2002 Lexus LS430: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10024353 · 2003-06-18 (June 18, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK, AS A RESULT VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024353 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10086265 · 2004-08-05 (August 5, 2004)
I AM 76 YEARS OLD. I PASSED OUT AND HIT A POLE DEAD CENTER AT ABOUT 30 MILES AN HOUR.THE AIR BAGS NEVER CAME ON AND I BOUGHT A 2002 LEXUS LS 430 FOR SAFETY.I UNDERSTAND THAT LEXUS IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR AIR BAG SYSTEM. PLEASE HELP.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10086265 at NHTSA ↗
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 10174520 · 2006-11-28 (November 28, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT 2 MPH IN A DRIVEWAY, THE ENGINE REVVED AT A HIGH RATE, AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD INTO THE GARAGE WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THERE WAS MINOR DAMAGE SUSTAINED TO THE FRONT OF VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE NOT ALERTED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.
Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10174520 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10217877 · 2008-02-12 (February 12, 2008)
2002 LEXUS LS430 -- THE TRUNK LID STRUTS FAILED AND CONTINUALLY ALLOWS THE TRUNK LID TO FALL ON MYSELF, MY WIFE AND OUR NANNY. MY WIFE HAD IT FALL ON HER BACK AND HURT HERSELF. WE NO LONGER LET OUR NANNY OPEN THE TRUNK IN FEAR OF HER OR OUR ONE OF OUR YOUNG KIDS (5 & 7 YRS OLD) GETTING SERIOUSLY HURT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10217877 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10227588 · 2008-05-13 (May 13, 2008)
DEAR SIR: I BOUGHT MY LEXUS LS 430 BRAND NEW IN 2002, AND I LOVE IT VERY MUCH EXCEPT FOR ONE THING: THE BRAKE SYSTEM. WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE, MY LS430 SKIDS (FORWARD), AND DOES NOT STOP IN TIME. I THOUGHT IT WAS MY OLD MAN'S DRIVING HABITS. BUT I DECIDED TO VISIT THE LEXUS DEALER. THE LEXUS DEALER, AFTER DRIVING THE CAR, TOLD ME IT IS NORMAL FOR THE ABS SYSTEM TO DO THAT, AND I SHOULD NOT PRESS THE BRAKE HARD. WELL, I LEFT THE DEALER, AND A FEW METERS AWAY I WAS DRIVING AROUND 20-25 ML/H WHEN THE CAR AHEAD OF ME STOPPED, I PRESSED THE BRA…
Owner-reported narrative. 51,555 miles reported. Look up ODI 10227588 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10230739 · 2008-06-11 (June 11, 2008)
DEAR SIR: I BOUGHT MY LEXUS LS 430 BRAND NEW IN 2002, AND I LOVE IT VERY MUCH EXCEPT FOR ONE THING: THE BRAKING SYSTEM. WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE, MY LS430 SKIDS (FORWARD), AND DO NOT STOP IN A SAFE DISTANCE. I THOUGHT IT WAS MY DRIVING SKILLS. BUT I DECIDED TO VISIT THE LEXUS DEALER. THE LEXUS DEALER, AFTER DRIVING THE CAR, TOLD ME IT IS NORMAL FOR THE ABS SYSTEM TO DO THAT, AND I SHOULD NOT PRESS THE BRAKE HARD. WELL, I LEFT THE DEALER, AND A FEW METERS AWAY I WAS DRIVING AROUND 20-25 ML/H WHEN THE CAR AHEAD OF ME STOPPED, I PRESSED THE BR…
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230739 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.