1997 Lexus Lx450 problems
The Lexus LX (Japanese: レクサス・LX, Hepburn: Rekusasu LX) is a full-size luxury SUV sold by Lexus, a luxury division of Toyota since January 1996, having entered manufacturing in November 1995. It is Lexus' largest and most expensive luxury SUV. Four generations have been produced, all based heavily on the long-running Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs. The first-generation LX 450 started production in 1995 as Lexus' first entry into the SUV market. Its successor, the LX 470, premiered in 1998 and was manufactured until 2007. The third-generation LX debuted at the New York International Auto Show in April 2007. The fourth-generation LX debuted in October 2021.
The first-generation LX 450 had a straight-six engine and seats for seven passengers. The second and third-generations had a V8 engine powertrain, a welded steel body-shell combined with full-size steel ladder frame (body-on-frame construction), and seats for eight passengers. The fourth-generation model has a twin-turbocharged V6 engine powertrain and seats for seven passengers as standard and four passengers as an option. The second-generation LX 470 shared exterior styling with the Japanese domestic market Land Cruiser Cygnus.
According to Lexus, the "LX" name stands for "Luxury Crossover". However, some Lexus importers use the backronymic name, "Luxury Four Wheel Drive".
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Common 1997 Lexus Lx450 problems
The 1997 Lexus LX450 is a popular luxury SUV, but like any vehicle, it has its share of common problems. Here are some of the most frequently reported issues with the 1997 Lexus LX450, based on complaints from owners of this car:
- Electrical System Issues: Many owners have reported issues with the power windows and door locks, which can fail to operate properly or stop working altogether. This can be caused by a number of factors, including faulty wiring, damaged switches, or electrical system failures.
- Oil Leaks from the Engine: Another common issue reported with the 1997 Lexus LX450 is oil leaks from the engine. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including worn gaskets, faulty oil seals, or damaged engine components. Oil leaks can lead to low oil levels, which can cause engine damage and reduced performance if not addressed promptly.
- Suspension System Problems: Some 1997 Lexus LX450 owners have reported problems with the suspension system. This can manifest as a bumpy or unstable ride, excessive tire wear, or difficulty controlling the vehicle on rough terrain. These issues can be caused by worn suspension components, damaged shocks or struts, or improperly inflated tires.
- Drivetrain Issues: Some 1997 Lexus LX450 owners have reported issues with the drivetrain, particularly with the transfer case. Some owners have reported that the transfer case can fail or become damaged, which can impact the vehicle's four-wheel-drive capabilities and overall performance.
It is important for 1997 Lexus LX450 owners to stay aware of these common issues and address them promptly to avoid further damage or costly repairs. Regular maintenance and inspection can also help prevent these issues from occurring in the first place, and there are many resources available for troubleshooting and diagnosing problems with the 1997 Lexus LX450.
What is the gas mileage for a 1997 Lexus LX450?
Based on data from 37 vehicles, 2,307 fuel-ups and 479,227 miles of driving, the 1997 Lexus LX450 gets a combined Avg MPG of 11.93 with a 0.09 MPG margin of error.
What year did the LX450 come out?
1995
The first LX 450 rolled off the production line in December 1995. The LX 450 was powered by a 4.5-liter, twin-cam, four-valve inline-six engine that produced 160 kW (215 hp) and 373 N⋅m (275 lb⋅ft) of torque. Both front and rear axles were solid.
How many miles per gallon does a 1996 LX450 get?
Based on data from 11 vehicles, 652 fuel-ups and 137,828 miles of driving, the 1996 Lexus LX450 gets a combined Avg MPG of 12.18 with a 0.15 MPG margin of error.
How big is the gas tank on a Lexus LX450?
25.1 gal
Fuel & MPG
301.2/351.4 mi. 25.1 gal.
1997 Lexus Lx450 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Lexus Lx450 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Suspension problems
- Tires problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1997 Lexus Lx450 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1997 Lexus Lx450 complaints
The NHTSA has received 7 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1997 Lexus Lx450.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-03-13
- VIN: JT6HJ88J1V0
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE READ ON ONE OF THE VEHICLE'S TIRES SEPARATED YET THE TIRE REMAINED INFLATED. THE TREAD SEPARATION CAUSED SOME DAMAGE TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INSPECTED THE TIRES. THEY CONCLUDED THAT THE DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT THE TIRES. *NM
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-12-01
- VIN: JT6HJ88J8V0
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: THE ROTORS ON THE DISC BRAKES HAVE WARPED THREE TIMES IN APP. 8000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER CONCEDES THAT THE BRAKES ARE INADEQUATE FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE, WHEN IT IS OWNED BY PEOPLE IN HILLY AREAS. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATES THAT THE PROBLEM OF BRAKES OVERHEATING IS PERVASIVE, BUT SAYS IT IS NOT A DESIGN FLAW. I HAVE ASKED THE MANUFACTURER TO EITHER PROVIDE A FIX, OR EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, BUT THE MANUFACTURER HAS REFUSED. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-03-01
- VIN: JT6HJ88J1V0
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: ON ANY GIVEN OCCASION AND ANY WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS, VEHICLE ACCELERATES TO A HIGH SPEED WITHOUT DRIVER APPLICATION. DRIVER HAS TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE, WOULD NOT STOP OR SLOW WITH BRAKE APPLICATION. *AK *ML
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: VEHICLE EXPERIENCES SUDDEN AND TRAUMATIC DECELERATION WHEN THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY (AND REPEATEDLY) RELEASED FROM CRUISE CONTROL.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-03-01
- VIN: JT6HJ88JXV0
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: ON TWO OCCASIONS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL CAUSING VEHICLE TO COLLIDE INTO GARAGE. YH
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JT6HJ88J5V0
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS THE FRONT OF THE CAR BECOMES UNSTABLE. THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE ALTERNATELY RISE AND FALL. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THIS ACTION IS TO REDUCE THE SPEED.
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JT6HJ88J5V0
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BECOMES UNSTABLE. LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE ALTERNATELY RISE AND FALL.
Negative 1997 Lexus Lx450 car reviews
Positive 1997 Lexus Lx450 car reviews
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You'll love driving this SUV on the freeway and long trips because it's quiet and comfortable. Although we did have some difficulty ordering big tires when we were on our way to Nebraska since there were no dealers in the Midwest, it was easy to get them once we got back home. Overall, we absolutely love Lexus vehicles and this SUV is one of the best, especially considering it's one of their first SUVs.
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I've owned my 97' LX450 for 3 years now. It was originally a project SUV, as the previous owner believed the engine was faulty due to a recurring coolant loss. However, after some investigation, I discovered a pinhole leak in a coolant hose under the intake was the culprit. After fixing this and performing a tune-up, along with replacing a few other hoses, the car has been nothing but reliable! Even after sitting for weeks or months, it starts up with ease and passes CA SMOG with flying colours. I've taken it all around SoCal and parts of central California, and I'm confident that I could drive this tank coast to coast without any issues. The only downside is the gas mileage, which is pretty bad at around 11 city and 14 highway, even though mine is completely stock. I sometimes wish it had a smaller turbo diesel engine, but I can't complain about the ridiculous reliability. Plus, it's essentially just a rebadged Toyota Land Cruiser, so the cost of ownership and repair is lower than pretty much anything in its class.
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Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I just wanted to share my experience with the truck I bought from the dealer. I got it when it was 6 months old with 18K miles, which helped me get a good deal. Overall, I really like it, but I have noticed that it can be quite expensive to maintain. I'm not particularly hard on brakes, but I've had to change the rotors three times already, even though the truck has only done 99K miles.
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Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my experience with my SUV. I bought it used with 60,000 miles and now have over 130,000. I have to say, this SUV is outstanding in the snow! I've gotten through many snow storms in Vermont safely. The best part? Not one major mechanical problem! Just normal oil changes, tires, and brakes. I did have the transmission oil changed and emissions repaired at 120,000 miles, but other than that, all electronics work excellent and the stereo is superb. There is some wear on the leather front passenger seat, but overall, I expect to put on over 200,000 miles without any problems. It's a reliable, safe, and great SUV. Thanks for listening!
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This excellent SUV has tremendous pulling power and is very dependable. It looks good, runs well, and gets 14-17 mpg with 40lbs tire pressure. It's a go-anywhere, anytime vehicle!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1997 Lexus Lx450 problems:
1997 Lx450 Nightmare Solved! - 96 - 97 Lexus LX450 - Lexus ...
Dec 17, 2003 ... I got lucky and found a guy on a land cruiser web site that had the same problem. ... Lexus Model: 1997 LX 450 ... common problem. The truck sure ...
1997 Lexus LX 450 what to look for when buying?? Help please ...
... 1997 Toyota instead of Lexus? Probably same issues? What about the 100 series compared to 80 series maintenance and common repairs?
1993-1997 GS300 oil leak - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion
... engine block. The car's ... ago. Tags 1993, 1994, 1997, common, filter, gs, gs300, housing, leak, leakage, leaking, lexus, lx450, oil, problems.
What to Do to My AWD 1997 Lexus LX450? | IH8MUD Forum
Also, I know these vehicles have some HG (head gasket) issues, so is this something I should look at replacing right away? Or should I simply ...
Thoughts on 96 or 97 LX450 - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion
Aug 20, 2009 ... I think the only serious mechanical problems were belts and the steering's rack and pinion had to be replaced. The car currently has 140K miles.
Other years of Lexus Lx450
Are you having problems with your 1997 Lexus Lx450?
Jaren Hand 2024-11-23
This is a great truck that is incredibly reliable. However, if you're 6' or taller, you may find it uncomfortable to drive as your knees may press against the lower dash. I do have a concern about excessive rocking when driving on uneven surfaces, but the dealership was kind enough to replace the tires and shocks free of charge due to this safety issue. Overall, this has been one of the best trucks I've ever owned!