SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1996 Lexus LS400

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
19Owner complaints

Model-year median: 21.5

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
65
199368
199439
199519
199613
199745
199822
1999
Compare all LS400 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Engine And Engine Cooling
2Fuel System, Gasoline
2Unknown Or Other
2
All reported categories
Visibility
2Engine
1Equipment
1Exterior Lighting
1Seat Belts
1Steering
1Tires
1Vehicle Speed Control
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 7 of 19 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Seat Belts complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
100,000 miles · Mar 25, 2004
Seat Belts

VEHICLE WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELTS RETRACTING. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT GO BACK INTO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION AFTER IT WAS EXTENDED. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10064857

Official recalls

1

98V016000 · Electrical System:starter Assembly

Jan 27, 1998

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 & remedy

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE MAGNETIC SWITCH.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.