2002 Lexus ES300: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
153 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
30,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 86 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 37 of 153 complaints (24.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 44 | 28.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 30 | 19.6% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 5.2% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 3.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 0.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 37 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 36 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 13 |
| Power Train | 12 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 |
| Tires | 6 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 37; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 36; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 13; Power Train: 12; Unknown Or Other: 8; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling: 6; Tires: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 40 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 15 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 40; 25,000 to 49,999: 15; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 5
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (40). 67 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 30 |
| 2003 | 20 |
| 2004 | 37 |
| 2005 | 13 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 24 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2001: 1; 2002: 30; 2003: 20; 2004: 37; 2005: 13; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 6; 2010: 24; 2011: 5; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 4; 2017: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 44 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 30 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 8 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000029 · 2002-12-13 (December 13, 2002)
TRANSMISSION GETS CONFUSED WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF THE LOWER GEARS, THEN SPENDS TOO LONG TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT GEAR TO BE IN. THIS CAUSES DANGEROUS DELAYS IN ACCELERATION, THE EFFECT IS THE SAME AS A MOMENTARY ENGINE STALL. WE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, FREEWAY RAMP ENTRANCES ARE CERTAINLY THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SHIFTING DELAYS BUT THEY SAY NO FIX IS AVAILABLE. THIS IS OUR THIRD ES300, THE PREVIOUS MODELS USED A CABLE BETWEEN THE GA…
Owner-reported narrative. 228 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000029 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001095 · 2002-12-17 (December 17, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED, THE ENGINE SUFFERED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. TS WHEN ACCELERATING TO CHANGE LANE OR ENTER THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE ALMOST STALLED AND OR DECELERATED. SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001095 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001465 · 2003-01-09 (January 9, 2003)
THE SPEEDOMETER IS NOT VISIBLE IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT. CONSUMER HAS NO IDEA HOW FAST THE VEHICLE IS GOING. *JG *JB *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001465 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004854 · 2003-07-10 (July 10, 2003)
THE TRANSMISSION HAD A JERK IN THE TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER IT WAS THE DESIGN THE OF THE VEHICLE. *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004854 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007290 · 2003-02-24 (February 24, 2003)
CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE FROM FRONT RIGHT SIDE DUE TO AN ENGINEERING FLAW. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007290 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10012059 · 2003-03-19 (March 19, 2003)
THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCED A HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING, THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10012059 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016697 · 2003-04-29 (April 29, 2003)
1) STUMBLE - THIS OCCURS WHEN YOU QUICKLY ACCELERATE AND THE CAR HESITATES FOR 1-2 SECONDS BEFORE IT KICKS IN. 2) SHUDDER - WITH NO PATTERN, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY SHUDDER. THIS OCCURS WITH NO/LITTLE ACCELERATION. 3) SURGING - THE CAR SURGES APPROX. 1/2 FOOT WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS INTENSIFIED WHEN THE CAR IS SLOWLY (E.G., IN TRAFFIC) MOVING DOWN HILL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016697 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016699 · 2003-04-29 (April 29, 2003)
1. SHUDDERING TRANSMISSION IN STOP/GO TRAFFIC. 2. WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP, CAR NUDGES FORWARD EVEN WHEN BRAKES ARE FULLY DEPRESSED. NOTIFIED DEALER AS WELL AS LEXUS CORP AND WAS TOLD NO FIX IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016699 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
01V371000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2001-12-11 (December 11, 2001)
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.
Consequence: 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. BRAKE TUBE DAMAGE COULD ALSO LEAD TO BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE AFTER EXTENDED USE OF THE VEHICLE.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗01V372000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2001-12-11 (December 11, 2001)
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.
Consequence: IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE DETACHED BOTTOM PORTION MAY STRIKE THE DRIVER CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