10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
84,935 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Lexus ES 300 engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Lexus ES 300 Owner Comments

problem #7

Jan 082015

ES 300 6-cyl

  • 180,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On 1/8/15 at approx. 9:30 am, I was driving to work South on hwy 95 near exit 67. Suddenly, other drivers were frantically waving at me to pull over onto the shoulder of the highway. What they saw ( and which I couldn't), was that there were flames under my car. I pulled over and got out of the car. Within seconds ( not even a full minute), the entire car was engulfed in flames and soon became a complete and total charred mess. Fortunately, I was not physically hurt and a Maryland state trooper came onto the scene 2-5 minutes after I got out of the car. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

- Bel Air,, MD, USA

problem #6

Oct 122011

ES 300 6-cyl

  • 104,000 miles
I was backing into a parking space at my town's transfer station. As I came to a stop, I began to shift into park with my foot on the brake, the car suddenly accelerated out of my control. The vehicle smashed into a three foot concrete wall coming to a stop. The car suffered extensive back end damage. I was taken by ambulance to a local hospital for xrays of my neck and spine. Thankfully I am not injured. This vehicle was not under my control. It was as if it had a mind of it's own. I am a clear headed, forty eight year old female. I have a perfect driving record. This was the result of something out of my control. I believe this 2002 Lexus ES 300 is a dangerous car. I have only had the vehicle for two years. It was purchased as a second car for my husband. The car does not have floor mats nor did I confuse the accelerator and brake.

- Salem, NH, USA

problem #5

May 102011

ES 300

  • 95,000 miles
I was stopped at a red light approximately 3-4 ft. Behind a utility truck. Suddenly the car surged forward and hit the rear end of the truck in front of me.

- Orland Park, IL, USA

problem #4

Jul 222010

ES 300

  • 102,542 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Check engine light came on and car acceleration was limited. Error codes P2121 and P2128 indicated faulty "throttle position sensor" the part retails for around $100. Lexus insisted that I had to replace the complete accelerator pedal assembly with a new throttle position sensor. Lexus charged me $764 to replace both assemblies. I believe Lexus should have covered the cost of all of the cost of replacing the accelerator pedal assembly. My vehicle is a 2002 Lexus ES300.

- Pasadena, MD, USA

problem #3

Jan 272010

ES 300

  • 69,000 miles
I have a 2002 Lexus ES300. It stopped while driving recently. There was no indication. The engine was running but the car was not moving. After opening the hood I found the small pipe connecting the air intake to the engine had come off. I was lucky as the driver behind me slowed down and stopped. However if this had happened on a highway, I possible would not be writing this complaint.

- Allen, TX, USA

problem #2

Jun 162009

ES 300

  • 44,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Lexus ES300. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle hesitated and the contact smelled fuel. He pulled the vehicle over and noticed smoked under the hood. In a matter of seconds, flames appeared. The vehicle was destroyed. The palm beach county police department filed report number 09-092367 and fire report number 09-50737. There were no injuries. The manufacturer will be notified. The current and failure mileages were 44,000.

- Boca Raton , FL, USA

problem #1

May 032002

ES 300

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
In day light hours when sun is out consumer can't see dials on speedometer, unable to tell how fast vehicle was going. Consumer felt this was very unsafe. Consumer also can not see the fuel gauge, engine speed and engine temperature.

- Hendersonville, NC, USA

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