2002 Lexus ES Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 11%of 27 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 115,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Lexus ES, 11% of the 27 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 115,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 noticed sparks and smoke coming from the dashboard after the impact. There was no injury sustained. There was property damage. The contact stated that she had previously filed a complaint regarding the vehicle's sudden and unintended acceleration. …”
NHTSA complaint #11713910, filed 2026-01, 110,000 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Lexus ES 300. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, another vehicle crashed head on into the contact's vehicle. None of the air bags deployed. The contact sustained back, neck, face, and shoulder injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10655022, filed 2014-11, 115,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10132074Nov 10, 2013Beginning in 1998, Lexus introduced side airbags as optional equipment. Lexus does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Lexus leather or other seat cover…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 22% |
| 2021 | 25 | 89% |
| 2020 | 8 | 44% |
| 2019 | 6 | 18% |
| 2018 | 1 | 20% |
| 2016 | 1 | 11% |
| 2015 | 2 | 40% |
| 2013 | 3 | 9% |
| 2012 | 19 | 61% |
| 2011 | 27 | 59% |
| 2010 | 20 | 49% |
| 2009 | 14 | 50% |
| 2008 | 37 | 54% |
| 2007 | 34 | 27% |
| 2006 | 7 | 58% |
| 2005 | 10 | 17% |
| 2004 | 4 | 25% |
| 2003 | 3 | 13% |
| 2002 | 3 | 11% |
| 1999 | 1 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2002 Lexus ES
8 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Lexus ES
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology