NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 Lexus SC400 Recalls & Complaints

The 1997 Lexus SC400 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Lexus dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Lexus SC400. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

1997 Lexus SC400 owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 1997 Lexus SC400, describing incidents dated October 1, 2017.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11033180 · Filed October 13, 2017
TWO WEEKS AGO A RED WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH SHOWING AN AIR BAG DEFICIENCY. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO LEXUS OF WAYZATA FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND REMOVAL OF THE WARNING LIGHT. I LATER RECALLED THE BATTERY HAD DRAINED DUE TO A POOR CONNECTION ABOUT THE TIME THE LIGHT CAME ON. THAT WAS FIXED BUT THE…

Read the full complaint

TOYOTA/STARTER MOTOR

NHTSA #98V016000 · Electrical System — Starter Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported January 27, 1998 · TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.

Potentially affected: 47,525 vehicles

Owners notified February 9, 1998 · Vehicles built August 3, 1995 – August 21, 1997 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A STARTER MOTOR NO-START CONDITION OR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE CAN RESULT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE MAGNETIC SWITCH.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 9, 1998. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1997 Lexus SC400. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

1 owner complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Lexus SC400.

Air Bags

ODI #11033180

Incident: October 1, 2017 · Filed: October 13, 2017

TWO WEEKS AGO A RED WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH SHOWING AN AIR BAG DEFICIENCY. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO LEXUS OF WAYZATA FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND REMOVAL OF THE WARNING LIGHT. I LATER RECALLED THE BATTERY HAD DRAINED DUE TO A POOR CONNECTION ABOUT THE TIME THE LIGHT CAME ON. THAT WAS FIXED BUT THE LIGHT STAYED ON. LEXUS WANTED OVER $1600 TO OBTAIN A NEW AIR BAG SENSOR MODULE INCLUDING LABOR COSTS, BROKEN DOWN INTO PARTS COST $1150 AND LABOR $470. I FURNISHED THE USED SENSOR ON THE INTERNET FOR $95 AND THE LIGHT DISAPPEARED. SAVED OVER $1000 BY TAKING CHARGE OF REPAIRS. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT INVOLVING THIS CAR. MY UNDERSTANDING IS FOLLOWING RESEARCH INTO THE PROBLEM THAT CERTAIN SOFTWARE REMOVAL TOOLS COULD HAVE CLEARED THE BATTERY DRAINAGE EVENT. I DO NOT KNOW IF LEXUS ATTEMPTED THIS REPAIR. I HAVE THE ORIGINAL SENSOR IN MY POSSESSION AND WITH THE SOFTWARE TOOL APPLICATION CAN PROBABLY ASCERTAIN IF THIS WAS THE PRECISE PROBLEM.. SHOULDN'T THE DEALERS BE REQUIRED TO INVESTIGATE POTENTIAL REPAIRS BEFORE REPLACEMENT OF SENSORS?

Other Lexus SC400 model years

Check your 1997 Lexus SC400 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Lexus SC400 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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