Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 0 | −20% | 2 | — | Few |
| 2009 | 0 | −20% | 2 | — | Few |
| 2008 | 1 | 1.5× | 2 | Body | Few |
| 2007 | 1 | 1.5× | 2 | Airbag | Few |
| 2006 | 1 | −20% | 2 | Airbag | Few |
| 2005 | 3 | 2.0× | 3 | Brake | Few |
| 2004 | 2 | −20% | 3 | Airbag | Few |
| 2003 | 4 | −20% | 3 | Airbag | Few |
| 2002 | 5 | 1.5× | 3 | Airbag | Few |
* Complaints compared with the median SC year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Lexus SC problems
Latest Lexus SC recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles.
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator,…
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured May 25, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008…
Remedy: The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 23, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire…
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008…
Remedy: The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 8, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front…
Air bags
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March 18, 2003, to August 25, 2004.
Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-285 are under a Do Not Drive advisory.
Air bags
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii,…
Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-286 are under a Do Not Drive advisory.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Lexus SC should you avoid?
None of the Lexus SC years has an unusually high number of complaints compared with the others at the same age.
What is the best year for the Lexus SC?
2003 has the fewest complaints compared with other SC years at the same age, followed by 2004 and 2006. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Lexus SC problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (11), brakes (2) and steering (1). Airbag complaints peak in the 2002 model year.
How many recalls has the Lexus SC had?
5 recalls across 2002–2010. The model year with the most is 2002. See all Lexus SC recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.