2002 Lexus SC430 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 2002 Lexus SC430, 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
- Airbags1840.0%
- Tires & wheels511.1%
- Driver assistance48.9%
- Suspension48.9%
- Interior & seats36.7%
- Other / unspecified36.7%
- Brakes24.4%
- Body & structure24.4%
- Fuel system12.2%
- Steering12.2%
- Engine12.2%
- Exterior lighting12.2%
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
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
GETTING TOTALLY JERKED AROUND THEY CALL AND NEVER FOLLOW UP. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR YEARS NOW.
2002 LEXUS SC430. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATOR MODULE SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICOLE WAS TAKEN TO HAVE THE RECALL COMPLETED, BUT WAS TOLD THE ZONE WAS NOT CURRENTLY AUTHORIZED TO COMPLEE THE REPAIR. UPDATED 11/08/2017*JS
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
2002 LEXUS SC 430 DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE EQUIPPED RUNFLAT TIRES.*MR THE CONSUMER DIDN'T LIKE THE RUN FLAT TIRES BECAUSE THEY PRODUCED UNBEARABLE ROAD NOISE AND MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. WHEN THE TIRES ENCOUNTERED GROOVED PAVEMENT THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT 2 OF THE TIRES WERE BULGING AND ON EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE INSIDE. *NM
BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RUNS FLAT-SIDEWALL FAILURE-RUN FLAT FEATURE FAILED RUINING WHEEL, BUBBLE APPEARED ON SIDEWALL OF 2 TIRES. *LA
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS SC430. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE GEAR IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A NEIGHBORS DOOR, FENCE, HOUSE AND AIR CONDITION. DURING THE CRASH BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AFTER THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000. UPDATED 7/22/13 *CN
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN A PARKING LOT CAUSING MY VEHICL TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. TOYOTA EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. THEY REFUSESD TO GIVE ME A LETTER SAYING THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE WHICH I REQUESTED IN WRITING TWICE. UPDATED 02/14/11 *BF
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
LEFT BALL JOINT FAILURE. SHEARED OFF CAUSING LOSS OFF VEHICLE CONTROL. FINALLY STOPPED JUST FEET FROM GOING OVER THE EDGE OF A DROP OFF. DAMAGE TO LEFT SIDE FRONT END COMPONENTS, LEFT FRONT FENDER AND BOTH FRONT TIRES DESTROYED. *TR
I OWN A 2002 LEXUS SC430 WHICH HAS BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RUNFLAT TIRES ON IT. I PUT ON A NEW SET OF TIRES 1 YEAR AGO AND 17,000 MILES LATE, THE VEHICLE IS ALL OVER THE ROAD, TIRES WEAR EXCESSIVELY ON THE INSIDES, AND I'VE HAD IT ALIGNED ABOUT 3 TIMES IN THAT 1 YEAR. A FRIEND OF MINE HAD THE SAME VEHICLE AND HE HAD TO GET RID OF IT FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TIRES BECOME VERY NOISY AND IT SOUNDS LIKE ALL THE WHEEL BEARINGS ARE BAD. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS TRYING TO TELL ME THAT THIS HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRE ONLY LASTS 10,000 MILES, BUT WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR TO AN ALIGNMENT EXPERT AT ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP, HE STATED THAT IS IS DEFINITELY AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM WITH THE CAR AND THAT THERE WAS PLENTY OF TREAD LIFE LEFT ON THE REST OF THE TIRES. UPON FURTHER RESEARCHING THIS ON THE HTTP://LEXUSOWNERSCLUB.COM, I FOUND OUT THAT MANY OF THE SC430 OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME TIRE WEAR/STEERING PROBLEM AND THAT THE CAR WAS BUILT WITH A NEGATIVE CAMBER AND THAT PUTS MORE WEAR ON THE TIRES. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AS IT DOES GREATLY AFFECT THE STEERING AND SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. WE ARE UNABLE TO DRIVE IT ON THE OPEN HIGHWAY FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THE LEXUS COMPANY IS BLAMING THE PROBLEM ON THE POTENZA TIRES. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR TIMELY ASSISTANCE ON THIS. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRUNK LID DROPPED AND HIT ME ON THE HEAD BECAUSE THE AIR(?) CYLINDERS HAVE FAILED AND WILL NO LONGER SUPPORT THE TRUNK LID WHEN IT IS OPEN. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TURNING ON THE VEHICLE THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE DASHBOARD GAUGES COULD NOT BE READ IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. THERE WAS A SENSOR THAT CAUSED THE DASHBOARD TO ILLUMINATE AT DUSK. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WAS NO WAY TO BYPASS THE SENSOR. *AK UPDATED 02/07/06.*JB
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
