SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1998 Lexus SC400

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
2Owner complaints

Model-year median: 2

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
9
19954
19961
19972
19982
19991
20001
2001
Compare all SC400 years →

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

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
1Vehicle Speed Control
1

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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
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…

Read full complaint

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.