Skip to content
Lexus ESModel year report

2002 Lexus ES Problems

Complaints
27filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
96,150miles, 24 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Lexus ES (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2002 Lexus ES. The part named most often is engine, with 8 complaints (30% of the total), followed by electrical system (5) and body and structure (5). 24 of the complaints include a mileage, and 29% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 96,150 miles. Of all complaints, 8 involved a crash, 5 a fire, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 24 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Exterior lighting (2), Steering (2), Electronic stability control (1), Other or unknown (1), Suspension (1).

Example complaints

Engine: “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 sold to me as is and I have no temp tags and I'm expected to pay a bi weekly car note. …”

NHTSA complaint #11317657, filed 2020-03, 172 miles

Electrical system: “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 to respond and put it out. My car had no power, and it mysteriously caught fire. I was given the directive to have it towed immediately by the police and fire co who was on the scene. …”

NHTSA complaint #11269269, filed 2019-10, 248,455 miles

Body and structure: “I own a 2002 Lexus es300 and am the original owner. I have enjoyed the experience of driving the car to around 175k miles in nearly 12 years. So far, I did not have any major problems with the car until recently. Last friday, aug 8, 2014, my wife drove the car to a friend's place and was parked in a parallel parking area. There were 3 cars in that parking area including my car in 5 car parking area. The two parking spots behind my car were vacant. My wife was trying to back up to a spot right in front of another car which was parked there. …”

NHTSA complaint #10622618, filed 2014-08, 175,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “When my vehicle is immediately put in drive gear from reverse gear, foot taken off the brake and tap the gas pedal, my vehicle surges forward as if it is in full throttle. As result, my vehicle jumped the curb and impacted a brick wall. I suffered a bloody nose and a cut on my hand. The vehicle suffered frontal damage and is undriveable. I have contacted the auto manufacturer. They will tow and inspect it.”

NHTSA complaint #10159293, filed 2006-06, 28,900 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

29% of the 24 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 43,000 and 151,000 miles.

13%0–104%10–2513%25–5013%50–758%75–10021%100–15029%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (24 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 96,150 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

62007201320152017202062026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2002 Lexus ES in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 24 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 24 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus ES

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20255—1525—Too new
2024910,1002526—Too new
20231050,0902544—Too new
2022116,8320528—Not enough data
20212838,000152848 · TypicalRising
20201827,6901544—Rising
20193411,0001544100 · MoreFalling
201852000—40—Not enough data
20169115,5000—40—Not enough data
20155115,0000—40—Not enough data
20133445,0000—4054 · TypicalStable
20123166,3160——36 · TypicalStable
20114647,0000——82 · MoreRising
20104170,0000——11 · FewerStable
20092879,0000——36 · TypicalRising
20086862,0000——52 · TypicalRising
200712580,1230——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200612115,0000———Not enough data
2005598,8500——Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20041689,0000———Falling
20032368,0000———Rising
20022796,1500——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20006140,0000———Not enough data
1999885,0000———Not enough data

All Lexus ES model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Lexus ES have?

NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2002 Lexus ES as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 Lexus ES is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 8 complaints (30% of the total), followed by electrical system with 5.

Has the 2002 Lexus ES been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Lexus ES reported?

Among the 24 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 96,150 miles and the middle half falls between 43,000 and 151,000 miles; 29% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.