LEXUS SC400 · model year

1992 LEXUS SC400

40 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1992LEXUSSC400 carries 40 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 1 fire, 0 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 1992 SC400 is electrical system with 6 filings, followed by exterior lighting:headlights (5) and vehicle speed control (4). 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 1992 SC400. 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.

40
Complaints
7
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

40 filings

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

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP3
POWER TRAIN2
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.2
INTERIOR LIGHTING2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC1
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL1
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY1

Recent Complaints

20120415ELECTRICAL 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

Mileage: 70,000

20100307VEHICLE 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 SO I PUT ON "N" ONLY TO HEAR THE RPM'S REV REALLY HIGH. I DON'T HAVE FLOOR MATS BUT I HAD THE CAR SERVICED EARLIER THAT DAY BUT WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE AUTOMOTIVE DEPARTMENT OF THE COLLEGE I WAS ATTENDING THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG, IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED AGAIN SINCE THEN DESPITE THE FACT I CONSTANTLY TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR TO SEE IF IT SLOWS DOWN. THERE WAS NO CRASH AND THEREFORE NO INJURIES. *TR

Mileage: 220,578

20100203POWER TRAIN

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 ABOUT 2 TIMES A YEAR AT RANDOM. 3. NOTHING HAVE DONE TO MY CAR BECAUSE REPAIR SHOP CAN NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM, AND EVERY TIME THE PROBLEM OCCUR, I JUST PUT THE GEAR IN "N" AND THE ENGINE WILL BACK TO NORMAL. THE PROBLEM APPEARED MOSTLY WHEN THE GEAR IS IN "D", AND HAPPENED ONCE IN "R". DID NOT KEEP RECORD ON INCIDENT DATE, DATE SHOULD BELOW IS ESTIMATE. *TR

20080319FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 2,540

20071226SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

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 COMPONENTS). THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 191,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

Mileage: 185,000

20070322SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

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

Mileage: 230,000

20070322ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

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

Mileage: 230,000

20070201CrashENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 WITH FORCE, BUT THE VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO HER HUSBAND LAST MONTH, AND HE ALMOST RAN INTO THE A GARAGE. *AK

20061004ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

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

Mileage: 160,000

20061004INTERIOR LIGHTING

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

Mileage: 160,000

20041013CrashSTEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT SEPARATED WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT APPROX 30MPH, RUSULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. MAJOR DAMAGE TO FENDER WELD, WHEEL AND TIRE. NO PERSON WERE INJURED DUE TO LOW SPEED AND NO TRAFFIC.*AK

Mileage: 194,000

20041013CrashSTEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM

LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT SEPARATED WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT APPROX 30MPH, RUSULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. MAJOR DAMAGE TO FENDER WELD, WHEEL AND TIRE. NO PERSON WERE INJURED DUE TO LOW SPEED AND NO TRAFFIC.*AK

Mileage: 194,000

20040902VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE ACCELERATES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *MR WHEN THE CONSUMER STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INSTEAD OF STOPPING. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. *SC *JB

20040706ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGE LIGHTS ON MY 1992 SC40 BEGAN GOING BAD AT AROUND 75,000 MILES [1999]. BY 95,000 MILES 50% OF LIGHTS ARE OUT. BY DESIGN THE PANEL/NEEDLES MUST BE REPLACED WHICH IS A VERY EXPENSIVE PROCEDURE. I HAVE BEEN PUTTING IT OFF BECAUSE MY WIFE USUALLY ONLY DRIVES THE SC400 DURING THE DAYLIGHT HOURS, BUT NOW MY SON WOULD LIKE TO TAKE IT OVER AND THE PROBLEM OF SAFETY DURING NIGHT DRIVING COMES INTO PLAY. TOYOTA/LEXUS SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF BUILDING SUCH A GREAT CAR WITH A MONUMENTAL FLAW SUCH AS THIS. I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER WITH THIS PROBLEM NOR IS IT RESTRICTED TO THE LEXUS BRAND OF THE PARENT TOYOTA MOTOR COMPANY. *JB

