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Lexus SC430Model year report

2002 Lexus SC430 Problems

Complaints
42filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
61,562miles, 24 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Lexus SC430 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 42 consumer complaints for the 2002 Lexus SC430. The part named most often is air bags, with 18 complaints (43% of the total), followed by tires (5) and suspension (4). 24 of the complaints include a mileage, and 42% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 61,562 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 64 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the inflator module and 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Tires complaints overlap with 3 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.

Also reported: Engine cooling (1), Exterior lighting (1), Fuel system (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seats (1), Steering (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Tl- the contact owns a 2002 Lexus SC430. The contact had received the recall repair for the air bag. The vehicle had extensive interior and some exterior damages after the repairs. The damages were to the dashboard, damaged the paint, scratched the tinted windows, the hood, leather seats in which the authorized dealer had agreed to fix. The air bag inflator assembly kit and cosmetic damages had been repaired. The cosmetic damages had been caused by the mechanics who had repaired the vehicle. The sensor light had illuminated at random after the recall repair. …”

NHTSA complaint #10582891, filed 2014-04, 71,000 miles

Tires: “While in motion and in inclement weather, the vehicle went into a 360* spin, while moving at only 25 MPH. The vehicle lost all traction. The brakes on the vehicle are inoperable. While on an incline and braking from about 5 MPH the vehicle jumped an island before the brakes stopped it.”

NHTSA complaint #10004060, filed 2003-01, 9,000 miles

Suspension: “Left ball joint failure. Sheared off causing loss off vehicle control. Finally stopped just feet from going over the edge of a drop off. Damage to left side front end components, left front fender and both front tires destroyed.”

NHTSA complaint #10325474, filed 2010-04, 136,032 miles

Vehicle speed control: “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 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

42% of the 24 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 35,500 and 71,000 miles.

17%0–104%10–2521%25–5033%50–754%75–10021%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (24 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 61,562 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

’03’05’08’10’1311’15’17’19
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.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2002 Lexus SC430 → · 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. 64 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 64 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus SC430

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
200717—1—19—Stable
2006624,5001—19—Not enough data
2005958,0001—18—Not enough data
20041247,5001—18—Not enough data
20032039,0001———Falling
20024261,5621——Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Lexus SC430 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Lexus SC430 have?

NHTSA recorded 42 consumer complaints for the 2002 Lexus SC430 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 Lexus SC430 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 18 complaints (43% of the total), followed by tires with 5.

Has the 2002 Lexus SC430 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Lexus SC430 reported?

Among the 24 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 61,562 miles and the middle half falls between 35,500 and 71,000 miles; 42% 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.

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.