2003 Lexus SC430: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 20 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 lexus sc430. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v741000 (air bags) however, the parts to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Fox lexus of el paso (11165 gateway blvd w, el paso, tx 79935, 915-598-0399) was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2020
“Takata recall - when I checked under lexus to see if my vehicle was listed it was but when I put in the VIN number it said o - so I'm confused why would it say yes under lexus but not under the VIN number ? Is it safe ?”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 lexus sc430. While driving 40 mph, all the instrument panel indicators illuminated and then shut off, and the transmission downshifted. The transmission failure caused the vehicle to jerk when the gears were shifted. In addition, the contact stated that the convertible top of the vehicle would not close and that the none of the windows would close. An independent mechanic stated that the battery was not the cause of the failure, but the failure was not determined. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 167,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Received recall notice and scheduled appointment for air bag recall to be repaired. The lexus dealer held the car for four days before realizing they did not have the parts to make the repair. We were told to pick up the car and they could not tell us when the parts would be available to remedy the recall defect. The notice says not to operate the car with a passenger until the repairs are complete.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 lexus sc430. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v312000 (air bags); however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2015
“No incident, just general complaint / concern - I am told to expect up to 60 days for part receipt to fix my vehicle. But it is clearly stated in the by recall notice not to drive vehicle with passenger seat occupied. Question: is there a recourse since I will be unable to drive my vehicle for 60 days or more, and cannot get the part needed to make it safe for the passenger? *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 lexus sc430. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14v350000 (air bags). However, the part needed 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Updated 12/30/14*lj the vehicle has been repaired updated 9/25/2015*js”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 lexus sc430. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14v3500000 (air bags); however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unavailable. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 lexus sc430. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14v655000 (air bags); however, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 lexus sc430. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v350000 (air bags) however, the part 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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact SC430 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Lexus SC430 reliable?
NHTSA has 20 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2003 Lexus SC430. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2003 Lexus SC430 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.