2003 Lexus SC430 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 5%of 20 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 167,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Lexus SC430, 5% of the 20 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 167,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact owns a 2003 Lexus SC430. While driving 40 MPH, all the instrument panel indicators illuminated and then shut off, and the transmission downshifted. The transmission failure caused the vehicle to jerk when the gears were shifted. In addition, the contact stated that the convertible top of the vehicle would not close and that the none of the windows would close. An independent mechanic stated that the battery was not the cause of the failure, but the failure was not determined. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 167,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11013787, filed 2017-08, 167,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10179697Aug 5, 2020TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a…
- 10179601Aug 5, 2020TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a…
- 10131726Jan 22, 2018TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No. L-SB-0021-14. * Applicability has been updated to include applicable 2018…
- 10109449Oct 23, 2014TSB: Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are released as field-fix…
- 10205346Oct 16, 2014Auto matic Transmission Replacement kPrecautions
- 10109447Oct 16, 2014TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE-October 16, 2014: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0082-14.
- 10109445Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle…
- 10109444Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or…
- 10132108Oct 1, 2013This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0082-14.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2003 Lexus SC430
10 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsTires
3 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Lexus SC430
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology