2002 Lexus ES Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 19%of 27 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 175,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the body and structure of the 2002 Lexus ES, 19% of the 27 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 175,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, 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.
“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“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“I accelerated from a stop light after it turned green. About 25 feet thru the light I heard the car behind me blowing their horn constantly. I looked in my rear view mirror to see what was going in. Then I thought I notice light smoke coming from my tailpipe. I applied my right turn blinker and pulled to the curve. As soon as I parked, I could see orange colored fire around the front of my car and along the side of my driver/passenger doors. I felt that me and my passenger wouldn't be able to exit the car without be burnt, but I knew we needed to get out immediately. …”
NHTSA complaint #10650070, filed 2014-10, 127,000 miles“My wife, who drives the Lexus all the time, was preparing to drive the car from the garage to drive downtown. She had her foot on the brake pedal (as is necessary to move the transmission to reverse). The moment it was engaged the car leaped backward, leaving tire marks on the cement of the garage and also the driveway itself. Her efforts to stop the car by stomping on the brake pedal had no effect. …”
NHTSA complaint #10534175, filed 2013-08, 58,920 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11003648Apr 19, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11003643Apr 19, 2024Acid 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…
- 11003593Apr 19, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11003588Apr 19, 2024Acid 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…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 20% |
| 2019 | 3 | 9% |
| 2018 | 1 | 20% |
| 2015 | 1 | 20% |
| 2013 | 2 | 6% |
| 2012 | 4 | 13% |
| 2011 | 6 | 13% |
| 2010 | 6 | 15% |
| 2009 | 2 | 7% |
| 2008 | 7 | 10% |
| 2007 | 31 | 25% |
| 2005 | 2 | 3% |
| 2004 | 2 | 13% |
| 2003 | 1 | 4% |
| 2002 | 5 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2002 Lexus ES
8 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsAir bags
3 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 27, 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