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1998 Lexus GS400

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

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Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 14 of 31 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports0 fire reports9 injury reports

What owners actually said

31 reports
272,000 miles · May 13, 2019
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LEXUS GS400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE ENGINE WAS ON AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED, THE DRIVER LIFTED OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO A TREE. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE SPEED EXCEEDED MORE THEN 60 MPH. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LEXUS GS400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE ENGINE WAS ON AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED, THE DRIVER LIFTED OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO A TREE. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE SPEED EXCEEDED MORE THEN 60 MPH. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. DURING THE CRASH, THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK, LEGS AND ARMS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, FACE AND EYE, BACK AND LEGS. BOTH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AWAY. A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MANUFACTURER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 272,000.

NHTSA ODI #11207221

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2016
Service BrakesStructureSuspensionCrashInjury

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, A RATHER BUSY STREET TRYING TO STOP. THE LEXUS WOULD NOT STOP, DUE TO THE STRUTS AND MOUNTS ARE BROKEN. WHICH I LEARNED FROM SEARS AUTOMOTIVE. THE DEFECTS INTERFERE WITH CAR OVERALL ABILITY TO STOP PROPERLY, IT ALSO SWAYS OVER INTO THE OPPOSITE LANES. BECAUSE THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP PROPERLY, I WAS R…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, A RATHER BUSY STREET TRYING TO STOP. THE LEXUS WOULD NOT STOP, DUE TO THE STRUTS AND MOUNTS ARE BROKEN. WHICH I LEARNED FROM SEARS AUTOMOTIVE. THE DEFECTS INTERFERE WITH CAR OVERALL ABILITY TO STOP PROPERLY, IT ALSO SWAYS OVER INTO THE OPPOSITE LANES. BECAUSE THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP PROPERLY, I WAS REAR ENDED, BY ANOTHER CAR THAT WAS GOING ABOUT 35-45 MILES PER HOUR. THE DRIVER TOLD ME THAT HE THOUGHT I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP. I NOW HAVE SEVERE BACK AND HEAD PAINS.

NHTSA ODI #10840065

121,450 miles · Mar 23, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FAILED BRAKE BOOSTER MOTOR FOR MASTER CYLINDER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10452748

180,000 miles · May 26, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

LEXUS STUCK PEDAL--I DRIVE A 1998 LEXUS GS400 WHICH I BOUGHT NEW. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT, I'D PRESSED THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN("FLOORED IT") MANY TIMES AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. HOWEVER IN MORE RECENT YEARS, I RARELY "FLOORED IT" . ONE TIME LAST SUMMER, I PUSHED THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO PASS A CAR AND THE PEDAL STUCK. MY …

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LEXUS STUCK PEDAL--I DRIVE A 1998 LEXUS GS400 WHICH I BOUGHT NEW. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT, I'D PRESSED THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN("FLOORED IT") MANY TIMES AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. HOWEVER IN MORE RECENT YEARS, I RARELY "FLOORED IT" . ONE TIME LAST SUMMER, I PUSHED THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO PASS A CAR AND THE PEDAL STUCK. MY CAR ACCELERATED FROM 35MPH TO 70MPH IN A MATTER OF SECONDS ON A LOCAL ROAD. I HIT THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES BUT IT KEPT SPEEDING UP. I WAS ABLE TO PRY UP THE PEDAL UP WITH MY TOE AVERTING A NEAR-ACCIDENT. THIS WAS BEFORE ALL OF THE NEWS WITH TOYOTA'S SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAME TO LIGHT. I DIDN'T TAKE THE CAR INTO THE LOCAL LEXUS SHOP BECAUSE, THEY CHARGE AT LEAST $2000 EVERYTIME I TAKE IT IN. I DROVE THE CAR FOR ANOTHER YEAR BUT MADE SURE NOT TO PRESS THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN. HOWEVER, I AM INTENDING ON TRADING IN THE CAR NOW AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE DEFECT IS FIXED BECAUSE ANY FUTURE OWNERS OF THIS CAR WILL NOT BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS A POTENTIAL HAZARD WAITING TO HAPPEN. I WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE GOVERNMENT BEFORE TAKING IT IN BECAUSE (A) I WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO BE AWARE THAT LEXUS(NOT JUST TOYOTAS) HAS THIS PROBLEM OF STUCK PEDAL/ACCELERATION (B) IN CASE THE GOV WANTED TO CONDUCT ANY INVESTIGATION WITH MY VEHICLE REGARDING THE STUCK PEDAL FOR EVIDENCE OR RESEARCH BEFORE LEXUS DOES ANYTHING WITH IT(IT DID NOT INVOLVE A FLOORMAT-THE PEDAL JUST STUCK AND DIDN'T COME BACK UP AFTER I RELEASED MY FOOT) (C) COMPEL LEXUS TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR FREE BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY DEFECT BEFORE SELLING IT TO A FUTURE OWNER. I FEEL THIS IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO DO EXTENSIVE RESEARCH REGARDING THIS MATTER. LEXUS HAS MANAGED TO STAY OUT OF TOYOTA'S RECENT CULPABILITY ISSUES, BUT CERTAINLY MY LEXUS HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. YOU MAY ALSO WANT ENGINEERS TO EXAMINE MY PEDAL FOR MORE RESEARCH OR EVEN EVIDENCE AS TO WHY THIS OCCURS IN LEXUS/ TOYOTA VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10332417

