2002 Lexus ES300: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 153 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (31% of complaints); the 2000 and 2001 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2001
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 153 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I replaced the battery on my lexus and it would no longer idle you take your foot off the accelerator and the engine dies.. The computer lost the idle parameters this is dangerous as I turned left off one road to another took my foot from accelarator to brake engine died and I lost power steering almost wrecked most mechanics are aware of this defect lexus refused to admit it google it all over internet”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Dec 2017
“2002 lexus excelerated on it's own.I was getting on freeway I stepped on gas to go with flow of traffic , then traffic started backing up so I went to use brakes to slow down but car kept excelerating. I had to use both feet to try to stop ,then I felt a pop from gas pedal at that time it stopped excellerating”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · May 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 lexus es300. While driving 30 mph, there were flames and a black substance coming from the engine compartment of the vehicle. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to an auto body repair center, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Large cloud of white/gray smoke when car sits overnight from previous night driving. After researching online this seems to be a common problem. There was a lawsuit filed because of this. Why not a recall????”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2015
“On 1/8/15 at approx. 9:30 am, I was driving to work south on hwy 95 near exit 67 . Suddenly, other drivers were frantically waving at me to pull over onto the shoulder of the highway. What they saw ( and which I couldn't), was that there were flames under my car. I pulled over and got out of the car. Within seconds ( not even a full minute), the entire car was engulfed in flames and soon became a complete and total charred mess. Fortunately, I was not physically hurt and a maryland state trooper came onto the scene 2-5 minutes after I got out of the car. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2015
“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. It also hesitates when stepping on the gas after deceleration. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2012
“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, it would shake forward. *kb”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2011
“Tl* the contact owned a 2002 lexus es300. The contact stated that the vehicle was involved in a head on crash in which the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained serious injuries to the neck, spine and shoulder. A police report was available and the vehicle was destroyed. An authorized dealer was notified and informed the contact to notify the manufacturer. The manufacturer was not yet made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 92,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2011
“I was stopped at a red light approximately 3-4 ft. Behind a utility truck. Suddenly the car surged forward and hit the rear end of the truck in front of me.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2011
“Lexus (2002 es) has dramatic transmission stutter at low or high speeds, jerking occupants and making quick starts (turning across lanes) very dangerous. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 37 of these complaints and injuries in 24 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE TUBE MAY HAVE BEEN DEFORMED PRIOR TO VEHICLE DELIVERY DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A COIL SPRING SPACER THAT WAS INSTALLED TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE DURING TRANSPORTATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT BRAKE LINE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LINE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 1, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-888-333-9376.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A THREE-SPOKE STYLE STEERING WHEEL. DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE BOTTOM SEAM OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MODULE COVER (HORN PAD) COULD BE TORN AWAY ALLOWING THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE COVER TO COMPLETELY DETACH FROM THE AIR BAG MODULE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-888-333-9376.
How other years compare
Check your exact ES300 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Lexus ES300 reliable?
NHTSA has 153 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Lexus ES300. The most complained-about area is power train (31% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Lexus ES300 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 38,650 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Lexus ES300 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.