Lexus · ES · 2002
2002 Lexus ES
0
Recalls
180
Complaints
N/A
NCAP overall
The 2002 Lexus ES has no recalls and 180 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most frequent stored component label: power train (43 reports).
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2002 Lexus ES300 4-DR. w/SAB NCAP Vehicle ID: 4679
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
Source: NHTSA Public Records
NHTSA source checks for this vehicle year
- Complaints
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Recalls
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Safety ratings
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Investigations
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Manufacturer communications
- Separate successful check not recorded.
Checks are recorded separately for each dataset, not for the whole page. Dates use UTC. A missing check date does not mean no records exist.
Vehicle import recorded: Aug 30, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.
Research Context
The 2002 Lexus ES page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most frequent complete stored component label is power train with 43 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2002 Lexus ES currently shows no active NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 180 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows no overall NHTSA safety rating in our current dataset.
- The most frequent complete stored component labels on this page are power train (43), vehicle speed control (40), electrical system (10).
- Vehicle
- 2002 Lexus ES
- Recalls
- 0
- Complaints
- 180
- Stored Configuration Overall Rating
- Not available in this dataset
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Configuration Test Results
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2002 Lexus ES300 4-DR. w/SAB NCAP Vehicle ID: 4679
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
No overall score is available in our current dataset. The individual results below are not a combined safety rating; compare vehicles within the same test program and model year.
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
No rollover risk estimate available in this dataset
Safety Features
ESC: OptionalForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Owner Complaints
180 totalAIR BAGS
CRASHJan 17, 2026
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...
Preview excerpt
ENGINE
Jul 23, 2022
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Dec 21, 2020
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
ENGINE
FIREOct 23, 2020
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 PO...
Preview excerpt
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jul 10, 2020
WHEN I STOP AND TRY TO ACCELERATE THE CAR HESITATE AND THEN STARTS TO JERK. IF I GIVE IT HEAVY GAS IT DRIVES NORMAL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FIREJun 20, 2020
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
ENGINE
Jan 5, 2020
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 CONVERTO...
Preview excerpt
STRUCTURE:BODY
FIREAug 20, 2019
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 S...
Preview excerpt
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Dec 8, 2017
I REPLACED THE BATTERY ON MY LEXUS AND IT WOULD NO LONGER IDLE YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND THE ENGINE DIES.. THE COMPUTER LOST THE IDLE PARAMETERS THIS IS DANGEROUS AS I TURNED LEFT OFF ONE ROAD TO ANOTHER TOOK MY FOOT FROM ACCELARATOR TO BRAKE ENGINE DIED AND I...
Preview excerpt
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRASHMay 19, 2017
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.
Showing 10 recent complaints from 180 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2002 Lexus models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Lexus ES Years
2003 Lexus ESCompare this year against 2002 for complaint and recall shifts.139c2001 Lexus ESCompare this year against 2002 for complaint and recall shifts.31c2004 Lexus ESCompare this year against 2002 for complaint and recall shifts.2r190c2000 Lexus ESCompare this year against 2002 for complaint and recall shifts.63c2005 Lexus ESCompare this year against 2002 for complaint and recall shifts.2r200c2006 Lexus ESCompare this year against 2002 for complaint and recall shifts.79c
More 2002 Lexus Models
2002 Lexus RXAnother 2002 Lexus option for same-year comparison.5r100c2002 Lexus SCAnother 2002 Lexus option for same-year comparison.3r52c2002 Lexus ISAnother 2002 Lexus option for same-year comparison.1r40c2002 Lexus LSAnother 2002 Lexus option for same-year comparison.2r37c2002 Lexus LXAnother 2002 Lexus option for same-year comparison.1r5c2002 Lexus GSAnother 2002 Lexus option for same-year comparison.1r0c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2002 Lexus ES have?
The 2002 Lexus ES has 0 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2002 Lexus ES?
NHTSA has received 180 owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Lexus ES.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2002 Lexus ES?
An overall NHTSA safety rating is not available in our current dataset for the 2002 Lexus ES. Individual crash-test results may still be available.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Lexus ES?
The most frequent complete stored component labels for the 2002 Lexus ES are power train (43 reports), vehicle speed control (40 reports), electrical system (10 reports). These are exact-label counts, not broader component-group totals or confirmed defects.
Does the 2002 Lexus ES have any recalls?
NHTSA does not currently list any recalls on record for the 2002 Lexus ES. To verify the status of your specific vehicle, check nhtsa.gov/recalls with your VIN.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.