to drive my car - it's dangerous!”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2005
“The seat belts on my car do not retract or stay tight on me anymore. They continue to loosen as I drive. They are stiff almost brittle. The steering wheel does not move out like it used to. Now it moves away from the dash in an upward direction toward my face. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2005
“While working on the vehicle, the hood fell down on the consumer. *jb the pistons in the hood were not sufficient enough to hold the weight of the hood. *sc”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2004
“While driving 2 mph, the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. The consumer was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and crashed into a building. Upon impact, both frontal air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. *ak the consumer was pulling into a parking space, slowly, with his foot on the brake when the vehicle suddenly accelerated, went over the curb and into the side of the building. *sc *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2004
“Petition seeking NHTSA to investigate the lexus vehicles model years 1997 to 2000 which have experienced problems with speed control linkages resulting in sudden acceleration. *mr the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning which caused the vehicle to rear end the vehicle ahead of his. As a result the consumer received a police citation. The dealer was unable to duplicate the problem (odi# 760680). *scc *nlm”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2003
“Right rear tire had a blowout while driving at 30 mph on a 1999, lexus ls400. Original equipment, tire size p225/60r16, dot# ela6 cbc528. Manufacturer and tire dealer were notified.*ak *yh”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 102 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
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.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Lexus LS400 reliable?
NHTSA has 22 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1999 Lexus LS400. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control.
Does the 1999 Lexus LS400 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. 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.