Lexus LS-400 / LS-430 Problems & Failures

#21

Regarding the problem with air suspension, is this a problem with LS430s as
well as LS400s ? I'm not familiar with the problem, and since I've decided
to look into buying a 2004 LS430, I want to familiarize myself with known
problems with that car.

Is the suspension adjustable by a switch or knob on the dash or console on
the 04 ? If so, I want to know where to look so that I'll know immediately
if the car is so-equipped.

Thanks

#22

"njbok" <NOSPAM (AT) nospam (DOT) com> wrote

Quote:

Regarding the problem with air suspension, is this a problem with LS430s
as
well as LS400s ? I'm not familiar with the problem, and since I've
decided
to look into buying a 2004 LS430, I want to familiarize myself with known
problems with that car.

Is the suspension adjustable by a switch or knob on the dash or console on
the 04 ? If so, I want to know where to look so that I'll know
immediately
if the car is so-equipped.

Thanks

There is a ride height switch in vehicles with the air suspension.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

#23

On 4/5/07 12:32 AM, in article
dbcc1$46147bdc$47c2b532$19177 (AT) msgid (DOT) meganewsservers.com, "Ray O"
<rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:

Thanks Ray. I'll watch for that switch (I assume it's on the center console
?)

walt

Quote:

There is a ride height switch in vehicles with the air suspension.

#24

"njbok" <NOSPAM (AT) nospam (DOT) com> wrote

Quote:

On 4/5/07 12:32 AM, in article
dbcc1$46147bdc$47c2b532$19177 (AT) msgid (DOT) meganewsservers.com, "Ray O"
rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:

Thanks Ray. I'll watch for that switch (I assume it's on the center
console
?)

walt

There is a ride height switch in vehicles with the air suspension.

In my '01 LS, the switch is near the bottom of the "stack" in the center of
the dashboard that comes down to meet the console with the shifter. There
is a horizontal row of buttons - one to select sport or normal ride, one for
suspension height, one for the headlight washer, and one or two more that I
can't recall offhand - I think they are for the rear sunshade and to return
the rear seat to the upright position.

If you look in the rear wheel well, you will see a rubber bladder inside the
coil spring.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

#25

I have a 1992 LS 400 which I bought in '94. It has 125k miles on it
now and has been the best car I ever owned wrt comfort, driveability
and reliability. I have had minimal problems with it. The problems
were with the a-c that needed a complete overhaul at about 70k miles,
a overheating problem caused by debris between the a-c condenser coils
and the radiator coils, and a TRAC lite problem. Other than that the
car has been really good. If and when I need another car it will
definitely be a Lexus 400 class.

On Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:24:33 -0700, "Xplant" <XPlant (AT) comcast (DOT) net>
wrote:

Quote:

"Jebediah Kornworthy" <jeb (AT) kornworhty (DOT) com> wrote in message
news:460c56b5$0$27107$4c368faf (AT) roadrunner (DOT) com...
I would like to buy a used Lexus LS-400 or a Lexus LS-430 in the next year
or two perhaps (depending on my health.) I feel that they are a very well
built car and I'm sure many of you feel the same way.

I have been looking at many web sites and forums to find any and all known
and reoccurring problems with the car. Any helpful input would be greatly
appreciated.

I have read that certain years had major problems with the air ride
suspension and many people had it converted to a regular suspension.
Problems were reported and fairly common with the instrument cluster
circuit board failure in some years. I've read more than one post on
different sites where the gauges work intermittently or not at all when
it's cold and then start working again when it warms up inside the car.

I've also read that the power steering pump can fail causing the
alternator fail also. I have never heard of or read of any major engine
or transmission failures but it doesn't mean that they don't exist.

I know that no car is going to be perfect, and as a former Maintenance
Mechanic, I understand the complexities of machinery. I know that any
car will require regular service and maintenance. I also know that any
car part can fail for a variety of reasons. I'm looking for patterns of
failure on certain parts for different years.

I'm trying not to be nit picking. I'm just trying to decide what year or
years to stay away from that may have had some well-known and costly
repair problems. And I know that the newer the car is, the less likely it
will be to have major problems. I can't afford a new Lexus LS 460
unfortunately. Obviously the older the car is the cheaper it will be to
buy it outright but it may be wiser to choose a different year of car that
has less known problems.

Is what I have read true? Do any of you agree that these are common
problems or just a fluke? I've read many posts on these problems but that
doesn't necessarily paint a true picture of known car problems when we are
taking about hundreds of thousands of units of cars built. So what do you
think? Is this true? Is it as commonplace as it appears?

I like the 2000 Lexus LS 4000 and the 2001Lexus LS 430

I don't want to sound unappreciative, but I'm hoping we can stay on topic
with this thread. I don't like it when it turns into a flame war.

Thanks in advance for your input, suggestions and opinions.

I currently have a 2002 LS430, and a 1992 SC400. Previously had a 1991
LS400.

I will be a little stronger than former posters. Do NOT consider a car with
air suspension. Our 1991 LS400 had air suspension, and it was a disaster.
Conversion is a possibility but not inexpensive-- better just to stay away
from it.

The 2002 LS430 is a fabulous car-- NO problems to date--5+ years and 62K
miles. I bought my 1992 SC400 new in 1991, now has almost 200K miles.
Rubber degradation (SF Bay Area) has not been a problem-- still have the
original radiator hoses, and vacuum hoses and I watch them carefully.
Leather has finally started to give-up, despite Lexol treatment the last 5
years.

For the early LS400 your homework has been good-- you hit most of the
'expected problems'. I had them all. One you missed is leaking/'smudged'
heater/AC Controller LCD. Now replacement LCD's available for approx $120.

I am still a big Lexus booster. My in-laws have a 2003 ES330, but it's not
near the car the LS400/430 is IMHO.

Good luck!

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Lexus LS-400 / LS-430 Problems & Failures

Lexus Discussions about Lexus cars and trucks (alt.autos.lexus)

Re: Lexus LS-400 / LS-430 Problems & Failures - 04-04-2007 , 10:02 PM

Re: Lexus LS-400 / LS-430 Problems & Failures - 04-04-2007 , 11:32 PM

Re: Lexus LS-400 / LS-430 Problems & Failures - 04-05-2007 , 10:15 AM

Re: Lexus LS-400 / LS-430 Problems & Failures - 04-05-2007 , 10:27 AM

Re: Lexus LS-400 / LS-430 Problems & Failures - 04-27-2007 , 02:47 PM