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2002 Lexus SC430 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 52 complaints about the 2002 Lexus SC430 with NHTSA, most often about the airbags (21) and the wheels & tires (8). Those complaints describe 5 crashes and 5 injuries. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in October 2019 for the inflator module. For comparison, the 2003 has 25.

NHTSA data checked

FFar more problems than a typical SC430 year, for its age

#151 most complained-about 2002 vehicle

Complaints
52
Recalls
1
Crashes
5
Fires
0
Injuries
5
Deaths
0

Most common 2002 Lexus SC430 problems

Share of all 52 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2002 Lexus SC430 recalls 1

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Air bags: inflator module

19V741000928,220 vehicles affected

The problem
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 GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

What owners say

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52 complaints about the 2002 Lexus SC430

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 3.

Electrical system

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2002 Lexus SC430. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 110,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 220,000.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11690398
SteeringSuspension

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 lexus sc. While driving 35 mph, an abnormal noise was heard when the steering wheel was turned. There were no warning indicators illuminated. Also, when driving over a bump in the road, the front suspension pulled to the right. The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000. *Dt consumer requested issue be removed from your database.*Jb

Filed Incident Steering · SuspensionNHTSA 11292050
Airbags

Lexus has exceeded a reasonable amount of time to perform airbag recall replacement

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11282624
Airbags

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.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11185031
Lights

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.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11092111
Airbags

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

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11034972
Airbags

Takata recall bought this vehicle about a year ago and have not received any notice on what to do to get this fixed.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10860961
Airbags

Had airbag recall done about 1500 miles ago, air bag warning light is now on , steady ,all the time

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10859889
Airbags

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 lexus sc. 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.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10763531
Airbags

I had the safety recall, concerning the airbag inflator module, done on my car but now the airbag sensor light stays on.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10732173
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

Filed Incident Service brakesNHTSA 10693669
Airbags

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.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10673019
Airbags

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.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10660946
Airbags

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.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10660937
Airbags

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.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10651352
Body, doors & structure

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

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 10644976
Airbags

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.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10639738
Airbags

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.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10630343
Airbags

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.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10622100
Airbags

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 [[redacted]] , 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

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10621686
Airbags

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.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10618908
Airbags

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.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10606198
AirbagsBody, doors & structure

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

Filed Incident Air bags · StructureNHTSA 10582891
Acceleration & cruise controlCrash2 injuries

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 lexus sc430. The contact stated after shifting the vehicle into drive gear it suddenly accelerated and crashed into a neighbors door, fence, house and air condition. During the crash both the driver and passenger side air bags deployed. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact and passenger were taken to the hospital. The contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint. The contact stated the vehicle accelerated after the battery was replaced. The failure mileage was 49,000. Updated 7/22/13 *cn

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10520548
Airbags

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 lexus sc430. The contact stated he received a lexus voluntary recall letter for the air bag inflater and the repair had exceeded a reasonable time to be repaired. The contact feels that the air bag failure could cause the passenger injury at any moment. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 137,000.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10519675

Lexus SC430: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20067110AirbagsB
200512140AirbagsC
200414120AirbagsC
200325120AirbagsD
200252150AirbagsF
All SC430 years

2002 Lexus SC430 vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2002 Lexus SC430

Does the 2002 Lexus SC430 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 Lexus SC430: inflator module (October 2019). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Lexus SC430?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the airbags (21), wheels & tires (8), suspension (5).

How many complaints has the 2002 Lexus SC430 had?

52 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on November 12, 2001 and the latest on September 29, 2025. Of these, 5 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 5 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2002 Lexus SC430 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 13 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Lexus SC430 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Lexus SC430 years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 2002 Lexus SC430 has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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