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2005 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

Limited mileage data: 5 of 9 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

9 reports
73,000 miles · Dec 14, 2021
Air 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…

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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. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI #11443751

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2015
Air 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 CONTA…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10789211

Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2015
Air Bags

2005 LEXUS SC430. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE AIRBAG INFLATOR MODULE RECALL NOTICE. *SMD

NHTSA ODI #10806923

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2015
Air 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 FAILUR…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10760071

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2015
Air 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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10749444

58,000 miles · May 31, 2015
StructureSuspensionWheelsCrash

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.

NHTSA ODI #10722476

75,000 miles · May 27, 2012
Service Brakes

MY BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10459759

50,000 miles · Nov 7, 2011
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

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 AW…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10434796

29,573 miles · Nov 23, 2009
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10293330

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.