2002 Lexus Sc430 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (16) · Vehicle Speed Control (3) · Tires (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Lexus Sc430 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
24 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2019-10-17 · campaign 19V741000 · 928,220 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (97)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2024-04-19 · L-SB-0024-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-04-19 · L-SB-0024-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Equipment 2022-04-13 · Safety Recall 22 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lexus safety recall and service campaign - technician certification requirements 4.13.2022
Wheels 2022-01-12 · Lexus PRO19-02 - · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pol: this consolidated tire warranty guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by lexus. this information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. customers can find this information o
Power Train:automatic Transmission:fluid/Lubricant 2020-08-05 · L-SB-0002-20 Rev · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: 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 fluid seep. cases that are determined to be a ?leak? should be repaired accordingly and will be covered under warranty
Power Train:manual Transmission:lubricant 2020-08-05 · L-SB-0002-20 Rev · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: 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 fluid seep. cases that are determined to be a ?leak? should be repaired accordingly and will be covered under warranty
Showing the 6 most recent of 97 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-03-08 · Air Bags · 50,000 mi“getting totally jerked around they call and never follow up. this has been going on for years. not able to drive the car for years now.…”
2018-05-06 · Exterior Lighting · 62,123 mi“there is condensation in the head lamps which affects how well they work at night. the car has not been modified or had any type of injury that would result in condensation being inside the headlight covers. this is a safety issue that needs to be addressed. it impairs how well the headlamps work.…”
2017-11-08 · Air Bags“2002 lexus sc430. consumer writes in regards to front passenger airbag inflator module safety recall. *ld the consumer stated the vehicole was taken to have the recall completed, but was told the zone was not currently authorized to complee the repair. updated 11/08/2017*js…”
2016-04-22 · Air Bags“takata recall bought this vehicle about a year ago and have not received any notice on what to do to get this fixed.…”
2016-04-16 · Air Bags · 68,000 mi“had airbag recall done about 1500 miles ago, air bag warning light is now on , steady ,all the time…”
2015-07-06 · Air Bags · 125,000 mi“i had the safety recall, concerning the airbag inflator module, done on my car but now the airbag sensor light stays on. …”
2015-03-11 · Service Brakes · 125,000 mi“ driving the car under normal conditions at about 45 mph and the brakes went completely out without any warning. im fortunate that i didn't crash the vehicle into something or someone! contacted lexus to let them know the issue and they basically laughed it off !! poor customer service!! *tr…”
2015-01-16 · Air Bags · 65,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 lexus sc430. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 14v312000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the specifics of the failur…”
2014-11-25 · Air Bags“tl* the contact owns a 2002 lexus sc430. the contact received a notification for nhtsa campaign number: 14v312000 (air bags). however, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was notified of the issue. the contact had not …”
2014-11-25 · Air Bags“tl* the contact owns a 2002 lexus sc430. the contact received a notification for nhtsa campaign id number: 14v312000 (air bags) and stated that the parts were not available for several months. the dealer was unable to provide a specific date when the parts would become available. the contact was not able to schedule an appointment with the local a…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.