The 2004 Lexus SC430 has 1 safety recall and 12 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (6 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints12filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
NHTSA recall 19V741000 · Oct 17, 2019 · 928,220 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 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.
Components: Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module; Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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
2004 Lexus SC 430 Convertible 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
SC 430
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/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
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Air bags
6
1
0
0
—
Tires Tread/belt; Pressure monitoring and regulating systems
2
0
0
0
—
Equipment Appliance › Air conditioner; Electrical › Antenna
2
0
0
1
—
Suspension Front
1
0
0
0
—
Structure Body
1
0
0
0
—
Electrical system
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Nov 12, 2022 · 159,000 milesEquipment › Electrical › Antenna 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.
May 25, 2015Air bags TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS SC430. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Aug 3, 2015Air bags TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS SC430. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Oct 12, 2015Air bags PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER AND DEALER REQUIRES THAT I BRING IN THE CAR TO "LINK" IT TO THE BACK ORDER AND THEN THEY WILL SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT... THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THEY HAVE MY VIN; WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PHYSICALLY DRIVE FAR OUT OF MY WAY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT?
Aug 24, 2015Air bags TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS SC430. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Mar 31, 2015Air bags TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 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 EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Jun 27, 2009 · 60,000 milesElectrical system 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
Mar 19, 2006 · 35,000 miles · 1 injuryEquipment › Appliance › Air conditioner TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS SC430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS MOLD GROWING ACROSS THE CLIMATE EXCHANGE. HE SMELLS MILDEW COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITION DUCT AND SOME DOCTORS STATED THAT HE WAS TERMINALLY ILL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER FOR THREE MONTHS AND THEY CLEANED AND INSTALLED A NEW AIR CONDITION UNIT. THE CONTACT BECAME ALLERGIC TO THE ANTIFREEZE THAT WAS BEING INSTALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.