FaultScore

FaultScore report

2002 Lexus LS problems

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.

B

FaultScore 39/100

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

How this is worked out

The numbers

10

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

5

Injuries reported

77,340 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

0%

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 18 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 0 vs 50
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%.

How 2002 compares with every other Lexus LS

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 LS

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

Body & Structure 5 50.0%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

Wheels 2 20.0%

Median failure at 74,670 miles

Tires 1 10.0%

Median failure at 77,340 miles

Suspension 1 10.0%

Median failure at 77,340 miles

Engine & Cooling 1 10.0%

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 2 22.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 4 44.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 2 22.2%
150,000+ miles 1 11.1%

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 2006 peak 5 Jun 2015

Complaints that involved harm

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

at 80,000 miles Basking Ridge, NJ 2 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 miles Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 1 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 miles Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 1 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, FL 1 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 miles Miami, FL 1 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 miles Basking Ridge, NJ 2 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 miles LAS 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 miles Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 1 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 miles Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 1 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, FL 1 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 miles Lancaster, 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 miles Lancaster, 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 miles Lancaster, 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 miles Lancaster, 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 miles Miami, FL 1 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.