The defect
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.
The risk
A STARTER MOTOR NO-START CONDITION OR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE CAN RESULT.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE MAGNETIC SWITCH.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Lexus LS400 | 1995, 1996, 1997 |
| Lexus SC400 | 1996, 1997 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus LS400 | 1995 | 39 | 1 |
| Lexus LS400 | 1996 | 19 | 1 |
| Lexus LS400 | 1997 | 13 | 1 |
| Lexus SC400 | 1996 | 4 | 1 |
| Lexus SC400 | 1997 | 1 | 1 |
Other electrical system recalls in 1998
34 of the 367 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1998 concerned the electrical system; TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD. filed 73 campaigns in all.
| 98V240003 22 Dec 1998 | DAMON CORPORATION |
| 98V313000 14 Dec 1998 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 98V300000 8 Dec 1998 | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. |
| 98V307000 7 Dec 1998 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 98V299000 24 Nov 1998 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 98V275000 3 Nov 1998 | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE |
| 98V279000 3 Nov 1998 | GULF STATES TOYOTA, INC. |
| 98V278000 19 Oct 1998 | SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1998