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2002 Lexus SC430Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 42 owner complaints about the 2002 Lexus SC430, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 19V-741 the manufacturer reports only 65% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Lowest repair rate 65%Owner complaints427 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage69kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 17, 2019. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Lexus SC430 has problems

42 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags181
Tires50
Suspension40
Vehicle speed control33
Wheels20
Structure20
Latches/locks/linkages11
Seats10
Service brakes10
8 other systems80

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2002 Lexus SC430 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

65%repaired · 2021 Q3

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 19V-741 · Oct 17, 2019 · 928,220 vehicles · 600,429 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Lexus.

Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other SC430 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the SC430 median. How we score

'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2002 Lexus SC430 safety ratings

2002 Lexus SC 430 Convertible w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What SC430 owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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.
Complaint 11185031 · Mar 8, 2019 · 50,000 miles
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
Complaint 11034972 · Nov 8, 2017
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…
Complaint 10673019 · Jan 16, 2015 · 65,000 miles

Own a 2002 SC430?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.