Hearth Record

Electrical system: starter assembly (Lexus)

Vehicle recall 98V-016. NHTSA received TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.’s report on Jan 27, 1998.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

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The short answer

NHTSA received TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.’s report on Jan 27, 1998. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 28, 2026.

Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.

What’s wrong with it?

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

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.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.

  • NHTSA’s part: Electrical system: starter assembly.

What should you do?

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE MAGNETIC SWITCH.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 9, 1998. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
  • Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.

Which ones are recalled?

NHTSA counts 47,525 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.

  • Lexus SC400and 1996 and 1997, before the model years listed here
  • Lexus LS400and 1995, 1996 and 1997, before the model years listed here

Who is recalling it?

  • Made by TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD..
Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.

What the record doesn’t say

  • NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
  • Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
  • This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
  • How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

Source:

Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 28, 2026.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

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Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

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