CarModelProblems.com

2002 Lexus ES300 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Vehicle Speed Control — runs 6.4× the fleet median for that category across the 1731 model-years tracked on this site.
153Complaints
2Recalls
37Crashes
5Fires
24Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Vehicle Speed Control (24.2% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Vehicle Speed Control complaints here are 6.4× the median for that category across the 1731 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Vehicle Speed Control37 · 24.2%not available
Power Train:automatic Transmission36 · 23.5%not available
Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal13 · 8.5%not available
Power Train12 · 7.8%not available
Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash6 · 3.9%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling6 · 3.9%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL13 · 8.5%
POWER TRAIN12 · 7.8%
Unspecified / other9 · 5.9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH6 · 3.9%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING6 · 3.9%
TIRES6 · 3.9%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL5 · 3.3%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)5 · 3.3%

Percentages are the share of the 153 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 2 campaigns

Air Bags:frontal

NHTSA campaign 01V372000 · 2001 · reported 12/11/2001

IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE DETACHED BOTTOM PORTION MAY STRIKE THE DRIVER CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

NHTSA campaign 01V371000 · 2001 · reported 12/11/2001

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“I EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM AFTER MY 90,000 SCHEDULED MAJOR MAINTENANCE. ON 11/22/09, I RETURNED TO MY CAR AND FOUND THE WINDOWS AND SUN ROOF WERE…”NHTSA complaint 10310151 — filed 02/13/2010 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
“I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 LEXUS E300 ON RTE95 IN PROVIDENCE R.I. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE TRAVELING AT THE SPEED OF THE TRAFFIC--65MPH…”NHTSA complaint 10308747 — filed 02/11/2010 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
“MY EXPERIENCE HAPPENED ON JULY 14, 2009. I WAS EASING INTO MY PARKING PLACE AT THE COLLEGE WHERE I TEACH, GOING ABOUT ZERO MILES PER…”NHTSA complaint 10297240 — filed 12/28/2009 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

48200417420061120087262010812012242014152016212018

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Lexus ES300?

Vehicle speed control issues are the most-reported category, cited in 37 of 153 NHTSA complaints (24.2%), followed by power train:automatic transmission (36), vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal (13), power train (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2002 Lexus ES300 have?

153 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 37 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 24 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2002 Lexus ES300 have any recalls?

Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 01V372000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2002 Lexus ES300's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.