2003 Lexus LS430 recalls & problems
The 2003 Lexus LS430 has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 23 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is structure (8 complaints).
Recalls0safety recalls
Complaints23filed by owners
Crashes · fires3 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths9 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2003 Lexus LS430.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2003 Lexus LS 430 4-DR. w/SAB
| Overall | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
LS 430
19mpg combined
| City / highway | 17 / 23 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
4.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Structure Frame and members; Body | 8 | 38,000 mi |
| Vehicle speed control Cruise control | 3 | 47,458 mi |
| Air bags | 3 | — |
| Tires Tread/belt | 2 | — |
| Seat belts | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, gasoline Storage › Tank assembly | 1 | — |
| Equipment Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc. | 1 | — |
| Power train Automatic transmission | 1 | — |
| Wheels Hub | 1 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 1 | — |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | — |
| Unknown or other | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- May 13, 2015Air bags
TAKATA RECALL - Jul 25, 2015 · 137,740 miles · crash · 2 injuriesAir bags
I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. THE FRONT OF MY CAR MY MADE FULL CONTACT WITH THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS TRAVELING AT LEAST 25 MPH IF NOT MORE BEFORE IMPACT. THE IMPACT RESULTED IN $10,000 IN DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE LEXUS AND IT WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. THE LEXUS WAS DAMAGED FROM HEADLIGHT TO HEADLIGHT AND THE AIRBAG(S) DID NOT DEPLOY. THE HOOD ALSO SUSTAINED DAMAGE AS WELL AS THE RADIATOR, YET THE AIRBAG(S) DID NOT DEPLOY. - Aug 13, 2014 · 65,000 milesAir bags
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I AM IN RECEIPT OF A RECALL NOTICE FROM LEXUS DIVISION TOYOTA MOTOR COMPANY IN WHICH THERE WERE NUMEROUS LARGE BLOCK RED LETTERED WARNINGS INFORMING ME OF THIS DANGER AND THE URGENCY OF MY RESPONSE. HOWEVER, WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER WAS ONLY ALLOWED BY LEXUS DIVISION TOYOTA MOTOR COMPANY TO SCHEDULE ONE SUCH RECALL REPAIR PER WEEK AND THAT MY DEALER WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO PUT ME ON THE WAITING LIST. A LIST WHOSE LENGTH THE DEALERSHIPS CALLER COULD NOT ASCERTAIN BUT GUESSED IT WOULD BE FIVE TO SIX WEEKS. IF OVER THE NEXT FIVE WEEKS, THERE WERE TO BE A SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN A DEATH BECAUSE THIS WAS NOT TAKEN… - Sep 23, 2011 · 35,000 miles · 1 injuryStructure › Body › Trunk lid
TRUNK STRUTS FAILED TO HOLD THE TRUNK IN AN OPEN POSITION, CAUSING THE TRUNK TO FALL AND INJURE A PERSON. MULTIPLE TIMES. TRUNK WAS PROPERLY OPENED AND RAISED TO A FULL OPEN POSITION. *TR - Jan 14, 2007 · 30,000 miles · 1 injuryLatches/locks/linkages
THE PISTON-LIKE AIR STRUTS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO HOLD THE REAR TRUNK LID OPEN ON MY 2003 LEXUS LS 430 (BOUGHT NEW IN DECEMBER 2002) SLOWLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING STARTING AROUND 4 YEARS AGO. NOW THEY DO NOT WORK AT ALL. WHILE THIS IS AN INCONVENIENCE TO HAVE TO OPEN THE TRUNK MANUALLY, THE REAL DANGER IS THAT ARE NO PROVISIONS TO HOLD THE TRUNK LID IN THE OPEN POSITION. THUS, EVEN A LIGHT WIND OR VIBRATION CAUSED BY PASSING VEHICLES WILL CAUSE THE TRUNK TO TEETER OFF THE OPEN POSITION AND SLAM SHUT. THE DOWNWARD MOTION OF THE SHARP AND HEAVY EDGES OF THE TRUNK CAN (AND HAVE) CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY TO HEAD, FINGERS, AND OTHER BODY PARTS - NOT MENTION DAMAGING CARGO. *TR - Mar 7, 2011 · 78,000 miles · crashVehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS LS430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE AT 5 MPH, THERE WAS SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND A REPORT WAS FILED (#2771757). THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THERE WAS AN ELECTRIC FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS CALLED WHO STATED UNLESS THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE FAILURE, SHE COULD BRING IT IN, BUT IF THERE WAS NO MORE FAILURE SHE DID NOT HAVE TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO OTHER… - Nov 1, 2010 · 125,000 miles · 1 injuryUnknown or other
HYDRAULIC TRUNK SUPPORTS FAILED, WITH HEAVY TRUNK FALLING ON HEAD OF PERSON WORKING IN TRUNK. MAY HAVE CAUSED A CONCUSSION, AT LEAST A GROOVE IN TOP OF HEAD. PERSON STUNNED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. IF THE TRUNK HAD HIT PERSON IN THE BACK WHILE LEANING OVER INTO THE TRUNK, IT MAY HAVE BROKEN A VERTEBRAE. IF IT HAD HIT FINGERS IN LOWER PART OF TRUNK, IT MAY HAVE CHOPPED THEM OFF, PARTICULARLY A CHILD'S. THESE HYDRAULIC SUPPORTS WORE OUT AT AROUND 60-70 THOUSAND MILES. NOT REALIZING THE DANGER, I NEGLECTED CONTACTING LEXUS ABOUT REPLACING THEM. HOWEVER, THIS DANGER SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED OR UNATTENDED TO BY OTHER OWNERS OF LEXUS CARS. WHEN LEXUS WAS CONTACTED AT THIS LATE DATE, THEY OFFERED… - Oct 24, 2010 · 90,500 milesStructure › Frame and members
RE: 2003 LEXUS LS 430 THE PISTON SUPPORTS THAT HOLD THE ENGINE HOOD IN PLACE, IN ORDER TO CHECK THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, HAVE DETERIORATED OVER TIME SO THAT THE ENGINE HOOD CAN SUDDENLY SLAM DOWN, SERIOUSLY INJURING ANYONE WHO IS CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL, COOLANT, ETC. I ALMOST WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED WHILE CHECKING THE OIL. IN ADDITION, IT IS THE SAME TYPE OF PISTON SUPPORTS THAT HOLD THE TRUNK OPEN. THESE TOO, ARE ALSO DEFECTIVE. MONTHS AGO I ALMOST LOST A FINGER WHEN THE TRUNK LID SUDDENLY CLOSED. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT THAT MUST BE INVESTIGATED. *TR
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.