Model year record

1996 Lexus SC400

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 4 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V016000

Electrical system: starter assembly

Component
Electrical system: starter assembly
Manufacturer
TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.
Vehicles affected
47,525
Reported to NHTSA
1998-01-27
Owners notified
1998-02-09

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 risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE MAGNETIC SWITCH.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Tires: tread/belt2
Exterior lighting: brake lights170,290 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1157,000 mi

The 1995 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has 4 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.