1993 Lexus LS400 problems & reliability
65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1993 Lexus LS400. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
3 complaints report injuries (3 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System → | 42 | 65% |
| Structure | 5 | 8% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 8% |
| Fuel System, Other | 4 | 6% |
| Interior Lighting | 4 | 6% |
| Power Train | 4 | 6% |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 5% |
| Air Bags | 2 | 3% |
| Tires | 2 | 3% |
| Unknown OR Other | 2 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
All 18 reported components →Mileage when problems occurred
Among the 38 complaints that included a usable odometer reading, the median reported incident mileage was 107,500 miles (middle 50% between 82,375 and 148,750 miles).
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“The first time my ecu failed was when I was parked I want to drive and the engine would not go above 1000rmps. I got the ecu replaced this was around 2013. The second time was a month ago. I was driving home from work had a huge thud in the engine and the same thing my car could no longer go above 1000rpms and…”
Electrical System · filed Feb 28, 2017
“Dash functions don't work at times. Speed, fuel level,etc are not indicated when car is at rest or moving. This has been a recurring problem with the result that I fear driving the car and won't sell it as it is now. At around $1800 to repair with no guarantee the replacement is not buggy, I feel betrayed and…”
Electrical System · filed Dec 10, 2016
“Tl* the contact owned a 1993 lexus ls400. While driving at a low rate of speed, the vehicle accelerated at a high rate of speed when the brake pedal was depressed. As a result, the vehicle drove over a curb and crashed up a slope near a wooded area. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. In…”
Vehicle Speed Control · filed Sep 15, 2016
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
26 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1993 Lexus LS400. The 10 most recent:
Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022
Safety Recall 22 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 13, 2022
POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Lexus. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be…
Lexus PRO19-02 - · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 12, 2022
Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
Lexus Safety Re · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 1, 2020
TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 06, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0008-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates
L-SB-0179-17 Obs · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 6, 2020
TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-97, PG003-93, PG002-90, L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01…
L-SB-0008-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 6, 2020
TSB: Replacement Certification Labels. OBSOLETE NOTICE November 28, 2017: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0179-17.
L-SB-0048-08 Obs · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 5, 2017
LSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many lubricants, cleaners, and automotive chemicals…
L-SB-0066-11 Rev · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 10, 2015
LSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many lubricants, cleaners, and automotive chemicals…
L-SB-0066-11 Rev · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 10, 2015
Auto matic Transmission Replacement kPrecautions
LSB008214 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 16, 2014
TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE-October 16, 2014: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0082-14.
L-SB-0041-11 Rev · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 16, 2014
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1993 Lexus LS400 in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1993 Lexus LS400?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Among complaints with usable mileage, the median reported incident mileage was 107,500 miles. This does not predict when a particular vehicle will develop a problem.