1991 Lexus LS400 recalls & problems
The 1991 Lexus LS400 has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 21 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (6 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1991 Lexus LS400.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
LS 400
| City / highway | 16 / 21 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components | 6 | — |
| Air bags Frontal | 3 | — |
| Unknown or other | 3 | — |
| Wheels | 2 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | — |
| Steering Linkages › Tie rod assembly | 2 | — |
| Tires Tread/belt | 2 | — |
| Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline | 2 | — |
| Parking brake Conventional | 1 | — |
| Structure Body › Door | 1 | — |
| Seat belts | 1 | — |
| Electrical system | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Mar 7, 2014Unknown or other
TAKATA INFLATOR THE AIRBAGS THE MPH GAUGEZ MOST OF DASH BOARD LIGHTS DONT WORK. - Nov 25, 2016 · 105,000 miles · fireFuel/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… - Jun 30, 2011 · 134,625 milesService 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 - Dec 1, 2008Steering
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… - Dec 18, 2008Seat belts
1 - SEAT BELTS TO NOT FULLY AUTOMATICALLY RETRACT BY THEMSELVES IN COOL WEATHER. *TR - Jul 14, 2001Tires › Tread/belt
TREAD SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH. *AK (TIRESIZE: 205/65-15) - May 7, 2000Unknown 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 - Jan 29, 1999 · crashAir 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
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.