2002 Lexus LS430: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 30 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (32% of complaints).
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
30
owner complaints
1
fire reports
59,312
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No recall campaignsWeak spot: structure (32%)1 fire report
Common problems
Computed from 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)32% · 9 complaints
Latches/Locks/Linkages (door locks, latches, hood release)14% · 4 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)11% · 3 complaints
Steering (steering wheel, rack, power assist)7% · 2 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)7% · 2 complaints
Seat Belts7% · 2 complaints
“As I was turning onto a road from a private driveway the car suddenly accelerated causing the car to cross over both lanes of the road and crash into a mailbox. The result was damage to the front of my car and a broken mailbax post. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2012
“The trunk lid of my 2002 lexus ls 430 has two pneumatic struts which provide lift and keep the lid up in the open position. Now, over time the struts slowly failed to keep the trunk lid open, and in a gentle breeze, the lid will come down with guillotine force. It has hit my head several times with painful results and now I am afraid to load items in my trunk without another person there to hold it open. I think that the "lift assist" of the pneumatics should be only auxiliary to a mechanism that holds the trunk in a full open position. I have never had a vehicle whose trunk lid did not stay in the open position once lifted, regardless of age. *tr”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Feb 2011
“I own a 2002 lexus ls in dec. 2010, while I was taking the groceries out of my trunk, the trunk fell on my head and created an injury to my eyes, I had two surgeries, the trunk unexpectedly just crash on my head, it was very painful, I almost passed out,apparently the springs wore out, there was no warning, I am still hurting and get severe headaches, I wrote to lexus, they just ignored me completely, in my opinion, this is a safety issue and should be dealt with accordingly. I am asking for your immediate attention I saved the old springs for review. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“The trunk lid of a 2002 lexus ls430 landed on my wife's head causing injury and bleeding. Gas cylinders are used to hold trunk lid up which failed. I complained about gas cylinders holding hoods up on lexus automobiles in the past and you people did nothing about it. I even contacted lexus about it but went unacknowledged. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 lexus ls430. The contact stated that a passenger was struck abruptly in the head by the trunk hatch and sustained several abrasions to the head. The trunk latch failed and would not remain open. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. Updated 03/24/11*lj updated 1/5/12 *cn”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2010
“2002 lexus ls430 accelerated and shifted gears unexpectedly causing an uncontrolled vehicle situation. The vehicle plunged about ten feet into the side of a hill. The car was extracted and taken to a body repair shop. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 lexus ls430. The contact stated that the trunk lid in the rear of the vehicle would suddenly fall down own its own. The failure occurred several times and the most recent occurrence caused the contact to sustain a concussion. The contact called the dealership and the dealer stated that the pistons that held up the trunk needed to be replaced. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that he would have to have the pistons replaced at his expense. The VIN was unavailable. The current mileage was approximately 60,000. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2010
“1. Salt and winter conditions are the events leading up to the failure. 2. The failure is the flaking and pitting of chrome wheels due to apparent inappropriate chroming process. 3. Lexus replaced the 4 wheels in 2006, but unfortunately with another set of chrome wheels that began noticeably displayed pitting and flaking in 2009. *tr”Owner report · Wheels · Jun 2010
“The trunk lid keeps falling down on my 2002 lexus ls430. Several persons have been hit in the head and shoulders with the heavy lid. This has been going on for some time now. *tr”Owner report · Structure · May 2010
“On dec. 27, 2009 ,fully opened the trunk lid of my ls430 & within seconds it crashed down on my neck as I was leaning in to get something. Thought it was just a fluke. Again on march 3,2010, it happened again , hitting me on my head. The 3rd time was on memorial day, may 31, 2010, again on my head. Now I will only open my trunk lid when someone else is present to hold it open for me so it won't fall on me again. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 16 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
How other years compare
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Is the 2002 Lexus LS430 reliable?
NHTSA has 30 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Lexus LS430. The most complained-about area is structure (32% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Lexus LS430 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 59,312 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.