Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2004 Lexus SC430, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags4
- Equipment2
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
37 first registered in 2004 are on Dutch roads; 59% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde14
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld8
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm7
- Band onvoldoende profiel6
- Fusee(kogel) te veel speling5
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse5
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm5
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht5
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, 225 of these cars first registered in 2004 took their annual MOT test. 72% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2004 the figure was 56%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2004 |
|---|---|---|
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 9.8% | 7.5% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 8.4% | 21.8% |
| Suspension | 8.0% | 17.2% |
| Brakes | 6.7% | 13.8% |
| Tyres | 4.4% | 6.7% |
| Visibility | 4.4% | 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 Finland
5 of these cars first registered in 2004 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 139,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
11 2004 cars are on the New Zealand register; 45% arrived as used imports, 55% 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 2004 Lexus SC430: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 10176283 | Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements |
| 10140576 | TT: Some customers may experience difficulty programming HomeLink. |
| 10134473 | LSB: The procedure in this bulletin is a general guideline on how to properly diagnose the air conditioning system after a component failure. Refer to the applicable Repair Manual for vehicle specific repair procedures and parts. |
| 10133926 | In the recent Bi-annual Floor Mat reminder letter distributed November, 2012, Lexus indicated that we were developing support materials that will help remind dealership customers and associates of the importance of proper floor mat usage. |
| 10133923 | Lexus vehicles are equipped with SRS, including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. If a customer expresses any concerns that the SRS airbags or pretensioner devices did not per |
| 10133914 | Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are released as field-fix procedures described in individual Service Bulletins. This bulletin details the Techstream ECU flash reprograming process and outlines use of the TIS and the CUW. |
| 10133910 | When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many lubricants, cleaners, and automotive chemicals contain silicone or other compounds that may contaminate electrical contacts, and therefore increase electrical resistance and decrease switch performance. The use of any cleaners or fluids may increase the risk of further damage to electrical components. |
| 10133866 | Navigation/ Multi Info Display Day Mode Operation |
| 10133849 | A new Special Service Tool (SST 09709-00002) has been introduced to aid in the inspection procedure for certain vehicles equipped with a floor pedal-type parking brake system. This bulletin references the correct method for installing the Brake Pedal Force Gauge. Refer to the appropriate Repair Manual for parking brake pedal travel inspection and adjustment specification. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)