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LEXUS · vehicle model

LEXUS SC

20 NHTSA complaints and 5 safety recalls across model years 2002–2008.

Complaints
20
Recalls
5
Model years
7

The LEXUSSC appears in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database with 20 consumer safety complaints and 5 recall campaigns across 7 model years (2002–2008). That averages roughly 3 complaints per model year. Report counts can differ between model years for many reasons; this dataset does not establish the cause of a difference.

Complaint volume on a nameplate alone is not a reliability verdict: a long-running bestseller can accumulate more filings than a low-volume niche model because more vehicles are on the road. The table below shows report counts and published NHTSA crash-test ratings side by side for each model year. The filing-year histogram shows the timing of submitted reports, not a causal trend.

NHTSA has 3 investigation files tied to this model. Investigation records, complaint reports, and recall campaigns each provide different context. Use the official NHTSA VIN lookup and the underlying notices to research a specific vehicle; PlainCars does not infer a vehicle-risk or pricing conclusion from these records.

Complaints by Year

YearComplaints
20081
20071
20061
20055
20042
20034
20026

Complaint Filing Trend

NHTSA complaint volume by year filed (not model year).

3
’05
2
’07
1
’11
1
’13
4
’15
5
’19
1
’20
1
’21
1
’22
1
’25

Year filed (bar labels show the complaint count).

View all trending models →

Compare LEXUSSC to Similar Vehicles

LEXUSSC vs VOLVOVHD → LEXUSSC vs FORDSHO (TAURUS) → LEXUSSC vs CHEVROLETK35 → LEXUSSC vs CHEVROLETSIERRA PU →

NHTSA Investigations

DP09001Defect PetitionClosed2009-04-08

UNWANTED AND UNINTENDED ACCELERATION

DP03003Defect PetitionClosed2003-07-17

UNINTENDED ENGINE SPEED INCREASE/SA

DP02001Defect PetitionClosed2002-02-15

LEXUS LINK COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Frequently Asked Questions

How reliable is the LEXUS SC?▼
The LEXUS SC has received 20 NHTSA complaints spanning model years 2002 to 2008, with 5 recalls. That averages about 3 complaints per model year.
What years of LEXUS SC are available?▼
PlainCars has complaint and recall data for the LEXUS SC from 2002 to 2008 (7 model years). Select any year to see component-level complaint breakdowns and safety ratings.
Does the LEXUS SC have safety ratings?▼
NHTSA safety ratings (NCAP 5-star program) are available for many LEXUS SC model years from 2011 onward. Select a specific year to see front crash, side crash, and rollover ratings where available.
What are the most common LEXUS SC complaints?▼
NHTSA complaints for the LEXUS SC are categorized by component, common areas include engine, transmission, electrical system, airbags, and brakes. Select a model year for a detailed component-by-component breakdown.
How do I check if my LEXUS SC has been recalled?▼
Visit the year-specific page on PlainCars to see all recalls for your model year, or enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov for official recall status and available remedies.
Data sources

Data vintage: August 2026. 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.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. LEXUS SC totals are aggregated from the linked NHTSA model-year rows; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.