FaultScore

FaultScore report

2002 Lexus LS430 problems

Owners have filed 39 complaints about the 2002 Lexus LS430 with NHTSA between 2002 and 2013. The largest single group is the body & structure. Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 5 worst.

D

FaultScore 68/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Lexus LS430.

How this is worked out

The numbers

39

Complaints

12

Crashes reported

1

Fires reported

16

Injuries reported

55,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

25%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 58 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 43 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 58
Against the median year of the Lexus LS430. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
74.4% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 43
25% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2002 compares with every other Lexus LS430

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2002 Lexus LS430

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Body & Structure 10 25.6%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 65,000 mi

Doors, Latches & Locks 6 15.4%

Median failure at 43,761 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 4 10.3%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 59,000 mi

Brakes 4 10.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 25 mi

Airbags 3 7.7%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 69,500 mi

Other & Unspecified 2 5.1%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 53,277 mi

Seat Belts 2 5.1%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 2 5.1%

Median failure at 110,000 miles

Steering 2 5.1%

Median failure at 59,312 miles

Equipment & Accessories 1 2.6%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 6,000 mi

Wheels 1 2.6%
Fuel & Propulsion 1 2.6%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 69,500 mi

Engine & Cooling 1 2.6%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 55,000 mi

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 2 6.3%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 2 6.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 2 6.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 7 21.9%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 11 34.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 4 12.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 4 12.5%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Sep 2002 peak 4 Apr 2013

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 46,000 miles Lake Charles, LA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

AS I WAS TURNING ONTO A ROAD FROM A PRIVATE DRIVEWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING THE CAR TO CROSS OVER BOTH LANES OF THE ROAD AND CRASH INTO A MAILBOX. THE RESULT WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND A BROKEN MAILBAX POST.

NHTSA complaint #10508825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 46,000 miles Lake Charles, LA Crash

STRUCTURE:BODY

AS I WAS TURNING ONTO A ROAD FROM A PRIVATE DRIVEWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING THE CAR TO CROSS OVER BOTH LANES OF THE ROAD AND CRASH INTO A MAILBOX. THE RESULT WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND A BROKEN MAILBAX POST.

NHTSA complaint #10508825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Irving, TX 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY

I OWN A 2002 LEXUS LS IN DEC. 2010, WHILE I WAS TAKING THE GROCERIES OUT OF MY TRUNK, THE TRUNK FELL ON MY HEAD AND CREATED AN INJURY TO MY EYES, I HAD TWO SURGERIES, THE TRUNK UNEXPECTEDLY JUST CRASH ON MY HEAD, IT WAS VERY PAINFUL, I ALMOST PASSED OUT,APPARENTLY THE SPRINGS WORE OUT, THERE WAS NO WARNING, I AM STILL HURTING AND GET SEVERE HEADACHES, I WROTE TO LEXUS, THEY JUST IGNORED ME COMPLETELY, IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE DEALT WITH ACCORDINGLY. I AM ASKING FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION I SAVED THE OLD SPRINGS FOR REVIEW. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10454698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Torrance, CA 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT

FAILED COMPONENT: 2 HYDRAULIC SUPPORTERS ON TRUNK LID. COMPLAINTS: THE 2 HYDRAULIC SUPPORTERS ON TRUNK LID WERE COMPLETELY FAILED. I WAS INJURED ON OCTOBER 29, 2011 WHEN THE LID FELLED DOWN (CLOSED) ON ITS OWN WEIGHT AND HIT MY HEAD AND THEN MY RIGHT ARM. THE SUPPORTERS ARE VERY WEAK AS COMPARED TO THE TRUNK LID HEAVY DUTY STEEL STRUCTURE. I HARDLY DRIVE THE CAR WHICH REGISTERS ONLY 30K MILES. THE WEAK HYDRAULIC SUPPORTERS STARTED TO SHOW FATIGUE ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO. EVENTUALLY, IT CAUGHT ME AFTER SEVERAL YEARS LATER. I AM PRETTY SURE THAT THIS TYPE DEFECTS ARE COMMON FOR MANY VEHICLES OF SIMILAR YEARS AND MODEL. IT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF ONE IS NOT CAREFUL, PARTICULARLY WHEN PARKING ON A SLOPED DRIVEWAY. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR LEXUS TO USE SUCH CHEAP PARTS OF WHICH REPUTATION EMPHASIZING SAFETY AND QUALITY.

