The 1997 Lexus Ls400 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 47,525 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
A STARTER MOTOR NO-START CONDITION OR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE CAN RESULT.
DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE MAGNETIC SWITCH.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“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.”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“As I was driving, my vehicle started accelerating on it's own. When I had previously checked the speed odometer it said 50. All of a sudden the vehicle started gaining speed. I took my foot off of the gas pedal and the speed kept accelerating. I pressed the brakes and the brakes did not work! The…”
“As I was driving, my vehicle started accelerating on it's own. When I had previously checked the speed odometer it said 50. All of a sudden the vehicle started gaining speed. I took my foot off of the gas pedal and the speed kept accelerating. I pressed the brakes and the brakes did not work! The…”
“As I was driving, my vehicle started accelerating on it's own. When I had previously checked the speed odometer it said 50. All of a sudden the vehicle started gaining speed. I took my foot off of the gas pedal and the speed kept accelerating. I pressed the brakes and the brakes did not work! The…”
“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…”
ON MAY 13, 2003 THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) RECEIVED AN APRIL 25, 2003 LETTER FROM MR. PETER BODDAERT PETITIONING THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT A PETITION ANALYSIS OF CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2000 MODEL YEAR LEXUS 300 AND 400 SERIES VEHICLES FOR PROBLEMS OF VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL LINKAGES WHICH…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Lexus Ls400 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.