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Lexus SCModel year report

2002 Lexus SC Problems

Complaints
5filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
77,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 4.3L 8-cyl RWD · 16 city / 21 hwy

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

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2002 Lexus SC. The part named most often is air bags, with 3 complaints (60% of the total), followed by electrical system (1) and steering (1). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 77,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 26 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 4 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.

Example complaints

Air bags: “The contact owns a 2002 Lexus sc430. The contact crashed into a guardrail while driving over 50 MPH. None of the air bags deployed. The entire front end of the vehicle was completely destroyed. A police report was filed. The contact is awaiting a response from the manufacturer. The failure and current mileages were 37,400. Updated 01/07/08.”

NHTSA complaint #10206793, filed 2007-10, 37,400 miles

Electrical system: “Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2002 Lexus SC430. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 110,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 220,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11690398, filed 2025-09, 220,000 miles

Steering: “The contact owns a 2002 Lexus SC. While driving 35 MPH, an abnormal noise was heard when the steering wheel was turned. There were no warning indicators illuminated. Also, when driving over a bump in the road, the front suspension pulled to the right. The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000. Consumer requested issue be removed from your database.”

NHTSA complaint #11292050, filed 2019-12, 77,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 37,400 and 220,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2533%25–500%50–7533%75–1000%100–15033%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 77,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20072015201922025
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 SC 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
SC 300/SC 430 RWD4.3L 8-cyl5-speed automatic162118$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

Recall details for the 2002 Lexus SC → · 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. 26 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 26 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus SC

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2002577,0003—18—Not enough data

All Lexus SC model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Lexus SC have?

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2002 Lexus SC as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Air bags is named most often, in 3 complaints (60% of the total), followed by electrical system with 1.

Has the 2002 Lexus SC been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Lexus SC get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Lexus SC (SC 300/SC 430, 4.3L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 21 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 2002 Lexus SC reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 77,000 miles and the middle half falls between 37,400 and 220,000 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.