2004 Lexus LS430 Problems
- Complaints
- 28filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles, 23 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns 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
- 18 mpgcombined, 4.3L 8-cyl RWD · 16 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Lexus LS430 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2004 Lexus LS430. The part named most often is vehicle speed control, with 5 complaints (18% of the total), followed by exterior lighting (4) and steering (3). 23 of the complaints include a mileage, and 35% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 75,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 75 technical service bulletins for this model year. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
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.
- Exterior lighting4 14%
- Steering3 11%
- Body and structure3 11%
- Air bags2 7.1%
- Brakes2 7.1%
- Engine cooling2 7.1%
- Wheels2 7.1%
- Electrical system1 3.6%
Also reported: Engine (1), Equipment (1), Fuel system (1), Tires (1).
Example complaints
Vehicle speed control: “I have a 2004 Lexus ls 430 that has a random problem that the dealers tell me is normal. On occasion when I roll to a stop the car lunges forward on its own forcing me to apply extreme pressure on the brake to stop the vehicle. It accelerates just for a split 2nd then stops. I have learned to stop approx. 20' behind a vehicle just in case the car decides it wants to lunge forward. This has happened no less than 6 times since we purchased the vehicle new in 10/2003. I have explained the problem to the dealer at least 4 times and they tell me they can not find a problem and its normal. …”
NHTSA complaint #10313107, filed 2010-02, 2,000 milesExterior lighting: “I hit a large dog while driving one night and busted my front bumper on the passenger side pertly good. Had bumper, fog lights replaced, car looks dam good. Since I am an older person, retired and drive mostly during the day, it was a while before I noticed my bright lights shine directly on the ground about 20 to 30 feet in front of the car . I have had the charleston sc Lexus dealer try to eliminate the problem. They told me I would have to replace the headlight. …”
NHTSA complaint #10883551, filed 2016-07, 96,000 milesSteering: “The most recent occurrence was yesterday. Has happened at least 5 other times, have owned the car for 2 years. The car will not start if the steering wheel is not exactly level, tires straight. I have to turn the wheel over and over and over to try to move it an inch so it will start. This time took about 10 minutes of doing the same thing over and over, and it miraculously started. Have no idea why it does this and when it will happen again. Most irritating and dangerous if I am alone away from home.”
NHTSA complaint #10648137, filed 2014-10, 120,000 milesBody and structure: “2004 Lexus ls 430 component: structure:body details: driver side mirrors are not in the correct location to view the rear sight. Note: there was no apparent exterior physical damage that would have caused it. Mirror had the stop mechanisms break, allowing the mirror to be off line. Very dangerous when driving. Can not view behind you. Repair cost: $660 occurrences: 1 injuries: 0.”
NHTSA complaint #10382779, filed 2011-02, 75,500 milesMileage when problems were reported
35% of the 23 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 35,000 and 98,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2004 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LS 430 RWD | 4.3L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 16 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
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
- 04V317000Jul 1, 2004Power train › Automatic transmissionCovers: Lexus LS430 2004
On certain vehicles when the accelerator is operated quickly, a small piece of metal may separate from a retaining collar located in the inner part of the automatic transmission. This small piece of metal may become caught in the parking lock mechanism.
- 04V295000Jun 25, 2004Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pumpCovers: Lexus LS430 2004
On certain passenger vehicles, the impeller inside the fuel pump may have been improperly molded due to a manufacturing error. Alcohol in some fuels may deform the impeller and cause it to come into contact with the pump housing.
Recall details for the 2004 Lexus LS430 → · Check a 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. 75 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10214355Apr 13, 2022Equipment. Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022
- 10210374Mar 9, 2022Equipment. TSB: This Service Bulletin includes procedures to replace damaged or loose front carpet floor retainer(s) without replacing the carpet assembly. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to…
- 10207945Jan 12, 2022Tires, Wheels, Equipment. POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Lexus. This information must be kept near the point of…
- 10179697Aug 5, 2020Transmission and drivetrain. TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. Cases…
- 10179601Aug 5, 2020Transmission and drivetrain, Engine. TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. Cases…
- 10177783Jun 23, 2020Steering. TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE June 23, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0023-20.
- 10177780Jun 23, 2020Wheels. TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. ST004-01, SU001-08, and L-SB-0174-08. The aforementioned bulletins are obsolete, and any printed…
- 10176283May 1, 2020Equipment. Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10174889Apr 6, 2020Equipment. TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 06, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0008-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates
- 10174888Apr 6, 2020Equipment. TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-97, PG003-93, PG002-90, L-SB-0048-08…
Other model years of the Lexus LS430
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 21 | 48,800 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Falling |
| 2004 | 28 | 75,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 23 | 45,000 | 0 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 2002 | 30 | 59,156 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 52 | 60,000 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Lexus LS430 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Lexus LS430 have?
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2004 Lexus LS430 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2004 Lexus LS430 is reported most often?
Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 5 complaints (18% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 4.
Has the 2004 Lexus LS430 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Lexus LS430 get?
The EPA rates the 2004 Lexus LS430 (LS 430, 4.3L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Lexus LS430 reported?
Among the 23 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 75,000 miles and the middle half falls between 35,000 and 98,000 miles; 35% 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.