2002 Lexus LS430 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
59,156 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Latches/Locks/Linkages is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 30 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 20.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 6.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 5 |
| Structure:Body:Trunk Lid | 4 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 2 |
Latches/Locks/Linkages: 5; Structure:Body:Trunk Lid: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Steering: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Structure:Frame And Members: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
2002: 3; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2006: 3; 2008: 5; 2009: 3; 2010: 9; 2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Latches/Locks/Linkages leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10155512 · 2006-04-17 (April 17, 2006)
MY VEHICLE LS 430 02 HAS BRAKE PROBLEMS. MY EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGE IT SELF, THE LIGHT COME ON AFTER I BEEN DRIVING. IT BEEN IN THE SHOP SEVEN TIMES AND STILL COME ON. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 25 miles reported. Look up ODI 10155512 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10162268 · 2006-07-12 (July 12, 2006)
I WANTED TO WRITE TO EXPRESS MY EXTREME DISAPPOINTMENT IN MY LEXUS DRIVING EXPERIENCE. I CURRENTLY OWN A 2002 LEXUS LS 430 SEDAN THAT I PURCHASED ON DECEMBER 28, 2005. SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD VERY SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKING SYSTEM. FIRST, MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN THE SHOP 7 TIMES FOR MY BRAKES. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM; MY EMERGENCY BRAKE COMES ON BY ITSELF. WHILE I AM DRIVING THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON, I MUST PULL OVER AND STOP THE VEHICLE AND PULL THE BRAKE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL MOVE AGAIN. MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN THE SHOP A TOT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10162268 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10281334 · 2009-08-21 (August 21, 2009)
CURRENTLY, LEXUS DOES NOT HAVE A SERVICE INTERVAL FOR THE POWER STEERING FLUID THAT IS USED IN THE LS430 RACK AND PINION. I HAVE FOUND THE FLUID IS NOW DARK BROWN IN COLOR AND HAS ATTACHED TO THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO USE THE OPAQUE RESERVOIR TO VIEW THE FLUID LEVEL. THE DENIGRATED POWER STEERING FLUID HAS OCCURRED WITHIN 60,000 MILES. THIS IS THE ONLY FLUID NOT REPLACED DURING THE 60,000 MILE SERVICE THE SOLE PURPOSE OF THE RESERVOIR IS TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO SEE THE CURRENT FLUID LEVEL IN THE EVENT ADDITIONAL FL…
Owner-reported narrative. 59,312 miles reported. Look up ODI 10281334 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 566348 · 2002-10-25 (October 25, 2002)
AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES OF DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WANDERD ALL OVER THE ROAD--AFTER 20 MILES YOU HAVE TO HOLD STEERING WHEEL WITH BOTH HANDS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WILL EITHER GO RIGHT OR LEFT--AFTER 40 MILES IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO HOLD THE VEHICLE STEADY. *JG
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 566348 at NHTSA ↗