Model year guide

1996 Lexus LS 400

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1996 Lexus LS 400 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 15 on record.

1996 Lexus LS 400 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1996 Lexus LS 400 at a glance

Safety recalls2
Combined19 mpg
Typical price$2,655

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1996 Lexus LS 400 recalls 2

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E049000 · 24/05/2006

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Electrical System:starter Assembly NHTSA Campaign #98V016000 · 27/01/1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE TERMINAL FOR THE STARTER MOTOR MAGNETIC SWITCH, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT CAN OCCUR IF ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE LIQUID, SUCH AS ROAD SPLASH WITH DEICING SALT, ENTERS THIS AREA.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE MAGNETIC SWITCH.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 7 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1996 Lexus LS 400 MPG & running costs

Combined19 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway24 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,350
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Passenger volume102 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$9,750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

What's a 1996 Lexus LS 400 worth?

Low
$700
Typical price
$2,655
High
$3,700

From 11 comparable 1996 Lexus LS 400 listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1996 Lexus LS 400 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$21,750
Depreciation (5 yrs)$1,950
Total$23,700
Per mile$0.32

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($2,655) with the same model 4 model-years older ($1,079), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
196.9 in
Width
72.0 in
Height
55.9 in
Wheelbase
111.0 in
Curb weight
3,924 lb
Front track
61.8 in
Rear track
61.4 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1996 Lexus LS 400. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1996 Lexus LS 400. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Electrical

DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE TERMINAL FOR THE STARTER MOTOR MAGNETIC SWITCH (SOLENOID), AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT MAY OCCUR IF ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE LIQUID ENTERS THIS AREA. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A POSSIBLE UNDERHOOD FIRE. CORRECTION: THE STARTER MOTOR MAGNETIC SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.

Transport Canada #1998015 · Jan 1998

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Lexus LS 400

The Lexus LS is a series of full-size luxury sedans that have served as the flagship model of Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota, since 1989. 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.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1996 Lexus LS 400 trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · 400
Engines
4.0L 8-cyl 260 hp

1996 Lexus LS 400 vehicles on record

1996 Lexus LS 400 1996 Lexus LS 400 BaseJT8BH22F6T0056980 1996 Lexus LS 400 1996 Lexus LS 400 BaseJT8BH22F2T0054529 1996 Lexus LS 400 1996 Lexus LS 400 BaseJT8BH22FXT0053130 1996 Lexus LS 400 1996 Lexus LS 400 BaseJT8BH22F2T0064381 1996 Lexus LS 400 1996 Lexus LS 400 BaseJT8BH22F2T0057771 1996 Lexus LS 400 1996 Lexus LS 400 BaseJT8BH22F1T0062962 1996 Lexus LS 400 1996 Lexus LS 400 BaseJT8BH22F0T0049152 1996 Lexus LS 400 1996 Lexus LS 400 BaseJT8BH22F5T0067730 1996 Lexus LS 400 1996 Lexus LS 400 BaseJT8BH22F4T0050983 1996 Lexus LS 400 1996 Lexus LS 400 BaseJT8BH22F1T0041772 1996 Lexus LS 400 1996 Lexus LS 400 400JT8BH22F6T0038205 1996 Lexus LS 400 1996 Lexus LS 400JT153UF2000052428 1996 Lexus LS 400 1996 Lexus LS 400JT8BH22F7T0037077 1996 Lexus LS 400 1996 Lexus LS 400JT153UF2000003804 1996 Lexus LS 400 1996 Lexus LS 400JT153UF1000059569

Other Lexus LS 400 model years

2000 1999 1998 1997 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990

1996 Lexus LS 400 — frequently asked questions

Does the 1996 Lexus LS 400 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1996 Lexus LS 400. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Lexus LS 400 get?

The 1996 Lexus LS 400 has a U.S. EPA estimate of 19 mpg combined (17 city / 24 highway).

How much is a 1996 Lexus LS 400 worth?

Comparable 1996 Lexus LS 400 listings run roughly $700–$3,700, typically around $2,655 (from 11 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.