LEXUS LS430 · model year

2002 LEXUS LS430

39 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002LEXUSLS430 carries 39 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 1 fire, 19 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 2002 LS430 is latches/locks/linkages with 5 filings, followed by structure:body:trunk lid (4) and air bags:frontal (3). 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 2002 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.

39
Complaints
12
Crashes
1
Fires
19
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

39 filings

Crashes Reported

12 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES5
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID4
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
STEERING2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS2
STRUCTURE:BODY2
SEAT BELTS1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL1
EQUIPMENT1
PARKING BRAKE1
PARKING BRAKE:INDICATOR LIGHT1

Recent Complaints

20130419CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

AS I WAS TURNING ONTO A ROAD FROM A PRIVATE DRIVEWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING THE CAR TO CROSS OVER BOTH LANES OF THE ROAD AND CRASH INTO A MAILBOX. THE RESULT WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND A BROKEN MAILBAX POST. *TR

Mileage: 46,000

20130419CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

AS I WAS TURNING ONTO A ROAD FROM A PRIVATE DRIVEWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING THE CAR TO CROSS OVER BOTH LANES OF THE ROAD AND CRASH INTO A MAILBOX. THE RESULT WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND A BROKEN MAILBAX POST. *TR

Mileage: 46,000

20120410STRUCTURE:BODY

I OWN A 2002 LEXUS LS IN DEC. 2010, WHILE I WAS TAKING THE GROCERIES OUT OF MY TRUNK, THE TRUNK FELL ON MY HEAD AND CREATED AN INJURY TO MY EYES, I HAD TWO SURGERIES, THE TRUNK UNEXPECTEDLY JUST CRASH ON MY HEAD, IT WAS VERY PAINFUL, I ALMOST PASSED OUT,APPARENTLY THE SPRINGS WORE OUT, THERE WAS NO WARNING, I AM STILL HURTING AND GET SEVERE HEADACHES, I WROTE TO LEXUS, THEY JUST IGNORED ME COMPLETELY, IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE DEALT WITH ACCORDINGLY. I AM ASKING FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION I SAVED THE OLD SPRINGS FOR REVIEW. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 65,000

20111107STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT

FAILED COMPONENT: 2 HYDRAULIC SUPPORTERS ON TRUNK LID. COMPLAINTS: THE 2 HYDRAULIC SUPPORTERS ON TRUNK LID WERE COMPLETELY FAILED. I WAS INJURED ON OCTOBER 29, 2011 WHEN THE LID FELLED DOWN (CLOSED) ON ITS OWN WEIGHT AND HIT MY HEAD AND THEN MY RIGHT ARM. THE SUPPORTERS ARE VERY WEAK AS COMPARED TO THE TRUNK LID HEAVY DUTY STEEL STRUCTURE. I HARDLY DRIVE THE CAR WHICH REGISTERS ONLY 30K MILES. THE WEAK HYDRAULIC SUPPORTERS STARTED TO SHOW FATIGUE ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO. EVENTUALLY, IT CAUGHT ME AFTER SEVERAL YEARS LATER. I AM PRETTY SURE THAT THIS TYPE DEFECTS ARE COMMON FOR MANY VEHICLES OF SIMILAR YEARS AND MODEL. IT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF ONE IS NOT CAREFUL, PARTICULARLY WHEN PARKING ON A SLOPED DRIVEWAY. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR LEXUS TO USE SUCH CHEAP PARTS OF WHICH REPUTATION EMPHASIZING SAFETY AND QUALITY. *TR

20110302STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS LS430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PASSENGER WAS STRUCK ABRUPTLY IN THE HEAD BY THE TRUNK HATCH AND SUSTAINED SEVERAL ABRASIONS TO THE HEAD. THE TRUNK LATCH FAILED AND WOULD NOT REMAIN OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ UPDATED 1/5/12 *CN

