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: 1 of 2 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
2 reports
100,000 miles · Feb 15, 2011
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LEXUS SC400. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, SHIFTED IT INTO REVERSE AND CRASHED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY HAVE NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LEXUS SC400. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, SHIFTED IT INTO REVERSE AND CRASHED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY HAVE NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10382740
Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE DAY I DROVE OFF THE LEXUS LOT ONLY A COUPLE HOURS LATER, IT WAS POURING THE RAIN. I CAME ACROSS STANDING WATER ON THE ROAD. SEVERAL CARS ZOOMED RIGHT THROUGH, INCLUDING THE FORD ESCORT IN FRONT OF ME. SO I PROCEEDED ONLY TO FIND THAT MY ENGINE WOULD CEASE AND FOR THE NEXT THREE MONTHS I WOULD PAY A HEFTY PAYMENT WITH NOTHIN…
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THE DAY I DROVE OFF THE LEXUS LOT ONLY A COUPLE HOURS LATER, IT WAS POURING THE RAIN. I CAME ACROSS STANDING WATER ON THE ROAD. SEVERAL CARS ZOOMED RIGHT THROUGH, INCLUDING THE FORD ESCORT IN FRONT OF ME. SO I PROCEEDED ONLY TO FIND THAT MY ENGINE WOULD CEASE AND FOR THE NEXT THREE MONTHS I WOULD PAY A HEFTY PAYMENT WITH NOTHING TO DRIVE. LEXUS SAID THEY COULDN'T DO A THING FOR US THAT IT WAS AN ACT OF GOD. I WANT TO KNOW WHY EVERY OTHER CAR DID NOT GET AFFECTED BY THE "ACT OF GOD". YOU'D EXPECT A $58,0000 TO BE ABLE TO DO WHAT A FORD ESCORT CAN DO AT LEAST. LUCKILY OUR INSURANCE COVERED THE $17,124 BILL. THE ENGINE ONLY HAD 4,329 MILES ON IT,I BOUGHT A PREOWNED. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED,INTAKE/GASKETES, ALL HEADLIGHT LAMP ASSEMLIES,SENSOR ETC.. REPLACED. THE NIGHT OF THE INCIDENT I CALLED LEXUS CUSTOMER HOTLINE THEY GAVE ME A CONFIRMATION # TO GET REIMBURSED FOR ANY HOTEL , RESTAURANT RECEIPTS, OR RENTAL CAR FEES BUT WHEN I TRIED TO GET REIMBURSED THEY SAID THEIR CUSTOMER REP. HAD MADE A MISTAKE THAT THEY WERE NOT PAYING FOR ANYTHING. SEE WE BOUGHT THE CAR FROM OUT OF TOWN. I NO LONGER OWN THIS VEHICLE BUT I JUST RAN ACROSS THIS WEBSITE AND I THINK THE CONSUMER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS. THE INSURANCE WAS STATE FARM THE CLAIM # 22-V169-45401.*AK
NHTSA ODI #757057
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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.
1998 Lexus SC400 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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