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Lexus LS430Model year report

2002 Lexus LS430 Problems

Complaints
30filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
59,156miles, 24 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 4.3L 8-cyl RWD · 16 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Lexus LS430 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 2002 Lexus LS430. The part named most often is body and structure, with 10 complaints (33% of the total), followed by latches, locks and linkages (6) and vehicle speed control (4). 24 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 59,156 miles. Of all complaints, 8 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 16 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 53 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Equipment (1), Fuel system (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Body and structure: “The trunk lid of a 2002 Lexus LS430 landed on my wife's head causing injury and bleeding. Gas cylinders are used to hold trunk lid up which failed. I complained about gas cylinders holding hoods up on Lexus automobiles in the past and you people did nothing about it. I even contacted Lexus about it but went unacknowledged.”

NHTSA complaint #10363481, filed 2010-11, 120,000 miles

Latches, locks and linkages: “I had opened the trunk on my Lexus ls-430 (2002) to place some personal items for transport. I was leaning down when suddenly the trunk lid came crashing down top of my head with result of pain and swelling. Same had happened to my wife before this incident. It was discovered that the hydraulic trunk struts necessary for the safe operation of the trunk had both failed.”

NHTSA complaint #10314805, filed 2010-02, 47,523 miles

Vehicle speed control: “As I was turning onto a road from a private driveway the car suddenly accelerated causing the car to cross over both lanes of the road and crash into a mailbox. The result was damage to the front of my car and a broken mailbax post.”

NHTSA complaint #10508825, filed 2013-04, 46,000 miles

Air bags: “My daughter was driving my 2002 Lexus 430 ls when she had a seizure. During the seizure her foot hit the gas pedal and she proceeded through several residential areas before crashing into a tree. The airbag was not deployed causing 2 leg and foot fractures. Insurance adjuster agreed that the airbag should have deployed. The car was totaled. The local Lexus dealer had completed an annual service on the car within the last 12 months.”

NHTSA complaint #10249353, filed 2008-11, 86,978 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 24 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 46,000 and 80,000 miles.

8%0–108%10–2517%25–5038%50–7513%75–10017%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (24 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 59,156 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

200320062009920112013
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2002 Lexus LS430 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
LS 430 RWD4.3L 8-cyl5-speed automatic162319$4,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2002 Lexus LS430 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 53 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 53 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus LS430

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20052148,8000—18—Falling
20042875,0002—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20032345,0000—19—Stable
20023059,1560—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20015260,0000—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Lexus LS430 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Lexus LS430 have?

NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 2002 Lexus LS430 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 Lexus LS430 is reported most often?

Body and structure is named most often, in 10 complaints (33% of the total), followed by latches, locks and linkages with 6.

Has the 2002 Lexus LS430 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Lexus LS430 get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Lexus LS430 (LS 430, 4.3L 8-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Lexus LS430 reported?

Among the 24 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 59,156 miles and the middle half falls between 46,000 and 80,000 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.