Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Lexus SC430, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags10
- Service brakes, hydraulic4
- Tires3
- Suspension2
- Steering2
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Structure1
- Electronic stability control1
- Wheels1
- Unknown or other1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
In the Netherlands
53 first registered in 2003 are on Dutch roads; 58% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €113,505.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde55
- Band onvoldoende profiel15
- Fusee(kogel) te veel speling9
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld8
- Waarschuwingsinrichting controlesysteem bandenspanning geeft8
- Band beschadigd7
- Licht- donkerscheiding dimlicht onduidelijk6
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt5
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 306 of these cars first registered in 2003 took their annual MOT test. 79% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2003 the figure was 57%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2003 |
|---|---|---|
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.5% | 7.4% |
| Brakes | 6.2% | 13.9% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5.6% | 21.6% |
| Suspension | 5.2% | 16.4% |
| Tyres | 4.6% | 6.3% |
| Visibility | 1.6% | 7.7% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In New Zealand
7 2003 cars are on the New Zealand register; 29% arrived as used imports, 57% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Lexus told its dealers about the 2003 Lexus SC430: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 633742 | THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES PROCEDURES USED TO DETERMINE IF RUN FLAT TIRES ARE REPAIRABLE. *TT |
| 11003648 | The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation |
| 11003593 | The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation |
| 10217806 | CSP: Takata CSP Coverage Job Aid - published 7.28.2022 |
| 10217805 | CSP: On July 30, 2018, a settlement of claims for Economic Loss related to Takata airbag inflators was approved for full implementation. The settlement includes Lexus?s agreement to provide a Customer Support Program (?CSP?) for 2002-2019 model year (MY) vehicles originally equipped with certain Takata airbag inflators or repaired under a recall with Takata airbag inflators to provide coverage for repairs of the airbag inflator contained in the airbag module. This CSP letter is to help clarify how to administer this coverage in accordance with the settlement. This is NOT a recall or a campa |
| 10214355 | Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022 |
| 10207945 | POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Lexus. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. Customers can find this information on the Owner?s section of Lexus.com. Dealers can locate a copy of this guide on the Claims Processing & Resource Center in Dealer Daily as well. |
| 10205383 | Spots in Window Glass - vehicle exterior |
| 10205352 | Windshield Wiper Blade Maintenance and cleaning |
| 10205346 | Auto matic Transmission Replacement kPrecautions |
| 10205331 | Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset |
| 10205330 | Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset |
| 10205329 | Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset. |
| 10205327 | Techstream ECU Flash Reprogramming Procedure. |
| 10205319 | Brake Pedal Force Gauge SST for Parking Brake Inspection. |
| 10205132 | Safety Recall ELG - for areas of High Absolute Humidity - Update - 2007 MY Parts Available Certain 2002 through 2007 Model Year SC 430 Vehicles Front Passenger Airbag Inflator Module. |
| 10205131 | Safety Recall DSC (supplement to DLC) - Rermedy Notice (Phase 2) - 2007 MY Parts Available 2002 through certain 2007 Model Year SC 430 Vehicles Front Passenger Air Bag Inflator Module. |
| 10179697 | TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. Cases that are determined to be a ?leak? should be repaired accordingly and will be covered under warranty if applicable. Cases that are determined to be a ?seep? should be documented on the repair order and inspected at the next service interval. Follow the Repair Information in this bulletin to determine if the concern in question is a fluid leak or fluid seep and review the Repair Procedure sectio |
| 10179601 | TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. Cases that are determined to be a ?leak? should be repaired accordingly and will be covered under warranty if applicable. Cases that are determined to be a ?seep? should be documented on the repair order and inspected at the next service interval. Follow the Repair Information in this bulletin to determine if the concern in question is a fluid leak or fluid seep and review the Repair Procedure sectio |
| 10177783 | TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE June 23, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0023-20. |
| 10177780 | TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. ST004-01, SU001-08, and L-SB-0174-08. The aforementioned bulletins are obsolete, and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this service bulletin before proceeding. This Service Bulletin provides best practice procedures for vehicle pulling complaint, diagnosis, and repair for 2002 ? 2021 model year Lexus vehicles. This information supplements Repair Manual procedures when the symptoms are: ?Vehicle Pulling: The vehicle moves to the right o |
| 10176283 | Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements |
| 10174889 | TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 06, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0008-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates |
| 10174888 | TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-97, PG003-93, PG002-90, L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-97, PG003 93, and PG002-90. The aforementioned bulletins are obsolete, and any printed versions should be discarded. Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1990 ? 2020 model year vehicles may be available provided the r |
| 10140576 | TT: Some customers may experience difficulty programming HomeLink. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)