Owners have filed 10 complaints
about the 2002 Lexus LS with NHTSA between 2006 and 2015.
The largest single group is the body & structure.
Across this model's run it ranks 7 of 8 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 18
Against the median year of the Lexus LS. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
50% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
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 LS
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Body & Structure
550.0%
Median failure at 100,000 miles
Wheels
220.0%
Median failure at 74,670 miles
Tires
110.0%
Median failure at 77,340 miles
Suspension
110.0%
Median failure at 77,340 miles
Engine & Cooling
110.0%
Median failure at 225,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
222.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
444.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
222.2%
150,000+ miles
111.1%
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.
Aug 2006peak 5Jun 2015
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 80,000 milesBasking Ridge, NJ2 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
SUPPORTS TO KEEP TRUNK MLID OPEN FAILED AND LID CAME DOWN STRIKING HEAD. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER FROM WHOM I PURCHASED CAR DID NOT OFFER TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS.WILLIAM
NHTSA complaint #10722618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesHo-Ho-Kus, NJ1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS LS400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK LID WAS AJAR WHEN IT UNEXPECTEDLY FAILED AND CRASHED DOWN ONTO THE CONTACTS HEAD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A LOSS OF BLOOD AND SEVERE SWELLING OF THE HEAD. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 3/22/11 *CN UPDATED 1/4/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HIS WIFE OPENED THE TRUNK LID, IT PROMPTLY CAME DOWN ON HER HEAD, WITH NO WARNING...UPDATED 01-30-14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS CYLINDERS THAT HELD THE TRUNK LID UP FAILED. UPDATED 01/30/14
NHTSA complaint #10384142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesHo-Ho-Kus, NJ1 injured
STRUCTURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS LS400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK LID WAS AJAR WHEN IT UNEXPECTEDLY FAILED AND CRASHED DOWN ONTO THE CONTACTS HEAD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A LOSS OF BLOOD AND SEVERE SWELLING OF THE HEAD. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 3/22/11 *CN UPDATED 1/4/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HIS WIFE OPENED THE TRUNK LID, IT PROMPTLY CAME DOWN ON HER HEAD, WITH NO WARNING...UPDATED 01-30-14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS CYLINDERS THAT HELD THE TRUNK LID UP FAILED. UPDATED 01/30/14
NHTSA complaint #10384142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clearwater, FL1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
LEXUS LS 430 2002 TRUNK STRUT FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10212336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesMiami, FL1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UNLESS THE TRUNK WAS RAISED ALL THE WAY, THE TRUNK CLOSED SO FAST RESULTING IN HITTING SEVERAL FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE HEAD BUT NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE CONTACT TRIED TO CATCH THE TRUNK BEFORE IT SLAMMED SHUT WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONTACT'S FINGER BEING PINNED IN THE TRUNK. THE CONTACT HAD AN X-RAY PERFORMED AND THE RESULTS DISPLAYED LIGAMENT DAMAGE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #10165225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 80,000 milesBasking Ridge, NJ2 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
SUPPORTS TO KEEP TRUNK MLID OPEN FAILED AND LID CAME DOWN STRIKING HEAD. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER FROM WHOM I PURCHASED CAR DID NOT OFFER TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS.WILLIAM
NHTSA complaint #10722618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 225,000 milesLAS Vegas, NV
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE PISTONS THAT HOLD UP THE TRUNK FAILED. THE TRUNK FELL ON ME AND CAUSED INJURY. THESE PARTS SHOULD BE REPLACE AT THE EXPENSE OF LEXUS. IN ADDITION, THE SAME PARTS THAT SUPPORT THE HOOD, ALSO JUST FAILED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IN ORDER TO PREVENT FURTHER INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10683206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesHo-Ho-Kus, NJ1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS LS400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK LID WAS AJAR WHEN IT UNEXPECTEDLY FAILED AND CRASHED DOWN ONTO THE CONTACTS HEAD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A LOSS OF BLOOD AND SEVERE SWELLING OF THE HEAD. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 3/22/11 *CN UPDATED 1/4/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HIS WIFE OPENED THE TRUNK LID, IT PROMPTLY CAME DOWN ON HER HEAD, WITH NO WARNING...UPDATED 01-30-14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS CYLINDERS THAT HELD THE TRUNK LID UP FAILED. UPDATED 01/30/14
NHTSA complaint #10384142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesHo-Ho-Kus, NJ1 injured
STRUCTURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS LS400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK LID WAS AJAR WHEN IT UNEXPECTEDLY FAILED AND CRASHED DOWN ONTO THE CONTACTS HEAD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A LOSS OF BLOOD AND SEVERE SWELLING OF THE HEAD. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 3/22/11 *CN UPDATED 1/4/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HIS WIFE OPENED THE TRUNK LID, IT PROMPTLY CAME DOWN ON HER HEAD, WITH NO WARNING...UPDATED 01-30-14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS CYLINDERS THAT HELD THE TRUNK LID UP FAILED. UPDATED 01/30/14
NHTSA complaint #10384142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clearwater, FL1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
LEXUS LS 430 2002 TRUNK STRUT FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10212336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesLancaster, CA
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS LS430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE MADE A SQUEAKING NOISE AFTER IT WAS REPLACED. THE NOISE WAS CAUSED BY LOOSE BOLTS. THE NOISE RECURRED TWO MONTHS AGO AND COULD POSSIBLY RESULT FROM A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH THE TIRE BOLTS AND THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VERY VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED ALL OF THE BOLTS AND NUTS ON THE GROUND. HE HAS PAID $3,000 IN REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
NHTSA complaint #10212233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,340 milesLancaster, CA
SUSPENSION
ON 9/6/2007 I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I TOOK IT TO THE TIRE PLACE, I BOUGHT A NEW TIRE THAT THEY INSTALLED. AS I DROVE AWAY I HEARD A CLICKING SOUND AND I WENT BACK TO THE STORE. TWO STUDS WERE BACKED UP A LITTLE AND LOOSENED THE NUTS. ON 11/23/2007 I HAD TO REPLACE TWO TIRES. I TIGHTENED THE STUDS. I DROVE SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES AND THEN ON 11/29/2007 I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND SUDDENLY THE CAR WAS SHAKING AND HARD TO CONTROL. I REDUCED SPEED AND PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER. I CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK AND TOWED THE CAR TO THE LEXUS DEALER. ALL THE NUTS WERE BROKEN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK DELIVERED THE CAR, THERE WERE THREE NUTS ON THE GROUND FROM MY CAR. THE LEXUS DEALER REPLACED NUTS, SPRINGS, HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY, DISC PAD PIN, DISC CYLINDER ASSY. DISC BRAKE PAD KIT, FLAGE BOLT, PARK LEVER SUB-ASSY. I HAVE ALL PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10211149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,340 milesLancaster, CA
TIRES
ON 9/6/2007 I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I TOOK IT TO THE TIRE PLACE, I BOUGHT A NEW TIRE THAT THEY INSTALLED. AS I DROVE AWAY I HEARD A CLICKING SOUND AND I WENT BACK TO THE STORE. TWO STUDS WERE BACKED UP A LITTLE AND LOOSENED THE NUTS. ON 11/23/2007 I HAD TO REPLACE TWO TIRES. I TIGHTENED THE STUDS. I DROVE SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES AND THEN ON 11/29/2007 I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND SUDDENLY THE CAR WAS SHAKING AND HARD TO CONTROL. I REDUCED SPEED AND PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER. I CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK AND TOWED THE CAR TO THE LEXUS DEALER. ALL THE NUTS WERE BROKEN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK DELIVERED THE CAR, THERE WERE THREE NUTS ON THE GROUND FROM MY CAR. THE LEXUS DEALER REPLACED NUTS, SPRINGS, HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY, DISC PAD PIN, DISC CYLINDER ASSY. DISC BRAKE PAD KIT, FLAGE BOLT, PARK LEVER SUB-ASSY. I HAVE ALL PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10211149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,340 milesLancaster, CA
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
ON 9/6/2007 I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I TOOK IT TO THE TIRE PLACE, I BOUGHT A NEW TIRE THAT THEY INSTALLED. AS I DROVE AWAY I HEARD A CLICKING SOUND AND I WENT BACK TO THE STORE. TWO STUDS WERE BACKED UP A LITTLE AND LOOSENED THE NUTS. ON 11/23/2007 I HAD TO REPLACE TWO TIRES. I TIGHTENED THE STUDS. I DROVE SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES AND THEN ON 11/29/2007 I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND SUDDENLY THE CAR WAS SHAKING AND HARD TO CONTROL. I REDUCED SPEED AND PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER. I CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK AND TOWED THE CAR TO THE LEXUS DEALER. ALL THE NUTS WERE BROKEN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK DELIVERED THE CAR, THERE WERE THREE NUTS ON THE GROUND FROM MY CAR. THE LEXUS DEALER REPLACED NUTS, SPRINGS, HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY, DISC PAD PIN, DISC CYLINDER ASSY. DISC BRAKE PAD KIT, FLAGE BOLT, PARK LEVER SUB-ASSY. I HAVE ALL PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10211149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesMiami, FL1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UNLESS THE TRUNK WAS RAISED ALL THE WAY, THE TRUNK CLOSED SO FAST RESULTING IN HITTING SEVERAL FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE HEAD BUT NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE CONTACT TRIED TO CATCH THE TRUNK BEFORE IT SLAMMED SHUT WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONTACT'S FINGER BEING PINNED IN THE TRUNK. THE CONTACT HAD AN X-RAY PERFORMED AND THE RESULTS DISPLAYED LIGAMENT DAMAGE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #10165225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.