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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2002 Lexus IS 300 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
18%of 28 total for the year
Median mileage
14,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Lexus IS 300, 18% of the 28 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 14,500 miles.

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.

“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

“I own a 5-speed manual 2002 Lexus is300. Currently, my car has 40,000 miles. Everything in the vehicle is stock, no modified parts and accesories. I drive this car normal like any other manual transmission cars. I rev match when I downshift, never ride the clutch etc...I have been driving manual cars for the last 10 years. A few days ago, I noticed that the transmission clutched began to slip as I was accelerating on-ramp onto freeway. The car is drivable but I have to be careful accelerating and passing or else, the clutch slips and car won't accelerate. …”

NHTSA complaint #10112285, filed 2005-02, 40,200 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2018117%
2003210%
2002518%
2001311%

Other parts of the 2002 Lexus IS 300

Vehicle speed control
6 complaints
Brakes
4 complaints
Other or unknown
4 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Suspension
3 complaints
Tires
3 complaints
Air bags
1 complaints
Electronic stability control
1 complaints
Engine cooling
1 complaints
Equipment
1 complaints
Steering
1 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Lexus IS 300

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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