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2002 Lexus ES300Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 153 owner complaints about the 2002 Lexus ES300, most often about the power train. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

2002 Lexus ES300
21
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid3.7× the ES300 median · #1 of 12 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints15358 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage4kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 24, 2018. Updated daily. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Lexus ES300 has problems

153 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train521
Vehicle speed control5029
Electrical system111
Service brakes, hydraulic113
Air bags98
Engine and engine cooling93
Tires70
Fuel system, gasoline41
Visibility30
13 other systems248

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2002 Lexus ES300 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 01V-371 · Dec 11, 2001 · 1,697 vehicles

Risk. IF THE BRAKE TUBE IS DEFORMED SIGNIFICANTLY, IT COULD CONTACT THE INNER FENDER PANEL, AND EVENTUALLY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE TUBE DUE TO VIBRATION DURING DRIVING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Air bags: frontal

Recall 01V-372 · Dec 11, 2001 · 19,587 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE DETACHED BOTTOM PORTION MAY STRIKE THE DRIVER CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Lexus.

Mileage at failure

When do power train problems start?

4kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 27 power train complaints. 89% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
19under 30k miles24under 100k miles3100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other ES300 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the ES300 median. How we score

'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'05'06'13
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2002 Lexus ES300 safety ratings

2002 Lexus ES300 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2002 Lexus ES300 frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2002 Lexus ES300 side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: Optional
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2002 Lexus ES300, and the recalls they led to.

  1. THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEMDP04003 · closed Mar 5, 2004
    No recall
  2. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLDP05002 · closed Jan 5, 2006
    No recall
  3. UNWANTED AND UNINTENDED ACCELERATIONDP09001 · closed Oct 29, 2009
    No recall
  4. THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEMPE04021 · closed Jul 22, 2004
    No recall
In owners' words

What ES300 owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS AT A SLOW STEADY SPEED(APPROX 20MPH) THE CAR WILL FREQUENTLY VIOLENTLY JERK. MY CAR HAS 75000 MILES AND HAS DONE IT SINCE DAY ONE. *TR
Complaint 10593191 · May 21, 2014 · 1,000 miles
MY 2002 LEXUS ES300 HAS BEEN JERKING AND SHIFTING VERY HARD ON ACCELERATION. IT SEEMS TO HAVE MORE OF A PROBLEM WHEN I ACCELERATE SLOWLY IN THE LOWER GEARS. IT JERKS VERY NOTICEABLY. I WAS TOLD IT WAS JUST THE NATURE OF THE CAR, BUT IT HAS BEEN GETTING MUCH WORSE OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR.…
Complaint 10489419 · Dec 20, 2012 · 150,001 miles
MY 2002 LEXUS ES 200 WAS DYING OR NOT STARTING AT ALL. SUDDENLY, IT WAS WORKING FINE. 2 DAYS LATER, WHILE IDLING OR WHEN MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, IT WOULD LURCH FORWARD AND START ACCELERATING AT SOMETIMES 40MPH. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES, THEN EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP, THEN AFTER I TURNED IT OFF,…
Complaint 10419895 · Aug 17, 2011 · 139,450 miles

Own a 2002 ES300?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.