1996 Lexus SC400 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 1996 Lexus SC400, and owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 1996 Lexus SC400
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Starter assembly (electrical system)
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.
Remedy: Dealers will repair the magnetic switch.
4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1996 Lexus SC400 have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 113,645 miles. Complaints peaked in 2004 with 3 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“On two occasions just before coming to a complete stop at a signal, the car suddenly lurched forward for no reason, and i was unable to control this motion with the brakes, so i quickly put the transm”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 31, 2006 · Exterior lighting
“While the vehicle was parked both passengers and driver rear tires tread separated. Consumer took the tires to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined the tires were worn out. *ak ply separ”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 19, 2004 · Tires
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1996 Lexus SC (SC 300/SC 400). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 18–19 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 16–17 / 22 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Subcompact Cars |
| Engine | 6/8 cyl, 3/4 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Lexus SC400 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Lexus SC400 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 Lexus SC400 | 0 | 1 |
| 1992 Lexus SC400 | 1 | 30 |
| 1993 Lexus SC400 | 0 | 9 |
| 1994 Lexus SC400 | 0 | 2 |
| 1995 Lexus SC400 | 0 | 9 |
| 1996 Lexus SC400 | 1 | 4 |
| 1997 Lexus SC400 | 1 | 1 |
| 1998 Lexus SC400 | 0 | 2 |
| 1999 Lexus SC400 | 0 | 2 |
| 2000 Lexus SC400 | 0 | 1 |
| 2001 Lexus SC400 | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 1996 Lexus SC400
How do I know if my 1996 Lexus SC400 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 1996 Lexus SC400; your car may already have been repaired under it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Lexus dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 98V016000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Lexus models
- ES3501,365 complaints
- RX957 complaints
- RX350808 complaints
- RX300722 complaints
- IS 250719 complaints
- ES300681 complaints
- ES668 complaints
- IS596 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.