2002 Lexus Es problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (5) · Engine (4) · Wheels (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Lexus Es model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
24 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (24)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2024-04-19 · L-SB-0024-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-04-19 · L-SB-0022-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-04-19 · L-SB-0024-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-04-19 · L-SB-0022-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Equipment 2022-04-13 · Safety Recall 22 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lexus safety recall and service campaign - technician certification requirements 4.13.2022
Wheels 2022-01-12 · Lexus PRO19-02 - · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pol: this consolidated tire warranty guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by lexus. this information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. customers can find this information o
Showing the 6 most recent of 24 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-01-28 · Vehicle Speed Control · 110,000 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owns a 2002 lexus es 300. the contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph in the driveway and turning into the garage, the vehicle unintentionally accelerated, hit a beam, drove through the garage wall, and into the dining area of the residence, crashed into the furniture, and stopped. the air bags did not deploy. the contact …”
2022-07-23 · Engine“during a trip on the highway the accelerator was to low and take harder to accelerate the car. when we arrived home close to parking end the car suddenly accelerated while i was using the brakes pedal. i was lucky to stop on time. thanks for your attention. …”
2020-12-26 · Steering“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…”
2020-10-23 · Engine · 173,000 mi · 🔥 fire“tl* the contact's mom owned a 2002 lexus es 300. the contact stated that while driving at 3 mph, the vehicle began to emit a thick white, yellowish smoke from the driver side headlight without warning. as the contact attempted to pull the vehicle over,the vehicle began to lose power as a bystander altered the contact that the vehicle was on fire. t…”
2020-07-13 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 202,736 mi“when i stop and try to accelerate the car hesitate and then starts to jerk. if i give it heavy gas it drives normal…”
2020-06-25 · Wheels · 151,000 mi · 🔥 fire“car began to lurch, stopped, smoke and flames began coming out of front of car. fire enlarged, several small explosions. firemen put out fire, but front half of car totally burnt. *tr…”
2020-03-12 · Engine · 172 mi“i bought this car from all auto sales. the same day, less than an hour later i attempted to drive the car home and it broke down in front of a red light. the salesman reassured me that nothing was wrong with it. i tried to start it back up and it wouldn't start so i had to push it to the side of the road, while pregnant and two kids present. it was…”
2020-02-04 · Engine · 136,000 mi“this is the 2nd 2002 lexus es300 ive owned with half the miles of the 1st one...yet both cars catalytic convertors failed!! how is that possible at only 136k miles the catalytic convertor needs to be replaced!! the 1st car had almost 268k miles which i felt the catalytic convertor failure wasnt as surprising...but between my boyfriend and i we have…”
2019-10-17 · Structure:body · 248,455 mi · 🔥 fire“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 t…”
2017-05-19 · Vehicle Speed Control · 80,000 mi · 💥 crash“in a commercial parking lot, i shifted from r to d to exit a parking space and, with my foot on the brake pedal, my lexus suddenly sped forward and rammed a parked car, driving it into a 3rd car.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.