NHTSA has 180 owner complaints on file for the 2002 Lexus ES[1]. 45 of them mention a crash[1].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups owners raise most often, biggest first.
- Power Train. 57 complaints[4]. Owners describe hesitation and rough shifting in slow traffic, and say the dealer had no fix. Some also write that the dash gauges are hard to read in bright sun.
- Speed Control. 55 complaints[5]. In the stories we read, the car surges or lurches forward while braking or parking, and some owners say it ended in a collision. Others say the speedometer washes out in sunlight.
- Engine. 22 complaints[6]. Owners describe a pause when they press the gas, a check engine light that keeps returning, and in some stories smoke and flames under the hood.
- Electrical System. 16 complaints[7]. Owners describe instrument lighting that is hard to see in daylight, which makes it tough to read speed or set cruise control.
- Brakes. 16 complaints[8].
- Air Bags. 12 complaints[9].
- Structure. 7 complaints[10].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2002 ES is necessarily included.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings (01V371), December 2001. About 1,697 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: reduced braking.[11]
- Air Bags › Frontal (01V372), December 2001. About 19,587 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury.[12]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| ES 300, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[3] | 18 / 27 / 21 | $3,200 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR None[13].
Engine and size
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES 300 4DR SEDAN[14] | 191 in | 71 in | 57 in | 107 in | 3,439 lb |
How 2002 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 38 | 1 |
| 1996 | 38 | 1 |
| 1997 | 47 | 2 |
| 1998 | 53 | 1 |
| 1999 | 35 | 0 |
| 2000 | 62 | 0 |
| 2001 | 31 | 0 |
| 2002 | 180 | 2 |
| 2003 | 139 | 0 |
| 2004 | 190 | 2 |
| 2005 | 200 | 2 |
| 2006 | 79 | 0 |
| 2007 | 664 | 4 |
| 2008 | 323 | 4 |
| 2009 | 173 | 5 |
| 2010 | 179 | 5 |
| 2011 | 199 | 3 |
| 2012 | 120 | 3 |
| 2013 | 70 | 1 |
| 2014 | 46 | 1 |
| 2015 | 27 | 1 |
| 2016 | 37 | 1 |
| 2017 | 26 | 1 |
| 2018 | 15 | 2 |
| 2019 | 40 | 4 |
| 2020 | 24 | 3 |
| 2021 | 35 | 1 |
| 2022 | 16 | 1 |
| 2023 | 11 | 2 |
| 2024 | 9 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the ES show 180 complaints and 2 recalls for 2002[2]. Among the 32 model years listed, 26 have fewer complaints than 2002 and 5 have more[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (1) and the most are for 2007 (664)[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2002 ES?
The record for this model year shows several complaint groups in the reports we read. Power train and speed control lead the list[4][5]. Engine complaints include fires, and owners also describe gauges that are hard to read in daylight[6][7]. NHTSA reports are unverified and are not adjusted for how many cars were sold[1]. If you shop for one, take a long test drive in traffic and in bright sun, and check the recall list on this page[2].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Lexus ES?
- Power train complaints lead with 57[4], followed by speed control with 55[5]. Engine is next with 22[6].
- Does the 2002 Lexus ES have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year fact lists 2 recalls[2]. See the Recalls section on this page for the details.
- How many complaints are there for the 2002 Lexus ES?
- NHTSA has 180 owner complaints on file[1].
- Is the 2002 Lexus ES reliable?
- The complaints include fires and crashes, so check the problems section above before you buy[1]. Reports are unverified owner submissions.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2002 Lexus ES?
- See the fuel economy section on this page.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Lexus ES
Compare all model years of the Lexus ES
Similar cars from 2002: midsize cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 180 owner complaints on file for the 2002 Lexus ES (45 mention a crash, 10 a fire, 29 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Lexus ES model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for ES 300, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 57 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 8,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 55 complaints name the speed control component group (34 crashes, 0 fires, 15 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 22 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 7 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 115,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 16 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 16 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 22,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 12 complaints name the air bags component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 12 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the structure component group (3 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 175,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 01V371, filed December 11, 2001: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 01V372, filed December 11, 2001: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ES 300 4DR SEDAN: length 191 in, width 71 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,439 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov