Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 SC430.
Body PASSENGER CAR
The 2002 Lexus SC430 is a passenger car that requires 5.5 qt of 5W‑30 API engine oil. It logged 52 owner complaints—the highest figure for the 2002‑2010 period—with air‑bag problems topping the list and four recalls issued. In contrast, the model’s complaint count fell to just five in 2008, placing the 2002 SC430 at the less reliable end of its early history.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine oil capacity5.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
Fitment & sizes
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 625 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZD3. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Battery groupBCI 48 · 625 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnFUSEOEM · verified
Tire size245-40ZR18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8-JJ inOEM · verified
OE service part numbers OEM · verified
Engine oil filter
90915YZZD3
Engine air filter
1780150060
Fuel filter
233000A020
Spark plug
9008091180
Front wiper blades
852220R040 alt 8521253061
Serpentine belt
9091602584
Thermostat
9091603100 alt 1634650010
Cabin air filter
8713950030
Service quick specs OEM factory data
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 5.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.
Lubricants & capacities
Differential Gear Oil
80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity
3 Pints
Engine Oil
5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity
5.5 qt
Engine torques
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts
181 ft-lbs
Chassis torques
Lug Nuts
76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub
147 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub
213 ft-lbs
Ignition
Cylinder Firing Order
1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)
750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)
50 rpm
Spark Plug Gap
0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque
13.0 ft-lbs
Battery & A/C
Refrigerant
R134a
Refrigerant Capacity
1.21-1.43 lbs
Oil Group
PAG
Oil Type
46
Oil Capacity
4.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number
48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance
625 cca
Service checks
Residual Pressure
21.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance
13.4-14.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression
142-178 PSI. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Intake Valve Lash
0.006-0.010 in
Exhaust Valve Lash
0.010-0.014 in
Brakes
Torque Caliper to Bracket
87 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle
76 ft-lbs / 77 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness
Front: 0.039; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Runout Limit
0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From
1.26 in / 0.472 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To
1.26 in / 0.472 in
Rotor Discard at or Under
1.181 in / 0.413 in
Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
In 2002 the SC430 generated 52 federal complaints, the highest point in the eight‑year record, with 112 TSB filings and four separate recalls. The dominant complaint categories were Air Bags (20 reports) and Exterior Lighting (5 reports), while crash‑related complaints numbered five and fire‑related complaints were zero. By contrast, the following year 2003 saw complaints fall to 25 and TSBs to 91, and the downward trajectory continued through 2009, indicating a general improvement in reported issues after the target year. The 2002 model therefore sits at the peak of the complaint arc, reflecting the greatest volume of owner‑reported problems in the generation, though the root cause of these complaints is not specified in the data. Consequently, while a 2002 SC430 can be found, prospective buyers should confirm that all recalled components have been addressed and consider the higher likelihood of early‑model defects before purchasing.
4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
112
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
52
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
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… Remedy: 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…
Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified
Showing 5 of 112 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
Bulletin
Date
Component
Summary
L-SB-0020-24
2024-04-19
Structure
Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed…
L-SB-0021-24
2024-04-19
Structure
Lexus vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect…
L-SB-0022-24
2024-04-19
Structure
Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
L-SB-0024-24
2024-04-19
Structure
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the…
L-SB-0020-24
2024-04-19
Structure
Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed…
Common OBD-II trouble codes
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.