2003 Lexus Sc430 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. 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.
What could happen: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 o…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2003 SC430.
- Book a repair at any authorized Lexus dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V741000 (manufacturer code J0A, J0B, and J0C).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-888-270-9371.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: 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.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Airbags (13), Brakes (5), Wheels / tires (4), Hydraulic (4), Steering (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
10/02/2022 · Brakes
While driving home one day four warning lights lit up: VSC, VSC OFF, ABS & BRAKE, plus a very loud warning tone. I cautiously drove home thinking at any moment my brakes may not stop the car in time. I arrived at home & parked in the garage. I needed some time to think what I should do. I decided to move the car out of the garage. I started it up and began…
09/18/2021 · Airbags
DEALER REFUSED TO MAKE REPAIRS IN ASHEVILLE AFTER MAKING APPOINTMENT TO REPAIR. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DEALER ADVISED THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED IN-STATE.
10/28/2020 · Airbags
RECEIVED 3 LETTERS ON RECALL #K6FV-AAE. CALLED TAKATA, LEXUS CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE, AND THE CLOSEST LEXUS DEALERSHIP IN SANTA BARBARA. NOBODY IS FOLLOWING UP. I AM RUNNING A BUSINESS AND CAN ONLY TRAVEL OUT OF TOWN ON SATURDAY AND WILL LOSE AN ENTIRE DAY. NOBODY IS HELPING TO RESOLVE THIS SITUATION OR EVEN MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH LEXUS FOR MY OUT OF TOWN…
08/13/2020 · Airbags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS SC430. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V741000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. FOX LEXUS OF EL PASO (11165 GATEWAY BLVD W, EL PASO…
08/29/2017 · Airbags
TAKATA RECALL - WHEN I CHECKED UNDER LEXUS TO SEE IF MY VEHICLE WAS LISTED IT WAS BUT WHEN I PUT IN THE VIN NUMBER IT SAID O - SO I'M CONFUSED WHY WOULD IT SAY YES UNDER LEXUS BUT NOT UNDER THE VIN NUMBER ? IS IT SAFE ?
08/08/2017 · Transmission / drivetrain
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS SC430. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THEN SHUT OFF, AND THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED. THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JERK WHEN THE GEARS WERE SHIFTED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONVERTIBLE TOP OF THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CLOSE AND THAT THE NONE OF THE W…
08/29/2015 · Airbags
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE AND SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT FOR AIR BAG RECALL TO BE REPAIRED. THE LEXUS DEALER HELD THE CAR FOR FOUR DAYS BEFORE REALIZING THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO MAKE THE REPAIR. WE WERE TOLD TO PICK UP THE CAR AND THEY COULD NOT TELL US WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE RECALL DEFECT. THE NOTICE SAYS NOT TO OPERATE THE CAR WI…
05/04/2015 · Airbags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS SC430. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V312000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXP…