2002 Lexus ES300 recalls and problems

The 2002 Lexus ES300 has 2 safety recalls and 153 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Lexus dealer.

Recalls
2
Complaints
153
Crashes / fires
37 / 5
Injuries / deaths
24 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2002 Lexus ES300 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2002 Lexus ES300 recalls

Recall 01V-371: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Dec 11, 2001 · 1,697 vehicles affected · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The left front brake tube may have been deformed prior to vehicle delivery due to improper installation of a coil spring spacer that was installed to prevent damage to the vehicle during transportation.

Risk: If the brake tube is deformed significantly, it could contact the inner fender panel, and eventually cause damage to the tube due to vibration during driving. Brake tube damage could also lead to brake fluid leakage after extended use of the vehicle.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the front brake line and, if necessary, replace the line. Owner notification began january 1, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact lexus at 1-888-333-9376.

Recall 01V-372: Air Bags

Reported Dec 11, 2001 · 19,587 vehicles affected · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with a three-spoke style steering wheel. During air bag deployment, it is possible that the bottom seam of the front driver's side air bag module cover (Horn pad) could be torn away allowing the bottom portion of the cover to completely detach from the air bag module.

Risk: If this should occur, there is a possibility that the detached bottom portion may strike the driver causing personal injury.

Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's side air bag module. Owner notification began december 28, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or lexus at 1-888-333-9376.

2002 Lexus ES300 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train55
Vehicle Speed Control51
Service Brakes, Hydraulic12
Electrical System11
Air Bags9
Engine and Engine Cooling9
Unknown or Other9
Tires7
Fuel System, Gasoline4
Visibility3
Suspension3
Steering3

Most reported parts

  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 36
  • Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal — 13
  • Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash — 6
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 5
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) — 5
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor — 5
  • Electrical System › Ignition — 2
  • Power Train › Manual Transmission — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 30,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2002 Lexus ES300 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Seats · at 155,000 miles · reported Aug 24, 2018
The contact owns a 2002 lexus es300. While the contact was stopped in traffic, the vehicle was rear ended at 45 MPH by another vehicle. Both the front driver and passenger seats collapsed. As a result, the rear passengers sustained traumatic brain injuries that required medical attention. The driver and front passenger sustained head injuries, but did not require medical attention. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The…
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) · at 100,000 miles · reported Dec 18, 2017
I replaced the battery on my lexus and it would no longer idle you take your foot off the accelerator and the engine dies.. The computer lost the idle parameters this is dangerous as I turned left off one road to another took my foot from accelarator to brake engine died and I lost power steering almost wrecked most mechanics are aware of this defect lexus refused to admit it google it all over internet
Vehicle Speed Control · reported May 9, 2017
2002 lexus excelerated on it's own.I was getting on freeway I stepped on gas to go with flow of traffic , then traffic started backing up so I went to use brakes to slow down but car kept excelerating. I had to use both feet to try to stop ,then I felt a pop from gas pedal at that time it stopped excellerating
Fuel/Propulsion System · at 236,400 miles · reported Jun 29, 2016
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. There was no indication of fire…
Engine · at 145,000 miles · reported May 13, 2016
Large cloud of white/gray smoke when car sits overnight from previous night driving. After researching online this seems to be a common problem. There was a lawsuit filed because of this. Why not a recall????

Other Lexus ES300 years

Compare all Lexus ES300 years · All Lexus models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Lexus ES300 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2002 Lexus ES300: 01V-371 (service brakes, hydraulic), 01V-372 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Lexus ES300?

Owners report power train problems most often (55 reports), followed by vehicle speed control (51). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 30,000 miles.

Are Lexus recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Lexus dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.