2002 Lexus ES300 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 6%of 153 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Lexus ES300, 6% of the 153 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,000 miles. 1 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.
“I have a 2002 Lexus ES300. It stopped while driving recently. There was no indication. The engine was running but the car was not moving. After opening the hood I found the small pipe connecting the air intake to the engine had come off. I was lucky as the driver behind me slowed down and stopped. However if this had happened on a highway, I possible would not be writing this complaint.”
NHTSA complaint #10304641, filed 2010-02, 69,000 miles“Check engine light came on and car acceleration was limited. Error codes p2121 and p2128 indicated faulty throttle position sensor the part retails for around $100. Lexus insisted that I had to replace the complete accelerator pedal assembly with a new throttle position sensor. Lexus charged me $764 to replace both assemblies. I believe Lexus should have covered the cost of all of the cost of replacing the accelerator pedal assembly. My vehicle is a 2002 Lexus ES300.”
NHTSA complaint #10346158, filed 2010-07, 102,542 miles“On 1/8/15 at approx. 9:30 am, I was driving to work south on hwy 95 near exit 67 . Suddenly, other drivers were frantically waving at me to pull over onto the shoulder of the highway. What they saw ( and which I couldn't), was that there were flames under my car. I pulled over and got out of the car. Within seconds ( not even a full minute), the entire car was engulfed in flames and soon became a complete and total charred mess. Fortunately, I was not physically hurt and a maryland state trooper came onto the scene 2-5 minutes after I got out of the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10676182, filed 2015-01, 180,000 miles“I was stopped at a red light approximately 3-4 ft. Behind a utility truck. Suddenly the car surged forward and hit the rear end of the truck in front of me.”
NHTSA complaint #10401859, filed 2011-05, 95,000 miles“Upon acceleration in stop-and-go traffic, severe hesitation with brake-like effect, engine reviving, with driver thrown forward, then lurching into gear. Said was fixed with installation of tsib tc004-3. Narrowly being missed by oncoming traffic when car basically stalled. Tsib not a fix. Now engine light on. Dangerous in stop-and-go traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #10130430, filed 2005-07, 48,480 milesEngine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 11 | 9% |
| 2002 | 9 | 6% |
| 2000 | 4 | 7% |
| 1999 | 10 | 37% |
| 1998 | 5 | 10% |
| 1997 | 5 | 11% |
| 1996 | 11 | 30% |
| 1995 | 4 | 11% |
| 1994 | 1 | 3% |
| 1993 | 7 | 16% |
| 1992 | 4 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2002 Lexus ES300
52 complaintsVehicle speed control
50 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsAir bags
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