NHTSA complaint #10434818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Hokus, NJ 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS LS430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PASSENGER WAS STRUCK ABRUPTLY IN THE HEAD BY THE TRUNK HATCH AND SUSTAINED SEVERAL ABRASIONS TO THE HEAD. THE TRUNK LATCH FAILED AND WOULD NOT REMAIN OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ UPDATED 1/5/12

NHTSA complaint #10386220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Plano, TX 1 injured

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

THE TRUNK LID OF MY 2002 LEXUS LS 430 HAS TWO PNEUMATIC STRUTS WHICH PROVIDE LIFT AND KEEP THE LID UP IN THE OPEN POSITION. NOW, OVER TIME THE STRUTS SLOWLY FAILED TO KEEP THE TRUNK LID OPEN, AND IN A GENTLE BREEZE, THE LID WILL COME DOWN WITH GUILLOTINE FORCE. IT HAS HIT MY HEAD SEVERAL TIMES WITH PAINFUL RESULTS AND NOW I AM AFRAID TO LOAD ITEMS IN MY TRUNK WITHOUT ANOTHER PERSON THERE TO HOLD IT OPEN. I THINK THAT THE "LIFT ASSIST" OF THE PNEUMATICS SHOULD BE ONLY AUXILIARY TO A MECHANISM THAT HOLDS THE TRUNK IN A FULL OPEN POSITION. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE WHOSE TRUNK LID DID NOT STAY IN THE OPEN POSITION ONCE LIFTED, REGARDLESS OF AGE.

NHTSA complaint #10384496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 46,000 miles Lake Charles, LA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

AS I WAS TURNING ONTO A ROAD FROM A PRIVATE DRIVEWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING THE CAR TO CROSS OVER BOTH LANES OF THE ROAD AND CRASH INTO A MAILBOX. THE RESULT WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND A BROKEN MAILBAX POST.

NHTSA complaint #10508825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 46,000 miles Lake Charles, LA Crash

STRUCTURE:BODY

AS I WAS TURNING ONTO A ROAD FROM A PRIVATE DRIVEWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING THE CAR TO CROSS OVER BOTH LANES OF THE ROAD AND CRASH INTO A MAILBOX. THE RESULT WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND A BROKEN MAILBAX POST.

NHTSA complaint #10508825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Irving, TX 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY

I OWN A 2002 LEXUS LS IN DEC. 2010, WHILE I WAS TAKING THE GROCERIES OUT OF MY TRUNK, THE TRUNK FELL ON MY HEAD AND CREATED AN INJURY TO MY EYES, I HAD TWO SURGERIES, THE TRUNK UNEXPECTEDLY JUST CRASH ON MY HEAD, IT WAS VERY PAINFUL, I ALMOST PASSED OUT,APPARENTLY THE SPRINGS WORE OUT, THERE WAS NO WARNING, I AM STILL HURTING AND GET SEVERE HEADACHES, I WROTE TO LEXUS, THEY JUST IGNORED ME COMPLETELY, IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE DEALT WITH ACCORDINGLY. I AM ASKING FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION I SAVED THE OLD SPRINGS FOR REVIEW. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10454698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Torrance, CA 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT

FAILED COMPONENT: 2 HYDRAULIC SUPPORTERS ON TRUNK LID. COMPLAINTS: THE 2 HYDRAULIC SUPPORTERS ON TRUNK LID WERE COMPLETELY FAILED. I WAS INJURED ON OCTOBER 29, 2011 WHEN THE LID FELLED DOWN (CLOSED) ON ITS OWN WEIGHT AND HIT MY HEAD AND THEN MY RIGHT ARM. THE SUPPORTERS ARE VERY WEAK AS COMPARED TO THE TRUNK LID HEAVY DUTY STEEL STRUCTURE. I HARDLY DRIVE THE CAR WHICH REGISTERS ONLY 30K MILES. THE WEAK HYDRAULIC SUPPORTERS STARTED TO SHOW FATIGUE ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO. EVENTUALLY, IT CAUGHT ME AFTER SEVERAL YEARS LATER. I AM PRETTY SURE THAT THIS TYPE DEFECTS ARE COMMON FOR MANY VEHICLES OF SIMILAR YEARS AND MODEL. IT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF ONE IS NOT CAREFUL, PARTICULARLY WHEN PARKING ON A SLOPED DRIVEWAY. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR LEXUS TO USE SUCH CHEAP PARTS OF WHICH REPUTATION EMPHASIZING SAFETY AND QUALITY.

