2002 Lexus SC430: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002859 · 2003-01-17 (January 17, 2003)
MY NEW CAR IS EMITTING A "ROTTEN EGG SMELL" WHEN I ACCELERATE. I AM BEING TOLD BY THE DEALER(STERLING MCCALL LEXUS) THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO. ALSO THAT THEY KNEW THEY WERE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE 430 ENGINES. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REVEALED TO ME PRIOR TO MY PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002859 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 10005961 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
SPEED CONTROL FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005961 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011627 · 2003-03-31 (March 31, 2003)
WHILE THE CONSUMER RINSED THE VEHICLE AT A CAR WASH HE NOTICED THAT THE PAINT FINISH BEGAN TO PEEL AWAY FROM THE BODY OF THE CAR. PH *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011627 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018681 · 2003-05-14 (May 14, 2003)
I OWN AN "02 LEXUS SC 430..WITH RUN FLAT TIRES. THE TIRES PULL BADLY WHEN RUNNING ON UNEVEN GROUND..SOMETIMES THE PULL IS SO BAD YOU MUST HOLD THE WHEEL FIRMLY OR YOU CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. IT IS NOT SAFE. MY WIFE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT 2 DEALERSHIPS TOLD ME THAT IS NORMAL FOR RUN FLAT TIRES. I WENT TO A TIRE DEALER..HE TOLD ME THE SAME THING. THESE TIRES ARE NOT SAFE..AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BY YOUR AGENCY. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018681 at NHTSA ↗
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 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 10039130 · 2003-09-18 (September 18, 2003)
I JUST CAN CONFIRM ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SC430S HANDLING. DANGEROUS - ESPECIALLY ON ROUGH ROADS. CAR TENDS TO FOLLOW ANY KIND OF ROAD ABNORMALLY. I COMPLAINED AT LEXUS FROM THE FIRST DAY (OVER TWO YEARS NOW). REPLACED RUN FLATS, STILL NOT ABLE TO HANDLE THE CAR. SEEMS TO BE A SUSPENSION RELATED PROBLEM. LEXUS THINKS THIS IS NORMAL- HA HA - $70000 PIECE OF SHI.. I'M TOTALLY UPSET ABOUT REACTION FROM LEXUS DEALER AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10039130 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V741000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module | Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-10-17 (October 17, 2019)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
NHTSA campaign record ↗