2002 Lexus IS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
88,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 12 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 16.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 8.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure | 4 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 1 |
Structure: 4; Air Bags: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Steering: 1; Structure:Body:Door: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 6 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 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2014: 5; 2015: 2; 2018: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Structure leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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 10167101 · 2006-08-30 (August 30, 2006)
I HAVE HAD THREE SETS OF COOPER ZEON 2XS 215/45ZR17. THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS WITH ALL THREE SETS. I WAS TRAVELING LONG DISTANCE WHEN MY REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE CAME APART AND ROLLED AWAY WHILE I WAS ON THE ON RAMP FOR I24 WHICH IS A VERY BUSY MAJOR HIGHWAY. I WAS PROBABLY GOING ABOUT 35 MPH AT THE TIME THIS OCCURRED. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY $1250 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR NOT INCLUDING REPLACING MY TIRE WHICH I WILL NEVER BUY THESE TYPE OF TIRES EVER AGAIN. ALSO, THIS DELAYED MY TRIP TO VISIT MY GRANDMOTHER WHO WAS DYING IN THE HOSPITAL AT …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10167101 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10184558 · 2007-03-08 (March 8, 2007)
CAR WAS T-BONED-UNABLE TO OPEN DOORS-PASSENGER HIT HEAD ON WINDOW- SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT OPEN. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10184558 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10189197 · 2007-04-29 (April 29, 2007)
VEHICLE STALLS, BUCKS AND SWAYS ONTO OTHER DRIVERS NOT AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM WHEN BRAKING THE VEHICLE SWAYS LEFT OR RIGHT. IT IS MISSING A SPARE TIRE AND JACK, I ASKED ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR THIS SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND WAS DENIED. ALSO, MISSING WEATHER STRIPS ON ALL 4 DOORS THE WIND ENTERS THE CAR AND ONE DAY IT IS GOING TO SWING IT DIRECTLY OFF THE ROAD . *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10189197 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10586059 · 2014-05-01 (May 1, 2014)
SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED MY NEW CAR (LEXUS IS300 2002), THE DASHBOARD, COVER TO AIR BAG (ON DASH) AND CONSOLE BEGAN TO MELT/SOFTEN AND BECOME STICKY. WHEN I FIRST REPORTED TO LEXUS, THEY DID NOT DO ANYTHING. AFTER A WHILE, I CONTINUED TO COMPLAIN AND THEY REPLACED THE COVER PANEL ON DASH TO THE AIR BAG BUT NOT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD/CONSOLE. IN ALL THE YEARS OF SERVICE AT LEXUS OF PALM BEACH, THEY NEVER OFFERED TO REPAIR, EVEN THOUGH THIS DID NOT SEEM RIGHT. AFTER HEARING RECENT STORY ON WPTV NEWS (CONSUMER WATCHDOG, [XXX] ), I HAVE NOW LEAR…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10586059 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10592537 · 2014-05-19 (May 19, 2014)
I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT A PROBLEM WITH MY LEXUS IS300 MODELS 2002. THERE IS SOME TYPE OF DEFECT IN THE FRAME OR FRONT ARM BUSHINGS THAT CAUSE EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE FRONT INNER TIRES. DESPITE THE CAR BEING REGULARLY ALIGNED, UNEVEN AND EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR CONTINUES TO OCCUR ON THE INNER PORTION OF THE TIRES. TIRES WILL SOMETIMES LAST LESS THAN 5,000 MILES AND HAVE WORN DOWN TO THE STEEL IN THE INNER SIDES OF THE FRONT TIRES! THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND COMPLAINT AMONG IS 300 OWNERS. AS FAR AS I KNOW, THERE HAS BEEN NO FIX FROM LEXUS AND WILL …
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10592537 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10617551 · 2014-07-30 (July 30, 2014)
MY LEXUS DASHBOARD IS MELTING AWAY. THE DASH HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE BY THE DEALER BUT IT IS AGAIN MELTING AWAY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10617551 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10626012 · 2014-08-18 (August 18, 2014)
AS I'M DRIVING THE DASHBOARD STARTS TO MELT AND IT'S VERY STICKY,PAID GOOD MONEY FOR THIS CAR AND THERE'S NO RECALL OR WARRANTEE FOR THIS DEFECT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10626012 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10660096 · 2014-11-21 (November 21, 2014)
SOMETHING ON WINDSHIELD THAT MAKES IT HARD TO SEE, IT IMPAIRS MY VISION. DASHBOARD IS LITERALLY MELTING! IT'S STICKY! NOW I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY LEXUS DOESN'T TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND SEND OUT A RECALL. FIX THEIR MISTAKES AND DO IT RIGHT. I UNDERSTAND THEY TRIED TO PASS SOME CHEAPER PRODUCTS OFF ON THEIR VEHICLES BUT THAT ONLY BOUGHT THEM SOME TIME. WORD OF MOUTH IS THEIR WORST ENEMY RIGHT NOW. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 50,999 miles reported. Look up ODI 10660096 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.