Lexus SC430 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 106 consumer complaints across the 6 model years of the Lexus SC430 (2002–2007) that have at least 5 complaints. 2002 has the most, with 42. Across all years, the part named most often is air bags (61 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All SC430 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 17 | — | 1 | 83 | — | Stable |
| 2006 | 6 | 24,500 | 1 | 83 | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 9 | 58,000 | 1 | 72 | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 12 | 47,500 | 1 | 70 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 20 | 39,000 | 1 | 68 | — | Falling |
| 2002 | 42 | 61,562 | 1 | 64 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Air bags61 58%
- Tires10 9.4%
- Suspension8 7.5%
- Vehicle speed control7 6.6%
- Brakes7 6.6%
- Body and structure5 4.7%
- Wheels4 3.8%
- Electrical system4 3.8%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2002: “Unintended acceleration in a parking lot causing my vehicl to crash into another vehicle. Toyota examined the vehicle and said nothing was wrong with it. They refusesd to give me a letter saying the car was safe to drive which I requested in writing twice. Updated 02/14/11”
NHTSA complaint #10381988, filed 2011-02, 32,000 miles2003: “2003 Lexus SC430 has problems with run flat tires and rims. The rims are bent and dealer said that it was runout caused by excessive driving. I have complained to three dealers, Lexus of grapevine where vehicle was purchased, Lexus of shreveport/bossier and parke Lexus of little rock. I am currently working with the Lexus dispute settlement ctr.”
NHTSA complaint #10139647, filed 2005-10, 39,000 miles2005: “My wife was pulling into our driveway, and moved her foot from accelerator to brake on her Lexus SC430. The driveway has a downhill stretch of about 40 feet with a left turn required at the bottom to enter the garage. Instead of slowing, the car took off, with the engine racing, and catapulted her over the edge of the driveway down into a ravine. She suffered a severe injury to her back, and is currently in great pain. …”
NHTSA complaint #10293330, filed 2009-11, 29,573 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