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Lexus LS430Model year report

2003 Lexus LS430 Problems

Complaints
23filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
45,000miles, 17 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 · 17 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Lexus LS430 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2003 Lexus LS430. The part named most often is body and structure, with 8 complaints (35% of the total), followed by air bags (3) and vehicle speed control (3). 17 of the complaints include a mileage, and 65% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 45,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 9 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 55 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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: Seat belts (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Body and structure: “Trunk strut failed after only about 3 years. My dad gave me the car and he was just willing to live with it, as he is very ill the car had passed the 4-year, 50,000 mile point, but I was struck by the falling trunk and wish it repaired.”

NHTSA complaint #10244211, filed 2008-10, 45,000 miles

Air bags: “I was involved in a collision. The front of my car my made full contact with the rear of the car in front of me. I was traveling at least 25 MPH if not more before impact. The impact resulted in $10,000 in damage to the front of the Lexus and it was declared a total loss. The Lexus was damaged from headlight to headlight and the airbag(s) did not deploy. The hood also sustained damage as well as the radiator, yet the airbag(s) did not deploy.”

NHTSA complaint #10760753, filed 2015-09, 137,740 miles

Vehicle speed control: “Dt: the contact stated the cruise control switch engaged and the vehicle stalled. Although, the vehicle stalled the engine was easily restarted. The vehicle exhibited no further stalling problems until the cruise control was engaged. Afterwards, the vehicle stalled as previously stated. After restarting the engine the contact continued driving and did not engage the cruise control. The vehicle has not been seen by a dealer.”

NHTSA complaint #10147657, filed 2006-01, 41,565 miles

Tires: “It is only 10 weeks since they bought vehicle and two tires had blown up while driving. Dunlop sport 500 size p225/55r17, DOT#95hms. Dealer notified, nothing they could do.”

NHTSA complaint #10026562, filed 2003-07

Mileage when problems were reported

65% of the 17 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 35,000 and 78,000 miles.

6%0–1012%10–2547%25–506%50–7512%75–10018%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (17 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 45,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

2003200520082010520142017
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 2003 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 automatic172319$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 2003 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. 55 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 55 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 2003 Lexus LS430 have?

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2003 Lexus LS430 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Lexus LS430 is reported most often?

Body and structure is named most often, in 8 complaints (35% of the total), followed by air bags with 3.

Has the 2003 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 2003 Lexus LS430 get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Lexus LS430 (LS 430, 4.3L 8-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 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 2003 Lexus LS430 reported?

Among the 17 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 45,000 miles and the middle half falls between 35,000 and 78,000 miles; 65% 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.