2005 Lexus LS430 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Lexus LS430, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Driver assistance1242.9%
- Brakes310.7%
- Airbags310.7%
- Other / unspecified310.7%
- Body & structure27.1%
- Exterior lighting13.6%
- Visibility13.6%
- Seat belts13.6%
- Suspension13.6%
- Tires & wheels13.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL, DURING ACCIDENT AIR BAGS UNDER INFLATED, MY LEGS WAS BRUISED AND SWOLLEN. MY CAR SELF ACCELERATED, I COULDN'T CONTROL THE SPEED, MY BRAKES DIDN'T WORK, MY CAR STOPPED BY HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. CLAIM [XXX], THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, ON A FREEWAY, DRIVING STRAIGHT, I HAVE A RECALL CLAIM [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS LS430. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OVER A CONCRETE PARKING BARRIER AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL. THE CRASH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL, DURING ACCIDENT AIR BAGS UNDER INFLATED, MY LEGS WAS BRUISED AND SWOLLEN. MY CAR SELF ACCELERATED, I COULDN'T CONTROL THE SPEED, MY BRAKES DIDN'T WORK, MY CAR STOPPED BY HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. CLAIM [XXX], THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, ON A FREEWAY, DRIVING STRAIGHT, I HAVE A RECALL CLAIM [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT
I HAVE OWNED CAR SINCE NEW. ALL SERVICE PERFORMED BY SAME DEALER ON TIME. ALL REPAIRS DONE AS SUGGESTED BY DEALER. AIR BAGS RECALL PERFORMED IN 2006. NEW BRAKES WITHIN 6 MONTHS. DRIVING TO MY WIFE"S WORK (AIRPORT) ON SAME ROUTE FOR 38 YEARS (37 MILES FROM RESIDENCE). I OBSERVED RED LIGHT AND CARS STOPPED 100 YARDS AHEAD 1/4 MILE FROM DESTINATION. I APPLIED BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL. I TOLD MY PASSENGERS THAT I COULD NOT STOP AND APPLIED BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES AGAIN. BRAKES DID NOT GO TO FLOOR. IT FELT AS THOUGH CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON - IT WASN'T. I AVOIDED A FEW CARS BY STEERING TO CURB AND SIDEWALK. I OBSERVED A LIGHT POST ON SIDEWALK AND HAD TO TURN INTO TRAFFIC HITTING TWO CARS. A MOTOR POLICEMAN WAS DIRECTLY BEHIND ME AND SAID NO BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND LEFT SIDE REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT BELTS FAILED. CAR WAS TOTALED. MY TWO PASSENGERS (MY WIFE AND HER CO WORKER) WERE TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO HOSPITAL. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL, DURING ACCIDENT AIR BAGS UNDER INFLATED, MY LEGS WAS BRUISED AND SWOLLEN. MY CAR SELF ACCELERATED, I COULDN'T CONTROL THE SPEED, MY BRAKES DIDN'T WORK, MY CAR STOPPED BY HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. CLAIM [XXX], THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, ON A FREEWAY, DRIVING STRAIGHT, I HAVE A RECALL CLAIM [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT
I HAVE OWNED CAR SINCE NEW. ALL SERVICE PERFORMED BY SAME DEALER ON TIME. ALL REPAIRS DONE AS SUGGESTED BY DEALER. AIR BAGS RECALL PERFORMED IN 2006. NEW BRAKES WITHIN 6 MONTHS. DRIVING TO MY WIFE"S WORK (AIRPORT) ON SAME ROUTE FOR 38 YEARS (37 MILES FROM RESIDENCE). I OBSERVED RED LIGHT AND CARS STOPPED 100 YARDS AHEAD 1/4 MILE FROM DESTINATION. I APPLIED BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL. I TOLD MY PASSENGERS THAT I COULD NOT STOP AND APPLIED BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES AGAIN. BRAKES DID NOT GO TO FLOOR. IT FELT AS THOUGH CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON - IT WASN'T. I AVOIDED A FEW CARS BY STEERING TO CURB AND SIDEWALK. I OBSERVED A LIGHT POST ON SIDEWALK AND HAD TO TURN INTO TRAFFIC HITTING TWO CARS. A MOTOR POLICEMAN WAS DIRECTLY BEHIND ME AND SAID NO BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND LEFT SIDE REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT BELTS FAILED. CAR WAS TOTALED. MY TWO PASSENGERS (MY WIFE AND HER CO WORKER) WERE TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO HOSPITAL. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE WHEELS ON THIS CAR ACCUMLATE CORROSION AND CAUSE THE TIRES TO GO FLAT WHILE DRIVING. LEXUS DOESN'T SEEM CONCERNED WITH THIS DEFECT. *TR
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A LEXUS LS430. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, I NOTICED THE BACK END SLID (LIKE THE GX) ESPECIALLY ON A SLICK OR WET PAVEMENT. I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY TIRES. THREE SETS LATER I STILL ENCOUNTER IT. IT WASN'T TILL I READ THE GX ACCOUNTS I REALIZED I SUFFER THE SAME CONDITION. THE CAR WON'T TURN OVER BUT IT DOES SLIDE INTO ANOTHER LANE IF I'M NOT CAREFUL AND START VERY SLOWLY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
LIFTERS THAT HOLD TRUNK OPEN FAILED & TRUNK STRUCK OPERATOR IN THE HEAD TWICE. ENGINE HOOD WAS OPENED TO ITS APEX & THE HOOD SLAMMED CLOSED. WILL NOT STAY OPEN; CAN ONLY BE HELD OPEN WITH A CANE WHILE TRYING TO CHECK OIL. CAR WAS STATIONARY & IGNITION WAS OFF IN ALL CASES. CAR GAVE NO PREVIOUS WARNING OF FATIGUE OR FAILURE.
