1997 Lexus LX450: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
8 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
101,325 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data updated: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Suspension:Front is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 8 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 25.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension:Front | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 1 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 1 |
| Unspecified | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cables | 1 |
Suspension:Front: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 1; Tires:Tread/Belt: 1; Unspecified: 1; Vehicle Speed Control:Cables: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 2 |
| 1999 | 3 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
1998: 2; 1999: 3; 2001: 1; 2003: 1; 2005: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension:Front leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10014210 · 2003-04-09 (April 9, 2003)
ALMOST THE EXACT COMPLAINT AS ODI ID NUMBER 755661. I DISAGREE THAT THIS IS NOT A DESIGN FLAW. I HAVE CONTACTED LEXUS REGARDING THIS AND WAS BASICALLY TOLD "TOO BAD".
Owner-reported narrative. 95,650 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014210 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10119945 · 2005-05-05 (May 5, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE READ ON ONE OF THE VEHICLE'S TIRES SEPARATED YET THE TIRE REMAINED INFLATED. THE TREAD SEPARATION CAUSED SOME DAMAGE TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INSPECTED THE TIRES. THEY CONCLUDED THAT THE DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT THE TIRES. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 107,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10119945 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 534808 · 1998-04-26 (April 26, 1998)
AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BECOMES UNSTABLE. LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE ALTERNATELY RISE AND FALL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 534808 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 535118 · 1998-05-06 (May 6, 1998)
AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS THE FRONT OF THE CAR BECOMES UNSTABLE. THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE ALTERNATELY RISE AND FALL. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THIS ACTION IS TO REDUCE THE SPEED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 535118 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 543812 · 1999-02-08 (February 8, 1999)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES SUDDEN AND TRAUMATIC DECELERATION WHEN THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY (AND REPEATEDLY) RELEASED FROM CRUISE CONTROL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 543812 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 607407 · 1999-02-01 (February 1, 1999)
ON TWO OCCASIONS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL CAUSING VEHICLE TO COLLIDE INTO GARAGE. YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 607407 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 755661 · 2001-12-14 (December 14, 2001)
THE ROTORS ON THE DISC BRAKES HAVE WARPED THREE TIMES IN APP. 8000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER CONCEDES THAT THE BRAKES ARE INADEQUATE FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE, WHEN IT IS OWNED BY PEOPLE IN HILLY AREAS. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATES THAT THE PROBLEM OF BRAKES OVERHEATING IS PERVASIVE, BUT SAYS IT IS NOT A DESIGN FLAW. I HAVE ASKED THE MANUFACTURER TO EITHER PROVIDE A FIX, OR EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, BUT THE MANUFACTURER HAS REFUSED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 755661 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 834751 · 1999-02-11 (February 11, 1999)
ON ANY GIVEN OCCASION AND ANY WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS, VEHICLE ACCELERATES TO A HIGH SPEED WITHOUT DRIVER APPLICATION. DRIVER HAS TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE, WOULD NOT STOP OR SLOW WITH BRAKE APPLICATION. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 834751 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
8 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension:Front | 116.7% | 225.0%ODI 534808AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BECOMES UNSTABLE. LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE ALTERNATELY RISE AND FALL. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 233.3%ODI 706904HAVING TO REPLACE THE BRAKES ON THIS CAR. REPLACED AT 28,000 MILES NOW AGAIN AT 34,000 MILES. DO NOT RIDE BRAKES WHEN DRIVING. SERVICE MANAGER AT DEALER SAID THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS TRUCK BECAUSE OF IT'S WEIGHT. YET, DEALER IS CHARGING ME FOR REPAIRS !!! | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 225.0%ODI 543812VEHICLE EXPERIENCES SUDDEN AND TRAUMATIC DECELERATION WHEN THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY (AND REPEATEDLY) RELEASED FROM CRUISE CONTROL. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 116.7%ODI 8002688VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 116.7% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel System, Other | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 608058DESIGN OF THE ODOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE CREATES DIFFICULTY IN VISIBILITY IN SUNLIGHT AND IMPOSSIBLE TO READ IN SOME LIGHTING CONDITIONS. *YC | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 608058DESIGN OF THE ODOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE CREATES DIFFICULTY IN VISIBILITY IN SUNLIGHT AND IMPOSSIBLE TO READ IN SOME LIGHTING CONDITIONS. *YC | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tires:Tread/Belt | Too few reports for a range | 107,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10119945 · 107,000 miWHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE READ ON ONE OF THE VEHICLE'S TIRES SEPARATED YET THE TIRE REMAINED INFLATED. THE TREAD SEPARATION CAUSED SOME DAMAGE TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INSPECTED THE TIRES. THEY CONCLUDED THAT THE DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT THE TIRES. *NM |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
1998: 3 complaints · 2000: 1 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| 2000 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Suspension:Front | Vehicle Speed Control | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | Tires:Tread/Belt | Vehicle Speed Control:Cables |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension:Front | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cables | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.