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

Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (18 complaints), followed by tires (5).

How many 2002 Lexus SC430 complaints mention a crash or fire?

4 of 42 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 4 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2002 Lexus SC430 recalls and problems

1 recall and 42 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Lexus SC430.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2002 Lexus SC430 recalls

Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module · Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 19V741000 · reported October 17, 2019 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · 928,220 vehicles potentially 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Air bags18
Tires5
Suspension4
Vehicle speed control3
Structure2
Wheels2
Electrical system1
Electronic stability control1
Engine and engine cooling1
Exterior lighting1

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Mar 8, 2019 · Air bags · 50,000 miles
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.

May 6, 2018 · Exterior lighting · 62,123 miles
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.

Nov 8, 2017 · Air bags
2002 LEXUS SC430. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATOR MODULE SAFETY RECALL. 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

Apr 22, 2016 · Air bags
TAKATA RECALL BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTICE ON WHAT TO DO TO GET THIS FIXED.

Apr 16, 2016 · Air bags · 68,000 miles
HAD AIRBAG RECALL DONE ABOUT 1500 MILES AGO, AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS NOW ON , STEADY ,ALL THE TIME

SC430 model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes
2002	1	42	4
2003	1	20	2
2004	1	12	1
2005	1	9	3

Across all years, the 2002 SC430 has the most complaints (42). All Lexus SC430 years →

Questions

Does the 2002 Lexus SC430 have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 Lexus SC430, the most recent reported on October 17, 2019 (Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module, Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Lexus SC430?: Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (18 complaints), followed by tires (5).
How many 2002 Lexus SC430 complaints mention a crash or fire?: 4 of 42 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 4 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received March 8, 2019.