THE WHEELS ON THIS CAR ACCUMLATE CORROSION AND CAUSE THE TIRES TO GO FLAT WHILE DRIVING. LEXUS DOESN'T SEEM CONCERNED WITH THIS DEFECT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55 MPH ON DARK COUNTRY ROAD WHEN THE AFS SENSOR (AS I LATER LEARNED) WENT OUT ON THE LEFT REAR OF VEHICLE. LIGHTS ON LOW BEAM DROPPED TO ABOUT 20' IN FRONT OF CAR LEAVING ME VIRTUALLY BLIND AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT ANYTHING OVER 20 MPH. BECAUSE OF THE WINDING NATURE OF THE ROADS AND CUSTOMARY SPEED, I WAS AT SERIOUS RISK OF BEING REAR-ENDED. IN ORDER TO GET HOME, I HAD TO DRIVE ON HIGH BEAM CAUSING MUCH CONSTERNATION WITH ON COMING TRAFFIC. IF YOU CHECK THE U-TUBE VIDEO ON THIS SUBJECT, YOU WILL FIND OVER 14,000 VIEWS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE LEXUS PRODUCT LINE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY DASHBOARD IS A HAZARDOUS TO ME DRIVING BAD GLARE. THE DASHBOARD IS BLISTERING AND MELTING AWAY AND SEPARATING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHEN I TOUCH THE DASHBOARD ITS STARTING TO CRACK. HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS LEXUS PRODUCT. I AM A LOYAL CUSTOMER AS WELL AND SEVERAL MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND UNHEALTHY FOR ME AND OTHER CUSTOMERS EXPIRING THE SAME PROBLEMS. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY JUST FAULTY POOR PRODUCT USED FOR THE DASHBOARDS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE OWNED CAR SINCE NEW. ALL SERVICE PERFORMED BY SAME DEALER ON TIME. ALL REPAIRS DONE AS SUGGESTED BY DEALER. AIR BAGS RECALL PERFORMED IN 2006. NEW BRAKES WITHIN 6 MONTHS. DRIVING TO MY WIFE"S WORK (AIRPORT) ON SAME ROUTE FOR 38 YEARS (37 MILES FROM RESIDENCE). I OBSERVED RED LIGHT AND CARS STOPPED 100 YARDS AHEAD 1/4 MILE FROM DESTINATION. I APPLIED BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL. I TOLD MY PASSENGERS THAT I COULD NOT STOP AND APPLIED BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES AGAIN. BRAKES DID NOT GO TO FLOOR. IT FELT AS THOUGH CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON - IT WASN'T. I AVOIDED A FEW CARS BY STEERING TO CURB AND SIDEWALK. I OBSERVED A LIGHT POST ON SIDEWALK AND HAD TO TURN INTO TRAFFIC HITTING TWO CARS. A MOTOR POLICEMAN WAS DIRECTLY BEHIND ME AND SAID NO BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND LEFT SIDE REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT BELTS FAILED. CAR WAS TOTALED. MY TWO PASSENGERS (MY WIFE AND HER CO WORKER) WERE TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO HOSPITAL. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2005 Lexus LS430. The contact stated while driving various speeds, the rear suspension was bouncing excessively causing the vehicle to be difficult to control and maintain in the lane. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had driven the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear shock absorbers and rear suspension needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SPECIFIC EVENT TOOK PLACE FORTUNATELY. AS A RESULT OF THE COMPLAINT I WISH TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION, HOWEVER, SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUES DO RESULT FROM THE PROBLEM! THE "RUN-FLAT" TIRES USED BY LEXUS SC430 ARE A CATASTROPHE. THEY ARE SO FIRM THAT ALL ROAD FORCES ARE TRANSMITTED TO WHEEL RIMS AND TIRE SIDEWALLS WITH THE RESULT THAT WHEEL RIMS ARE EASILY BENT AND TIRE SIDEWALLS ARE DAMAGED. THIS SEVERELY AFFECTS VEHICULAR HANDLING AND MANEUVERABILITY, CREATING DANGEROUS SITUATIONS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ETC. THE DAMAGE HAS RESULTED FORM ORDINARY AND USUAL ROAD SURFACE IRREGULARITIES AND OCCUR READILY DESPITE CONTINUAL VIGILANCE TO AVOID WINTERTIME POTHOLES AND OTHER PAVEMENT IRREGULARITIES. I HAVE HAD CONTINUING NEGATIVE EXPERIENCE WITH NUMEROUS REPLACEMENTS OF WHEEL AND TIRES, IN SPITE OF LOW MILEAGE AND CAUTIOUS DRIVING HABITS. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .