2002 Lexus RX: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
101,930 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 12 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 41.7% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 16.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 16.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Power Train: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Air Bags: 1; Air Bags:Side/Window: 1; Engine: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Tires: 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 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 4 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 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2016: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 3; 2024: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10157959 · 2006-05-21 (May 21, 2006)
VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED. WHILE UNATTENDED THE VEHICLE STARTED MOVING FORWARD SLOWLY, I (THE DRIVER) JUMPED INTO FRONT SEAT TO APPLY THE FOOT BRAKE AND PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR (NO BRAKES!) VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STOPPED AND RAN IN TO THE WALL OF MY GARAGE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 42,883 miles reported. Look up ODI 10157959 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10162186 · 2006-07-12 (July 12, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THERE WAS A LACK OF RESPONSIVENESS IN THE VEHICLE WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE.
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10162186 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10203605 · 2007-09-20 (September 20, 2007)
A CAR CRASHED INTO SIDE DOOR OF PASSENGER AND SIDE AIR DID NOT INFLATE IN MY 2002 LEXUS RX 300. MY CAR WAS THEN IN A ROLL OVER AND NO OTHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INCLUDING THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10203605 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10381142 · 2011-02-08 (February 8, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS RX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEARS WOULD BECOME STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT THE DEALER FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE FAILURE BEFORE MAKING A DECISION IF THEY COULD ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10381142 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10465713 · 2012-07-15 (July 15, 2012)
I WAS OUT OF TOWN I WAS DRIVING, NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY RX AT ALL. IT'S A 2002 LEXUS RX 300, THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN I GO TO TAKE OFF AT THE STOPLIGHT AND IT WAS HESITATING TO TAKE OFF. MY TRANSMISSION IS NOW COMPLETELY GONE. NO WARNING AT ALL. IF I TAKE MY VEHICLE OVER 35 MPH IS JERKS. TRANSMISSION SLIPS AT STOP LIGHTS, (WITH NO INCLINE). 115000 MILES, AND THE TRANNY GOES OUT. I DO BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN REPLACED BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR AS WELL. GREAT JOB LEXUS, NOT. I THOUGHT GOING WITH A LEXUS I WOULD HAVE A QUALITY VEHICLE. MAN WAS I WRON…
Owner-reported narrative. 115,950 miles reported. Look up ODI 10465713 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10872278 · 2016-06-03 (June 3, 2016)
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY REPAIRED PROBLEMS. WAS ACCELERATING FROM STOP LIGHT ON BUSY CITY STREET, HIGHWAY FRONTAGE ROAD AND ENGINE DIED IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION CAUSING NO POWER OR STEERING AND HAD TO COME/COAST TO FINAL STOP WITH NO POWER OR STEERING CAPABILITIES. ENGINE DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. CAR WAS DISABLED UNDER HIGHWAY BRIDGE IN BUSY INTERSECTION. COULD NOT GET IT STARTED. DRIVERS WOULD TURN LEFT FROM THE LIGHT AND ALMOST REAR END ME BECAUSE I WAS DISABLED RIGHT AFTER THE TURN. TURNED…
Owner-reported narrative. 166,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10872278 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11307336 · 2020-02-05 (February 5, 2020)
VEHICLES RETRACTABLE ANTENNA STOPPED RETRACTING AND ANTENNA MOTOR CONTINUES TO RUN TRYING TO PULL THE TELESCOPING ANTENNA BACK DOWN. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, ENGINE HAD BEEN SHUT DOWN AND KEYS REMOVED, BUT ANTENNA MOTOR KEPT RUNNING.
Owner-reported narrative. 115,860 miles reported. Look up ODI 11307336 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11426214 · 2021-07-23 (July 23, 2021)
Transmission wouldnt shift all of the sudden on the high way no prior mechanical issues was t boned and broke my leg abs and trac off lights mechanic says total transmission failure 121000 miles and this is the second owner of this vehicle
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11426214 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.