NHTSA complaint #10434818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Hokus, NJ 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS LS430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PASSENGER WAS STRUCK ABRUPTLY IN THE HEAD BY THE TRUNK HATCH AND SUSTAINED SEVERAL ABRASIONS TO THE HEAD. THE TRUNK LATCH FAILED AND WOULD NOT REMAIN OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ UPDATED 1/5/12

NHTSA complaint #10386220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Plano, TX 1 injured

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

THE TRUNK LID OF MY 2002 LEXUS LS 430 HAS TWO PNEUMATIC STRUTS WHICH PROVIDE LIFT AND KEEP THE LID UP IN THE OPEN POSITION. NOW, OVER TIME THE STRUTS SLOWLY FAILED TO KEEP THE TRUNK LID OPEN, AND IN A GENTLE BREEZE, THE LID WILL COME DOWN WITH GUILLOTINE FORCE. IT HAS HIT MY HEAD SEVERAL TIMES WITH PAINFUL RESULTS AND NOW I AM AFRAID TO LOAD ITEMS IN MY TRUNK WITHOUT ANOTHER PERSON THERE TO HOLD IT OPEN. I THINK THAT THE "LIFT ASSIST" OF THE PNEUMATICS SHOULD BE ONLY AUXILIARY TO A MECHANISM THAT HOLDS THE TRUNK IN A FULL OPEN POSITION. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE WHOSE TRUNK LID DID NOT STAY IN THE OPEN POSITION ONCE LIFTED, REGARDLESS OF AGE.

NHTSA complaint #10384496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Plano, TX 1 injured

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

THE TRUNK LID OF MY 2002 LEXUS LS 430 HAS TWO PNEUMATIC STRUTS WHICH PROVIDE LIFT AND KEEP THE LID UP IN THE OPEN POSITION. NOW, OVER TIME THE STRUTS SLOWLY FAILED TO KEEP THE TRUNK LID OPEN, AND IN A GENTLE BREEZE, THE LID WILL COME DOWN WITH GUILLOTINE FORCE. IT HAS HIT MY HEAD SEVERAL TIMES WITH PAINFUL RESULTS AND NOW I AM AFRAID TO LOAD ITEMS IN MY TRUNK WITHOUT ANOTHER PERSON THERE TO HOLD IT OPEN. I THINK THAT THE "LIFT ASSIST" OF THE PNEUMATICS SHOULD BE ONLY AUXILIARY TO A MECHANISM THAT HOLDS THE TRUNK IN A FULL OPEN POSITION. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE WHOSE TRUNK LID DID NOT STAY IN THE OPEN POSITION ONCE LIFTED, REGARDLESS OF AGE.

NHTSA complaint #10384496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Gables, FL Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL-THE DRIVER OWNED A 2002 LEXUS LS430. HE WAS ALERTED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE SO THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED A VALVE SPRING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 55,000. SM.

NHTSA complaint #10365781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID

THE TRUNK LID OF A 2002 LEXUS LS430 LANDED ON MY WIFE'S HEAD CAUSING INJURY AND BLEEDING. GAS CYLINDERS ARE USED TO HOLD TRUNK LID UP WHICH FAILED. I COMPLAINED ABOUT GAS CYLINDERS HOLDING HOODS UP ON LEXUS AUTOMOBILES IN THE PAST AND YOU PEOPLE DID NOTHING ABOUT IT. I EVEN CONTACTED LEXUS ABOUT IT BUT WENT UNACKNOWLEDGED.

NHTSA complaint #10363481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,000 miles Riverside, CT 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS LS430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK LID IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY FALL DOWN OWN ITS OWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO SUSTAIN A CONCUSSION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PISTONS THAT HELD UP THE TRUNK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE PISTONS REPLACED AT HIS EXPENSE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.

NHTSA complaint #10362503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 69,500 miles LOS Angeles, CA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

2002 LEXUS LS430 ACCELERATED AND SHIFTED GEARS UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING AN UNCONTROLLED VEHICLE SITUATION. THE VEHICLE PLUNGED ABOUT TEN FEET INTO THE SIDE OF A HILL. THE CAR WAS EXTRACTED AND TAKEN TO A BODY REPAIR SHOP.

NHTSA complaint #10361560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 69,500 miles LOS Angeles, CA Crash 1 injured

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2002 LEXUS LS430 ACCELERATED AND SHIFTED GEARS UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING AN UNCONTROLLED VEHICLE SITUATION. THE VEHICLE PLUNGED ABOUT TEN FEET INTO THE SIDE OF A HILL. THE CAR WAS EXTRACTED AND TAKEN TO A BODY REPAIR SHOP.

NHTSA complaint #10361560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Germantown, MD 1 injured

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

ON DEC. 27, 2009 ,FULLY OPENED THE TRUNK LID OF MY LS430 & WITHIN SECONDS IT CRASHED DOWN ON MY NECK AS I WAS LEANING IN TO GET SOMETHING. THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A FLUKE. AGAIN ON MARCH 3,2010, IT HAPPENED AGAIN , HITTING ME ON MY HEAD. THE 3RD TIME WAS ON MEMORIAL DAY, MAY 31, 2010, AGAIN ON MY HEAD. NOW I WILL ONLY OPEN MY TRUNK LID WHEN SOMEONE ELSE IS PRESENT TO HOLD IT OPEN FOR ME SO IT WON'T FALL ON ME AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10336124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Kingsport, TN

STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID

THE TRUNK LID KEEPS FALLING DOWN ON MY 2002 LEXUS LS430. SEVERAL PERSONS HAVE BEEN HIT IN THE HEAD AND SHOULDERS WITH THE HEAVY LID. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME NOW.

NHTSA complaint #10336268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Kingsport, TN

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

THE TRUNK LID KEEPS FALLING DOWN ON MY 2002 LEXUS LS430. SEVERAL PERSONS HAVE BEEN HIT IN THE HEAD AND SHOULDERS WITH THE HEAVY LID. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME NOW.

NHTSA complaint #10336268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Bloomfield, MI

WHEELS

1. SALT AND WINTER CONDITIONS ARE THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. 2. THE FAILURE IS THE FLAKING AND PITTING OF CHROME WHEELS DUE TO APPARENT INAPPROPRIATE CHROMING PROCESS. 3. LEXUS REPLACED THE 4 WHEELS IN 2006, BUT UNFORTUNATELY WITH ANOTHER SET OF CHROME WHEELS THAT BEGAN NOTICEABLY DISPLAYED PITTING AND FLAKING IN 2009.

NHTSA complaint #10335384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 47,523 miles Kannapolis, NC 2 injured

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

I HAD OPENED THE TRUNK ON MY LEXUS LS-430 (2002) TO PLACE SOME PERSONAL ITEMS FOR TRANSPORT. I WAS LEANING DOWN WHEN SUDDENLY THE TRUNK LID CAME CRASHING DOWN TOP OF MY HEAD WITH RESULT OF PAIN AND SWELLING. SAME HAD HAPPENED TO MY WIFE BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE HYDRAULIC TRUNK STRUTS NECESSARY FOR THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE TRUNK HAD BOTH FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #10314805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Sebostopal, CA

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS LS430 PURCHASED NEW. HE STATED ALL FOUR PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WINDOWS WERE DE LAMINATING. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FIRST INITIAL REPAIR WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTY, HOWEVER THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD TAKE NO LIABILITY FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 110,000. UPDATED 02/02/10 *BF ALL OF THE WINDOWS WERE DELAMINATED RESULTING IN A FAILURE OF THE SAFETY GLASS AND PROGRESSIVE OBSTRUCTION ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES. UPDATED 02/04/10.

NHTSA complaint #10299623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,000 miles Mobile, AL Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS LS430. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT INTENTION. EVEN AFTER REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATION THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. CONSEQUENTLY SHE CRASHED INTO SEVERAL VEHICLES AND A BUILDING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 72,000.

NHTSA complaint #10293212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Mountain View, CA 2 injured

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

2002 LEXUS LS 430 - THE TRUNK STRUTS ARE NO LONGER WORKING - MEANING THEY NO LONGER KEEP THE TRUNK OPEN. I AND MY SON HAVE BOTH BEEN HIT IN THE HEAD SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS DUE TO THE TRUNK CLOSING ON ITS OWN.

