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Engine & cooling

Lexus SC430 Engine problems by year

3 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Lexus SC430's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20032000
20021000

Latest SC430 engine complaints

2002 Lexus SC430Engine & cooling

My sc430 has had a strong sulfur smell from the exhaust system (after medium to heavy acceleration) since it was new. When I first mentioned it to the service department they told me I needed to put a few thousand miles on it and it should go away. I gave it several thousand miles and it didn't help. They then checked it out and told me they couldn't find a problem and referred me to a service bulletin that said I should try a different brand of fuel. I tried every brand of fuel sold in my area (chevron, union 76,...

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shell, mobile, texaco, arco, astro, etc.) And none of them made any difference. My dealership then ran extensive tests on my vehicle and said it was performing normally. I'm embarrassed to have anyone ride in my car. I requested lexus buy it back at kelly blue book price and they said because it was operating normally they wouldn't do anything for me. They should tell potential buyers that they won't be able to drive with the top down unless they don't plan to accellerate to freeway speed or pass anyone.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10063624
2003 Lexus SC430SuspensionBrakesEngine & cooling

The car failed to start six times in the first five months. It seems they have found the cause of that problem. However, the car continues to make clunking noise whenever it goes over a bump. Lexus tells me that is normal. I say it sounds like a 1973 dodge I owned 30 years ago. The car also pulls to the right at low speeds. Again I'm told this is normal and is a result of the run flat tires. If so, they should use other tires. Parking brake light continues to come on intermittently. I have requested that this car be replaced repeatedly. Lexus has refused.

Filed Incident Suspension · Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine cooling · Unknown or otherNHTSA 10070188

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

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