2002 Lexus ES300 Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 5%of 153 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,104miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the fuel system of the 2002 Lexus ES300, 5% of the 153 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,104 miles. 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 was driving my 2002 Lexus e300 on rte95 in providence r.I. I was in the middle lane traveling at the speed of the traffic--65mph. Suddenly t check engine warning light came on and without warning when I stepped on the gas pedal there was no response. I was in the midst of heavy traffic losing speed rapidly. Fortunately I was able to coast to the edge of the road . The chip which feeds gas to the engine failed.”
NHTSA complaint #10308747, filed 2010-02, 73,000 miles“While driving on a freeway the car made a sudden & brief shutter immediately followed by loss of response by the accelerator pedal. I immediately began to move off the freeway knowing that something was wrong with my car. Upon getting o the off ramp I saw flames coming from around the front left tire. I put the car into park, turned the engine off and exited the vehicle. Within a very few minutes the car was completely engulfed in flames. Passers by who stopped to assist me indicated that they saw flames underneath the car as I was pulling off the freeway. …”
NHTSA complaint #10881603, filed 2016-06, 236,400 miles“On june 15, 2009 we were driving home and my husband felt the car almost stalled. Then we smelled gasoline and saw smoke coming from the bottom right under the engine. We exited the car and it was already on fire. The car burst into flames and was completely destroyed. It was a 2002 Lexus 300es with only 44,000 miles. Toyota has been extremely rude to us and took almost a month to inspect the car. They say they cannot determine the cause of the fire. How can a car start on fire while you are driving it over straight roads.? We never had an accident or any other problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10276750, filed 2009-07, 44,000 miles“Upon purchasing vehicle there was a design defect in fuel tank. Cannot get gas cap off vehicle to put gasoline in it. Contacted the dealer. Consumer states the filler cap was replaced with a new version but it required a tool to remove it and did not solve the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #8007051, filed 2002-04Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 6 | 5% |
| 2002 | 7 | 5% |
| 2001 | 1 | 3% |
| 2000 | 3 | 5% |
| 1999 | 1 | 4% |
| 1998 | 5 | 10% |
| 1997 | 1 | 2% |
| 1996 | 2 | 5% |
| 1994 | 1 | 3% |
| 1993 | 1 | 2% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2002 Lexus ES300
52 complaintsVehicle speed control
50 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsOther or unknown
8 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 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