1998 Lexus Ls400 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. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. 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.
What could happen: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: 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.
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 LS400.
- Book a repair at any authorized Lexus dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 06E026000.
- 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: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: 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.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO PRO-A MOTORS AFTERMARKET LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS." CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Vehicle Speed Control (14), Electrical system (9), Wheels / tires (6), Brakes (4), Suspension (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)
05/08/2018 · Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LEXUS LS400. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER (ARROWHEAD LEXUS IN PEORIA, ARIZONA) WAS…
01/15/2015 · Vehicle Speed Control
TWICE, WITH TWO DIFFERENT DRIVERS, THIS VEHICLE HAS ACCELERATED/SURGED AT A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE HELD STEADY BY PRESSING THE BRAKE AS HARD AS POSSIBLE, BUT VEHICLE STILL SURGED AND TRIED TO MOVE FORWARD. ON THE FIRST INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN NEUTRAL AND CONTINUED TO REV MOMENTARILY. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, THE LEXUS OEM FLOOR MAT (S…
12/28/2014 · Suspension
THE AIRBAGS IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR DROPPED AND IT WEIGHS THE FRONT OF THE CAR DOWN SO I NEED TO WARM UP THE CAR SO THAT THE FRONT ENGINE RISES AND DOESN'T SCRAPE WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL. PLEASE ADVISE IF THIS CAN BE CHECKED BY LEXIS FOR SAFETY REASONS FREE OF CHARGE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION TO THIS INQUIRY. KIND REGARDS, [XXX] INFOR…
04/02/2014 · Vehicle Speed Control · crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LEXUS LS400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED INTO A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE SHOP TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE WRONG PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE…
12/02/2010 · Body / structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LEXUS LS400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WAS FULLY OPENED IN A SECURED POSITION AND WITHOUT WARNING, IT SUDDENLY RELEASED IN A DOWNWARD POSITION AND CLOSED. THE HOOD RELEASED ON THE CONTACTS LEFT HAND AND CAUSED INJURY TO THE MIDDLE FINGER. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TE…
03/25/2010 · Unknown Or Other · crash
ON SEPTEMBER 27,2005, MY1998 LEXUS LS 400 RAMMED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. MY CAR ACCELERATED NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN THE POLICE AND FIREMEN CAME, THE POLICEMAN STOOD NEXT TO MY WINDOW AND ASKED ME TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL SO THAT THE FIREMEN COULD PUSH THE CAR OUT OF T…
02/04/2010 · Vehicle Speed Control
ACCELERATION STUCK, RPMS LOCK IN AT ABOUT 2000. FAILURE OCCURS ABOUT ONCE OR TWICE DAY, BUT USUALLY ONLY IF THE AIR CONDITION IS TURNED OFF. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS NOW WITH MY VEHICLE. I TURN OFF VEHICLE AND RESTART IT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND REGAIN CONTROL OF THE ACCELERATOR, IT ALMOST ALWAYS RETURNS AFTER RESTART. I BELIEVE THIS MAY BE CAUSE…
10/27/2008 · Airbags
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 WR…