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Lexus ISModel year report

2002 Lexus IS Problems

Complaints
12filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
88,000miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Lexus IS (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2002 Lexus IS. The part named most often is body and structure, with 5 complaints (42% of the total), followed by tires (2) and air bags (1). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 17% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 88,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 28 technical service bulletins for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Tires complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Body and structure: “Over the years my dashboard has deteriorated, the rubber has become sticky and nasty just like all the other Lexus vehicles in complaints. I understand there IS a recall regarding this matter but not my year. I do not understand why this wouldn't apply to all the 2002 models that are experiencing the exact same issue! Please, could someone enlighten me? Me vehicle has 120,000 miles on it and IS in immaculate condition other than the dashboard and sides of console. Help, I love my car and I deserve to be a part of this recall also!! Thank you in advance for your help.”

NHTSA complaint #10672593, filed 2015-01

Tires: “I have had three sets of cooper zeon 2xs 215/45zr17. There have been problems with all three sets. I was traveling long distance when my rear drivers side tire came apart and rolled away while I was on the on ramp for i24 which IS a very busy major highway. I was probably going about 35 MPH at the time this occurred. There was approximately $1250 worth of damage to my car not including replacing my tire which I will never buy these type of tires ever again. Also, this delayed my trip to visit my grandmother who was dying in the hospital at the time. …”

NHTSA complaint #10167101, filed 2006-08

Brakes: “Car runs great until check engine light comes on followed by vsc and then brake light. When those lights come on it runs rough and brakes make gear noise under driver's side hood area. Brake IS very sluggish and almost non existent when it fails. Let it set, clear fault and runs fine until warm again. Have had all brakes checked and in good condition by mechanic today and problem persists. Appears to be an ecu or other electrical and not mechanical problem. Is extremely dangerous and should be addressed by manufacturer.”

NHTSA complaint #11066838, filed 2018-02, 203,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

17% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 50,999 and 120,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2517%25–5033%50–750%75–10033%100–15017%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 88,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2006200720145201520182020
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.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2002 Lexus IS 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. 28 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 28 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus IS

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2023511,0000523—Too new
20206—0———Not enough data
20171196,0000———Not enough data
2015988,0000———Not enough data
201412—0———Not enough data
2013959,5940—24—Not enough data
20121823,0000—22—Falling
20111577,0000—22—Falling
20104167,0001—2146 · TypicalStable
20094036,7502——77 · MoreFalling
200810278,5003——50 · TypicalFalling
200712282,5003——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200614389,5007——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20051247,0000———Not enough data
20041074,8380———Not enough data
20031248,0000———Not enough data
20021288,0000———Not enough data

All Lexus IS model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Lexus IS have?

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2002 Lexus IS as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Body and structure is named most often, in 5 complaints (42% of the total), followed by tires with 2.

Has the 2002 Lexus IS 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.

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

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 88,000 miles and the middle half falls between 50,999 and 120,000 miles; 17% 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.

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.