Complaints over time
Complaints about the 2003 Lexus SC peaked in 2013, with 1 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Model year
2003 Lexus SC
Convertible, gasoline, 4x2, built in Japan. Owner complaints on file from Jul 13, 2013 to Oct 2, 2022.
Recall campaigns covering this model year33.21M vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints4Below the median 2003 convertible
Severity index0.02003 convertibles average 6.2
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Components
75% of complaints about the 2003 Lexus SC name airbags
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls
3 recall campaigns cover the 2003 Lexus SC
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18V-883 | Dec 12, 2018 | These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment… | Airbags | 168,993 | Part replacement |
| 15V-286 | May 13, 2015 | On June 16, 2015 Toyota expanded the recall to cover an additional 769,055 vehicles, including certain model year 2002-2004 Lexus SC, Toyota… | Airbags | 1,069,055 | Part replacement |
| 15V-285 | May 13, 2015 | On June 16, 2015, Toyota expanded the recall to include an additional 1,270,468 vehicles, including model year 2002-2003 and 2005-2007 Sequoia,… | Airbags | 1,973,468 | Part replacement |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 2003 Lexus SC
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
4 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed Oct 2, 2022Failure Sep 27, 2022Wildomar, CAService 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 to back out, I applied the brakes to slow down but it did not. I quickly used the parking brake to stop it. The driveway is steep so I decided the best place for the car would be back in the garage. Now it just sits there while we figure out what to do with it. I found many others that have had this problem. I am so lucky I wasn't driving on the freeway when this happened. I am sure I would have crashed or crashed into someone else! The brakes should never just go out completely. A disaster waiting to happen.
NHTSA complaint 11487497 - Filed Sep 18, 2021Failure Sep 2, 2021Asheville, NCAir bags
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.
NHTSA complaint 11433478 - Filed Oct 28, 2020Failure Oct 28, 2020SAN Luis Obispo, CAAir bags
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 TRIP. NOT HONORING THE RECALL. REQUESTING THAT LEXUS BUY BACK THE DEFECTIVE CAR FOR $15000 AND THEY CAN FIX IT WHENEVER THEY GET AROUND TO IT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA complaint 11366891 - Filed Jul 13, 2013Failure Jun 3, 201324,000 milesFenton, MIAir bags
WE RECEIVED AN INTERIM NOTICE REGARDING THE POSSIBILITY OF A MALFUNCTION IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THAT TOYOTA IS WORKING ON A REMEDY. SINCE THIS SITUATION COULD OCCUR BEFORE THE REMEDY IS DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED I REQUEST THAT NHTSA REQUIRE TOYOTA PROVIDE INTERIM RELIEF IN THE FORM OF DEACTIVATING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT A PERMANENT FIX IS IMPLEMENTED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA complaint 10524703
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
3 NHTSA investigations on file
- EA21002 Engineering analysis, Airbags
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Sep 17, 2021, still open - EA15001 Engineering analysis, Airbags
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Feb 24, 2015, still open · led to a recall - PE14016 Preliminary evaluation, Airbags
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Jun 11, 2014, closed Mar 2, 2015 · led to a recall
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
26 manufacturer communications cover this model year
Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.
- L-SB-0024-24 Apr 19, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especi… - L-SB-0022-24 Apr 19, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and deckl… - L-SB-0021-24 Apr 19, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Lexus vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to… - L-SB-0020-24 Apr 19, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small… - L-SB-0024-24 Apr 19, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especi… - L-SB-0022-24 Apr 19, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and deckl… - L-SB-0021-24 Apr 19, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Lexus vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to… - L-SB-0020-24 Apr 19, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small… - Safety Recall 22 Apr 13, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022 - Lexus PRO19-02 - Jan 12, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Lexus. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests i… - LTT014513 Nov 2, 2013 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Spots in Window Glass - vehicle exterior - LSB009213B Dec 19, 2013 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Windshield Wiper Blade Maintenance and cleaning - LSB008214 Oct 16, 2014 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Auto matic Transmission Replacement kPrecautions - LSB002514B Jul 7, 2014 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset - LSB002514 Jul 4, 2014 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset. - L-SB-0002-20 Rev Aug 5, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. Cases that are determined to be a ?leak? should be repaired acco… - L-SB-0002-20 Rev Aug 5, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. Cases that are determined to be a ?leak? should be repaired acco… - Lexus Safety Re May 1, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements - L-SB-0179-17 Obs Apr 6, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 06, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0008-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates - L-SB-0008-20 Apr 6, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-97, PG003-93, PG002-90, L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-97, PG003 9… - L-SB-0001-18-Rev Jul 1, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev1: G1668 Applicability has been updated to include 2019 ? 2020 model year Lexus vehicles. G2158 The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections have been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin … - L-SB-0179-17 Nov 28, 2017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB Nos. L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-97, PG003-93, and PG002-90. Service Bulletin Nos. L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-… - L-SB-0113-12_Rev Nov 21, 2017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TSB: REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2014 ? 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. In the event that a Lexus vehicle becomes submerged in water, many … - L-SB-0143-11 Rev Nov 10, 2013 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Beginning in 1998, Lexus introduced side airbags as optional equipment. Lexus does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Lexus leather or other seat cover materials on vehicles due to the following: Seat covers NOT recommended by Lexus… - L-SB-0021-14_Obs Jan 24, 2018 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE January 22, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0001-18. - LSB-0059-12 Jul 10, 2012 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
LEXUS: PRECAUTION INFORMATION ON REMOVAL, INSPECTION, INSTALLATION OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY, WHICH REQUIRES NO LUBRICATION. MODELS 2001-13 CT200H, ES300, 300H, 330, 350, GS300, 350, 450, 450H, 460, GX460, 470, HS250H, IS F, IS250, 250C, 350, 3…
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.