Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2002 Lexus ES300, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train52
- Vehicle speed control50
- Electrical system11
- Service brakes, hydraulic11
- Air bags9
- Engine and engine cooling9
- Unknown or other8
- Tires7
- Fuel system, gasoline4
- Engine3
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 24 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
In New Zealand
101 2002 cars are on the New Zealand register; 49% arrived as used imports, 51% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE TUBE MAY HAVE BEEN DEFORMED PRIOR TO VEHICLE DELIVERY DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A COIL SPRING SPACER THAT WAS INSTALLED TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE DURING TRANSPORTATION.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A THREE-SPOKE STYLE STEERING WHEEL. DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE BOTTOM SEAM OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MODULE COVER (HORN PAD) COULD BE TORN AWAY ALLOWING THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE COVER TO COMPLETELY DETACH FROM THE AIR BAG MODULE.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Lexus told its dealers about the 2002 Lexus ES300: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 635748 | ON SOME VEHICLES, THE GAS CAP MAY STICK AND CONSEQUENTLY BECOME DIFFICULT TO REMOVE. *TT |
| 633818 | LEXUS REPAIR MANUAL CORRECTION FOR THE ELECTRIC WIRING DIAGRAM. *TT |
| 633800 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT RETURN TO THE UP POSITION AFTER THE TILT LEVER IS MOVED TO THE RELEASE POSITION. *TT |
| 633795 | SUBJECT REGARDING CLARIFICATION OF RADIO FACEPLATE REMOVAL. *TT |
| 633793 | INFORMATION REGARDING A REVISED VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY DEVELOPED TO IMPROVE HARSH 2-3 SHIFT DURING WIDE OPEN THROTTLE (WOT) ACCELERATION AT ELEVATIONS ABOVE 3000 FEET. *TT |
| 633780 | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P1130, P1135, P1150 OR P1155 SET. *TT |
| 633772 | THIS BULLETIN SUPPLEMENTS THE 2002 ES300 REPAIR MANUAL REGARDING THE DRIVER'S SIDE JUNCTION BLOCK NO. 2 PLATE ASSEMBLY AND INCLUDES SERVICEABILITY INFORMATION. *TT |
| 633768 | THIS BULLETIN STATES THAT SOME MARK LEVINSON AMPLIFIERS MAY NOT PRODUCE SOUND WHEN THE AUDIO SYSTEM IS ON. *TT |
| 633745 | SUBJECT REGARDING FRONT COIL SPRING CREAKING NOISE. *TT |
| 633744 | SUBJECT REGARDING HEAT SHIELD RATTLE NOISE. *TT |
| 631815 | SUBJECT REGARDING AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR SHAFT SEAL REPAIR. *SLC |
| 629355 | INFORMATION REGARDING GAS CAP STICKING. *YH |
| 628663 | INFORMATION ON REDUCING POTENTIAL SQUEAK AND RATTLE NOSES FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. *TT |
| 628661 | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P1130, P1135, P1150 OR P1155 AS A RESULT OF AN AIR FUEL SENSOR. *TT |
| 628652 | SUBJECT REGARDING HEAT SHIELD RATTLE. *TT |
| 628651 | SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN INVOLVING REPLACEMENT OF DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. *TT |
| 628649 | SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGNS INVOLVING INSPECTION AND/OR REPLACEMENT OF THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE TUBE. *TT |
| 627162 | SOME VEHICLES DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AIRBAG MODULE COVER MAY BE TORN AWAY AND THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE COVER MAY DETACH. *SLC |
| 627058 | SUBJECT REGARDING THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE TUBE MAY HAVE BEEN DEFORMED PRIOR TO DELIVERY.. *SLC |
| 624784 | INITIAL CALIBRATION OF COMPASS DURING PRE-DELIVERY SERVICE. *TT |
| 622238 | INFORMATION ON PREVENTING DAMAGE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE BUMPER, SPRING SPACER ARE INSTALLED ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS.*JB |
| 622220 | THIS BULLETIN OUTLINES THE INITIALIZATION PROCEDURE FOR THE MOON ROOF.*JB |
| 622207 | INFORMATION ON MINIMIZING BATTERY DISCHARGE DURING TRANSPORATION AND STORAGE, THE D.C.C. FUSE HAS BEEN REMOVED AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT.*JB |
| 11003643 | 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 surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, |
| 11003642 | Lexus vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film within 90 days from initial application. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No. L-PG004-94. The entire bulletin has been updated. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
UNWANTED AND UNINTENDED ACCELERATION
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM
THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation