Total Complaints
27 filings
LEXUS LS400 · model year
1991 LEXUS LS400
27 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1991LEXUSLS400 carries 27 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 2 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1991 LS400 is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 3 filings, followed by unknown or other (3) and wheels (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 1991 LS400. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
27
Complaints
7
Crashes
2
Fires
8
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
7 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 3 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 |
| WHEELS | 2 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 |
| PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 1 |
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
| STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20170711UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TAKATA INFLATOR THE AIRBAGS THE MPH GAUGEZ MOST OF DASH BOARD LIGHTS DONT WORK.
20161231FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THIS LEXUS LS400 CAUGHT ON FIRE DURING SMOG CHECK AND BOTH NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WERE ON FIRE AND 2 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS WERE USED. THE CAR IS STILL DRIVE-ABLE AND ONLY TAKE VERY SHORT SHORT "STOP AND GO" TRIPS IF YOU REALLY WANT IT GO FROM POINT A TO B. I HAVE ATTACHED 2 PICS ON THE SMOG CHECK PLACE AND A REPORT FROM THE SMOG CHECK PLACE BEFORE IT CAN FINISHED THE SMOG TEST PROCESS. I ALSO HAVE A FRIEND GOT A LEXUS ES300 1998 SIMILAR PROBLEMS WHICH HE SPENT AND REPLACED FUEL INJECTORS, TUNE UP, MAF, OXYGEN SENOR ETC BUT GET NO WHERE.. IT IS DEFINITELY AN INTERESTING ACADEMIC CASE AND ALSO A UNSAFE VEHICLE IN THE PUBLIC; WELL, I DO NOTICE EVERYONE GETS THEIR ATTENTION STARTS LOOKING AND SMELLING. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -- THE 2 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS BECAME RED-HOT AFTER CHANGING AN ALTERNATOR FROM O'RIELLY AND IT WAS SUSPECTED TOO MUCH "UN-BURNED" GAS FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND BURNT AT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS; A LOT OF EMISSION CONTROL PARTS CHANGED SUCH AS 2 CATALYTIC CO
Mileage: 105,000
20161231FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER
THIS LEXUS LS400 CAUGHT ON FIRE DURING SMOG CHECK AND BOTH NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WERE ON FIRE AND 2 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS WERE USED. THE CAR IS STILL DRIVE-ABLE AND ONLY TAKE VERY SHORT SHORT "STOP AND GO" TRIPS IF YOU REALLY WANT IT GO FROM POINT A TO B. I HAVE ATTACHED 2 PICS ON THE SMOG CHECK PLACE AND A REPORT FROM THE SMOG CHECK PLACE BEFORE IT CAN FINISHED THE SMOG TEST PROCESS. I ALSO HAVE A FRIEND GOT A LEXUS ES300 1998 SIMILAR PROBLEMS WHICH HE SPENT AND REPLACED FUEL INJECTORS, TUNE UP, MAF, OXYGEN SENOR ETC BUT GET NO WHERE.. IT IS DEFINITELY AN INTERESTING ACADEMIC CASE AND ALSO A UNSAFE VEHICLE IN THE PUBLIC; WELL, I DO NOTICE EVERYONE GETS THEIR ATTENTION STARTS LOOKING AND SMELLING. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -- THE 2 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS BECAME RED-HOT AFTER CHANGING AN ALTERNATOR FROM O'RIELLY AND IT WAS SUSPECTED TOO MUCH "UN-BURNED" GAS FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND BURNT AT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS; A LOT OF EMISSION CONTROL PARTS CHANGED SUCH AS 2 CATALYTIC CO
Mileage: 105,000
20110715SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 LEXUS LS 400. THE CONTACT WAS EXITING A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED INTO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS AT LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE FRACTURED AND HAD CAUSED THE BRAKE FLUID LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE OTHER THAN FILING A COMPLAINT FOR THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,625 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,900. UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF UPDATED 09/12/11
Mileage: 134,625
20110715SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 LEXUS LS 400. THE CONTACT WAS EXITING A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED INTO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS AT LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE FRACTURED AND HAD CAUSED THE BRAKE FLUID LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE OTHER THAN FILING A COMPLAINT FOR THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,625 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,900. UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF UPDATED 09/12/11
Mileage: 134,625
20081229SEAT BELTS
1 - SEAT BELTS TO NOT FULLY AUTOMATICALLY RETRACT BY THEMSELVES IN COOL WEATHER. *TR
20081229STEERING
