VehicleVerdict

1997 Lexus Ls400 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 23 complaints on file for the 1997 Lexus Ls400 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

23

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Ls400 years?

Ls400 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted83 complaints1990: 36 complaints1991: 27 complaints1992: 10 complaints1993: 83 complaints1994: 76 complaints1995: 48 complaints1996: 24 complaints1997: 23 complaints1998: 52 complaints1999: 27 complaints2000: 16 complaints2001: 2 complaints
Ls400 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Ls400 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Lexus Ls400 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes417%
Speed Control313%
Engine29%
Airbags29%
Electrical System29%
Tires & Wheels29%
Transmission29%
Steering14%
Body & Structure14%
Suspension14%
Visibility & Wipers14%
Other14%
Latches & Locks14%

Does the 1997 Lexus Ls400 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE 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

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

98V016000Electrical SystemJanuary 27, 1998 · 47,525 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE TERMINAL FOR THE STARTER MOTOR MAGNETIC SWITCH, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT CAN OCCUR IF ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE LIQUID, SUCH AS ROAD SPLASH WITH DEICING SALT, ENTERS THIS AREA.

Consequence

A STARTER MOTOR NO-START CONDITION OR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE CAN RESULT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE MAGNETIC SWITCH.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“A FIRE STARTED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED VIA LETTER. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT 1 WEEK PRIOR TO THE FIRE, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED, THE RADIO DIED AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER DIED, THE PROBLEM WAS THEN DIAGNOSED AS A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 13, 2002 · fire

“A FIRE STARTED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED VIA LETTER. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT 1 WEEK PRIOR TO THE FIRE, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED, THE RADIO DIED AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER DIED, THE PROBLEM WAS THEN DIAGNOSED AS A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · January 13, 2002 · fire

“VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A DRIVER SIDE FRONT FENDER COLLISION AT 50 MPH, AND BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS AND SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK TOYOTA'S LEGAL DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED THAT THE DIRECT FRONTAL COLLISON FORCES WERE BELOW THE THRESHOLD FOR DEPLOYMENT, IMPACTING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 8, 2001 · crash

“CRASH CAUSED BY POOR WET TRACTION OF GOODYEAR INTEGRITY TIRES. ACCIDENT WAS PRECEDED BY NUMEROUS INSTANCES OF LOST LATERAL GRIP AND SLIPPING UNDER NORMAL ACCELERATION IN NORMAL DRIVING.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 15, 2018

“VEHICLE DOES NOT START WHEN HOT. STARTER DOES NOT TURN. VEHICLE WAS NEVER RECALLED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 98V016000. MY CAR HAS A PRODUCTION DATE OF 7/97. CUT OFF DATE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN WAS 6/97. I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE REPAIR OF THE MAGNETIC SWITCH IN THE STARTER. A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 13, 2015

1997 Lexus Ls400 — common questions

Is the 1997 Lexus Ls400 reliable?

The record is thin — 23 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1997 Ls400 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (4 complaints), speed control (3 complaints), airbags (2 complaints).

Does the 1997 Lexus Ls400 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Lexus Ls400. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Lexus Ls400 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Lexus Ls400 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Ls400 years to avoid are 1993, 1994, 1998, 1995. The cleanest record among Ls400 years belongs to 2001.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.