NHTSA complaint #10282019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,312 miles Peoria, AZ

STEERING

CURRENTLY, LEXUS DOES NOT HAVE A SERVICE INTERVAL FOR THE POWER STEERING FLUID THAT IS USED IN THE LS430 RACK AND PINION. I HAVE FOUND THE FLUID IS NOW DARK BROWN IN COLOR AND HAS ATTACHED TO THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO USE THE OPAQUE RESERVOIR TO VIEW THE FLUID LEVEL. THE DENIGRATED POWER STEERING FLUID HAS OCCURRED WITHIN 60,000 MILES. THIS IS THE ONLY FLUID NOT REPLACED DURING THE 60,000 MILE SERVICE THE SOLE PURPOSE OF THE RESERVOIR IS TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO SEE THE CURRENT FLUID LEVEL IN THE EVENT ADDITIONAL FLUID IS NEEDED TO AVOID FAILURE OF THE STEERING UNIT. THE COST OF THIS SMALL WHITE PLASTIC RESERVOIR EXCEEDS $250.00 FOR THE PART ONLY AND DOES NOT INCLUDE LABOR TO REPLACE THE UNIT, FLUID AND ANY HOSES THAT MAY BE NEEDED. I HAVE CONTACTED LEXUS DEALERSHIP TWICE OVER THIS ISSUE. THE TECHNICIAN ADVOCATES THAT I SHOULD JOSTLE THE RESERVOIR TO CAUSE THE FLUID INSIDE THE SEALED OR CAPPED UNIT TO SPLASH ABOVE THE BLACKENED RING. THIS DOES NOT ALLOW ONE TO SEE IF THE FLUID IS AT A DANGEROUS LEVEL. I GUESS ONE COULD BE OVER ENTHUSIASTIC AND DAMAGE, CRACK OR BREAK THE PLASTIC RESERVOIR OR A HOSE AND CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE UNIT OR OTHER ATTACHED PARTS. TWO ITEMS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. IF NOT SERVICING THIS POWER STEERING FLUID, IT WILL DECREASE THE SERVICE LIFE OF THE RACK AND PINION STEERING UNIT! FAILURE TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING FLUID IN A TIMELY MANNER DOES CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE OPAQUE WHITE PLASTIC RESERVOIR, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO READ THE AMOUNT VISUALLY INSIDE THE RESERVOIR. THE CURRENT PRACTICE BY LEXUS SELLS PARTS AND AVOIDS SAFETY CONCERNS LEADING TO FAILURE OF STEERING COMPONENTS AND OR CAUSES PRE-MATURE FAILURE OF THE STEERING COMPONENTS.

NHTSA complaint #10281334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 86,978 miles Fort Mill, SC Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 2002 LEXUS 430 LS WHEN SHE HAD A SEIZURE. DURING THE SEIZURE HER FOOT HIT THE GAS PEDAL AND SHE PROCEEDED THROUGH SEVERAL RESIDENTIAL AREAS BEFORE CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE AIRBAG WAS NOT DEPLOYED CAUSING 2 LEG AND FOOT FRACTURES. INSURANCE ADJUSTER AGREED THAT THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE LOCAL LEXUS DEALER HAD COMPLETED AN ANNUAL SERVICE ON THE CAR WITHIN THE LAST 12 MONTHS.

NHTSA complaint #10249353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,000 miles Carrollton, TX

STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID

I HAD OPENED THE TRUNK ON MY LEXUS LS-430 (2002) FOR MY 11 YRS OLD SON TO TAKE HIS SPORTS GEARS OUT OF THE TRUNK. HE WAS LEANING DOWN INSIDE THE TRUNK WHEN SUDDENLY THE TRUNK LID CAME CRASHING DOWN STRIKING ON HIS HIPS, IT WAS GOOD IT DID" HURT HIS BACK. THE INJURY RESULTED IN TREMENDOUS PAIN .AFTER THE INCIDENT I INSPECTED THE TRUNK AND FOUND THEIR WAS NO RESISTANCE WHILE GOING UP AND DOWN WITH THE TRUNK AND FOUND THAT THE HYDRAULIC TRUNK STRUTS NECESSARY FOR THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE TRUNK HAD BOTH FAILED. .SEVERAL TIMES CONTACTED THE LEXUS DEALER AND LEXUS CORPORATION TO FIX THE SHOCKS. BUT THEY DECLINED, AS THEY STATED THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANT PERIOD MY CAR HAS ONLY 32000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10246299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,000 miles Carrollton, TX

