Most common 1998 Lexus GS400 problems
Share of the 31 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lexus GS400 complaints by model year
Best GS400 years: 2000, 1999. Years to avoid: 1998. Compare all years →
1998 Lexus GS400 recalls (1)
Electronic stability control › Automatic (asc)
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Due to a manufacturing defect of the yaw rate sensor for the vehicle stability control (vsc), the vsc can operate improperly if the sensor is affected by certain electromagnetic waves, such as from a cellular phone.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the yaw rate sensor.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1998 Lexus GS400:
Unintended engine speed increase/sa
On May 13, 2003 the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) received an April 25, 2003 letter from mr. Peter boddaert petitioning the agency to conduct a petition analysis of certain 1997 through 2000 model year Lexus 300 and 400 series vehicles for problems of vehicle speed control linkages which results in sudden, unexpected excessive (vehicle) acceleration even though there is no pressure…
What 1998 Lexus GS400 owners say
Air bags
Product defect when the Lexus GS400 hit head on a concrete anti-terrorist restrain t between 40-50 miles a hr. Speed could have been faster according to the repair shop cause the engine was knowed of its mountings, hand break handle broke and turned 90+ degrees to the left. The coin change closed container broke open and cracked as it through its contents all over the drivers area. The air bag failed to deploy and the I was thrown with full force against the steering wheel which hit me directly in the sternum causing blunt contusion to the rib cage and sternum. The pain cause is greater than a kidney stone and it has been two weeks a go.
While driving at 40mph, had a front collision and neither of the air bag deployed, no air bag light warning prior to the crash. Driver was wearing the seat belt. Please provide further information.
Brakes
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Lexus GS400. The contact stated that while the engine was on and the vehicle stopped, the driver lifted off the brake pedal and the vehicle suddenly accelerated at a high rate of speed causing the driver to loose control and crash into a tree. During the incident, the speed exceeded more then 60 MPH. The contact indicated that the vehicle would not stop when depressing the brake pedal. During the crash, the driver sustained injuries to the neck, back, legs and arms and the front passenger sustained injuries to the head, face and eye, back and legs. Both required medical attention. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was destroyed and towed away. A representative of the manufacturer examined the vehicle but the cause of the failure was not determined. No further information was available. The failure mileage was 272,000.
Product defect when the Lexus GS400 hit head on a concrete anti-terrorist restrain t between 40-50 miles a hr. Speed could have been faster according to the repair shop cause the engine was knowed of its mountings, hand break handle broke and turned 90+ degrees to the left. The coin change closed container broke open and cracked as it through its contents all over the drivers area. The air bag failed to deploy and the I was thrown with full force against the steering wheel which hit me directly in the sternum causing blunt contusion to the rib cage and sternum. The pain cause is greater than a kidney stone and it has been two weeks a go.
Seat belts
Tl contact owns a 1998 Lexus gs 400. While driving 17mph in a parking lot, his foot accidentally slipped causing him to accelerate. The vehicle crashed into a brick wall. The seat belt never locked and caused the contacts chest to slam into the steering wheel and then into the seat. The engine size and number of cylinders was unavailable. The failure mileage was 96,000. The current mileage was 126,000. Pictures are available. The VIN was confirmed but is listed as invalid.
22 sets of tires worn out on the front. I had a head on collision with a building--the seat belt failed to restrain me be cause of slack and the deception/fraud of lexeus po005-1. You have to make a "specific complaint about the belts" or they are not covered by warranty. Po005-1 has beed with held from the public. Lexus is trying to find a way to coverup the tb. We have over 250,000 vehicles on the road with out the po005-1 not being .
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Lexus GS400 a good car?
Based on 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 GS400 rates use caution: 2.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the GS400 at the same age. It is one of the GS400 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Lexus GS400?
The air bags — 7 complaints, 23% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the brakes (6) and seat belts (5).
How many recalls does the 1998 Lexus GS400 have?
There is 1 recall for the 1998 Lexus GS400, the most recent from April 17, 1998 (automatic (asc)). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lexus GS400?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2000 and 1999. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1998. See the full Lexus GS400 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Lexus GS400 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 85,000 miles; 21% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.