1992 Lexus Ls400 problems
The Lexus LS (Japanese: レクサス・LS, Hepburn: Rekusasu LS) is a full-size luxury sedan (F-segment in Europe) serving as the flagship model of Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota. For the first four generations, all LS models featured V8 engines and were predominantly rear-wheel-drive. In the fourth generation, Lexus offered all-wheel-drive, hybrid, and long-wheelbase variants. The fifth generation changed to using a V6 engine with no V8 option, and only one length was offered.
As the first model developed by Lexus, the LS 400 debuted in January 1989 with the second generation debuting in November 1994. The LS 430 debuted in January 2000 and the LS 460/LS 460 L series in 2006. A domestic-market version of the LS 400 and LS 430, badged as Toyota Celsior (Japanese: トヨタ・セルシオ, Hepburn: Toyota Serushio), was sold in Japan until the Lexus marque was introduced there in 2006. In 2006 (for the 2007 model year), the fourth generation LS 460 debuted the first production eight-speed automatic transmission and an automatic parking system. In 2007, V8 hybrid powertrains were introduced on the LS 600h/LS 600h L sedans.
Development of the LS began in 1983 as the F1 project, the code name for a secret flagship sedan. At the time, Toyota's two existing flagship models were the Crown and Century models – both of which catered exclusively for the Japanese market and had little global appeal that could compete with international luxury brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar. The resulting sedan followed an extended five-year design process at a cost of over US$1 billion, and premiered with a new V8 engine and numerous luxury features. The Lexus LS was intended from its inception for export markets, and the Lexus division was formed to market and service the vehicle internationally. The original LS 400 debuted to strong sales, and was largely responsible for the successful launch of the Lexus marque.
Since the start of production, each generation of the Lexus LS has been manufactured in the Japanese city of Tahara, Aichi. The name "LS" stands for "Luxury Sedan", although some Lexus importers have preferred to define it as "Luxury Saloon". The name "Celsior" is taken from Latin word "celsus", meaning "lofty" or "elevated".
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Common 1992 Lexus Ls400 problems
The 1992 Lexus LS400 is known for its dependability and reliability, but like any vehicle, it has common problems that potential buyers should be aware of:
- Collapsing Engine Mounts: The Lexus LS400 uses special fluid-filled engine mounts that reduce vibrations in the car. Over time, they may collapse and fail, resulting in increased vibration.
- Timing Belt Replacement: The timing belt sets the timing for the entire engine, keeping the camshafts and the crankshaft synchronized. The 1UZ 4.0L V8 engine uses a timing belt because Lexus engineers determined that it would be quieter than using a traditional timing chain.
- Power Steering Pump: The LS400 has variable power steering, but with time and age, the seals and hoses of the pump may develop leaks. In this case, any leakage is likely to take out the alternator as it is located directly beneath the power steering pump.
- Transmission Issues: Transmission issues are common in older LS400s, and it is recommended to have the transmission checked for leaks and other problems.
- Flexdiscs: The LS400 has flexdiscs at the transmission and the rear axle, which can wear out and need replacement.
- Strut Bars & Flex EGR Pipe: Strut bars and the flex EGR pipe are other common problems in older LS400s, and it is recommended to ask the current owner if they've been changed along with the timing belt/water pump.
These common problems should not scare potential buyers away from the Lexus LS400, but they are worth knowing about before purchasing the car. Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent these issues from becoming major problems, and many of these issues can be addressed by a qualified mechanic.
What are the most common problems with the LS400?
These are the common problems for the old LS400's: Starter, ps pump, alternator, ECU's caps, tranny, tranny's mount, flexdiscs (1 at the tranny & the other at the rear axle), strut bars & flex EGR pipe so ask the current owner if they've been changed along w/ the timing belt/water pump but for $800, you can't expect ...
What is the life expectancy of a Lexus LS 400?
A: You should be able to reach 200,000 miles in that car if you really take care of it. The LS 400 is a very reliable luxury sedan, but you should consider changing the timing belt because of its age.
How reliable is the LS400?
This is the most reliable car on the planet. There's multiple examples of these cars going 250, 300,000 miles with no issues. All you need is brakes, tires, gas, and oil changes, and that's it. And these things will run forever.
What is the highest mileage on the LS400?
The million-mile Lexus LS owned by auto journalist Matt Farah has finally lived up to its name, with the 1996 LS 400 reaching 1,000,000 miles this past week. Farah purchased the LS used for $1,500 USD with 897,000 miles on the odometer in 2014, with the plan to break the million-mile mark.
1992 Lexus Ls400 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Lexus Ls400 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Seat belts problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Air bags problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1992 Lexus Ls400 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1992 Lexus Ls400 complaints
The NHTSA has received 8 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1992 Lexus Ls400.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-11-01
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JT8UF11E8N0
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LEXUS LS400. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE CONTACTED APPLIED THE BRAKES; HOWEVER, THEY FAILED AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 168,000.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2009-06-19
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JT8UF11E7N0
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LEXUS LS400. WHEN THE CONTACT WAS AT A STOP SIGN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE; THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN INTO TRAFFIC BEFORE CRASHING INTO A HEDGE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75000. UPDATED 3/16/10 *CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION 5-7 YEARS AND CRASHED INTO HIS GARAGE. UPDATED 06/01/10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JT8UF11E7N0
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE DIGITAL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS FLICKER AND GOE COMPLETELY BLANK. THIS ONLY OCCURS UPON COLD START. THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON WHEN VEHICLE WARMS UP. DEALERSHIP CANNOT LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE SO THEY ARE REPLACING THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.*AK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: I AM BLINDED BY THE HEADLIGHTS OF SUVS AND SMALL PICK-UP TRUCKS. CAN'T THE LIGHTS BE LOWERED?*AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-09-13
- VIN: FILL IN
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED SMOKE CAME OUT FROM STARTER MOTOR. SMOKE WOULD DISAPPEAR ONCE VEHICLE WAS MOVING FOR SOME TIME. HAD CONTACTED DEALER, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS IN WIRING HARNESS.*AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: JT84F11E1N0
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE SEAT BELTS FAILED DURING VEHICLE ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURY TO THE CONSUMER (ATTORNEY FOR THE CONSUMER). *MJS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-04-24
- VIN: JT8UF11E4NO
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: VEHICLE EXPERIENCES ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE NOISY FRONT WHEEL BEARING, 2 REPAIRS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED, THE SECOND REPAIR CONSUMER PAID FOR. CONSUMER SMELLED HEAVY FUMES FROM EXHAUST ON ACCELERATION, DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEMS. *SLC
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JT8UF11E7N0
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SEAT BELT BUCKLE RELEASES BY ITSELF AND WILL NOT RETRACT. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK
Negative 1992 Lexus Ls400 car reviews
Positive 1992 Lexus Ls400 car reviews
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Hello everyone! I just wanted to share that I recently purchased a 1991 LS400 with 119,000 miles on it. I had never driven a Lexus before, but after just one week, I am already a convert! The car was dealer maintained and is in excellent shape. I can hardly believe that a 13-year-old car could ride this well. I wanted to thank all of you for your helpful comments, which played a big role in my decision to buy it.
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Great car! I'll definitely keep it.
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This Lexus is in excellent condition with extremely low mileage (61,000 miles) and has been well-maintained by a Lexus dealer. It features a sun roof, original paint, and leather interior that is also in excellent condition. Additionally, new tires have been installed and studded snow tires are available. Don't miss out on this great opportunity!
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What an outstanding vehicle! It's hard to believe that it's already 13 years old, given how comfortable the ride is and how great the handling is. The fuel economy is also impressive. I purchased this car a year ago with 130,000 miles on it, and it now has 180,000 miles. While I did have to replace the entire steering system (rack, lines & pump) and retrofit the A/C pump to get rid of R12, I was fortunate enough to have a warranty that covered most of the repairs. The rest has just been routine maintenance. On the highway, I'm getting an impressive 27 mpg!
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Congratulations on reaching 134,000 miles with your LS 400! It's great to hear that your car is running just as well as it did when it was brand new. The quality of every aspect of this car is truly impressive and it's wonderful to see that it has stood the test of time. Keep up the good work and enjoy many more miles with your reliable and high-quality vehicle!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1992 Lexus Ls400 problems:
Buying an LS400: Common Problems to Look For? - ClubLexus ...
Mar 5, 2018 ... For structural issues, make sure the black radiator support beam has not been bent and is actually painted black in the front of the car. Remove ...
What Are The Most Common Problems With Ls400?!?!?! - 90 - 00 ...
Jun 23, 2005 ... So I was hoping that this forum might contain a recommended maintance guide.. www.lexus.com was no help unfortunately. Others future newbies, as ...
Considering 95-97 LS400, common issues? - ClubLexus - Lexus ...
Oct 10, 2015 ... LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000) - Considering 95-97 LS400, common issues? - Hello, I'm trying to track down a super clean 95-97 LS400 for a ...
Common Issues And A Ls400 Buying Guide - 90 - 00 Lexus LS400 ...
Jul 25, 2004 ... New To Lexus And Forum - What year LS 400 should I purchase? Need Suggestions - wanna buy a 90 LS400 · 1992 Ls400 Questions · I Need Some Advice.
Lexus LS400 Common Problems: Expert Q&A
Sep 7, 2011 ... I have a problem that NOBODY can seem to help me with…including a LEXUS forum. Model: 1993 LS400 with 4.0 V8 Miles: 96K - Answered by a ...
Other years of Lexus Ls400
Are you having problems with your 1992 Lexus Ls400?
Darwin Murphy 2024-09-07
That's a nice car you have there, but it seems like you've had some trouble with it. The brakes have needed fixing every year, and you've had to replace the power steering pump twice. Unfortunately, the A/C died and required a costly engine removal to fix. Additionally, there was an imbalance in the drive shaft that caused vibrations at highway speeds, which took five dealerships to diagnose until Heffner Toyota finally found the factory-caused fault. It's unfortunate that the previous dealerships didn't notice or fix the issue for the original owner, who was a little old rich lady and a family friend. Out of the seven dealerships you've dealt with, only two have been reliable and ethical. Despite the costly repairs, the car is a pleasure to drive, comfortable yet responsive, and handles snow well for a rear-wheel drive. In the future, it might be best to stick with a regular Toyota.