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

I HAD OPENED THE TRUNK ON MY LEXUS LS-430 (2002) FOR MY 11 YRS OLD SON TO TAKE HIS SPORTS GEARS OUT OF THE TRUNK. HE WAS LEANING DOWN INSIDE THE TRUNK WHEN SUDDENLY THE TRUNK LID CAME CRASHING DOWN STRIKING ON HIS HIPS, IT WAS GOOD IT DID" HURT HIS BACK. THE INJURY RESULTED IN TREMENDOUS PAIN .AFTER THE INCIDENT I INSPECTED THE TRUNK AND FOUND THEIR WAS NO RESISTANCE WHILE GOING UP AND DOWN WITH THE TRUNK AND FOUND THAT THE HYDRAULIC TRUNK STRUTS NECESSARY FOR THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE TRUNK HAD BOTH FAILED. .SEVERAL TIMES CONTACTED THE LEXUS DEALER AND LEXUS CORPORATION TO FIX THE SHOCKS. BUT THEY DECLINED, AS THEY STATED THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANT PERIOD MY CAR HAS ONLY 32000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10246299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Riyadh, 00 Crash

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DEAR SIR: I BOUGHT MY LEXUS LS 430 BRAND NEW IN 2002, AND I LOVE IT VERY MUCH EXCEPT FOR ONE THING: THE BRAKING SYSTEM. WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE, MY LS430 SKIDS (FORWARD), AND DO NOT STOP IN A SAFE DISTANCE. I THOUGHT IT WAS MY DRIVING SKILLS. BUT I DECIDED TO VISIT THE LEXUS DEALER. THE LEXUS DEALER, AFTER DRIVING THE CAR, TOLD ME IT IS NORMAL FOR THE ABS SYSTEM TO DO THAT, AND I SHOULD NOT PRESS THE BRAKE HARD. WELL, I LEFT THE DEALER, AND A FEW METERS AWAY I WAS DRIVING AROUND 20-25 ML/H WHEN THE CAR AHEAD OF ME STOPPED, I PRESSED THE BRAKE, BUT MY CAR - AS USUAL- SKIDDED FORWARD AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING VERY SERIOUS DAMAGE TO MY CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO LEXUS WORKSHOP, WHICH CHARGED THE INSURANCE COMPANY $ 9000. I CONTACTED THE SAUDI ARABIAN STANDARDS ORGANIZATION (WWW.SASO.ORG.SA) AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE BARKING SYSTEM FAILURE IN THIS ACCIDENT. THEY SENT TECHNICIANS AND TESTED THE CAR AT LEXUS WORKSHOP, AND FOUND AN ABNORMAL FORWARD SKIDDING WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE AT LOW SPEED, AND WROTE ME A REPORT OF THEIR FINDINGS. FOR YOUR INFORMATION THIS IS THE SAME ORGANIZATION WHO DISCOVERED THE TECHNICAL FAILURE IN THE FIRESTONE TIRES FITTED ON THE FORD EXPLORER FEW YEARS AGO, WHICH RESULTED IN A VERY COSTLY RECALL TO FORD CORP. I WROTE THE SAUDI LEXUS AUTHORIZED LEXUS DEALER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT NO ANSWER RECEIVED. I CANNOT TAKE ON THIS POWERFUL LEXUS DEALER ALONE. I DO NEED ALL THE HELP I CAN FIND TO EXPOSE THIS DANGEROUS BRAKING FAILURE IN THE LEXUS LS430. I HAVE MANY FRIENDS WHO OWN THE SAME LEXUS MODEL AND HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. PLEASE ADVICE ME HOW CAN I STAND UP TO THIS POWERFUL DEALER AND THE MIGHTY TOYOTA/LEXUS COMPANY. I AM WORRIED AND SCARED TO DEATH THAT I MIGHT BE IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN I NEED THE BRAKING SYSTEM OF MY LS 430 THAT WILL FAIL ME AS IT DID TODAY AND MANY TIMES BEFORE. TO BE HONEST WITH YOU: I WILL DEFINITELY SELL MY LEXUS L 430 IF THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS NOT FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #10230739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.