2002 Lexus Sc430 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. 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.
What could happen: 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 o…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2002 SC430.
- Book a repair at any authorized Lexus dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V741000 (manufacturer code J0A, J0B, and J0C).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-888-270-9371.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Airbags (21), Wheels / tires (8), Suspension (5), Lights (5), Vehicle Speed Control (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
09/29/2025 · Electrical system
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2002 Lexus SC430. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 110,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 220,000.
12/30/2019 · Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS SC. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE FRONT SUSPENSION PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. T…
11/27/2019 · Airbags
LEXUS HAS EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO PERFORM AIRBAG RECALL REPLACEMENT
03/08/2019 · Airbags
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.
05/06/2018 · Lights
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.
11/08/2017 · Airbags
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
04/22/2016 · Airbags
TAKATA RECALL BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTICE ON WHAT TO DO TO GET THIS FIXED.
04/16/2016 · Airbags
HAD AIRBAG RECALL DONE ABOUT 1500 MILES AGO, AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS NOW ON , STEADY ,ALL THE TIME