Mileage: 120,000

20110225STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

THE TRUNK LID OF MY 2002 LEXUS LS 430 HAS TWO PNEUMATIC STRUTS WHICH PROVIDE LIFT AND KEEP THE LID UP IN THE OPEN POSITION. NOW, OVER TIME THE STRUTS SLOWLY FAILED TO KEEP THE TRUNK LID OPEN, AND IN A GENTLE BREEZE, THE LID WILL COME DOWN WITH GUILLOTINE FORCE. IT HAS HIT MY HEAD SEVERAL TIMES WITH PAINFUL RESULTS AND NOW I AM AFRAID TO LOAD ITEMS IN MY TRUNK WITHOUT ANOTHER PERSON THERE TO HOLD IT OPEN. I THINK THAT THE "LIFT ASSIST" OF THE PNEUMATICS SHOULD BE ONLY AUXILIARY TO A MECHANISM THAT HOLDS THE TRUNK IN A FULL OPEN POSITION. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE WHOSE TRUNK LID DID NOT STAY IN THE OPEN POSITION ONCE LIFTED, REGARDLESS OF AGE. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

20110225LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

THE TRUNK LID OF MY 2002 LEXUS LS 430 HAS TWO PNEUMATIC STRUTS WHICH PROVIDE LIFT AND KEEP THE LID UP IN THE OPEN POSITION. NOW, OVER TIME THE STRUTS SLOWLY FAILED TO KEEP THE TRUNK LID OPEN, AND IN A GENTLE BREEZE, THE LID WILL COME DOWN WITH GUILLOTINE FORCE. IT HAS HIT MY HEAD SEVERAL TIMES WITH PAINFUL RESULTS AND NOW I AM AFRAID TO LOAD ITEMS IN MY TRUNK WITHOUT ANOTHER PERSON THERE TO HOLD IT OPEN. I THINK THAT THE "LIFT ASSIST" OF THE PNEUMATICS SHOULD BE ONLY AUXILIARY TO A MECHANISM THAT HOLDS THE TRUNK IN A FULL OPEN POSITION. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE WHOSE TRUNK LID DID NOT STAY IN THE OPEN POSITION ONCE LIFTED, REGARDLESS OF AGE. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

20101115FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL-THE DRIVER OWNED A 2002 LEXUS LS430. HE WAS ALERTED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE SO THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED A VALVE SPRING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 55,000. SM.

Mileage: 55,000

20101101STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID

THE TRUNK LID OF A 2002 LEXUS LS430 LANDED ON MY WIFE'S HEAD CAUSING INJURY AND BLEEDING. GAS CYLINDERS ARE USED TO HOLD TRUNK LID UP WHICH FAILED. I COMPLAINED ABOUT GAS CYLINDERS HOLDING HOODS UP ON LEXUS AUTOMOBILES IN THE PAST AND YOU PEOPLE DID NOTHING ABOUT IT. I EVEN CONTACTED LEXUS ABOUT IT BUT WENT UNACKNOWLEDGED. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

20101026STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS LS430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK LID IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY FALL DOWN OWN ITS OWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO SUSTAIN A CONCUSSION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PISTONS THAT HELD UP THE TRUNK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE PISTONS REPLACED AT HIS EXPENSE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.

Mileage: 59,000

20101021CrashFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2002 LEXUS LS430 ACCELERATED AND SHIFTED GEARS UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING AN UNCONTROLLED VEHICLE SITUATION. THE VEHICLE PLUNGED ABOUT TEN FEET INTO THE SIDE OF A HILL. THE CAR WAS EXTRACTED AND TAKEN TO A BODY REPAIR SHOP. *TR

Mileage: 69,500

20101021CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

2002 LEXUS LS430 ACCELERATED AND SHIFTED GEARS UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING AN UNCONTROLLED VEHICLE SITUATION. THE VEHICLE PLUNGED ABOUT TEN FEET INTO THE SIDE OF A HILL. THE CAR WAS EXTRACTED AND TAKEN TO A BODY REPAIR SHOP. *TR

