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1990 Lexus LS400

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1990 Lexus LS400 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 21.5.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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: 10 of 24 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

24 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING - ENCLOSING AN AGENDA REPORT SERVICE HISTORY MAY 2014 - MAY/JUNE 2016 ON BLACK 1990 LEXUS LS 400. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED EACH TIME THE REPAIR SHOP PERFORMED SERVICES ON HER VEHICLE, IT LED TO ANOTHER PROBLEM(S). A CLAMP WAS MISSING. A WIRE LEFT DANGLING, A HOSE WAS NOT PLACED ON CORRECTLY OR IT WAS T…

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S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING - ENCLOSING AN AGENDA REPORT SERVICE HISTORY MAY 2014 - MAY/JUNE 2016 ON BLACK 1990 LEXUS LS 400. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED EACH TIME THE REPAIR SHOP PERFORMED SERVICES ON HER VEHICLE, IT LED TO ANOTHER PROBLEM(S). A CLAMP WAS MISSING. A WIRE LEFT DANGLING, A HOSE WAS NOT PLACED ON CORRECTLY OR IT WAS THE WRONG HOSE AND/OR A GOOD HOSE WAS TORN, BROKEN OR TATTERED. A SCREW WAS LEFT MISSING. A PART OR COMPONENT WAS NOT PUT IN PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE MORE THAN 10 MILES, BECAUSE IT WOULD SMOKE AND LEAK FLUID. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED, THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY, THE HOOD WOULD NOT SHUT COMPLETELY, THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT WORK, DESPITE HAVING A FULL TANK OF GAS, THE DEFROSTER DID NOT WORK. ALSO, THE OIL SHOWED A QUART LOW, THE INTERIOR GAUGES ON THE STEERING PANEL WENT HAYWIRE, THE INTERIOR TURN SWITCHES WERE NOT WORKING AS THEY SHOULD, THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE TRANSMISSION STICK WAS LOOSE, THE BRAKE HOSE AND IGNITION CYLINDER, CONTROL ARMS AND WINDOW REGULATORS WERE REPLACED. *JB UPDATED 04/10/2017*JS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10916975

100,000 miles · Oct 6, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

MY CAR, MADE BY TOYOTA, HAS ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS, FAULTY PARTS, AS THE CARS THAT WERE RECALLED FOR SUDDEN ACCELERATION. I HAVE HAD THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM HAPPEN TWICE AND I AM CURRENTLY UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF A FAULTY RESISTOR THAT CONTROLS THE FUEL FEED TOT THE FUEL PUMP KEEPS CAUSING THE CAR TO ACT LIKE …

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MY CAR, MADE BY TOYOTA, HAS ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS, FAULTY PARTS, AS THE CARS THAT WERE RECALLED FOR SUDDEN ACCELERATION. I HAVE HAD THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM HAPPEN TWICE AND I AM CURRENTLY UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF A FAULTY RESISTOR THAT CONTROLS THE FUEL FEED TOT THE FUEL PUMP KEEPS CAUSING THE CAR TO ACT LIKE IT IS RUNNING OUT OF GAS. VERY DANGEROUS. LEXUS HAS REFUSED TO FIX IT EVEN THOUGH I AM WILLING TO PAY. THEY WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH CARS WITH THE SAME PARTS AS SUDDEN ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ODI #10780156

50,000 miles · Sep 16, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

IN APPROXIMATELY 1995, I EXPERIENCED THE "SUDDEN ACCELERATION" PROBLEM TWICE WITH MY LEXUS LS. AT THE TIME, NO ONE HAD EVER HEARD OF IT AND THE DEALER SAID HE COULD NOT REPRODUCE IT AND COULD DO NOTHING. AFTER THAT I WAS MORE CAREFUL WITH THE FLOOR MATS AND THOUGHT I HAD SOLVED THE PROBLEM. FOR THE LAST 7 TO 8 YEARS, …

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IN APPROXIMATELY 1995, I EXPERIENCED THE "SUDDEN ACCELERATION" PROBLEM TWICE WITH MY LEXUS LS. AT THE TIME, NO ONE HAD EVER HEARD OF IT AND THE DEALER SAID HE COULD NOT REPRODUCE IT AND COULD DO NOTHING. AFTER THAT I WAS MORE CAREFUL WITH THE FLOOR MATS AND THOUGHT I HAD SOLVED THE PROBLEM. FOR THE LAST 7 TO 8 YEARS, THE CAR SUDDENLY SLOWS AND STALLS. I HAVE REPEATEDLY COMPLAINED TO NEW COUNTRY LEXUS BUT THEY JUST SAY THAT THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AND DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS. IN JUNE, IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND I HAD TO BE TOWED BY AAA. AT THIS TIME I RESEARCHED "LEXUS LS STALLING PROBLEM" AND GOT HUNDREDS OF HITS. ONE LEXUS SITE PERFECTLY EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM, HOW TO REPRODUCE IT AND HOW TO FIX IT. THE POSTING ON THE LEXUS SITE WAS DATED 2005, TEN YEARS AGO. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER REPRODUCED THE PROBLEM WITHIN AN HOUR BUT NEW COUNTRY LEXUS WOULD NOT SELL HIM THE REQUIRED RESISTOR TO FIX IT. I TOOK THE CAR TO NEW COUNTRY LEXUS, JUST NORTH OF ALBANY NY, AND THEY HAVE HAD IT SINCE JUNE. THEY KEEP SAYING THAT THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM BUT I KEEP GIVING THEM THE PRINT-OUT FROM THE LEXUS SITE AND THE BILL FROM THE TOWING COMPANY EXPLAINING EXACTLY HOW TO REPRODUCE AND FIX THE PROBLEM. FINALLY YESTERDAY JOE MORAN SAID THAT HE COULD FIX IT BUT "AS SOON AS ANYONE BRINGS UP ANYTHING TO DO WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION" I AM TOLD TO STOP AND DO NOTHING." HE SAID "IT IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COMPANY TO FIX IT." THEY CLEARLY SEEMED TO BE TELLING ME THAT THIS RESISTOR (OR SENSOR) IS PART OF THE RAPID ACCELERATION PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA VEHICLES AND, ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE LIST OF VEHICLES INDICATED FOR A "SPECIAL PROTOCOL," THIS PARTICULAR PART IS TRACED TO THE RAPID ACCELERATION AND THEY WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.

NHTSA ODI #10764167

200,000 miles · Sep 4, 2015
Steering

BENDS AFTER DRIVING ON A CROWN ROAD......3X.....BCP IN SMYRNA DE WILL NOT GIVE ME ANOTHER CHANGED LEFT AND RIGHT TIE ROD ENDS TWIICE AND STILL CANNOT KEEP THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #10761658

130,000 miles · May 28, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 LEXUS LS400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED BOTH AUTOMATICALLY AND MANUALLY BUT THE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK AND OPEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO EXIT THROUGH THE PASSENGERS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 LEXUS LS400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED BOTH AUTOMATICALLY AND MANUALLY BUT THE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK AND OPEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO EXIT THROUGH THE PASSENGERS SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10594578

120,000 miles · Feb 7, 2010
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS AND ENGINE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE. I CAN ONLY STOP IT BY PUSHING ON THE BRAKE HARD, PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL OR TURNING OFF ENGINE. SOMETIMES IF I HAVE ROOM IN FRONT OF MY CAR, I CAN STOP IT BY PUMPING THE BRAKE. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. I CANNOT TELL WHAT CAUSES IT. DEFINITELY NOT FLOOR MAT. *TW

NHTSA ODI #10307216

12,398 miles · Apr 28, 2007
Electrical SystemSteeringInjury

I HAVE A 1990 LEXUS LS 400 AND I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE MY ALTERNATOR AND POWER STEERING PUMP 3 TIMES DUE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAVING A LEAK AND THERE ARE MILLIONS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT COST A LOT OF MONEY I THINK LEXUS SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THEIR PUMPS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM PLEASE HELP ME THIS IS BECOMING RIDICULOUS…

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I HAVE A 1990 LEXUS LS 400 AND I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE MY ALTERNATOR AND POWER STEERING PUMP 3 TIMES DUE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAVING A LEAK AND THERE ARE MILLIONS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT COST A LOT OF MONEY I THINK LEXUS SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THEIR PUMPS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM PLEASE HELP ME THIS IS BECOMING RIDICULOUS. EVERY YEAR I HAVE TO CHANGE MY PUMP DUE TO THIS PROBLEM THEY COST 600 DOLLARS JUST THE PART SOMEONE SHOULD TAKE SOME KIND OF NOTICE TO THIS MAJOR PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10189177

320,000 miles · Apr 6, 2005
Tires

THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A BUBBLE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER ,AND THEY STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY COLLISION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10117521

108,000 miles · Dec 2, 2004
Structure

WHEN CLOSING THE FRONT DOORS THE HANDLE SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10102035

140,000 miles · Oct 12, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury

CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A LIGHT AND THE CONSUMER HIT THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGERS NECK AND BACK WAS INJURED AS A RESULT. PASSENGERS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS. *PH *TS *JB

NHTSA ODI #10032423

Official recalls

1

89V212000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Dec 4, 1989

LAMP HOUSING OF CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP COULD BECOME DISTORTED AFTER PROLONGED ILLUMINATION, PARTICULARLY UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: REPLACE LAMP HOUSING WITH ONE OF HIGHER TEMPERATURE RESISTANT MATERIAL.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.