The 1996 Lexus SC400 has 1 safety recall and 4 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is tires (2 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints4filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Electrical system › Starter assembly
NHTSA recall 98V016000 · Jan 27, 1998 · 47,525 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: A STARTER MOTOR NO-START CONDITION OR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE CAN RESULT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE MAGNETIC SWITCH.
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.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Tires Tread/belt
2
0
0
0
—
Latches/locks/linkages Doors › Latch
1
0
0
0
—
Exterior lighting Brake lights
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Mar 21, 2006 · 70,290 milesExterior lighting › Brake lights ON TWO OCCASIONS JUST BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A SIGNAL, THE CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD FOR NO REASON, AND I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THIS MOTION WITH THE BRAKES, SO I QUICKLY PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RACING AT 6,000 RPM. AFTER THIS OCCURRED THE SECOND TIME, WHEN PARKING IN THE GARAGE, I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE RPMS WOULD CHANGE BY ABOUT 200-300 RPMS ABOUT EVERY 5TH TIME WHEN JUST APPLYING THE BRAKES WHILE CAR WAS IN PARK. A POSSIBLE PROBLEM COULD BE RELATED TO THE FACT THAT WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR 2/20/06, I NOTICED THAT THE REAR MOUNTED HIGH BRAKE LIGHT LED BUILT INTO THE REAR WING WAS NOT WORKING. THE DEALER REPAIRED THIS BY LOCATING A…
Jun 21, 2004Tires › Tread/belt WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED BOTH PASSENGERS AND DRIVER REAR TIRES TREAD SEPARATED. CONSUMER TOOK THE TIRES TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THE TIRES WERE WORN OUT. *AK PLY SEPARATION OCCURED ON THE INSIDE OF BOTH TIRES. THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND DURING THE INSTALLATION OF NEW TIRES. THE TIRE HAD 3/32 TREAD REMAINING. *NM
Jun 21, 2004Tires › Tread/belt WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER REAR TIRES TREAD SEPARATED. CONSUMER TOOK THE TIRES TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TIRES WERE WORN OUT. *AK THERE WAS 3/32 TREAD REMAINING ON THE TIRE. THE PLY'S SEPARATED ON THE INSIDE OF BOTH TIRES. THIS PROBLEM WAS FOUND DURING THE INSTALLATION OF NEW TIRES. *NM
May 3, 2002 · 157,000 milesLatches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch PASSENGER DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY FAILED AND WOULD NOT ALLOW DOOR TO BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE, ONLY WOULD OPEN FROM THE INSIDE; CAUSING A OVER $500 REPAIR BECAUSE A SMALL PIECE OF METAL IN THE ASSEMBLY BROKE. LEXUS COULD/WOULD NOT REPLACE JUST THE SMALL METAL PIECE, AND THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED CAUSING A VERY COSTLY REPAIR; THIS OCCURED IN 2003. IN MAY OF 2004, THE DRIVER'S DOOR THEN FAILED, AND ALSO WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE, WOULD ONLY OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THIS TIME THEY WERE ABLE TO CORRECT WITH A $7.00 PART AND A $120 LABOR COST TO REPLACE.*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.