2005 Lexus LS430

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 21 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the vehicle speed control. No safety recall has been issued.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Vehicle Speed Control10
713
Air Bags2
101
Wheels › Rim1
000
Wheels1
000
Visibility/Wiper1
000
Unknown or Other1
000
Traction Control System1
000
Suspension › Rear › Shock Absorber1
000
Structure › Body1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
102

What owners reported

Newest filings
Suspension › Rear › Shock Absorber
Filed May 2, 202254,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2005 Lexus LS430. The contact stated while driving various speeds, the rear suspension was bouncing excessively causing the vehicle to be difficult to control and maintain in the lane. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had driven the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear shock absorbers and rear suspension needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,000.

Air Bags1 injured
Filed Jun 1, 201997,000 milesCA

TAKATA RECALL, DURING ACCIDENT AIR BAGS UNDER INFLATED, MY LEGS WAS BRUISED AND SWOLLEN. MY CAR SELF ACCELERATED, I COULDN'T CONTROL THE SPEED, MY BRAKES DIDN'T WORK, MY CAR STOPPED BY HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. CLAIM [XXX], THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, ON A FREEWAY, DRIVING STRAIGHT, I HAVE A RECALL CLAIM [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 8, 201890,000 milesCA

LIFTERS THAT HOLD TRUNK OPEN FAILED & TRUNK STRUCK OPERATOR IN THE HEAD TWICE. ENGINE HOOD WAS OPENED TO ITS APEX & THE HOOD SLAMMED CLOSED. WILL NOT STAY OPEN; CAN ONLY BE HELD OPEN WITH A CANE WHILE TRYING TO CHECK OIL. CAR WAS STATIONARY & IGNITION WAS OFF IN ALL CASES. CAR GAVE NO PREVIOUS WARNING OF FATIGUE OR FAILURE.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Jan 30, 2016FL

MY DASHBOARD IS A HAZARDOUS TO ME DRIVING BAD GLARE. THE DASHBOARD IS BLISTERING AND MELTING AWAY AND SEPARATING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHEN I TOUCH THE DASHBOARD ITS STARTING TO CRACK. HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS LEXUS PRODUCT. I AM A LOYAL CUSTOMER AS WELL AND SEVERAL MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND UNHEALTHY FOR ME AND OTHER CUSTOMERS EXPIRING THE SAME PROBLEMS. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY JUST FAULTY POOR PRODUCT USED FOR THE DASHBOARDS.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Mar 3, 2014142,350 milesCA

I HAVE OWNED CAR SINCE NEW. ALL SERVICE PERFORMED BY SAME DEALER ON TIME. ALL REPAIRS DONE AS SUGGESTED BY DEALER. AIR BAGS RECALL PERFORMED IN 2006. NEW BRAKES WITHIN 6 MONTHS. DRIVING TO MY WIFE"S WORK (AIRPORT) ON SAME ROUTE FOR 38 YEARS (37 MILES FROM RESIDENCE). I OBSERVED RED LIGHT AND CARS STOPPED 100 YARDS AHEAD 1/4 MILE FROM DESTINATION. I APPLIED BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL. I TOLD MY PASSENGERS THAT I COULD NOT STOP AND APPLIED BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES AGAIN. BRAKES DID NOT GO TO FLOOR. IT FELT AS THOUGH CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON - IT WASN'T. I AVOIDED A FEW CARS BY STEERING TO CURB AND SIDEWALK. I OBSERVED A LIGHT POST ON SIDEWALK AND HAD TO TURN INTO TRAFFIC HITTING TWO CARS. A MOTOR POLICEMAN WAS DIRECTLY BEHIND ME AND SAID NO BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND LEFT SIDE REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT BELTS FAILED. CAR WAS TOTALED. MY TWO PASSENGERS (MY WIFE AND HER CO WORKER) WERE TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO HOSPITAL. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 3, 201379,000 milesWA

WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55 MPH ON DARK COUNTRY ROAD WHEN THE AFS SENSOR (AS I LATER LEARNED) WENT OUT ON THE LEFT REAR OF VEHICLE. LIGHTS ON LOW BEAM DROPPED TO ABOUT 20' IN FRONT OF CAR LEAVING ME VIRTUALLY BLIND AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT ANYTHING OVER 20 MPH. BECAUSE OF THE WINDING NATURE OF THE ROADS AND CUSTOMARY SPEED, I WAS AT SERIOUS RISK OF BEING REAR-ENDED. IN ORDER TO GET HOME, I HAD TO DRIVE ON HIGH BEAM CAUSING MUCH CONSTERNATION WITH ON COMING TRAFFIC. IF YOU CHECK THE U-TUBE VIDEO ON THIS SUBJECT, YOU WILL FIND OVER 14,000 VIEWS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE LEXUS PRODUCT LINE. *TR

Wheels
Filed Dec 29, 201215,000 milesOK

THE WHEELS ON THIS CAR ACCUMLATE CORROSION AND CAUSE THE TIRES TO GO FLAT WHILE DRIVING. LEXUS DOESN'T SEEM CONCERNED WITH THIS DEFECT. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Oct 26, 201267,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS LS430. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OVER A CONCRETE PARKING BARRIER AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL. THE CRASH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Feb 14, 201253,100 milesCA

DRIVING INTO THE GARAGE TO PARK, THE CAR JERKED AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CRASHED INTO THE SHELVINGS, PLUMBING TOOLS AND PARTS. PUSHING EVERYTHING AGAINST THE REAR WALL WHICH WAS DAMAGED. *TR

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash2 injured
Filed Sep 4, 2011OR

AS I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE ROAD, TWO MILES FROM MY HOUSE IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. THE CAR SUDDENLY AND DRASTICALLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. I REMEMBER VIVIDLY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL MULTIPLE TIMES BUT IT FAILED TO DECELERATE THE CAR AT ALL. AFRAID AS I WAS, I CEASED TO STEP ON THE BRAKE OR THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR CONTINUED ACCELERATING AND KEPT GAINING MOMENTUM. AT THAT POINT, I WAS TRYING TO AVOID HITTING THE CARS IN FRONT AND INCOMING CARS FROM THE OTHER DIRECTION OF THE ROAD. I DROVE FOR ABOUT A HALF MILE ON AND OFF THE RIGHT SIDE CURBSIDE, AS CLIPPING MAILBOXES ALONG THE WAY. AT THAT POINT I REALIZED THAT I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STOP, DECELERATE, NOR CONTROL THE CAR. IN ATTEMPT THE AVOID DRIVING INTO THE MAIN ROAD THAT LED INTO A BUSY FOUR-WAY INTERSECTION, I PANICKED AND REMOVED MY SEAT BELT IN ATTEMPT TO EVACUATE THE CAR. THE CAR DOOR, HOWEVER WOULD NOT OPEN. I WAS IN COMPLETE SHOCK AND ALARMED AS THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND AS IT DROVE INTO A HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH A TREE. FOLLOWING THE SEVERE IMPACT, I ENTIRELY LOST CONSCIOUSNESS. FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT I SPENT 10 HOURS IN THE OPERATION ROOM, AND I HAD TO STAY FOR CARE IN THE HOSPITAL AND SKILL FACILITY FOR TWO AND HALF MONTHS. FROM THE ACCIDENT MY ARM WAS INJURED AND AFTER 8 MONTHS, AND IT STILL IMMOBILE. I'M STILL GOING THROUGH SERIES OF PHYSICAL THERAPY ON A WEEKLY BASIS. UPDATED IVOQ 09/14/11 *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 10, 201118,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS LS430. THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN HE ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. WITHIN SECONDS, WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED TO 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AT LEAST FOUR ADDITIONAL TIMES AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. HE ALSO STATED THE FAILURE HAPPENED WHILE HE WAS DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON ONE OCCASION WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING ABNORMALLY AT LOW SPEEDS AS IF HE WAS DRIVING WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DEALER AGAIN, WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,800. UPDATED 3/14/11 *CN UPDATED 04/28/11

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed May 20, 201070,034 milesLA

2005 LS 430 LEXUS CRASHED FOLLOWING ACCELERATION. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed May 7, 2010FL

2005 LEXUS LS430. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE APPROACHED HIS PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED EVEN THOUGH HIS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. FORTUNATELY, A STEEL FENCE STOPPED THE VEHICLE FROM CRASHING INTO THE ADJACENT BUILDING. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED $5,000 IN DAMAGES.*JB UPDATED 05/12/10.*JB

Traction Control System
Filed Apr 16, 201050 milesCA

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A LEXUS LS430. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, I NOTICED THE BACK END SLID (LIKE THE GX) ESPECIALLY ON A SLICK OR WET PAVEMENT. I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY TIRES. THREE SETS LATER I STILL ENCOUNTER IT. IT WASN'T TILL I READ THE GX ACCOUNTS I REALIZED I SUFFER THE SAME CONDITION. THE CAR WON'T TURN OVER BUT IT DOES SLIDE INTO ANOTHER LANE IF I'M NOT CAREFUL AND START VERY SLOWLY. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash2 injured1 killed
Filed Mar 26, 2010FL

ON 10/17/09 AT ABOUT 5:40 PM, AFTER DRINKING A VODKA WITH ICE, MY HUSBAND AND I WENT TO DINNER IN OUR 2005 LS430 LEXUS. WE INTENDED TO GO TO DINNER A RELATIVELY SHORT DISTANCE AWAY. I TURNED ON MILITARY TRAIL, PROCEEDED TO THE LEFT LANE TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND TOWARDS NORTHLAKE BLVD, PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA. AS I APPROACHED A TRAFFIC LIGHT MY LEXUS UNEXPECTEDLY SPED UP. I TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKE. THERE WERE CARS STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME AT THE RED LIGHT. DESPITE MY EFFORTS MY CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I TOOK EVASIVE MANEUVERS TO AVOID THE STOPPED VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. THE LEFT TIRES OF MY LEXUS WENT UP ON THE CENTER MEDIAN AND MY CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I MISSED THE VEHICLES STOPPED AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT AND TRAVELING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. MY CAR WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING. I STRUCK A CORVETTE STOPPED IN THE LEFT NORTHBOUND LANE OF MILITARY TRAIL. AFTER STRIKING THE CORVETTE, I CONTINUED THROUGH THE SOUTHBOUND LANES UNTIL I INTENTIONALLY DROVE MY CAR INTO A FIRE HYDRANT IN ORDER TO STOP AND AVOID STRIKING GAS PUMPS AT A SHELL STATION. MY HUSBAND AND I WERE INJURED IN THIS CRASH. THE DRIVER OF THE CORVETTE PASSED AWAY. MY LEXUS IS STILL IN POLICE CUSTODY. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. I WAS CHARGED WITH DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (MANSLAUGHTER), AND 3 OTHER CHARGES. I AM VIGOROUSLY FIGHTING THOSE CHARGES AS I WAS NOT IMPAIRED AND, AS EVIDENCED BY MY EVASIVE MANEUVERS, HAD CONTROL OF MY CAR. BUT FOR THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION, THI

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Feb 5, 201044,500 milesVA

ON SEP 17, 2009 AS I LEFT A GAS STATION THE LEXUS LS430 YEAR 2005 ACCELERATED AND I WAS ONLY ABLE TO AVOID THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME WAS TO SWERVE TO THE RIGHT AND JAMMED OF THE BRAKE WITH BOTH FEET. UNKNOWINGLY I RAN INTO A TELEPHONE GUY WIRE AND THE ONLY DAMAGE WAS SUPERFICIAL ($3300.00) TO THE RIGHT FRONT LIGHT AND BUMPER. FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT COULD HAVE POSSIBLY GONE WRONG. I NOTICE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL APPEARS TO MOMENTARILY STICK. USAA FIXED THE AUTO AND THOUGH I WONDERED WHAT HAD HAPPENED I DID NOT REPORT THE ACCIDENT UNTIL NOW. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 1, 201030,000 milesTX

TWO MONTHS AGO I HAD A SUDDEN ACCELERATION EVENT IN MY LEXUS LS430, 2005. I WAS INA MUSEUM PARKING GARAGE, MY WIFE GOT OUT, I NEEDED TO REPOSITION TO NOT BE 'ON THE LINE'. I BACKED UP, PRESSED THE GAS VERY LIGHTLY AND THE CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND WAS ABLE TO HALT IT ONE-TWO INCHES FROM THE WALL. INITIALLY, I BLAMED MYSELF BUT THEN THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN MY FLOOR MAT AND REMOVED IT. MY WIFE REMAINS TERRIFIED TO THIS DAY. IN ANALYZING THE PROBLEM, THERE WAS A SUDDEN MASSIVE ACCELERATION WHICH I DID NOT CAUSE AND THERE IS NO WAY THE FLOOR MAT COULD HAVE CAUSED SUCH A PROBLEM SINCE I BARELY PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO GO A FEW FEET. I THINK THE PROBLEM IS ELECTRONIC AND AM WORRIED THAT A NEW SPRING ON THE PEDAL IS INSUFFICIENT. I DIDN'T THINK COMPLAINING WOULD DO ME ANY GOOD BUT NOW THAT I UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM IT IS VITAL FOR YOU TO KNOW THAT MY MODEL OF CAR LEXUS 430 LS IS AFFECTED AS WELL. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 12, 20068,000 milesFL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES. THEY DETERMINED IT WAS A DESIGN ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

Wheels › Rim
Filed Feb 19, 20062,000 milesMA

NO SPECIFIC EVENT TOOK PLACE FORTUNATELY. AS A RESULT OF THE COMPLAINT I WISH TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION, HOWEVER, SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUES DO RESULT FROM THE PROBLEM! THE "RUN-FLAT" TIRES USED BY LEXUS SC430 ARE A CATASTROPHE. THEY ARE SO FIRM THAT ALL ROAD FORCES ARE TRANSMITTED TO WHEEL RIMS AND TIRE SIDEWALLS WITH THE RESULT THAT WHEEL RIMS ARE EASILY BENT AND TIRE SIDEWALLS ARE DAMAGED. THIS SEVERELY AFFECTS VEHICULAR HANDLING AND MANEUVERABILITY, CREATING DANGEROUS SITUATIONS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ETC. THE DAMAGE HAS RESULTED FORM ORDINARY AND USUAL ROAD SURFACE IRREGULARITIES AND OCCUR READILY DESPITE CONTINUAL VIGILANCE TO AVOID WINTERTIME POTHOLES AND OTHER PAVEMENT IRREGULARITIES. I HAVE HAD CONTINUING NEGATIVE EXPERIENCE WITH NUMEROUS REPLACEMENTS OF WHEEL AND TIRES, IN SPITE OF LOW MILEAGE AND CAUTIOUS DRIVING HABITS. *NM

Vehicle Speed ControlCrashFire1 injured
Filed Dec 7, 20054,600 milesNJ

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN HER 2005 LEXUS LS 430 WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT . *NM THE CONSUMER DOESN'T THINK THE AIR BAG INFLATED ALL THE WAY BECAUSE HER NOISE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. HER RIGHT SHIN SMASHED INTO THE DASHBOARD WHICH RESULTED IN A VERY LARGE HEMATOMA ON HER RIGHT SHIN. SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND SOON AFTER FLAMES COULD BE SEEN THROUGH THE HEAVY SMOKE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPT. IT TOOK 6 1/2 DAYS FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER REQUEST THAT THE MANUFACTURER REIMBURSE HER FOR HER MEDICAL BILLS, RENTAL PAYMENTS, LEASE PAYMENTS AND AMOUNT PAID TO LAWYER. *NM UPDATED 05/03/10

20 of 21 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2001
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2005 — this page21011Fatalities reported
200428200Routine
200323000Routine
200230010Routine
200152010Routine

Compare every LS430 year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.