Mileage: 69,500

20100614STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

ON DEC. 27, 2009 ,FULLY OPENED THE TRUNK LID OF MY LS430 & WITHIN SECONDS IT CRASHED DOWN ON MY NECK AS I WAS LEANING IN TO GET SOMETHING. THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A FLUKE. AGAIN ON MARCH 3,2010, IT HAPPENED AGAIN , HITTING ME ON MY HEAD. THE 3RD TIME WAS ON MEMORIAL DAY, MAY 31, 2010, AGAIN ON MY HEAD. NOW I WILL ONLY OPEN MY TRUNK LID WHEN SOMEONE ELSE IS PRESENT TO HOLD IT OPEN FOR ME SO IT WON'T FALL ON ME AGAIN. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20100614LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

THE TRUNK LID KEEPS FALLING DOWN ON MY 2002 LEXUS LS430. SEVERAL PERSONS HAVE BEEN HIT IN THE HEAD AND SHOULDERS WITH THE HEAVY LID. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME NOW. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

20100614STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID

THE TRUNK LID KEEPS FALLING DOWN ON MY 2002 LEXUS LS430. SEVERAL PERSONS HAVE BEEN HIT IN THE HEAD AND SHOULDERS WITH THE HEAVY LID. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME NOW. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

20100608WHEELS

1. SALT AND WINTER CONDITIONS ARE THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. 2. THE FAILURE IS THE FLAKING AND PITTING OF CHROME WHEELS DUE TO APPARENT INAPPROPRIATE CHROMING PROCESS. 3. LEXUS REPLACED THE 4 WHEELS IN 2006, BUT UNFORTUNATELY WITH ANOTHER SET OF CHROME WHEELS THAT BEGAN NOTICEABLY DISPLAYED PITTING AND FLAKING IN 2009. *TR

20100227LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

I HAD OPENED THE TRUNK ON MY LEXUS LS-430 (2002) TO PLACE SOME PERSONAL ITEMS FOR TRANSPORT. I WAS LEANING DOWN WHEN SUDDENLY THE TRUNK LID CAME CRASHING DOWN TOP OF MY HEAD WITH RESULT OF PAIN AND SWELLING. SAME HAD HAPPENED TO MY WIFE BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE HYDRAULIC TRUNK STRUTS NECESSARY FOR THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE TRUNK HAD BOTH FAILED. *TR

Mileage: 47,523

20100113VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS LS430 PURCHASED NEW. HE STATED ALL FOUR PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WINDOWS WERE DE LAMINATING. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FIRST INITIAL REPAIR WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTY, HOWEVER THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD TAKE NO LIABILITY FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 110,000. UPDATED 02/02/10 *BF ALL OF THE WINDOWS WERE DELAMINATED RESULTING IN A FAILURE OF THE SAFETY GLASS AND PROGRESSIVE OBSTRUCTION ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES. UPDATED 02/04/10.*JB

Mileage: 110,000

20091123CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS LS430. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT INTENTION. EVEN AFTER REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATION THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. CONSEQUENTLY SHE CRASHED INTO SEVERAL VEHICLES AND A BUILDING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 72,000.

Mileage: 72,000

20090827LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

2002 LEXUS LS 430 - THE TRUNK STRUTS ARE NO LONGER WORKING - MEANING THEY NO LONGER KEEP THE TRUNK OPEN. I AND MY SON HAVE BOTH BEEN HIT IN THE HEAD SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS DUE TO THE TRUNK CLOSING ON ITS OWN. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

Compare 2002LEXUSLS430 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 LEXUS LS430 have?
The 2002 LEXUS LS430 has 39 NHTSA complaints, 12 crashes, 1 fires, 19 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 LEXUS LS430?
The most-complained component for the 2002 LEXUS LS430 is LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID and AIR BAGS:FRONTAL.
Is the 2002 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.