2002 Lexus SC430 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
42 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
61,562 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 42 complaints (40.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 4 | 9.5% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 7.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 17 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control:Automatic (Asc) | 1 |
Air Bags: 17; Suspension: 3; Tires: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Structure:Body: 2; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Electronic Stability Control:Automatic (Asc): 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 18 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 | 1 |
| 2003 | 9 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2002: 1; 2003: 9; 2004: 3; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 11; 2015: 3; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10020146 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT ANY KIND OF VARIANCE IN THE ROAD THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD PULL EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT. NLM *TT *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020146 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10104928 · 2005-01-02 (January 2, 2005)
I OWN A 2002 LEXUS SC430 WHICH HAS BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RUNFLAT TIRES ON IT. I PUT ON A NEW SET OF TIRES 1 YEAR AGO AND 17,000 MILES LATE, THE VEHICLE IS ALL OVER THE ROAD, TIRES WEAR EXCESSIVELY ON THE INSIDES, AND I'VE HAD IT ALIGNED ABOUT 3 TIMES IN THAT 1 YEAR. A FRIEND OF MINE HAD THE SAME VEHICLE AND HE HAD TO GET RID OF IT FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TIRES BECOME VERY NOISY AND IT SOUNDS LIKE ALL THE WHEEL BEARINGS ARE BAD. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS TRYING TO TELL ME THAT THIS HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRE ONLY LASTS 10,000 MILES, BUT WHEN I BROU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10104928 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004060 · 2003-01-28 (January 28, 2003)
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. *JG
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004060 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026344 · 2003-06-27 (June 27, 2003)
VEHICLE WHEELS ARE BECOMING OUT OF ROUND CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *MR VEHICLE VIBRATED AT 65 MPH AND VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. AS A RESULT 2 TIRES AND 2 WHEELS WERE BENT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TT *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026344 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10520548 · 2013-06-18 (June 18, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS SC430. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE GEAR IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A NEIGHBORS DOOR, FENCE, HOUSE AND AIR CONDITION. DURING THE CRASH BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AFTER THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000. UPDATED 7/22/13 *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10520548 at NHTSA ↗