2008 Lexus Sc problems

General information about Lexus-Sc
Overview of popular issues
Recalls list

The Lexus SC (Japanese: レクサス・SC, Rekusasu SC) is a grand tourer that was retailed by Lexus (a luxury vehicle division of Toyota), and built from 1991 until 2010. It features a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive design and seating for up to four passengers. The first-generation SC debuted as the V8-powered SC 400 in 1991, and the I6-powered SC 300 was added in 1992. Both first-generation models were produced until 2000. The second-generation model, the SC 430, went into production in 2001. The SC 430 features a hardtop convertible design and a V8 engine. The first-generation SC was largely styled in California at Calty, and the second-generation SC was mainly conceived at design studios in Europe.

In Japan, the related third-generation Toyota Soarer, with which the first-generation SC originally shared body design and multiple components, featured a separate line-up of vehicle configurations and different powertrains. The third generation Soarer sport coupe, largely identical to the SC 430, was superseded by its Lexus counterpart in Japan when the Lexus marque débuted there in 2005. The SC was the sole coupé in the Lexus lineup until the arrival of the IS C. According to Lexus, the SC designation stands for Sport Coupe. The LC replaced the SC lineup in 2017.

First generation (Z30; 1991)

1991–2000

In the early 1990s, following the début of Lexus, automotive press reports indicated a forthcoming Full-size Lexus coupé to compete with other luxury GT coupés of other marques like the Mercedes-Benz CL, Acura Legend coupe and later the Acura CL, Mazda Eunos Cosmo, Buick Riviera, Cadillac Eldorado, Lincoln Mark VIII, Jaguar XJS, Bentley Continental, Maserati Shamal/Ghibli, Ferrari 456 and BMW 8 Series coupe. At that point, Toyota had no genuine luxury coupés in its model range. A coupe would complement the successful Lexus flagship model, the V8-powered, rear-wheel drive LS 400 sedan. The coupé was going to be targeted towards the American market, and the development effort for its exterior design was handed over to the Calty Design Research center in California in 1987.

The American Calty design team took a different approach to designing the car, using plaster molding shapes to design the body, and working three-dimensionally instead of the traditional 2-D sketch approach. As described by design chiefs Denis Campbell and Erwin Lui, the result was a car that was based on "emotion and feeling" rather than linear aesthetics. The resulting design possessed almost no straight edges, and produced a drag coefficient of Cd=0.31. The production design concept by Lui was approved at the beginning of 1989, resulting in Lui being sent back to Japan for 4 months to assist in completion of the production design. According to automotive journalist Bill Russ, the SC design was considered influential among automotive designs of the time.

Production of the Soarer started in April 1991 at the Motomachi plant in Toyota, Aichi, with the Lexus SC produced alongside the Soarer at a second Higashi Fuji plant at Susono, Shizuoka. Motomachi-sourced cars lasted until April 1997. The Lexus SC platform was used to develop Toyota's next generation Supra, both vehicles were manufactured in the same plant.

The SC 400 débuted on 1 June 1991 in the United States as a 1992 model. The SC 400's 4.0 L V8 1UZ-FE, the same engine as used in the LS 400, was reported to have cost over US$400,000,000 in research and development. The engine sits behind the front axles, which makes it a front mid engine rear wheel drive vehicle. The SC 400 was honored as the Motor Trend Import Car of the Year for 1992. It also made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list from 1992 through 1996.

In July 1992, the SC 300, a smaller-engined version of the SC 400, premiered in the United States. The SC 300 was equipped with a 3.0 L inline 6 2JZ-GE. Lexus' traction control system, TRAC, was offered as an option.

The first-generation SC lasted in production until 7 July 2000, over nine years, quite long compared to the other cars of the 1990s. Even with the SC's long production cycle, only minor exterior changes were made. New tail lighting and a modified spoiler design was part of the mid-cycle vehicle refresh. A front grille was added in 1996, along with a redesigned front bumper, side skirts and rocker panels. The SC 400 produced 250 hp (186 kW)/260 lb⋅ft (353 N⋅m) from 1991 to 1995. The original 1991–1997 engines for the 2JZ-GE-powered SC 300 were rated at 225 hp (168 kW)/210 lb⋅ft (285 N⋅m). The output of the SC 300 was 5 horsepower more than the equivalent engine used in the Toyota Supra.

In 1996, the SC 400's 1UZ-FE engine design was upgraded to 260 hp (194 kW) from 250 hp (186 kW). These engines were coupled with a 4-speed automatic transmission on both the SC 300 and SC 400 models. A 5-speed manual transmission was only offered on the SC 300 from its debut until 1997.

By the end of the decade, North American SC sales began dwindling due to the lack of significant design updates since the car's introduction and marketplace changes that led to loss of interest in coupes.

In 1997 (1998 model year), both the SC 300 and 400 were upgraded with VVT-i and thus the ratings were raised to 290 hp (216 kW)/300 lb⋅ft (407 N⋅m) of torque for the SC 400 and 225 hp (168 kW)/220 lb⋅ft (298 N⋅m) of torque for the SC 300. Tests conducted on the new engines showed an acceleration for the SC 400 for years 1992–1995 of 0–60 mph in 6.9 seconds, years 1996–1997 in 6.7 seconds, and years 1998–2000 in 6.1 seconds. For the SC 300 an acceleration 0–60 mph in 6.8 seconds with the 5-speed manual and 7.2 seconds with the 4-speed automatic for all years. This 1997 upgrade included the replacement of the four-speed automatic on the SC 400 to a five-speed unit. With the replacement of the five-speed unit those models also got a new differential with a final drive of 3.27 improving both fuel economy and top speed.

Sales of the automatic transmission SC 300 and SC 400 models formed the vast majority of models purchased. The Lexus SC 400 was never officially sold in the British Isles, but many examples found their way across the Atlantic as personal imports.

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Common 2008 Lexus Sc problems

The 2008 Lexus SC430 is known for its high equipment levels and luxury features, but like any vehicle, it can experience certain problems based on owner complaints. Here are some of the most common issues found in the 2008 Lexus SC430:

Steering Wheel Vibration and Wandering: This issue can be caused by worn out top suspension arms at the rear or worn front wheel bearings. In some cases, it may require replacing the front control arm bushes if the driving is rough and neither of the other issues are present.

Juddery Gear Changes: Difficulty shifting gears smoothly can be due to coolant contamination in the transmission fluid. Flushing the entire system and refilling it with clear fluid can solve this problem.

Car Not Starting: A buzzing or clicking sound when attempting to start the car can indicate a worn-out starter motor. Replacing the starter motor, although more difficult in the SC430 due to the need to remove the inlet manifold, is still a manageable task.

Overheating Engine: White smoke coming from the exhaust and a milky-white color in the oil are signs of a failed head gasket caused by a lack of coolant. Replacing the faulty head gasket is necessary, but it is a more complex job.

Creaking Suspension: Worn out front sway bar bushes can cause a creaking noise when driving over uneven surfaces or speed bumps. Replacing the sway bar bushes with new ones can solve this issue.

Squeaking Noise from Seats: Contact between the vehicle floor pan and the seat track locating pins can cause a squeaking sound. Removing the locating pins that are in contact with the pan can fix this problem.

Roof Mechanism Issues: The roof taking longer to fold back is a common issue with the SC430. If it takes longer than 25 seconds to fold back completely, the roof motor has likely started to wear out, and a replacement can be ordered directly from the parts list.

Brake System: The brake system in the SC430 is known to be a weak spot, with most owners replacing the brake system as soon as possible. Replacing the brake system is a common solution to this issue.

It is important to note that the 2008 Lexus SC430 has a reputation for being a reliable vehicle overall, and these issues are based on owner complaints rather than widespread systemic problems. Regular maintenance and addressing issues promptly can help ensure the longevity and reliability of the vehicle.

Are Lexus SC430 expensive to maintain?

The annual maintenance cost of a Lexus SC430 is $462.

What does SC mean Lexus?

Sports Coupe

Lexus SC. Aimed at targeting the mid-size luxury coupe market, the SC stood for Sports Coupe. It also has the unique distinction of being one of the few models produced by Lexus without an S or X at the end.

What happened to the Lexus SC?

The SC was discontinued three years later, with 2000 being the final model year; the car was replaced in 2001 by the 2002 SC430 convertible. Lexus made 82,538 examples of the SC, including 49,538 powered by the V-8 and 33,000 with the straight-six.

What year did Lexus stop making the SC?

2008 Lexus Sc complaints

The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2008 Lexus Sc.

You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.

2008 Lexus Sc recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2008 Lexus Sc.

2016-03-03

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: 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 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to January 2, 2008 that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
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 passenger air bag assembly depending on the model. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. This recall expands recall 15V-286.

2016-03-03

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: 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 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to January 2, 2008. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
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 front passenger air bag assembly depending on the model. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. This recall expands recall 15V-285.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2008 Lexus Sc problems:

Lexus SC 430 Common Faults, what to look out for before buying ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=643dqzZZqXc

Jun 30, 2020 ... Welcome to my 2004 Lexus SC430 and in this video I talk about some common faults/issues with the SC 430. The SC 430 is overall a reliable ...

SC430 Common Problems, if any?!? - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum ...

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc430-2nd-gen-2001-2010/357400-sc430-common-problems-if-any.html

May 26, 2008 ... The CD changer is the most failed item on the car. A few other notes: The brakes are also exceptionally weak. Consider upgrading them. The ...

Lexus Reliability SC430 Review And What To Look For When ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuwXzSt81eY

Nov 2, 2019 ... ... ls/19DRJ3ENYJV5E?ref_=wl_share In this video i talk about the lexus reliability, in this case the SC430 Lexus Reliability SC430 Review And ...

Thinking about buying an SC430 - any tips - Lexus SC430 Club ...

https://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/125638-thinking-about-buying-an-sc430-any-tips/

Oct 6, 2020 ... You might find one that has improved suspension and a cat back exhaust as these are common mods as are staggered fitment alloys. Apart from that ...