LEXUS LS430 · model year

2001 LEXUS LS430

62 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001LEXUSLS430 carries 62 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 14 crashes, 1 fire, 23 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 LS430 is structure:body:trunk lid with 7 filings, followed by latches/locks/linkages (7) and vehicle speed control (5). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2001 LS430. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

62
Complaints
14
Crashes
1
Fires
23
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

62 filings

Crashes Reported

14 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID7
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC3
STRUCTURE:BODY3
AIR BAGS2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
SEATS1
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS1
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR1

Recent Complaints

20221228TIRES

The contact owns a 2001 Lexus LS430 equipped with Cooper Tires, Tire Line: Evolution Tour, Tire Size: 225/60/R16, DOT Number: U9X31LP4619. The contact stated that she felt the vehicle wobble while driving and noticed that the rear driver’s side tire tread belt had separated after the tires were rotated and balanced at a tire shop. The contact took the vehicle back to the tire shop and was informed that the rear driver’s side tire needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired with another brand of tire. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,656.

Mileage: 114,656

20190710STRUCTURE:BODY

PNEUMATIC CYLINDERS DESIGNED TO HOLD TRUNK OPEN FAILED CAUSING TRUNK TO CLOSE WHEN IN USE ENDANGERING PERSON USING TRUNK

Mileage: 40,000

20161007UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE BASS OF THE SPEAKER IN THE REAR OF THE CAR IS MALFUNCTIONING. I HAVE HEARD FROM OTHER OWNERS OF THIS YEAR / MAKE THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE FOR THEM AS WELL. SPECIFICALLY, THE SPEAKER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED BECAUSE OF THE WOBBLY SOUND IT MAKES

20150522UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE TRUNK STRUTS FAILED TO SUPPORT THE TRUNK AND SLAMMED SHUT AS I WAS RETRIEVING GROCERIES OUT OF THE TRUNK. IT LEFT A VERY NASTY BUMP ON THE BACK OF MY HEAD. IT NO LONGER SUPPORTS THE TRUNK LID WEIGHT AT ALL. IT IS DANGEROUS AND I MUST ALWAYS HOLD IT OPEN WITH ONE HAND AND THE TRUNK IS HEAVY. I HAVE BUMPED MY HEAD AND HANDS MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN THE TRUNK COMES DOWN.

Mileage: 110,000

20150328CrashFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE DRIVER/OWNER OF THE LEXUS LS 430 WAS PULLING IN TO A PARKING SPOT BEHIND ANOTHER CAR AT A PRIVATE CLUB. IT WAS STRAIGHT IN PARKING BEHIND A GMC YUKON. IN PULLING INTO THE SPOT, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WENT OVER A CURB, AND SUDDENLY THE CAR ACCELERATED LIKE A ROCKET. THE DRIVER STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND NOTHING WOULD STOP IT. SINCE THE CAR WAS ONLY ABOUT ONE FOOT AWAY FROM THE PARKED YUKON, THE LEXUS WAS STOPPED BY THE IMPACT. THE CAR WAS PUT IN PARK AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DAMAGE WAS DONE TO REAR BUMPER OF THE YUKON AND THE FRONT BUMPER OF THE LEXUS AS WELL AS AN A/M REINFORCEMENT BEAM AND OTHER EXTERNAL DAMAGE. AS OF THIS DATE, DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE OF THE LEXUS IS UNDETERMINED. *TR

Mileage: 173,560

20150328CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

THE DRIVER/OWNER OF THE LEXUS LS 430 WAS PULLING IN TO A PARKING SPOT BEHIND ANOTHER CAR AT A PRIVATE CLUB. IT WAS STRAIGHT IN PARKING BEHIND A GMC YUKON. IN PULLING INTO THE SPOT, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WENT OVER A CURB, AND SUDDENLY THE CAR ACCELERATED LIKE A ROCKET. THE DRIVER STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND NOTHING WOULD STOP IT. SINCE THE CAR WAS ONLY ABOUT ONE FOOT AWAY FROM THE PARKED YUKON, THE LEXUS WAS STOPPED BY THE IMPACT. THE CAR WAS PUT IN PARK AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DAMAGE WAS DONE TO REAR BUMPER OF THE YUKON AND THE FRONT BUMPER OF THE LEXUS AS WELL AS AN A/M REINFORCEMENT BEAM AND OTHER EXTERNAL DAMAGE. AS OF THIS DATE, DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE OF THE LEXUS IS UNDETERMINED. *TR

