1998 Lexus Gs400 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Electronic Stability Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. 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.
What could happen: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE BRAKE MAY OPERATE UNEXPECTEDLY, AFFECTING STEERING AND SPEED CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE YAW RATE SENSOR.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1998 GS400.
- Book a repair at any authorized Lexus dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 98V080000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC)
Summary: 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.
Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE BRAKE MAY OPERATE UNEXPECTEDLY, AFFECTING STEERING AND SPEED CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE YAW RATE SENSOR.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 1998. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-888-333-9376. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Airbags (8), Brakes (6), Vehicle Speed Control (5), Seat belts (5), Body / structure (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
05/13/2019 · Vehicle Speed Control · crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LEXUS GS400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE ENGINE WAS ON AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED, THE DRIVER LIFTED OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO A TREE. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE SPEED EXCEEDED MORE THEN 60 MPH. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT TH…
03/05/2016 · Suspension · crash
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 THA…
03/23/2012 · Brakes
FAILED BRAKE BOOSTER MOTOR FOR MASTER CYLINDER. *TR
05/26/2010 · Vehicle Speed Control
LEXUS STUCK PEDAL--I DRIVE A 1998 LEXUS GS400 WHICH I BOUGHT NEW. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT, I'D PRESSED THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN("FLOORED IT") MANY TIMES AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. HOWEVER IN MORE RECENT YEARS, I RARELY "FLOORED IT" . ONE TIME LAST SUMMER, I PUSHED THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO PASS A CAR AND THE PEDAL STUCK. MY CAR ACCELERATED FROM 35MPH TO…
02/24/2010 · Vehicle Speed Control · crash
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…
02/15/2010 · Vehicle Speed Control · crash
SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF 1998 LEXUS GS400 ONCE ON JAN. 16,1999 WITH NO DAMAGE. I WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE. A SECOND TIME ON JAN. 1, 2001. I WAS PULLING UP TO A GAS PUMP AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO THE CURB AT THE PUMP AND ALSO HIT THE PUMP. BOTH INCIDENTS REPORTED TO DEALER, BUT WERE TREATED AS DRIVER ERROR. SECOND INCIDENT CAUSED MINOR DAMAGE TO THE…
04/04/2008 · Suspension
1998 LEXUS GS400 WITH BALL JOINT FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT DUE TO THE BALL JOINT FAILURE. HE SENT THE BALL JOINT TO LEXUS FOR INSPECTION. *KB
10/09/2007 · Seat belts · crash
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…