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Model Year Problem Record

Lexus ES300 2002 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2002 Lexus ES300: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

153Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
2Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
4Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
56Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Power Train55 complaints

55 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control51 complaints

51 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes15 complaints

15 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 01V371000.

Engine12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags9 complaints

9 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 01V372000.

Unknown Or Other8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

01V371000Reported December 11, 2001 - 1,697 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on December 11, 2001. The campaign covers an estimated 1,697 vehicles across all affected models.

01V372000Reported December 11, 2001 - 19,587 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on December 11, 2001. The campaign covers an estimated 19,587 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP04003Opened February 17, 2004 - Closed March 5, 2004

THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP05002Opened August 5, 2005 - Closed January 5, 2006

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP09001Opened April 8, 2009 - Closed October 29, 2009

UNWANTED AND UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE04021Opened March 3, 2004 - Closed July 22, 2004

THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20011
200230
200320
200437
200513
20063
20071
20081
20096
201024
20115
20121
20131
20142
20151
20164
20172
20181
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.