Total Complaints
46 filings
LEXUS SC430 · model year
2002 LEXUS SC430
46 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2002LEXUSSC430 carries 46 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 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 SC430 is air bags with 17 filings, followed by tires (3) and vehicle speed control (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. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2002 SC430. 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.
46
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
4 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 17 |
| TIRES | 3 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3 |
| SUSPENSION | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 2 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM | 1 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC) | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| WHEELS | 1 |
| TIRES:SIDEWALL | 1 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 1 |
| WHEELS:RIM | 1 |
Recalls (1)
19V74100017/10/2019
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 GX4
Recent Complaints
20190308AIR BAGS
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.
Mileage: 50,000
20180506EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
Mileage: 62,123
20171108AIR 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
20160422AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTICE ON WHAT TO DO TO GET THIS FIXED.
20160416AIR BAGS
HAD AIRBAG RECALL DONE ABOUT 1500 MILES AGO, AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS NOW ON , STEADY ,ALL THE TIME
Mileage: 68,000
20150706AIR BAGS
I HAD THE SAFETY RECALL, CONCERNING THE AIRBAG INFLATOR MODULE, DONE ON MY CAR BUT NOW THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT STAYS ON.
Mileage: 125,000
20150311SERVICE BRAKES
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
Mileage: 125,000
20150116AIR BAGS
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 FAILURE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Mileage: 65,000
20141125AIR 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 EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
20141125AIR 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 AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE.
20141030AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS SC430. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL 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 NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
20141015STRUCTURE:BODY
THE HARDTOP WILL NOT GO DOWN ON THE ONE SIDE - APPARENTLY THE MOTORS THAT BRING DOWN THE HARDTOP CAN BURN OUT, CAUSING THE ISSUE. FOR HIGHER-END CAR, THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN SO SOON. DEALER INDICATED THIS WAS A $3,000-PLUS REPAIR. I HAVE SINCE BEEN DRIVING A SC430 COUPE! *TR
Mileage: 101,000
20140929AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS SC430. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V312000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
20140903AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS SC430. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V312000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED THE REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE.
20140813AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS SC430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V312000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Mileage: 45,000
20140812AIR BAGS
RECEIVED URGENT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE ON 8/11/2014. CALLED LOCAL DEALER 8/12/2014 A.M. WAS TOLD DEALERSHIP ONLY RECEIVES ONE (1) REPLACEMENT PART PER WEEK SO I HAVE TO BE PUT ON WAITING LIST. APPROXIMATELY 8 PEOPLE AHEAD OF ME! THE LETTER [XXX] , V.P. TOYOTA NORTH AMERICA SENT YOUR AGENCY ON JUNE 19,2014, STATED THE RECALL NOTICE WOULD GO TO AFFECTED CUSTOMERS ONCE "SUFFICIENT REPLACEMENT PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE". THAT WAS 8 WEEKS AGO, YET THEY CAN STILL ONLY SEND ONE PART PER WEEK? THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Mileage: 98,200
20140805AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS SC430. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V312000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. AN INVALID VIN WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
20140626AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS SC430. THE CONTACT STATED RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V312000 (AIR BAGS) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V133000 (AIR BAGS) HAD EXCEEDED THE REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE FOR THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE.
20140415STRUCTURE:BODY
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS SC430. THE CONTACT HAD RECEIVED THE RECALL REPAIR FOR THE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE HAD EXTENSIVE INTERIOR AND SOME EXTERIOR DAMAGES AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE DAMAGES WERE TO THE DASHBOARD, DAMAGED THE PAINT, SCRATCHED THE TINTED WINDOWS, THE HOOD, LEATHER SEATS IN WHICH THE AUTHORIZED DEALER HAD AGREED TO FIX. THE AIR BAG INFLATOR ASSEMBLY KIT AND COSMETIC DAMAGES HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE COSMETIC DAMAGES HAD BEEN CAUSED BY THE MECHANICS WHO HAD REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE SENSOR LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED AT RANDOM AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71000. DYD
Mileage: 71,000
20140415AIR BAGS
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS SC430. THE CONTACT HAD RECEIVED THE RECALL REPAIR FOR THE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE HAD EXTENSIVE INTERIOR AND SOME EXTERIOR DAMAGES AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE DAMAGES WERE TO THE DASHBOARD, DAMAGED THE PAINT, SCRATCHED THE TINTED WINDOWS, THE HOOD, LEATHER SEATS IN WHICH THE AUTHORIZED DEALER HAD AGREED TO FIX. THE AIR BAG INFLATOR ASSEMBLY KIT AND COSMETIC DAMAGES HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE COSMETIC DAMAGES HAD BEEN CAUSED BY THE MECHANICS WHO HAD REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE SENSOR LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED AT RANDOM AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71000. DYD
Mileage: 71,000
Compare 2002LEXUSSC430 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2002 LEXUS SC430 have?▼
The 2002 LEXUS SC430 has 46 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 LEXUS SC430?▼
Yes, the 2002 LEXUS SC430 has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 LEXUS SC430?▼
The most-complained component for the 2002 LEXUS SC430 is AIR BAGS with 17 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 2002 LEXUS SC430 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.