Lexus Sc430 · model year

2004 Lexus Sc430

13 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 1 recall campaign listed for this cohort. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

Complaints
13
Recalls
1

The verdict

The 2004 Lexus Sc430 posts below-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.

Top 43%
fewest complaints, own model years
1
recall campaign

The 2004LexusSc430 carries 13 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2004 Sc430 is air bags with 6 filings, followed by tires:tread/belt (1) and suspension:front (1). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 1 NHTSA recall campaign listed below. Enter a VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2004 Sc430. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.

13
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
2004 Lexus Sc430

PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.

NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.

Total Complaints

13 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS6
TIRES:TREAD/BELT1
SUSPENSION:FRONT1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS1
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTENNA1

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

20230426EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTENNA

The contact owns a 2004 Lexus SC430. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH, the radio was activated and there was an abnormal sound coming from the antenna. The contact noticed the antenna hanging off the holster and structuring the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 159,000.

Mileage: 159,000

20160729AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS SC430. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V285000 (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 ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20151019AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS SC430. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V285000 (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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

20151012AIR BAGS

PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER AND DEALER REQUIRES THAT I BRING IN THE CAR TO "LINK" IT TO THE BACK ORDER AND THEN THEY WILL SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT... THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THEY HAVE MY VIN; WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PHYSICALLY DRIVE FAR OUT OF MY WAY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT?

20150824AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS SC430. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

20150331AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS SC430. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V312000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE 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.

20091106ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

LEXUS SC 430 2004 SOMETIMES WHEN BRAKING THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE THOUGHT MAYBE I HAD ACCIDENTALLY HIT PEDAL OR SOMETHING BUT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. DIDN'T THINK MUCHOF IT UNTIL NOTICE THE RECALL NO INCIDENT DATES BUT FILLED OUT FORM ANYWAY. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

20090320EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS SC430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS MOLD GROWING ACROSS THE CLIMATE EXCHANGE. HE SMELLS MILDEW COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITION DUCT AND SOME DOCTORS STATED THAT HE WAS TERMINALLY ILL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER FOR THREE MONTHS AND THEY CLEANED AND INSTALLED A NEW AIR CONDITION UNIT. THE CONTACT BECAME ALLERGIC TO THE ANTIFREEZE THAT WAS BEING INSTALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

Mileage: 35,000

20080319TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

I HAVE AN LEXUS SC430 2004 WITH 40K MILES ON IT. I HAVE REPEATEDLY PUT NEW TIRES ON THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME, THAT'S THE WAY THE TIRES ARE GOING TO WEAR BECAUSE ITS A SO CALL SPORTS CAR. THE TIRES IS WEARING DOWN TO THE WIRE ON THE INSIDE OF ALL THE TIRES ABOUT EVERY 7,000-8,000 MILES. IT'S NOT SAFE AND IT'S $356 A TIRE. *TR

20061023SUSPENSION:FRONT

CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING THE 2004 SC430 WELDED FIREWALL. *TS THE CONSUMER EXPLAINED TO THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVEN. THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED BY THE DEALER. AT THE 10000 MILE CHECKUP THE BODY WAS WELDED AT THE LEFT FIREWALL AND THE LEFT SIDE BUMPER WAS THEN PROPERLY ATTACHED. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION. *NM

20061023STRUCTURE:BODY

CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING THE 2004 SC430 WELDED FIREWALL. *TS THE CONSUMER EXPLAINED TO THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVEN. THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED BY THE DEALER. AT THE 10000 MILE CHECKUP THE BODY WAS WELDED AT THE LEFT FIREWALL AND THE LEFT SIDE BUMPER WAS THEN PROPERLY ATTACHED. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION. *NM

20050912TIRES:TREAD/BELT

DT: ON MARCH 7, 2005 THE CALLER WAS TRAVELING AT 75 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING A TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE RIM ABOUT 2 INCHES. HE SAID IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2005. HE WAS GOING ABOUT 70 MPH. IT HAPPENED BOTH TIMES TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. DEALER ASKED, THE FIRST TIME, IF HE HIT SOMETHING AND THEY FIXED IT BY GIVING HIM A NEW RIM AND TIRE. DEALER HAS VEHICLE NOW FOR THE SECOND TIME. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK

Mileage: 48

20050427CrashAIR BAGS

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN IT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

Compare 2004LexusSc430 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Vehicle Safety Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 Lexus Sc430 have?▼
The 2004 Lexus Sc430 has 13 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 Lexus Sc430?▼
Yes, the 2004 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 2004 Lexus Sc430?▼
The most-complained component for the 2004 Lexus Sc430 is AIR BAGS with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES:TREAD/BELT and SUSPENSION:FRONT.
Is the 2004 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.

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. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2004 Lexus Sc430; 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.