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Lexus IS 300Model year report

2002 Lexus IS 300 Problems

Complaints
28filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
30,710miles, 22 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Lexus IS 300 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2002 Lexus IS 300. The part named most often is vehicle speed control, with 6 complaints (21% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (5) and brakes (4). 22 of the complaints include a mileage, and 64% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 30,710 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 52 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 9 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Equipment (1), Steering (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Vehicle speed control: “My 2002, Lexus is300 had a case of sudden unintended acceleration that LED to a crash causing over $10,000 worth of damages to both my car and the other persons car. I have seen other reports of other people wondering if the electronic throttle is suspect in these cases, however I personally believe that the real problem is only partly to blame on the electronic throttle. …”

NHTSA complaint #10139528, filed 2005-10, 35,420 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “After getting clutch replaced, I press the clutch pedal down and release the pedal, it takes sometimes up to 30 or 40 seconds before the pedal pops back out.. I have to reach down with my hand and pull the pedal up.”

NHTSA complaint #10023146, filed 2003-06, 14,500 miles

Brakes: “I put $3000 on 2002 Lexus and had it for three days when my 6 year old daughter and myself was heading onto commercial turnpike south. I was approaching light on corner of 441 and commercial when my brakes just gave out on me completely and I quickly responded and pulled up emergency brake and turned into gas station to have it towed to mechanic and which it was put on machine and detailed everything that was wrong with car including the malfunction on the ABS system which controls brakes and steering. …”

NHTSA complaint #10593815, filed 2014-05, 150,000 miles

Other or unknown: “Like most Lexus is300 owners, my car exhibits the melting dashboard issue. My main concern is the melting material could be releasing chemicals that is orderless/toxic. Lexus is refusing the repair the issue out of their own pockets.”

NHTSA complaint #10716315, filed 2015-05

Mileage when problems were reported

64% of the 22 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 14,500 and 86,000 miles.

9%0–1036%10–2518%25–509%50–759%75–10014%100–1505%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (22 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 30,710 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2002200462006201020152019
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Lexus IS 300. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
IS300 · sedan (side air bags) not rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2002 Lexus IS 300 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
IS 300 RWD3.0L 6-cyl5-speed manual162319$4,350
IS 300 RWD3.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic162318$4,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2002 Lexus IS 300 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 52 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 52 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus IS 300

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2019719,3002524—Not enough data
201867,0001526—Not enough data
20041956,7000—18—Stable
20032150,3000—18—Stable
20022830,7100—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20012765,0000—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Lexus IS 300 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Lexus IS 300 have?

NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2002 Lexus IS 300 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 Lexus IS 300 is reported most often?

Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 6 complaints (21% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 5.

Has the 2002 Lexus IS 300 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Lexus IS 300 get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Lexus IS 300 (IS 300, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Lexus IS 300 reported?

Among the 22 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 30,710 miles and the middle half falls between 14,500 and 86,000 miles; 64% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.