KnownCarProblems2002 Lexus ES Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Lexus ES, most often about the engine (37% of complaints, typically around 131,500 miles). It is 11th of 26 ES model years by number of complaints.
Complaints27
Recalls0
Crashes reported8
Fires reported5
Injuries reported5
Most common 2002 Lexus ES problems
Engine
10 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 131,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
I accelerated from a stop light after it turned green. About 25 feet thru the light I heard the car behind me blowing their horn constantly. I looked in my rear view mirror to see what was going in. Then I thought I notice light smoke coming from my tailpipe. I applied my right turn blinker and pulled to the curve. As…
This is the 2nd 2002 Lexus es300 ive owned with half the miles of the 1st one...yet both cars catalytic convertors failed!! How is that possible at only 136k miles the catalytic convertor needs to be replaced!! The 1st car had almost 268k miles which I felt the catalytic convertor failure wasnt as surprising...but…
Transmission
5 complaints · 19%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
This vehicle hesitates intermittently in traffic and has a dangerous loss of power. When I pull out into traffic, or turn a corner, the vehicle occasionally loses power and will not engage for several seconds, then the vehicle will proceed. I have also had the transmission completely blow up and the vehicle completely…
When my vehicle is immediately put in drive gear from reverse gear, foot taken off the brake and tap the gas pedal, my vehicle surges forward as if it is in full throttle. As result, my vehicle jumped the curb and impacted a brick wall. I suffered a bloody nose and a cut on my hand. The vehicle suffered frontal damage…
Speed control
5 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 104,000 miles.
I was backing into a parking space at my town's transfer station. As I came to a stop, I began to shift into park with my foot on the brake, the car suddenly accelerated out of my control. The vehicle smashed into a three foot concrete wall coming to a stop. The car suffered extensive back end damage. I was taken by…
The contact owns a 2002 Lexus ES 300. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH in the driveway and turning into the garage, the vehicle unintentionally accelerated, hit a beam, drove through the garage wall, and into the dining area of the residence, crashed into the furniture, and stopped. The air…
Body and structure
5 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 175,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
I own a 2002 Lexus es300 and am the original owner. I have enjoyed the experience of driving the car to around 175k miles in nearly 12 years. So far, I did not have any major problems with the car until recently. Last friday, aug 8, 2014, my wife drove the car to a friend's place and was parked in a parallel parking…
Takata recall, my wife was involved in a frontal collision at @35mph in which her airbags did not deploy. I am concerned that since the sensors were knocked off during the impact, what could have happened to prevent the airboys from deploying? She was traveling at 35 MPH into an intersection when she ran a red light…
Electrical
5 complaints · 19%I just purchased this car (Lexus ES 300 2002 sedan) for my daughter less than a week ago on 4/11/2014 from a private owner, with 267,000 miles and it ran well for a transportation vehicle, seems to have been well cared for mechanically, interior and exterior is in great shape and was checked out my friend a longtime…
Had to replace stater,brakes would start and engine would stop.had to have brakes replaced,lighting inside would sometimes come on other times no lighting inside.
Fuel system
3 complaints · 11%I just purchased this car (Lexus ES 300 2002 sedan) for my daughter less than a week ago on 4/11/2014 from a private owner, with 267,000 miles and it ran well for a transportation vehicle, seems to have been well cared for mechanically, interior and exterior is in great shape and was checked out my friend a longtime…
Car began to lurch, stopped, smoke and flames began coming out of front of car. Fire enlarged, several small explosions. Firemen put out fire, but front half of car totally burnt.
Wheels and tires
3 complaints · 11%I accelerated from a stop light after it turned green. About 25 feet thru the light I heard the car behind me blowing their horn constantly. I looked in my rear view mirror to see what was going in. Then I thought I notice light smoke coming from my tailpipe. I applied my right turn blinker and pulled to the curve. As…
Had to replace stater,brakes would start and engine would stop.had to have brakes replaced,lighting inside would sometimes come on other times no lighting inside.
Air bags
3 complaints · 11%The contact owns a 2002 Lexus ES 300. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, another vehicle crashed head on into the contact's vehicle. None of the air bags deployed. The contact sustained back, neck, face, and shoulder injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was…
Takata recall, my wife was involved in a frontal collision at @35mph in which her airbags did not deploy. I am concerned that since the sensors were knocked off during the impact, what could have happened to prevent the airboys from deploying? She was traveling at 35 MPH into an intersection when she ran a red light…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Lexus ES recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2002 Lexus ES
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Lexus ES?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (10 complaints, typically around 131,500 miles); transmission (5 complaints); speed control (5 complaints, typically around 104,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Lexus ES have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Lexus ES. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Lexus ES?
- It is 11th of 26 ES model years by number of complaints, with 27 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.