2002 Lexus ES Problems, Recalls & Reliability
242 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2002 Lexus ES, alongside 0 recall campaigns and 4 defect investigations. It scores 49/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Transmission & drivetrain leads the reports, typically around 19,600 miles.
Below average
Where 2002 sits among all ES years
What owners report
“Shift comfort issue exists at somewhat predictable driving conditions that cause the driver to handle the car in a cautious manner to avoid vehicle malfunction. Dt”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 ES
“In a commercial parking lot, i shifted from r to d to exit a parking space and, with my foot on the brake pedal, my lexus suddenly sped forward and rammed a parked car, driving it into a 3rd car.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 ES
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 139 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 56,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 20,000 and 110,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls
No recall campaigns on file for the 2002 Lexus ES.
Federal defect investigations
Technical service bulletins
102 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and body & structure — are on file for the 2002 Lexus ES. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2002 Lexus ES reliable?
The 2002 Lexus ES drew 242 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 49/100, scored against the model's worst year (2007).
What are the most common 2002 Lexus ES problems?
The top reported problems for the 2002 Lexus ES are transmission & drivetrain (60 complaints), speed control (56), and engine (22).
At what mileage do 2002 Lexus ES problems show up?
Owners most often report 2002 Lexus ES problems around 56,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 20,000 and 110,000 miles.
Does the 2002 Lexus ES have recalls?
No recall campaigns are on file for the 2002 Lexus ES. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check the VIN before buying.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.