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Lexus SC430Model year report

2003 Lexus SC430 Problems

Complaints
20filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
39,000miles, 7 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Lexus SC430 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 2003 Lexus SC430. The part named most often is air bags, with 10 complaints (50% of the total), followed by brakes (4) and tires (3). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 57% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 39,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 68 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the inflator module and 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 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.

Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “No incident, just general complaint / concern - I am told to expect up to 60 days for part receipt to fix my vehicle. But it is clearly stated in the by recall notice not to drive vehicle with passenger seat occupied. Question: is there a recourse since I will be unable to drive my vehicle for 60 days or more, and cannot get the part needed to make it safe for the passenger?”

NHTSA complaint #10660428, filed 2014-11

Brakes: “The car failed to start six times in the first five months. It seems they have found the cause of that problem. However, the car continues to make clunking noise whenever it goes over a bump. Lexus tells me that is normal. I say it sounds like a 1973 dodge I owned 30 years ago. The car also pulls to the right at low speeds. Again I'm told this is normal and is a result of the run flat tires. If so, they should use other tires. Parking brake light continues to come on intermittently. I have requested that this car be replaced repeatedly. Lexus has refused.”

NHTSA complaint #10070188, filed 2004-01, 1,000 miles

Tires: “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 miles

Steering: “I am formally filing a complaint against a veh 2003 Lexus SC430. I have reason to believe that this veh has caused an accident dated april 3, 2010 at about 2am. After the collision, I noticed that the left tire was out at the left bottom area of the car. I was turning on a parking lot (180 degs) traveling about 25-30 MPH, the wheel locked and the brakes were not functioning. It accelerated into parked vehicles in front and the airbags deployed. …”

NHTSA complaint #10326605, filed 2010-04, 80,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

57% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 24,000 and 80,000 miles.

29%0–1014%10–2514%25–500%50–7529%75–1000%100–15014%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (7 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 39,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2003200520102013620152020
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 2003 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. 68 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 68 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 2003 Lexus SC430 have?

NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 2003 Lexus SC430 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Lexus SC430 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 10 complaints (50% of the total), followed by brakes with 4.

Has the 2003 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 2003 Lexus SC430 reported?

Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 39,000 miles and the middle half falls between 24,000 and 80,000 miles; 57% 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.