1997 Lexus LS 400
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Lexus LS 400 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.
1997 Lexus LS 400 at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1997 Lexus LS 400 recalls 2
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.
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 4 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.
1997 Lexus LS 400 MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1997 Lexus LS 400 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1997 Lexus LS 400. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Canadian recalls 1
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1997 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 1998Source: 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.