1992 Lexus Sc400 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE/TRACTION CONTROL COMPUTER LOGIC PROGRAM WAS INCOMPLETE, RESULTING IN THE TRAPPING OF BRAKE FLUID PRESSURE IN THE REAR BRAKE LINES. FAILURE TO RELEASE THE REAR BRAKE LINE PRESSURE CAUSES A CONDITION WHERE BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION RESULTS IN ACTIVATION OF THE FRONT BRAKE ONLY, AND CONTINUAL REAR BRAKE DRAG.
What could happen: FAILURE TO RELEASE THE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE IN THE REARBRAKE LINES CAUSES THE REAR BRAKES TO "DRAG" AND A CONDITION WHERE ONLY THEFRONT BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED BY OPERATOR. THISRESULTS IN EARLY WEAR OF THE REAR BRAKE LINING, INCREASES OF STOPPING DISTANCES,AND POSSIBLE LO…
The fix: REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE/TRACTION CONTROL COMPUTER, AND IF ANY BRAKE SYSTEM IS DAMAGED FROM THE DEFECTIVE OPERATION OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE/TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, REPAIR THE DAMAGE AT NO COST.
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 1992 SC400.
- Book a repair at any authorized Lexus dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 92V046000.
- 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: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
Summary: THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE/TRACTION CONTROL COMPUTER LOGIC PROGRAM WAS INCOMPLETE, RESULTING IN THE TRAPPING OF BRAKE FLUID PRESSURE IN THE REAR BRAKE LINES. FAILURE TO RELEASE THE REAR BRAKE LINE PRESSURE CAUSES A CONDITION WHERE BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION RESULTS IN ACTIVATION OF THE FRONT BRAKE ONLY, AND CONTINUAL REAR BRAKE DRAG.
Consequence: FAILURE TO RELEASE THE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE IN THE REARBRAKE LINES CAUSES THE REAR BRAKES TO "DRAG" AND A CONDITION WHERE ONLY THEFRONT BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED BY OPERATOR. THISRESULTS IN EARLY WEAR OF THE REAR BRAKE LINING, INCREASES OF STOPPING DISTANCES,AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE/TRACTION CONTROL COMPUTER, AND IF ANY BRAKE SYSTEM IS DAMAGED FROM THE DEFECTIVE OPERATION OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE/TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, REPAIR THE DAMAGE AT NO COST.
Notes: SYSTEM: ANTI-LOCK BRAKES SYSTEM (ABS).VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1992 Lexus Sc400 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (12), Lights (7), Brakes (5), Hydraulic (5), Vehicle Speed Control (4).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
04/15/2012 · Electrical system
DASH INSTRUMENT SPEED, TACH, GAS, AND TEMPERATURE NEEDLES NO LONGER ILLUMINATE. THEREFORE, YOU CAN NOT VIEW THEM AT NIGHT AND, OFTEN, DURING THE DAY. NO ADEQUATE REPAIR IS AVAILABLE. *TR
03/07/2010 · Vehicle Speed Control
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, MY 1992 LEXUS SC400 ACCELERATED TO NEARLY 90 MPH ON A 50 MPH RD. AFTER GOING THROUGH A YELLOW LIGHT. WHEN I WAS NEAR THE SPEED LIMIT OF 50 MPH I LET UP OFF THE ACCELERATOR BUT THE CAR WAS CLIMBING IN SPEED AS IF I WAS STILL ON THE ACCELERATOR, I APPLIED THE BRAKES TWICE AND EACH TIME I DID IT FELT LIKE I WAS BEING PUSHED FROM BEHIND…
02/03/2010 · Transmission / drivetrain
1. THE LAST TIME MY CAR HAD SUDDEN ACCELERATION WAS AT A SERVICE STATION WHEN I SHIFT THE GEAR FROM "D" TO "R". I HOLD THE BRAKE REAL HARD AND SHIFTED THE GEAR IN "N" AND THE ENGINE RPM BACK TO NORMAL. THE WHOLE EVENT CAUSED ABOUT TWO SECOND AND ALMOST HIT A CAR BEHIND MY CAR, SMOKE WAS GENERATED FROM TIRE SPINNING. 2. SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM OCCURRED…
03/19/2008 · Electrical system · fire
MY CAR IS A USED 1992 LEXUS SC400 AND I BOUGHT IT FROM A PRIVATE OWNER AND I DIDN'T HAVE THE CAR FOR A WEEK AND THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR
12/26/2007 · Brakes
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LEXUS SC400. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE HYDRAULIC BRAKING SYSTEM TRAPPED THE BRAKE FLUID PRESSURE AND THE REAR BRAKE LINE. AS A RESULT, THE REAR BRAKES BEGAN TO DRAG AND ONLY THE FRONT BRAKES COULD BE USED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 92V046000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION…
03/22/2007 · Brakes
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LEXUS SC400. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE IN THE REAR BRAKES. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NOT A FACTOR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 230,000. *AK THE REAR BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP WHEN COMING TO A FULL. UPDATED 05/04/07*TR
02/01/2007 · Engine · crash
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 1992 LEXUS SC400, ACCELERATED RAPIDLY TO ABOUT 50 MPH WHILE IN THE DRIVEWAY. SHE STATED THAT WHILE BACKING INTO A DRIVEWAY AT ABOUT 2 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THIS WAS EARLY MORNING OF 01/31/06, THE WEATHER AND DRIVEWAY CONDITIONS WERE DRY. THE GAS PEDAL ACCELERATED AND PRESSED TO THE FLOOR. SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES…
10/04/2006 · Lights
THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OF MY 1992 SC400 IS GOING OUT AND AT NIGHT, I HAVE TO USE A FLASH LIGHT TO SEE MY GAUGES. LEXUS OPTION IS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE CLUSTER WITH AN IMPROVED DESIGN FOR AROUND $1500! *JB