Problems · NHTSA complaints
2002 Lexus LS430 problems
Owners filed 42 complaints about the 2002 Lexus LS430 with NHTSA between Nov 2001 and Jun 2015. The most-cited component is structure (14).
Complaints
42
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
21
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Structure14
- Latches/locks/linkages6
- Vehicle speed control4
- Exterior lighting4
- Air bags3
- Wheels3
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Visibility2
- Steering2
- Service brakes, hydraulic2
- Seat belts2
- Fuel system, gasoline1
- Suspension1
- Tires1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
6
2
1
0
4
3
5
3
9
4
1
1
0
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Structure
14 reports1 crash
“SUPPORTS TO KEEP TRUNK MLID OPEN FAILED AND LID CAME DOWN STRIKING HEAD. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER FROM WHOM I PURCHASED CAR DID NOT OFFER TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS.WILLIAM”
Latches/locks/linkages
6 reports
“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”
Vehicle speed control
4 reports3 crashes
“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”
Exterior lighting
4 reports
“SUV BEHIND US AT A LIGHT WITH HIGHLY IRRITATING BRIGHT LIGHTS THAT EVEN OUR SPECIAL REAR VIEW MIRROR DIDN'T REDUCE VERY MUCH. THESE LIGHTS ARE UNNECESSARY AND ALL OUR PASSENGERS COMPLAINED BITTERLY THAT THOSE LIGHTS SHOULD BE OUTLAWED.*AK”
Air bags
3 reports3 crashes
“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”
Wheels
3 reports
“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”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.