VSC AND VSC OFF LIGHTS COME ON WHEN VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE AND MOVING FROM COMPLETE STOP. THERE'S NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NOR THERE IS ANY DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE. REPORTS FROM DISCUSSION BOARD INDICATE THAT THIS IS WIDESPREAD AMONG TOYOTA AND LEXUS VEHICLES AND REPORTS STATED THAT TOYOTA IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A WHEEL RIM PROBLEM. FIRST, PASSENGER SIDE REAR RIM CRACKED AND DAMAGED TIRE. SECONDLY, DRIVER SIDE REAR RIM CRACKED, AND ALSO DAMAGED THE TIRE. VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT NORMAL SPEED ON NORMAL ROAD SURFACE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING THE CAR UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AT ABOUT 45 MPH AND THE BRAKES WENT COMPLETELY OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. IM FORTUNATE THAT I DIDN'T CRASH THE VEHICLE INTO SOMETHING OR SOMEONE! CONTACTED LEXUS TO LET THEM KNOW THE ISSUE AND THEY BASICALLY LAUGHED IT OFF !! POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE!! *TR
WHILE IN MOTION AND IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A 360* SPIN, WHILE MOVING AT ONLY 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE LOST ALL TRACTION. THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE ARE INOPERABLE. WHILE ON AN INCLINE AND BRAKING FROM ABOUT 5 MPH THE VEHICLE JUMPED AN ISLAND BEFORE THE BRAKES STOPPED IT. *JG
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
THE HARDTOP WILL NOT GO DOWN ON THE ONE SIDE - APPARENTLY THE MOTORS THAT BRING DOWN THE HARDTOP CAN BURN OUT, CAUSING THE ISSUE. FOR HIGHER-END CAR, THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN SO SOON. DEALER INDICATED THIS WAS A $3,000-PLUS REPAIR. I HAVE SINCE BEEN DRIVING A SC430 COUPE! *TR
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS SC430. THE CONTACT HAD RECEIVED THE RECALL REPAIR FOR THE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE HAD EXTENSIVE INTERIOR AND SOME EXTERIOR DAMAGES AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE DAMAGES WERE TO THE DASHBOARD, DAMAGED THE PAINT, SCRATCHED THE TINTED WINDOWS, THE HOOD, LEATHER SEATS IN WHICH THE AUTHORIZED DEALER HAD AGREED TO FIX. THE AIR BAG INFLATOR ASSEMBLY KIT AND COSMETIC DAMAGES HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE COSMETIC DAMAGES HAD BEEN CAUSED BY THE MECHANICS WHO HAD REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE SENSOR LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED AT RANDOM AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71000. DYD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY NEW CAR IS EMITTING A "ROTTEN EGG SMELL" WHEN I ACCELERATE. I AM BEING TOLD BY THE DEALER(STERLING MCCALL LEXUS) THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO. ALSO THAT THEY KNEW THEY WERE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE 430 ENGINES. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REVEALED TO ME PRIOR TO MY PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. TS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT ANY KIND OF VARIANCE IN THE ROAD THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD PULL EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT. NLM *TT *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY SC430 HAS HAD A STRONG SULFUR SMELL FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM (AFTER MEDIUM TO HEAVY ACCELERATION) SINCE IT WAS NEW. WHEN I FIRST MENTIONED IT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED TO PUT A FEW THOUSAND MILES ON IT AND IT SHOULD GO AWAY. I GAVE IT SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES AND IT DIDN'T HELP. THEY THEN CHECKED IT OUT AND TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM AND REFERRED ME TO A SERVICE BULLETIN THAT SAID I SHOULD TRY A DIFFERENT BRAND OF FUEL. I TRIED EVERY BRAND OF FUEL SOLD IN MY AREA (CHEVRON, UNION 76, SHELL, MOBILE, TEXACO, ARCO, ASTRO, ETC.) AND NONE OF THEM MADE ANY DIFFERENCE. MY DEALERSHIP THEN RAN EXTENSIVE TESTS ON MY VEHICLE AND SAID IT WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY. I'M EMBARRASSED TO HAVE ANYONE RIDE IN MY CAR. I REQUESTED LEXUS BUY IT BACK AT KELLY BLUE BOOK PRICE AND THEY SAID BECAUSE IT WAS OPERATING NORMALLY THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR ME. THEY SHOULD TELL POTENTIAL BUYERS THAT THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO DRIVE WITH THE TOP DOWN UNLESS THEY DON'T PLAN TO ACCELLERATE TO FREEWAY SPEED OR PASS ANYONE.*AK
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
THERE IS CONDENSATION IN THE HEAD LAMPS WHICH AFFECTS HOW WELL THEY WORK AT NIGHT. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED OR HAD ANY TYPE OF INJURY THAT WOULD RESULT IN CONDENSATION BEING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT COVERS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. IT IMPAIRS HOW WELL THE HEADLAMPS WORK.
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 .