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2002 Lexus IS 300 Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Lexus IS 300, most often about the speed control (21% of complaints, typically around 26,000 miles). It is the most complained-about IS 300 model year since 2000.

Complaints28
Recalls0
Crashes reported3
Fires reported0
Injuries reported1

Most common 2002 Lexus IS 300 problems

  1. Speed control

    6 complaints · 21%

    Half of these problems showed up before 26,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.

    Intermittently when accelerator pedal is depressed it sticks. When this occurs vehicle accelerates at a high speed. The brake pedal fails to stop the acceleration. Ignition has to be turned off to stop the acceleration. Vehicle had been serviced several times by the dealership, but was not able to resolve the problem.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 23,000 miles
    Accelerator failure: twice that I can clearly remember. First time happened in 2003 after gentle depression of the gas pedal, it seemed to push itself further and was stuck into the floor resulting in uncontrolled, max acceleration...this was mentioned to the dealer when I took it for service (ray catena Lexus…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 10,000 miles

  2. Transmission

    5 complaints · 18%

    Half of these problems showed up before 14,500 miles. Parts named most often: clutch assembly, manual transmission.

    After getting clutch replaced, I press the clutch pedal down and release the pedal, it takes sometimes up to 30 or 40 seconds before the pedal pops back out.. I have to reach down with my hand and pull the pedal up.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 14,500 miles
    I own a 5-speed manual 2002 Lexus is300. Currently, my car has 40,000 miles. Everything in the vehicle is stock, no modified parts and accesories. I drive this car normal like any other manual transmission cars. I rev match when I downshift, never ride the clutch etc...I have been driving manual cars for the last 10…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 40,200 miles

  3. Body and structure

    4 complaints · 14%

    Parts named most often: body.

    The contact owns a 2002 Lexus IS 300. While driving 30 MPH, a glare appeared on the windshield that affected the contact's visibility. The contact noticed that the dashboard was melting and a sticky residue covered its surface. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 144,500 miles

  4. Wheels and tires

    4 complaints · 14%

    The front tires after 19.500 miles inside edge of tire down to steel belt. Outside edge of tire looked brand new. Contacted dealer and the the dealer inspected the car. They recommended replacing the tires and aligning the front end at a whopping fee of $732.00 and told me that this was normal tire wear for 19k miles.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 19,000 miles

  5. Brakes

    4 complaints · 14%

    Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.

    The intial problem is that there is a popping noise that is coming from the brakes. The dealer says that this is normal, and is due to brake shifting. A day later the brakes started to squeal. The rotors and pads were reserfaced twice, and the problem now comes and goes. I feel there is a major issue with the brake…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 40,000 miles
    I put $3000 on 2002 Lexus and had it for three days when my 6 year old daughter and myself was heading onto commercial turnpike south. I was approaching light on corner of 441 and commercial when my brakes just gave out on me completely and I quickly responded and pulled up emergency brake and turned into gas station…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 150,000 miles

  6. Other or unspecified

    4 complaints · 14%

  7. Suspension

    3 complaints · 11%

    Parts named most often: front.

    The front tires after 19.500 miles inside edge of tire down to steel belt. Outside edge of tire looked brand new. Contacted dealer and the the dealer inspected the car. They recommended replacing the tires and aligning the front end at a whopping fee of $732.00 and told me that this was normal tire wear for 19k miles.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 19,000 miles
    Tire wear and alignment problems on 2002 Lexus is300. The front end made a loud sound of rolling marbles. The dealer suggested that it was a normal sound and the fact that the brakes had settled the noise would be heard.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 20,000 miles

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 IS 300 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 IS 300

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Lexus IS 300?
By NHTSA owner complaints: speed control (6 complaints, typically around 26,000 miles); transmission (5 complaints, typically around 14,500 miles); body and structure (4 complaints).
How many recalls does the 2002 Lexus IS 300 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Lexus IS 300. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2002 a bad year for the Lexus IS 300?
It is the most complained-about IS 300 model year since 2000, with 28 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.

Other Lexus IS 300 years

Lexus IS 300 problems by year