Mileage: 75,000

20040601SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TRACTION CONTROL FAILED. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT ABS BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Mileage: 92,000

20040527SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE VEHICLE HAS HAD AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COMING ON AND OFF. THE PROBLEM HAS WORSENED OVER TIME AND NOW THE LIGHT REMAINS ON. THERE WAS A HYDRAULIC BRAKES RECALL 92V046000 ON THIS ISSUE BUT THE MANUFACTURE IS INDICATING THAT THE VIN NUMBER ISN'T INCLUDED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VIN NUMBER RUN BY ALLDATA AND A MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT THE VIN NUMBER WAS INCLUDED. *NM THE ALL DATA DESCRIPTION OF THE RECALL INDICATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS WOULD BE STRESSED BECAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTIONING TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS SYSTEM. THE REAR PADS WERE REPLACED AT 15000 MILES. *NM

Mileage: 75,000

20040527ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE VEHICLE HAS HAD AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COMING ON AND OFF. THE PROBLEM HAS WORSENED OVER TIME AND NOW THE LIGHT REMAINS ON. THERE WAS A HYDRAULIC BRAKES RECALL 92V046000 ON THIS ISSUE BUT THE MANUFACTURE IS INDICATING THAT THE VIN NUMBER ISN'T INCLUDED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VIN NUMBER RUN BY ALLDATA AND A MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT THE VIN NUMBER WAS INCLUDED. *NM THE ALL DATA DESCRIPTION OF THE RECALL INDICATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS WOULD BE STRESSED BECAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTIONING TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS SYSTEM. THE REAR PADS WERE REPLACED AT 15000 MILES. *NM

Mileage: 75,000

20040518EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

FRONT HEADLAMPS FILL WITH MOISTURE REDUCING NIGHT VISABILITY TO NEXT TO NOTHING. ALL YEARS OF THIS SC400 MODEL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER WANTS $500.00 PER LIGHT AND LABOR. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT!!!. A SEAL SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE AND INSTALLED BY THE DEALER AT NO COST. SPENDING 1K EVERY FEW YEARS IS A RIP OFF. THE FRONT DASH SPLITS AT AIR VENT. THE AM RADIO DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. *AK THE CD PLAYER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THERE ARE MANY FACTORY DEFECTS NOT ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND LIVES AT STAKE WITH A HEADLAMP PROBLEM. JUST ONE PERSON GETTING INJURED OR DIEING IS TOO MUCH. I NEED TO DRIVE MY CAR AT NIGHT!

20040518UNKNOWN OR OTHER

FRONT HEADLAMPS FILL WITH MOISTURE REDUCING NIGHT VISABILITY TO NEXT TO NOTHING. ALL YEARS OF THIS SC400 MODEL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER WANTS $500.00 PER LIGHT AND LABOR. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT!!!. A SEAL SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE AND INSTALLED BY THE DEALER AT NO COST. SPENDING 1K EVERY FEW YEARS IS A RIP OFF. THE FRONT DASH SPLITS AT AIR VENT. THE AM RADIO DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. *AK THE CD PLAYER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THERE ARE MANY FACTORY DEFECTS NOT ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND LIVES AT STAKE WITH A HEADLAMP PROBLEM. JUST ONE PERSON GETTING INJURED OR DIEING IS TOO MUCH. I NEED TO DRIVE MY CAR AT NIGHT!

20030411ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY LEXUS SC400 1992 HAS A CRACKED CENTER AC VENT, BAD CD CHANGER AND ALMOST ALL OF THE DASH LIGHTS ARE BURNED OUT. THESE PROBLEMS OCCUR ON ALMOST EVERY SC400 IN THE EARLY MODEL YEARS AND I BELIEVE THEY ARE DUE TO DESIGN FAULTS BY THE LEXUS COMPANY.*JB

Compare 1992LEXUSSC400 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1992 LEXUS SC400 have?
The 1992 LEXUS SC400 has 40 NHTSA complaints, 7 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1992 LEXUS SC400?
The most-complained component for the 1992 LEXUS SC400 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 1992 LEXUS SC400 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.