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Electrical systemPart report

2002 Lexus ES300 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
11about this part
Share
7%of 153 total for the year
Median mileage
40,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Lexus ES300, 7% of the 153 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 1 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.

“Lexus es 300 year 2002, I was pulling into a parking space, traveling at slow speed, 5-8 miles an hour, when the car would not stop, despite applying the brake. The car engine appeared to have a low hum and appeared to be in overdrive. The car jumped over a concrete divider, over a sidewalk, through a brick wall and plate glass window. The car was in a furniture store. The front of the car was extensively damaged. I ( the driver) hit my head ( left side) and the left side of my body hit the side of the car. The accident was reported to Lexus. …”

NHTSA complaint #10108001, filed 2005-01, 40,000 miles

“The instruments cannot be seen if there is any light coming into the car. The red pointers cannot be seen. This has been a problem since I bought the car. I see that it has been known since 2002 but nothing has been done to fix it. I wonder just why?? I don't like not being able to know just how fast I am going, fuel quantity etc!!”

NHTSA complaint #10258894, filed 2009-02

“While applying the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. Consumer tried numerous times and suddenly the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. The consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle and drove it to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic determined that computer needed to be reprogrammed. However, the problem recurred.”

NHTSA complaint #10089243, filed 2004-09

“When driving at a low speed, the vehicle surged forward. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealership for inspection on five separate occasions, but the problem continued*ak the dealer acknowledged the situation but did not know how to fix it. There was excessive belt squealing in the morning, the brake pedal pulsated and the key would no turn in the ignition.”

NHTSA complaint #10063168, filed 2004-07

“The car stalls and pauses in traffic. The car has rough vibration when the gears shift. The dealer said the computer was designed to operate in that manner and that there is presently no correction for the problem. The dealer acknowledged the problem, but refuses to replace the car or to buy me out because this problem has not resulted in any fatalities.”

NHTSA complaint #762166, filed 2002-05

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2003109%
2002117%
200127%
2000611%
199927%
199848%
1997511%
1996514%
1995924%
1994410%
1993921%
1992411%

Other parts of the 2002 Lexus ES300

Transmission and drivetrain
52 complaintsVehicle speed control
50 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsTires
7 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Lexus ES300

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