FaultScore

FaultScore report

2002 Lexus ES300 problems

Owners have filed 194 complaints about the 2002 Lexus ES300 with NHTSA between 2001 and 2018. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain. Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 11 worst.

F

FaultScore 98/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Lexus ES300.

How this is worked out

The numbers

194

Complaints

50

Crashes reported

6

Fires reported

21

Injuries reported

32,005 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

51%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 100 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 88 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 100
Against the median year of the Lexus ES300. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
39.7% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 88
51% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2002 compares with every other Lexus ES300

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2002 Lexus ES300

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 3,804 mi

30 crashes, 0 fires · median 40,000 mi

Brakes 15 7.7%

5 crashes, 0 fires · median 22,000 mi

1 crashes, 3 fires · median 98,771 mi

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 40,000 mi

Other & Unspecified 9 4.6%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 196,371 mi

Airbags 9 4.6%

8 crashes, 0 fires · median 40,000 mi

Tires 7 3.6%

Median failure at 17,523 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 7 3.6%

0 crashes, 2 fires · median 78,103 mi

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 3 1.5%

Median failure at 18,000 miles

Lights 3 1.5%

Median failure at 9,000 miles

Suspension 3 1.5%
Steering 3 1.5%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 19,006 mi

Body & Structure 2 1.0%
Equipment & Accessories 1 0.5%

Median failure at 10,000 miles

Stability & Traction Control 1 0.5%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

Seats 1 0.5%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 155,000 mi

Seat Belts 1 0.5%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 70,000 mi

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Automatic Transmission 36 48.6%
Accelerator Pedal 13 17.6%
Interior/Under Dash 6 8.1%
Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 5 6.8%
Rotor 5 6.8%
Frontal 5 6.8%
Side/Window 2 2.7%
Engine 2 2.7%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 13 11.7%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 10 9.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 28 25.2%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 19 17.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 16 14.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 10 9.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 7 6.3%
150,000+ miles 8 7.2%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Dec 2001 peak 12 Aug 2018

NHTSA investigations into the 2002 Lexus ES300

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

DP09001 Opened 8 Apr 2009 Closed 29 Oct 2009 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

UNWANTED AND UNINTENDED ACCELERATION

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED DP09-001 ON APRIL 8, 2009, TO EVALUATE A DEFECT PETITION REQUESTING ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATION OF POTENTIAL THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM DEFECTS UNRELATED TO FLOOR MAT INTERFERENCE WITH ACCELERATOR PEDALS IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 LEXUS ES 350 VEHICLES.THE PETITIONER REFERENCED AN EARLIER ODI INVESTIGATION CONCERNING FLOOR MAT INTERFERENCE WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL RETURN (PE07-016/EA07-010), WHICH HE STATED WAS TOO NARROW IN SCOPE AS IT DID NOT INCLUDE ALL INCIDENTS OF UNWANTED ACCELERATION AND CONSIDER ALL POTENTIAL CAUSES OF VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CONCERN...

DP05002 Opened 5 Aug 2005 Closed 5 Jan 2006 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

IN A LETTER DATED JULY 8, 2005, AND AFTER EXPERIENCING TWO INCIDENTS (AND ONE CRASH) WHERE HE ALLEGES HIS MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002 CAMRY ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT, MR. JORDAN ZIPRIN PETITIONED THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION?S (NHTSA) OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) TO COMMENCE A PROCEEDING TO DETERMINE THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT WITHIN THE ETC SYSTEM IN MY 2002 TO 2005 TOYOTA AND LEXUS VEHICLES, OR TO REOPEN A PRIOR INVESTIGATION PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE) 04-021.IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 18, 2005, MR. ZIPRIN AMENDED HIS PETITION TO INCLUDE ALLEGATIONS OF INTERRELAT...

PE04021 Opened 3 Mar 2004 Closed 22 Jul 2004 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM

THE LEXUS MODELS WERE THE SUBJECT OF DEFECT PETITION (DP) 04-003.TWELVE ODI COMPLAINTS ARE DUPLICATIVE TO TOYOTA REPORTS, INCLUDING THE TWO MINOR CRASHES.THE V6 EQUIPPED SOLARA MODELS HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED BECAUSE THEY DO NOT CONTAIN THE SUBJECT THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM.TOYOTA INTRODUCED ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BEGINNING IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002.ODI OPENED THE INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE IF THE SYSTEM COULD BE THE CAUSE OF COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THE ENGINE SPEED INCREASED, OR FAILED TO DECREASE, (FOR A SHORT DURATION) WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED (THE A...

DP04003 Opened 17 Feb 2004 Closed 5 Mar 2004 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM

THE POPULATION NUMBER NOTED ABOVE IS ESTIMATED.IN THE JANUARY 15TH, 2004 PETITION REQUEST LETTER TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA), THE PETITIONER IDENTIFIED 37 VOQ COMPLAINTS AS RELATED TO VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL ISSUES SIMILAR TO THOSE THE PETITIONER ALLEGEDLY EXPERIENCED IN THEIR OWN VEHICLE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS (AS DESCRIBED IN THE PETITION REQUEST LETTER).DURING IT'S CONSIDERATION OF THE REQUEST, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) REVIEWED THE 37 COMPLAINTS AND CONCLUDED THAT 34 OF THE COMPLAINTS DID NOT INVOLVE A THROTTLE CONTROL ISSUE AS DESCRIBED AND A...

Recalls on the 2002 Lexus ES300

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

01V372000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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.

01V371000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 155,000 miles Dallas, TX Crash 3 injured

SEATS

TL* 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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT

NHTSA complaint #11122195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 236,400 miles Alpine, CA Fire

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 (EITHER FLAMES, SMOKE OR GAUGE INDICATIONS) FOR ME S THE DRIVER UNTIL I HAD EXITED TO THE OFF RAMP. THE CAR HAS BEEN DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS WITH CAUSE LISTED AS " UNDETERMINED" BY THE INSURANCE CO.

NHTSA complaint #10881603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 236,400 miles Alpine, CA Fire

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 (EITHER FLAMES, SMOKE OR GAUGE INDICATIONS) FOR ME S THE DRIVER UNTIL I HAD EXITED TO THE OFF RAMP. THE CAR HAS BEEN DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS WITH CAUSE LISTED AS " UNDETERMINED" BY THE INSURANCE CO.

NHTSA complaint #10881603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Culver City, CA Fire

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS ES300. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WERE FLAMES AND A BLACK SUBSTANCE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY REPAIR CENTER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10822093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles BEL Air,, MD Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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

NHTSA complaint #10676182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,000 miles Missouri City, TX Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STAND STILL AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL CRASHING INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED PAIN ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER, CHEST AND UPPER ARM. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE THAT WAS CRASHED INTO WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE SHE EXPERIENCED BACK PAIN. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 08/30/11 THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. UPDATED 11/30/11

NHTSA complaint #10418506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 155,000 miles Dallas, TX Crash 3 injured

SEATS

TL* 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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT

NHTSA complaint #11122195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Knoxville, TN

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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

NHTSA complaint #11055236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Modesto, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

NHTSA complaint #10984541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 236,400 miles Alpine, CA Fire

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 (EITHER FLAMES, SMOKE OR GAUGE INDICATIONS) FOR ME S THE DRIVER UNTIL I HAD EXITED TO THE OFF RAMP. THE CAR HAS BEEN DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS WITH CAUSE LISTED AS " UNDETERMINED" BY THE INSURANCE CO.

NHTSA complaint #10881603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 236,400 miles Alpine, CA Fire

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 (EITHER FLAMES, SMOKE OR GAUGE INDICATIONS) FOR ME S THE DRIVER UNTIL I HAD EXITED TO THE OFF RAMP. THE CAR HAS BEEN DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS WITH CAUSE LISTED AS " UNDETERMINED" BY THE INSURANCE CO.

NHTSA complaint #10881603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hilton Head Island, SC

AIR BAGS

SIDE AIRBAGS NEAR WINDSHIELD ARE LEAKING WHEN IT RAINS. AT FIRST IT WAS A SLOW LEAK, BUT REALLY POURS IN NOW

NHTSA complaint #10871321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 145,000 miles Riverwoods, IL

ENGINE

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????

NHTSA complaint #10864819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Culver City, CA Fire

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS ES300. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WERE FLAMES AND A BLACK SUBSTANCE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY REPAIR CENTER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10822093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles BEL Air,, MD Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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

NHTSA complaint #10676182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 156,342 miles VAN Nuys, CA

POWER TRAIN

DEALER AND FINANCE COMPANY CLAIM CLEAN TITLE BUT DOCUMENTS REFLECT OTHERWISE.

