Lexus SC300 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints across the 3 model years of the Lexus SC300 (1992–1997) that have at least 5 complaints. 1992 has the most, with 10. Across all years, the part named most often is transmission and drivetrain (4 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All SC300 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 5 | 27,100 | 0 | 29 | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 7 | 93,607 | 0 | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 10 | 115,000 | 0 | 23 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Transmission and drivetrain4 19%
- Tires4 19%
- Electrical system3 14%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)2 9.5%
- Fuel system2 9.5%
- Equipment2 9.5%
- Engine cooling2 9.5%
- Brakes2 9.5%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1993: “I purchased 4 new goodyear aquatred 3 tires on nov,21 2001. Approximatly sept. 9 2003 with 36k on the tires the left front tire went flat on the freeway. The goodyear store showed me the failed side wall and the tire would not hold air.I received a 50% adjustment . The left rear tire was put on the left front and the new tire on the left rear. On oct. 1 2003 while on the freeway I felt a vibaration in the steering wheel followed by a flapping noise. The inside of the left front tire balloned out the size of a soft ball. The tire store adjusted the tire. …”
NHTSA complaint #10055044, filed 2004-01, 133,470 miles1997: “Contact states: driver could not place car in park as she pulled into a parking spot, instead vehicle lunged forward, striking a tree. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy, total damage to front of car. Would not go into parking mode therefore, the keys could not be removed from ignition. Repairman did not find anything wrong. The accident happened after the shift wouldn't go into parking mode.”
NHTSA complaint #10119594, filed 2005-06, 27,100 miles1992: “Vehicle was rear ended at 50 MPH. The force of the impact pushed the vehicle into a concrete barrier. Neither air bag deployed, and driver's head hit the steering wheel. As a result of the accident the vehicle was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #10033905, filed 2003-08, 110,000 milesOther Lexus models
1,448 complaintsLexus RX
962 complaintsLexus RX350
833 complaintsLexus RX300
719 complaintsLexus IS 250
718 complaintsLexus ES300
677 complaintsLexus ES
658 complaintsLexus IS
579 complaints
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. Methodology