The 1997 Lexus SC400 has 1 safety recall and 1 owner complaint on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (1 complaint).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints1filed 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*
Air bags
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
Oct 1, 2017 · 105,000 milesAir bags TWO WEEKS AGO A RED WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH SHOWING AN AIR BAG DEFICIENCY. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO LEXUS OF WAYZATA FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND REMOVAL OF THE WARNING LIGHT. I LATER RECALLED THE BATTERY HAD DRAINED DUE TO A POOR CONNECTION ABOUT THE TIME THE LIGHT CAME ON. THAT WAS FIXED BUT THE LIGHT STAYED ON. LEXUS WANTED OVER $1600 TO OBTAIN A NEW AIR BAG SENSOR MODULE INCLUDING LABOR COSTS, BROKEN DOWN INTO PARTS COST $1150 AND LABOR $470. I FURNISHED THE USED SENSOR ON THE INTERNET FOR $95 AND THE LIGHT DISAPPEARED. SAVED OVER $1000 BY TAKING CHARGE OF REPAIRS. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT INVOLVING THIS CAR. MY UNDERSTANDING IS FOLLOWING RESEARCH INTO THE PROBLEM THAT CERTAIN SOFTWARE…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.