2002 Lexus ES problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
27 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
96,150 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 27 complaints (29.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 29.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 18.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 7.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 8 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Structure:Body | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Wheels | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
Engine: 8; Electrical System: 5; Structure:Body: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Air Bags: 3; Wheels: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 7
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2006: 6; 2007: 3; 2011: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 4; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 6; 2022: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10159293 · 2006-06-08 (June 8, 2006)
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 AND IS UNDRIVEABLE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE AUTO MANUFACTURER. THEY WILL TOW AND INSPECT IT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 28,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10159293 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10171499 · 2006-10-21 (October 21, 2006)
THE BRAKES WILL FADE/RELEASE AFTER BEING STOPPED FOR 1-2 MINUTES WITH THE FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT APPEARS THAT THIS HAPPENS AS THE ENGINE RPM DECREASES ABOUT 100-200 AND THE BRAKE PRESSURE EBBS. THE CAR WILL SOMETIMES MOVE FORWARD ABOUT 1-2 FEET BEFORE IT STOPS AGAIN. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10171499 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10154949 · 2006-04-10 (April 10, 2006)
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 LOST POWER, AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THE DEALER HAS DENIED THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS, AND THAT I AM THE ONLY ONE THAT IS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10154949 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10167071 · 2006-08-30 (August 30, 2006)
THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS VEHICLE WILL HESITATE AND SURGE CAUSING ERRATIC BEHAVIOR. THIS BEHAVIOR IS DANGEROUS AND ANNOYING. ONE NEVER KNOWS HOW IT WILL REACT. I WOULD LIKE THIS FIXED ONCE AND FOR ALL. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE LEXUS USER GROUP HAS MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS BEHAVIOR. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT MAY GET SOMEONE INJURED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10167071 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11269269 · 2019-10-17 (October 17, 2019)
ON THE NIGHT OF AUGUST 20, 2019, AT 9:45, I PARKED MY LEXUS ES 300 AND WENT INSIDE THE LOCAL ACME. ACME IS APPROX MILES FROM HOME. I ENTERED THE STORE AND HEARD OVER THE INTERCOM ALL SHOPPERS HAD 12 MIN BEFORE CLOSING. I QUICKLY SHOPPED, AND UPON EXITING THE STORE, MY CAR HAD A SIGNIFICANT FIRE, AND THE FIRE COMPANY THAT WAS ACROSS THE STREET HAD TO RESPOND AND PUT IT OUT. MY CAR HAD NO POWER, AND IT MYSTERIOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE. I WAS GIVEN THE DIRECTIVE TO HAVE IT TOWED IMMEDIATELY BY THE POLICE AND FIRE CO WHO WAS ON THE SCENE. I QUICKLY GRABBE…
Owner-reported narrative. 248,455 miles reported. Look up ODI 11269269 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11384987 · 2020-12-26 (December 26, 2020)
I TRIED TO START MY CAR OUT OF NO WHERE IT WOULDN'T START NO WARNING OR ANYTHING I CHECKED THE STARTER THAT WASN'T IT I'M NOT SURE OFF IT'S THE ENGINE OR AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11384987 at NHTSA ↗