Mileage: 173,560

20150328CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE DRIVER/OWNER OF THE LEXUS LS 430 WAS PULLING IN TO A PARKING SPOT BEHIND ANOTHER CAR AT A PRIVATE CLUB. IT WAS STRAIGHT IN PARKING BEHIND A GMC YUKON. IN PULLING INTO THE SPOT, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WENT OVER A CURB, AND SUDDENLY THE CAR ACCELERATED LIKE A ROCKET. THE DRIVER STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND NOTHING WOULD STOP IT. SINCE THE CAR WAS ONLY ABOUT ONE FOOT AWAY FROM THE PARKED YUKON, THE LEXUS WAS STOPPED BY THE IMPACT. THE CAR WAS PUT IN PARK AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DAMAGE WAS DONE TO REAR BUMPER OF THE YUKON AND THE FRONT BUMPER OF THE LEXUS AS WELL AS AN A/M REINFORCEMENT BEAM AND OTHER EXTERNAL DAMAGE. AS OF THIS DATE, DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE OF THE LEXUS IS UNDETERMINED. *TR

Mileage: 173,560

20150310CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT I HAVE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR ACCELERATES RATHER THAN STOPPING. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN JULY 2006 RIGHT AFTER I HAD PURCHASED THE CAR. THAT TIME I ACCELERATED INTO THE BACK OF A POLICE CAR AND DID A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I HAVE DRIVEN OVER 120,000 MILES AND 9 YEARS WITHOUT THIS HAPPENING AGAIN. THIS TIME I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND BEGAN TO MOVE WHEN A CONSTRUCTION WORKER JUMPED IN FRONT OF MY CAR TO HAVE ME STOP AND THE CAR ACCELERATED ACROSS 4 LANES AND STOPPED BEFORE I WENT UP ON THE CURB AND HIT A BUILDING. UNFORTUNATELY, THE CONSTRUCTION WORKER'S ANKLE WAS BROKEN AND NOW I AM BEING SUED. I HAD MY MECHANIC CHECK THE PROBLEM LAST TIME AND HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I CHECKED TO SEE IF THIS CAR HAD BEEN RECALLED LAST TIME AND THIS TIME FOR THIS PROBLEM AND IT HAS NOT BEEN. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

20140527ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

IN THE COURSE OF OPENING THE CLOSED CAR TRUNK LID IN ORDER TO RETRIEVE THE GROCERIES THAT WERE INSIDE THE TRUNK, , I PULLED IT UP BY ITS LOWER EDGE USING THE RING FINGER OF MY RIGHT HAND. WITHOUT WARNING OR REASON FOR IT TO DO SO, THE ELECTRIC AUTOMATIC POWER TRUNK LID CLOSER MECHANISM OPERATED AND SHUT THE LID, CRUSHING AND MANGLING MY FINGER BONE AND FINGER NAIL, AND CAUSING EXCRUCIATING PAIN AND PERMANENT DISFIGUREMENT. I AM TOLD BY THE DOCTOR WHO HAS BEEN TREATING MY FINGER THAT THE FINGER SORENESS AND PAIN IS ALSO A PERMANENT CONDITION. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20140527STRUCTURE:BODY

IN THE COURSE OF OPENING THE CLOSED CAR TRUNK LID IN ORDER TO RETRIEVE THE GROCERIES THAT WERE INSIDE THE TRUNK, , I PULLED IT UP BY ITS LOWER EDGE USING THE RING FINGER OF MY RIGHT HAND. WITHOUT WARNING OR REASON FOR IT TO DO SO, THE ELECTRIC AUTOMATIC POWER TRUNK LID CLOSER MECHANISM OPERATED AND SHUT THE LID, CRUSHING AND MANGLING MY FINGER BONE AND FINGER NAIL, AND CAUSING EXCRUCIATING PAIN AND PERMANENT DISFIGUREMENT. I AM TOLD BY THE DOCTOR WHO HAS BEEN TREATING MY FINGER THAT THE FINGER SORENESS AND PAIN IS ALSO A PERMANENT CONDITION. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20120403CrashAIR BAGS

I TURNED AROUND IN A PARKING LOT BY BACKING UP AND REVERSING MY DIRECTION, AFTER I REVERSED MY DIRECTION THE CAR SHOT FORWARD WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. I KEPT PUMPING THE BRAKE HOPING IT WOULD STOP AND I SHOT OUT OF THE PARKING LOT INTO THE LINE OF TRAFFIC AND AVOIDED TWO LANES OF CARS DRIVING WEST UNTIL I COLLIDED WITH A CAR HEADING EAST. IT RIPPED OFF THE FRONT BUMPERS OF BOTH CARS. I FELT TRAPPED IN THE CAR AND COULD NOT CONTROL IT. IT JUST KEPT ACCELERATING. I WISH THAT I HAD THE PRESENCEOF MIND TO TURN OFF THE KEY OR PUSH THE AUTOMATIC LEVER TO NEUTRAL OR EVEN REVERSE. BUT IT ALL HAPPENED IN A FEW SECONDS AND I JUST DIDN'T HAVE THE PRESENCE OF MIND TO DO ANYTHING BUT STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. JUST ONCE BEFORE, SOME MONTHS AGO, I WAS PARKING THE CAR IN A PUBLIC GARAGE AND IT ACCELERATED QUICKLY ASI REACHED AN OFF RAMP. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND NEGOTIATE THE CAR AROUND THE CORNER ONTO THE RAMP. IT SCARED ME, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A FREAK INCIDENT