ITS WELL KNOWN THAT THE POWER STEERING/ALTERNATOR SETUP ON THE 1990-1994 LEXUS LS400S ARE POORLY DESIGNED. THE POWER STEERING PUMPS ARE KNOWN TO SPRING LEAKS. THEY ARE LOCATED DIRECTLY OVER THE ALTERNATOR CHARGING SYSTEM AND THE LEAKING FLUID SHORTS OUT THE ALTERNATOR, LEADING TO FAILURE. I HAVE HAD TWO OF THESE AND BOTH WERE LEAKING AND AFTER RESEARCHING, ITS HARD TO FIND A 1990-94 LS400 ON THE ROAD THAT DOES NOT HAVE A LEAKING POWER STEERING PUMP. THE PUMP SEALS SHOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER MANUFACTURED, PLACED IN A DIFFERENT CONFIGURATION, OR A "ALTERNATOR GUARD" PLACED OVER THE ALTERNATOR TO KEEP THE FLUID FROM SEEPING INTO THE ALTERNATOR CAUSING THE PREMATURE FAILURE. I HAVE SEEN A COUPLE OF THESE WITH FIRES IN THIS AREA AND CAN UNDERSTAND IT BEING A POSSIBILITY WITH THE POWER STEERING OIL LEAKING DOWN INTO THE ALTERNATOR. SO, NOT ONLY DO THE PUMPS LEAK EXTERNALLY (THEY ALSO LEAK INTERNALLY AND SUCK INTO THE ENGINE), BUT THEY ALSO RUIN THE ALTERNATOR AND CAUSE A POTENTIAL FIRE HA
20081229ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ITS WELL KNOWN THAT THE POWER STEERING/ALTERNATOR SETUP ON THE 1990-1994 LEXUS LS400S ARE POORLY DESIGNED. THE POWER STEERING PUMPS ARE KNOWN TO SPRING LEAKS. THEY ARE LOCATED DIRECTLY OVER THE ALTERNATOR CHARGING SYSTEM AND THE LEAKING FLUID SHORTS OUT THE ALTERNATOR, LEADING TO FAILURE. I HAVE HAD TWO OF THESE AND BOTH WERE LEAKING AND AFTER RESEARCHING, ITS HARD TO FIND A 1990-94 LS400 ON THE ROAD THAT DOES NOT HAVE A LEAKING POWER STEERING PUMP. THE PUMP SEALS SHOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER MANUFACTURED, PLACED IN A DIFFERENT CONFIGURATION, OR A "ALTERNATOR GUARD" PLACED OVER THE ALTERNATOR TO KEEP THE FLUID FROM SEEPING INTO THE ALTERNATOR CAUSING THE PREMATURE FAILURE. I HAVE SEEN A COUPLE OF THESE WITH FIRES IN THIS AREA AND CAN UNDERSTAND IT BEING A POSSIBILITY WITH THE POWER STEERING OIL LEAKING DOWN INTO THE ALTERNATOR. SO, NOT ONLY DO THE PUMPS LEAK EXTERNALLY (THEY ALSO LEAK INTERNALLY AND SUCK INTO THE ENGINE), BUT THEY ALSO RUIN THE ALTERNATOR AND CAUSE A POTENTIAL FIRE HA
20010723TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TREAD SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH. *AK (TIRESIZE: 205/65-15)
20000519UNKNOWN OR OTHER
INSTRUMENT INDICATOR NEEDLES FAIL TO ILUMINATE. SEE THIS AS A COMMON PROBLEM OF OTHERS AT THIS YAHOO LEXUS CHAT FORUM --- HTTP://MESSAGES.YAHOO.COM/BBS?.MM=AU&ACTION=M&BOARD=8313852&TID=LEXUSINSTRUMENTLIGHTPROBLEMS&SID=8313852&MID=1 8AK
19991118CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
STOPPED AT A TOLL BOOTH ON ROUTE 355 AND NORTH AVEUE, AND WAS REAR ENDED BY A GEO METRO TRAVELING 50MPH. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. INSURANCE COMPANY HAS REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. CONSUMER HAS SPENT OVER $5,000. FOR THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. DIDN'T CONTACT THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. *AK
19991010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CAR WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. TOTALLED
19990217TIRES
WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE ARE DEFECTIVE AND STARTED TO FLAKE OFF. WHEN THE DEALER DIPPED THE WHOLE WHEEL, THEN THE CHROME FLAKED OFF, AND THE TIRES STARTED TO LOSE AIR. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *AK
19990217WHEELS
WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE ARE DEFECTIVE AND STARTED TO FLAKE OFF. WHEN THE DEALER DIPPED THE WHOLE WHEEL, THEN THE CHROME FLAKED OFF, AND THE TIRES STARTED TO LOSE AIR. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *AK
19990217ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE IDILING IN NEUTRAL, DRIVER PLACED THE GEAR INTO DRIVE WHILE HIS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE SURGE FORWARD AND THE ENGINE ACCELERATED TO MAXIMUM THROTTLE DESPITE HOLDING THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN AS FAR AS IT COULD GO. VEHICLE STRUCK A PARKED VEHICLE.
19990107CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
PARKED CAR-PUT IN REVERSE AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF FULL THROTTLE, BRAKES DID NOT WORK-TOTALED CAR. *AK
19990107CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
PARKED CAR-PUT IN REVERSE AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF FULL THROTTLE, BRAKES DID NOT WORK-TOTALED CAR. *AK
19980622STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
TIE ROD FAILURE.
19970126CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SHIIFTED GEAR SELECTOR IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED REARWARD, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK
19970109AIR BAGS
AIR BAG DID NOT FULLY DEPLOY, FILLED COMPARTMENT WITH SMOKE INSTEAD. *AK
Compare 1991LEXUSLS400 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1991 LEXUS LS400 have?▼
The 1991 LEXUS LS400 has 27 NHTSA complaints, 7 crashes, 2 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1991 LEXUS LS400?▼
The most-complained component for the 1991 LEXUS LS400 is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and WHEELS.
Is the 1991 LEXUS LS400 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.