NHTSA complaint #10609464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 156,342 miles VAN Nuys, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DEALER AND FINANCE COMPANY CLAIM CLEAN TITLE BUT DOCUMENTS REFLECT OTHERWISE.

NHTSA complaint #10609464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 156,342 miles VAN Nuys, CA

ENGINE

DEALER AND FINANCE COMPANY CLAIM CLEAN TITLE BUT DOCUMENTS REFLECT OTHERWISE.

NHTSA complaint #10609464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,000 miles Clovis, CA

POWER TRAIN

WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS AT A SLOW STEADY SPEED(APPROX 20MPH) THE CAR WILL FREQUENTLY VIOLENTLY JERK. MY CAR HAS 75000 MILES AND HAS DONE IT SINCE DAY ONE.

NHTSA complaint #10593191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 83,207 miles Memphis, TN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM A STOP SIGN...CAR SURGES.

NHTSA complaint #10503225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 83,207 miles Memphis, TN

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM A STOP SIGN...CAR SURGES.

NHTSA complaint #10503225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,001 miles Cayce, SC

POWER TRAIN

MY 2002 LEXUS ES300 HAS BEEN JERKING AND SHIFTING VERY HARD ON ACCELERATION. IT SEEMS TO HAVE MORE OF A PROBLEM WHEN I ACCELERATE SLOWLY IN THE LOWER GEARS. IT JERKS VERY NOTICEABLY. I WAS TOLD IT WAS JUST THE NATURE OF THE CAR, BUT IT HAS BEEN GETTING MUCH WORSE OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR. IT ALSO HESITATES WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS AFTER DECELERATION.

NHTSA complaint #10489419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 139,450 miles Mcminnville, TN

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

MY 2002 LEXUS ES 200 WAS DYING OR NOT STARTING AT ALL. SUDDENLY, IT WAS WORKING FINE. 2 DAYS LATER, WHILE IDLING OR WHEN MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, IT WOULD LURCH FORWARD AND START ACCELERATING AT SOMETIMES 40MPH. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES, THEN EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP, THEN AFTER I TURNED IT OFF, IT WOULD SHAKE FORWARD.

NHTSA complaint #10419895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 139,450 miles Mcminnville, TN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

MY 2002 LEXUS ES 200 WAS DYING OR NOT STARTING AT ALL. SUDDENLY, IT WAS WORKING FINE. 2 DAYS LATER, WHILE IDLING OR WHEN MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, IT WOULD LURCH FORWARD AND START ACCELERATING AT SOMETIMES 40MPH. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES, THEN EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP, THEN AFTER I TURNED IT OFF, IT WOULD SHAKE FORWARD.

NHTSA complaint #10419895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,000 miles Missouri City, TX Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STAND STILL AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL CRASHING INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED PAIN ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER, CHEST AND UPPER ARM. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE THAT WAS CRASHED INTO WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE SHE EXPERIENCED BACK PAIN. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 08/30/11 THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. UPDATED 11/30/11

NHTSA complaint #10418506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,000 miles Missouri City, TX Crash 2 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STAND STILL AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL CRASHING INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED PAIN ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER, CHEST AND UPPER ARM. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE THAT WAS CRASHED INTO WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE SHE EXPERIENCED BACK PAIN. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 08/30/11 THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. UPDATED 11/30/11

NHTSA complaint #10418506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 92,000 miles Toldeo, OH Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON CRASH IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE NECK, SPINE AND SHOULDER. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT YET MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 92,000.

NHTSA complaint #10410546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Orland Park, IL Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10401859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Orland Park, IL Crash

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10401859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LAS Vegas, NV Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2002 LEXUS ES200. ATTORNEY WRITES ON BEHALF OF CLIENT IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION *TGW THE ATTORNEY STATED HIS CLIENT WAS INJURED WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND CRASHED INTO WALL AND METAL FENCE, EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED.

NHTSA complaint #10391935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,000 miles Beachwood, OH

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

LEXUS (2002 ES) HAS DRAMATIC TRANSMISSION STUTTER AT LOW OR HIGH SPEEDS, JERKING OCCUPANTS AND MAKING QUICK STARTS (TURNING ACROSS LANES) VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA complaint #10353695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.