184,867 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LEXUS GS400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS HE WAS DRIVING 15 MPH ONTO A RAMP, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND AS HE DEPRESSED HIS BRAKES THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND REAR ENDED A TRUCK PUSHING HIM INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE TWO OTHER OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE WITH MINOR INJURIES TO THEIR KNEES. THE VE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LEXUS GS400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS HE WAS DRIVING 15 MPH ONTO A RAMP, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND AS HE DEPRESSED HIS BRAKES THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND REAR ENDED A TRUCK PUSHING HIM INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE TWO OTHER OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE WITH MINOR INJURIES TO THEIR KNEES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CALLED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,867. UPDATED 04/13/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/22/10

NHTSA ODI #10313693

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF 1998 LEXUS GS400 ONCE ON JAN. 16,1999 WITH NO DAMAGE. I WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE. A SECOND TIME ON JAN. 1, 2001. I WAS PULLING UP TO A GAS PUMP AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO THE CURB AT THE PUMP AND ALSO HIT THE PUMP. BOTH INCIDENTS REPORTED TO DEALER, BUT WERE TREATED AS DRIVER ERROR. SECOND INCIDE…

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SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF 1998 LEXUS GS400 ONCE ON JAN. 16,1999 WITH NO DAMAGE. I WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE. A SECOND TIME ON JAN. 1, 2001. I WAS PULLING UP TO A GAS PUMP AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO THE CURB AT THE PUMP AND ALSO HIT THE PUMP. BOTH INCIDENTS REPORTED TO DEALER, BUT WERE TREATED AS DRIVER ERROR. SECOND INCIDENT CAUSED MINOR DAMAGE TO THE PUMP AND MODERATE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. I AM REPORTING THIS AT THIS TIME, BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN NO REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM ON TOYOTA VEHICLES AS FAR BACK AS 1998. I CURRENTLY OWN A 2007 LEXUS GS350 WITH 15K MILES AND A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH 26K MILES AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH EITHER CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310627

Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2008
Suspension

1998 LEXUS GS400 WITH BALL JOINT FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT DUE TO THE BALL JOINT FAILURE. HE SENT THE BALL JOINT TO LEXUS FOR INSPECTION. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10223941

96,000 miles · Oct 9, 2007
Seat BeltsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LEXUS GS 400. WHILE DRIVING 17MPH IN A PARKING LOT, HIS FOOT ACCIDENTALLY SLIPPED CAUSING HIM TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE SEAT BELT NEVER LOCKED AND CAUSED THE CONTACTS CHEST TO SLAM INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEN INTO THE SEAT. THE ENGINE SIZE AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LEXUS GS 400. WHILE DRIVING 17MPH IN A PARKING LOT, HIS FOOT ACCIDENTALLY SLIPPED CAUSING HIM TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE SEAT BELT NEVER LOCKED AND CAUSED THE CONTACTS CHEST TO SLAM INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEN INTO THE SEAT. THE ENGINE SIZE AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000. PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS CONFIRMED BUT IS LISTED AS INVALID.

NHTSA ODI #10205292

70,000 miles · Sep 18, 2007
Seat BeltsCrashInjury

22 SETS OF TIRES WORN OUT ON THE FRONT. I HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A BUILDING--THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN ME BE CAUSE OF SLACK AND THE DECEPTION/FRAUD OF LEXEUS PO005-1. YOU HAVE TO MAKE A "SPECIFIC COMPLAINT ABOUT THE BELTS" OR THEY ARE NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. PO005-1 HAS BEED WITH HELD FROM THE PUBLIC. LEXUS IS TRYI…

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22 SETS OF TIRES WORN OUT ON THE FRONT. I HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A BUILDING--THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN ME BE CAUSE OF SLACK AND THE DECEPTION/FRAUD OF LEXEUS PO005-1. YOU HAVE TO MAKE A "SPECIFIC COMPLAINT ABOUT THE BELTS" OR THEY ARE NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. PO005-1 HAS BEED WITH HELD FROM THE PUBLIC. LEXUS IS TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO COVERUP THE TB. WE HAVE OVER 250,000 VEHICLES ON THE ROAD WITH OUT THE PO005-1 NOT BEING . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10203351

6,000 miles · Aug 23, 2005
Electrical System

SAFETY ON VALENTINS DAY 1998, I PURCHASED A NEW 1998 GS 400 IN AUSTIN TEXAS. WHILE I WAS DOING SOME RESEARCH ABOUT THE NHTSA FOR INFORMATION (FULL PROFESSOR). ON YOUR TB PAGE I FOUND OUT THAT THE VSC( COMPUTER WAS DEFECTIVE IN THE JAPANEASE MARKET BEFORE JANUARY. A NON-COMPLIANCE FIX PLAN TO NHTSA IN MARCH. I ALSO FOUND T…

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SAFETY ON VALENTINS DAY 1998, I PURCHASED A NEW 1998 GS 400 IN AUSTIN TEXAS. WHILE I WAS DOING SOME RESEARCH ABOUT THE NHTSA FOR INFORMATION (FULL PROFESSOR). ON YOUR TB PAGE I FOUND OUT THAT THE VSC( COMPUTER WAS DEFECTIVE IN THE JAPANEASE MARKET BEFORE JANUARY. A NON-COMPLIANCE FIX PLAN TO NHTSA IN MARCH. I ALSO FOUND THE DOCUMENT THAT STATES "TOYOTA WAS TO FAULT FOR THE BAD YAW CONTROL" AND THAT THEY PLANNED TO FIX THE COMPUTERS CAUSE THEY MIGHT CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AT NO TIME DURING THE RECALL PROCESS WAS I EVER AWARE OF THE DEFECTIVE PART. AS A COL I MAKE MANY TRIPS ON FORT HOOD TEXAS WHICH HAS OVER 37,000 RADONS OF WHICH 8,000 ARE IN USE EVERY DAY. MOST OF THE RADIOS ARE SINGARS (FREQUENCY HOPPERS). ON AT LEAST 6 OR MORE TIME THE VSC YELLOW LIGHT CAME ON TURING THE SYSTEM OFF AND THEN IT WOULD COME BACK ON. IN THE AERA I LIVE IN, GARAGE DOORS AND CLOCKS, TV'S ARE SUBJECT TO COME ON BECAUSE OF MILITARY RADIOS. I HAD FULL CONFIDENCE IN LEXUS ABOUT BEING SAFE. I THINK THEY WERE MISSREPRESENTING AND NEGLEGNCE IN NOT TELLING ME.

NHTSA ODI #10133988

Official recalls

1

98V080000 · Electronic Stability Control:automatic (asc)

Apr 17, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT OF THE YAW RATE SENSOR FOR THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL (VSC), THE VSC CAN OPERATE IMPROPERLY IF THE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY CERTAIN ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES, SUCH AS FROM A CELLULAR PHONE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE BRAKE MAY OPERATE UNEXPECTEDLY, AFFECTING STEERING AND SPEED CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE YAW RATE SENSOR.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP03003 · Unintended Engine Speed Increase/sa

Opened Jul 17, 2003 · Closed Sep 23, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

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 RESULTS IN SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED EXCESSIVE (VEHICLE) ACCELERATION EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO PRESSURE [SIC]APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.IN SUPPORT OF HIS PETITION, MR. BODDAERT CITES A NUMBER OF ODI REPORTS CONCERNING VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL LINKAGES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INCLUDED AMONGST THE THIRTY-SIX REPORTS HE CITES IS ONE INVOLVING A LEXUS THAT COLLIDED WITH FIVE OTHER CARS IN THE SPACE OF ONE-HALF MILE BEFORE IT COULD BE STOPPED.ODI FOUND NO DATA INDICATING THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND RELATED TO THE PETITIONER'S ALLEGATIONS AT THIS TIME.THEREFORE, THERE IS NO REASONABLE POSSIBILITY THAT AN ORDER CONCERNING THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT WOULD BE ISSUED AS A RESULT OF GRANTING MR. BODDAERT'S PETITION.CONSEQUENTLY, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.