Problems · NHTSA complaints

2004 Lexus SC430 problems

Owners filed 14 complaints about the 2004 Lexus SC430 with NHTSA between Apr 2005 and Apr 2023. The most-cited component is air bags (8).

Complaints
14
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags8
  2. Equipment2
  3. Tires2
  4. Electrical system1
  5. Suspension1
  6. Structure1

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 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20052
20061
20070
20081
20092
20100
20110
20120
20130
20140
20155
20161
20170
20180
20191
20200
20210
20220
20231

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

8 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“THIS CAR HAS BEEN WRECKED, DUE TO THE AIRBAG, AND THE TITLE WAS HANDED OVER TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY ISSUED US A CHECK FOR SETTLEMENT. THE CAR WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. WE NO LONGER OWN THIS CAR; HOWEVER, WE KEEP GETTING 3 OR 4 POSTCARDS EVERY MONTH NOTIFYING US OF THE RECALL. I HAVE MADE COUNTLESS PHONE CALLS TO GET OUR NAMES REMOVED FROM THE RECALL MAILING LIST, TO NO AVAIL. IT IS EMOTIONALLY DISTRESSING TO ME TO SEE THESE POSTCARDS ARRIVING, REMINDING ME OF THE AUTO ACCIDENT THAT ALMOST CLAIMED MY HUSBAND'S LIFE. OUR RECALL I.D. NUMBER IS KB8-42S. WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE REMOVE US FROM THE MAILING LIST. THE ACCIDENT OCCURED ON 7/18/2018 AND THE AIRBAG EXPLODED, CAUSING HIM TO HIT A TREE HEAD ON. HE WAS AIRLIFTED TO A TRAUMA CENTER AND SPENT OVER A WEEK IN INTENSIVE CARE, FOLLOWED BY SEVERAL SURGERIES AND FOLLOW UP HOSPITAL STAYS. PLEASE, SOMEONE, REMOVE US THE LIST.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 22, 2019Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11190887

Equipment

2 reports
“The contact owns a 2004 Lexus SC430. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH, the radio was activated and there was an abnormal sound coming from the antenna. The contact noticed the antenna hanging off the holster and structuring the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 159,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 26, 2023EquipmentODI 11519156

Tires

2 reports
“I HAVE AN LEXUS SC430 2004 WITH 40K MILES ON IT. I HAVE REPEATEDLY PUT NEW TIRES ON THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME, THAT'S THE WAY THE TIRES ARE GOING TO WEAR BECAUSE ITS A SO CALL SPORTS CAR. THE TIRES IS WEARING DOWN TO THE WIRE ON THE INSIDE OF ALL THE TIRES ABOUT EVERY 7,000-8,000 MILES. IT'S NOT SAFE AND IT'S $356 A TIRE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 19, 2008TiresODI 10221788

Electrical system

1 report
“LEXUS SC 430 2004 SOMETIMES WHEN BRAKING THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE THOUGHT MAYBE I HAD ACCIDENTALLY HIT PEDAL OR SOMETHING BUT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. DIDN'T THINK MUCHOF IT UNTIL NOTICE THE RECALL NO INCIDENT DATES BUT FILLED OUT FORM ANYWAY. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 6, 2009Electrical systemODI 10291214

Suspension

1 report
“CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING THE 2004 SC430 WELDED FIREWALL. *TS THE CONSUMER EXPLAINED TO THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVEN. THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED BY THE DEALER. AT THE 10000 MILE CHECKUP THE BODY WAS WELDED AT THE LEFT FIREWALL AND THE LEFT SIDE BUMPER WAS THEN PROPERLY ATTACHED. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION. *NM”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 13, 2006Suspension, StructureODI 10172236

Structure

1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

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