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Research · Large Cars

2004 Lexus LS430Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 36 owner complaints for the 2004 Lexus LS430. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (6) and exterior lighting (5). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
36
Top: vehicle speed control
Fuel cost / yr
$4,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2004 Lexus LS430 as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

36 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2004 – Jul 2023
  1. Vehicle speed control6
  2. Exterior lighting5
  3. Air bags4
  4. Engine3
  5. Steering3
  6. Structure3
  7. Wheels2
  8. Visibility/wiper2
  9. Fuel system, gasoline2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each LS430 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200152
200242
200325
200436
200526
200617
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Vehicle speed control

6 reports4 crashes
“WHEN PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE AT A LOW SPEED (2 MPH) CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED EVEN THOUGH ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT BEING DEPRESSED. OPERATOR'S FOOT WAS ON BRAKE PEDAL THE ENTIRE TIME BUT CAR WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL IT HIT A PARKED VEHICLE. AT THE TIME THE CAR WAS BEING TURNED TO THE RIGHT COMING INTO THE PARKING SPACE. THERE WAS A HIGH CURB (~10 INCHES HIGH) AT THE FRONT OF THE PARKING SPACE AND A MEDIAN BUT THE CAR JUMPED OVER THIS AND STRUCK THE PARKED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MEDIAN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 8, 2017Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 10959529

Exterior lighting

5 reports
“ON CERTAIN VEHICLES WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS OPERATED QUICKLY, A SMALL PIECE OF METAL MAY SEPARATE FROM A RETAINING COLLAR LOCATED IN THE INNER PART OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THIS SMALL PIECE OF METAL MAY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE PARKING LOCK MECHANISM. RECALL *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 20, 2020Power train, Exterior lighting, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11325317

Air bags

4 reports2 crashes
“AIRBAG FAILURE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 18, 2010Air bagsODI 10371139
All 2004 LS430 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
4.3L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
LS 430
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162318$4,300494
  • LS 430
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.3 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Lexus LS430 as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 1189
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2004 LS430 questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Lexus LS430 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 8, 2026.

What are the most common 2004 Lexus LS430 problems?

Owners filed 36 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (6), exterior lighting (5), air bags (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Lexus LS430 get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Lexus LS430 at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026