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2002 Lexus SC430

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

24 reports with mileage · 18 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

18 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2014
Air 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 PAR…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10630343

45,000 miles · Aug 13, 2014
Air Bags

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 FAILUR…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10622100

98,200 miles · Aug 12, 2014
Air 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 NOTI…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10621686

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2014
Air 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.

NHTSA ODI #10618908

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2014
Air 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 VEHICL…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10606198

71,000 miles · Apr 15, 2014
Air BagsStructure

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10582891

137,000 miles · Jun 13, 2013
Air Bags

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10519675

69,000 miles · Nov 14, 2008
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS SC430. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, A BUS CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SCRAP YARD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT IGNORED THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 69,000. UPDATED 12/12/08 …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS SC430. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, A BUS CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SCRAP YARD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT IGNORED THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 69,000. UPDATED 12/12/08 *CN UPDATED 12/15/08. *JB UPDATED 12/30/08. *LJ UPDATED 01/05/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10248848

Official recalls

1

19V741000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Oct 17, 2019

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

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 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.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

Air Bags:frontal:driver 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 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.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.