Mileage: 31,195

20120403CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I TURNED AROUND IN A PARKING LOT BY BACKING UP AND REVERSING MY DIRECTION, AFTER I REVERSED MY DIRECTION THE CAR SHOT FORWARD WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. I KEPT PUMPING THE BRAKE HOPING IT WOULD STOP AND I SHOT OUT OF THE PARKING LOT INTO THE LINE OF TRAFFIC AND AVOIDED TWO LANES OF CARS DRIVING WEST UNTIL I COLLIDED WITH A CAR HEADING EAST. IT RIPPED OFF THE FRONT BUMPERS OF BOTH CARS. I FELT TRAPPED IN THE CAR AND COULD NOT CONTROL IT. IT JUST KEPT ACCELERATING. I WISH THAT I HAD THE PRESENCEOF MIND TO TURN OFF THE KEY OR PUSH THE AUTOMATIC LEVER TO NEUTRAL OR EVEN REVERSE. BUT IT ALL HAPPENED IN A FEW SECONDS AND I JUST DIDN'T HAVE THE PRESENCE OF MIND TO DO ANYTHING BUT STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. JUST ONCE BEFORE, SOME MONTHS AGO, I WAS PARKING THE CAR IN A PUBLIC GARAGE AND IT ACCELERATED QUICKLY ASI REACHED AN OFF RAMP. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND NEGOTIATE THE CAR AROUND THE CORNER ONTO THE RAMP. IT SCARED ME, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A FREAK INCIDENT

Mileage: 31,195

20110707SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LEXUS LS430. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED IT EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND IT HAD TO BE DEPRESSED SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

Mileage: 54,000

20110221STRUCTURE

THE TRUNK DECK LID ON MY 2001 LEXUS LS430 WILL NOT STAY OPEN. THE TRUNK STRUTS HAVE FAILED. THE CAR HAS ONLY 77,000 MILES ON IT. THE PROBLEM STARTED APPROXIMATELY 12 MONTHS AGO WITH 63,000 MILES. THE TRUNK DECK LID HAS FALLEN ON MY HEAD. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

20100717LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

CAN NOT OPEN DRIVERS DOOR FROM INSIDE. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

20100717STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

CAN NOT OPEN DRIVERS DOOR FROM INSIDE. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

20100717STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID

LEXUS 430LS LEXUS TRUNK STRUT FAILURE. 55000 MILES ON ODOMETER. TRUNK LID FELL ON HEAD CREATING BUMP. *TR

Mileage: 54,000

20100223ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

RADIATOR CRACKED. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

20100216FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I OWNED A 2001 LEXUS LS430 FROM 2001 TO 2004. DURING THAT TIME, THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE BY ITSELF WHEN GOING SLOWLY - DOWN MY DRIVEWAY, INTO MY GARAGE, OUT OF MY GARAGE, PULLING UP THE DRIVEWAY. IT ONLY HAPPENED WHEN GOING VERY SLOWLY - SAY FIVE MILES AN HOUR OR LESS - BUT IT CONSISTENTLY HAPPENED. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THEY SAID, "WE DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING." I WASN'T REALLY CONCERNED SINCE I WAS USUALLY ONLY GOING AROUND FIVE MILES AN HOUR, AND I WOULD DEPRESS THE BRAKE FIRMLY TO NOT GO FASTER, BUT IT HAPPENED OFTEN. I EVENTUALLY SOLD THE CAR. I WONDER IF THAT CAR HAD PROBLEMS LIKE THE RECALLED ONES? DON'T KNOW IF THE GAS PEDAL WAS STICKING OR IF THE SOFTWARE RUNNING THE ENGINE WAS REVVING IT UP. IT SEEMED LIKE THE GAS PEDAL WOULD ACTUALLY DEPRESS ON ITS OWN WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR

20100211EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

LEXUS FLOORMATS, SAME PROBLEM AS TOYOTA, UNABLE TO CONNECT TO FLOOR, THEY SLIDE AND GET UNDER ACCELERATOR... *TR

Compare 2001LEXUSLS430 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 LEXUS LS430 have?
The 2001 LEXUS LS430 has 62 NHTSA complaints, 14 crashes, 1 fires, 23 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 LEXUS LS430?
The most-complained component for the 2001 LEXUS LS430 is STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 2001 LEXUS LS430 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.