Total Complaints
11 filings
LEXUS SC430 · model year
2005 LEXUS SC430
11 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2005LEXUSSC430 carries 11 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, 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 2005 SC430 is air bags with 5 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (2) and service brakes (1). 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 2005 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.
11
Complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
5 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 | 5 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
| WHEELS | 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
20211214AIR BAGS
Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2005 Lexus SC430. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V741000 (Air Bags) and drove 5 hours to the only Lexus dealer in the State of Maine. The dealer informed the contact that they would need to repair the vehicle clockspring to clear the air bag warning light prior to completing the recall repair. The contact declined and the dealer refused to complete the recall repair. The contact drove back to his residence. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the air bag warning light had been illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the dealer should have completed the recall repair. The manufacturer advised the contact that they would assist with towing the vehicle to the dealer for the recall repair. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired.
Mileage: 73,000
20151109AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 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.
20151104AIR BAGS
2005 LEXUS SC430. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE AIRBAG INFLATOR MODULE RECALL NOTICE. *SMD
20150828AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS SC430. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO PROVIDE THE PART FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
20150818AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS SC430. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE.
20150531CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY
AUTO WAS PARKED IN LOT, IGNITION OFF "IN PARK". STARTED AUTO, PUT GEAR IN REVERSE AND AUTO ACCELERATED VERY RAPIDLY, UNCONTROLLED, DOWN ONE CURB, UP ANOTHER CURB AND FINALLY STOPPED IN GRASSY AREA HAVING GONE ABOUT 150 FEET.
Mileage: 58,000
20150531CrashSUSPENSION
AUTO WAS PARKED IN LOT, IGNITION OFF "IN PARK". STARTED AUTO, PUT GEAR IN REVERSE AND AUTO ACCELERATED VERY RAPIDLY, UNCONTROLLED, DOWN ONE CURB, UP ANOTHER CURB AND FINALLY STOPPED IN GRASSY AREA HAVING GONE ABOUT 150 FEET.
Mileage: 58,000
20150531CrashWHEELS
AUTO WAS PARKED IN LOT, IGNITION OFF "IN PARK". STARTED AUTO, PUT GEAR IN REVERSE AND AUTO ACCELERATED VERY RAPIDLY, UNCONTROLLED, DOWN ONE CURB, UP ANOTHER CURB AND FINALLY STOPPED IN GRASSY AREA HAVING GONE ABOUT 150 FEET.
Mileage: 58,000
20120527SERVICE BRAKES
MY BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS CAR. *TR
Mileage: 75,000
20111107CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS SC430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND SHE WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES WHEN IT SURGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SURGE FORWARD UNTIL CRASHING INTO A LIGHT POST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 01/10/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AS SHE WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. SHE HIT THE GARAGE DOOR AND ADJACENT BRICK WALL. AT THAT POINT, THE GEAR SHIFT WENT INTO REVERSE, AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WENT BACKWARDS OUT OF THE GARAGE, MADE A U-TURN, AND HIT A LIGHT POLE WITH THE REAR BUMPER. THE VEHICLE THEN STOPPED AND THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. UPDATED 02/28/12
Mileage: 50,000
20091123CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY, AND MOVED HER FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR TO BRAKE ON HER LEXUS SC430. THE DRIVEWAY HAS A DOWNHILL STRETCH OF ABOUT 40 FEET WITH A LEFT TURN REQUIRED AT THE BOTTOM TO ENTER THE GARAGE. INSTEAD OF SLOWING, THE CAR TOOK OFF, WITH THE ENGINE RACING, AND CATAPULTED HER OVER THE EDGE OF THE DRIVEWAY DOWN INTO A RAVINE. SHE SUFFERED A SEVERE INJURY TO HER BACK, AND IS CURRENTLY IN GREAT PAIN. I BELIEVE HER STORY, AS I HAD A SIMILAR INCIDENT WITH THE SAME CAR ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO, EXCEPT I WAS ABLE TO OVERCOME THE FORWARD MOTION OF THE CAR BY A VERY HARD APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE. *TR
Mileage: 29,573
Compare 2005LEXUSSC430 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2005 LEXUS SC430 have?▼
The 2005 LEXUS SC430 has 11 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 LEXUS SC430?▼
Yes, the 2005 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 2005 LEXUS SC430?▼
The most-complained component for the 2005 LEXUS SC430 is AIR BAGS with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and SERVICE BRAKES.
Is the 2005 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.