Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

2002 Lexus ES300: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

153 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

30,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2002 model year. Data updated: . 86 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 37 of 153 complaints (24.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior4428.8%
Transmission and shifting3019.6%
Engine operation85.2%
Steering behavior53.3%
Electrical and battery issues10.7%
Fuel system concerns10.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Vehicle Speed Control
37
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
36
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
13
Power Train
12
Unknown Or Other
8
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
6
Engine And Engine Cooling
6
Tires
6
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Vehicle Speed Control37
Power Train:Automatic Transmission36
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal13
Power Train12
Unknown Or Other8
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash6
Engine And Engine Cooling6
Tires6

Vehicle Speed Control: 37; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 36; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 13; Power Train: 12; Unknown Or Other: 8; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling: 6; Tires: 6

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
40
25,000 to 49,999
15
50,000 to 74,999
12
75,000 to 99,999
8
100,000 to 149,999
6
150,000 and above
5
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00040
25,000 to 49,99915
50,000 to 74,99912
75,000 to 99,9998
100,000 to 149,9996
150,000 and above5

Under 25,000: 40; 25,000 to 49,999: 15; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 5

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (40). 67 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2001
1
2002
30
2003
20
2004
37
2005
13
2006
3
2007
1
2008
1
2009
6
2010
24
2011
5
2012
1
2013
1
2014
2
2015
1
2016
4
2017
2
2018
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20011
200230
200320
200437
200513
20063
20071
20081
20096
201024
20115
20121
20131
20142
20151
20164
20172
20181

2001: 1; 2002: 30; 2003: 20; 2004: 37; 2005: 13; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 6; 2010: 24; 2011: 5; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 4; 2017: 2; 2018: 1

Pattern summary

Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 44 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 30 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10000029 · 2002-12-13 (December 13, 2002)

TRANSMISSION GETS CONFUSED WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF THE LOWER GEARS, THEN SPENDS TOO LONG TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT GEAR TO BE IN. THIS CAUSES DANGEROUS DELAYS IN ACCELERATION, THE EFFECT IS THE SAME AS A MOMENTARY ENGINE STALL. WE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, FREEWAY RAMP ENTRANCES ARE CERTAINLY THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SHIFTING DELAYS BUT THEY SAY NO FIX IS AVAILABLE. THIS IS OUR THIRD ES300, THE PREVIOUS MODELS USED A CABLE BETWEEN THE GA…

Owner-reported narrative. 228 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000029 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10001095 · 2002-12-17 (December 17, 2002)

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED, THE ENGINE SUFFERED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. TS WHEN ACCELERATING TO CHANGE LANE OR ENTER THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE ALMOST STALLED AND OR DECELERATED. SCC

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001095 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10001465 · 2003-01-09 (January 9, 2003)

THE SPEEDOMETER IS NOT VISIBLE IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT. CONSUMER HAS NO IDEA HOW FAST THE VEHICLE IS GOING. *JG *JB *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001465 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10004854 · 2003-07-10 (July 10, 2003)

THE TRANSMISSION HAD A JERK IN THE TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER IT WAS THE DESIGN THE OF THE VEHICLE. *TS *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004854 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10007290 · 2003-02-24 (February 24, 2003)

CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE FROM FRONT RIGHT SIDE DUE TO AN ENGINEERING FLAW. *AK *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007290 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10012059 · 2003-03-19 (March 19, 2003)

THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCED A HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING, THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10012059 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10016697 · 2003-04-29 (April 29, 2003)

1) STUMBLE - THIS OCCURS WHEN YOU QUICKLY ACCELERATE AND THE CAR HESITATES FOR 1-2 SECONDS BEFORE IT KICKS IN. 2) SHUDDER - WITH NO PATTERN, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY SHUDDER. THIS OCCURS WITH NO/LITTLE ACCELERATION. 3) SURGING - THE CAR SURGES APPROX. 1/2 FOOT WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS INTENSIFIED WHEN THE CAR IS SLOWLY (E.G., IN TRAFFIC) MOVING DOWN HILL. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016697 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10016699 · 2003-04-29 (April 29, 2003)

1. SHUDDERING TRANSMISSION IN STOP/GO TRAFFIC. 2. WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP, CAR NUDGES FORWARD EVEN WHEN BRAKES ARE FULLY DEPRESSED. NOTIFIED DEALER AS WELL AS LEXUS CORP AND WAS TOLD NO FIX IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016699 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

01V371000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Reported: 2001-12-11 (December 11, 2001)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT BRAKE LINE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LINE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 1, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-888-333-9376.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
01V372000 · Air Bags:Frontal

Reported: 2001-12-11 (December 11, 2001)

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.

Consequence: IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE DETACHED BOTTOM PORTION MAY STRIKE THE DRIVER CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-888-333-9376.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

153 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

56.2%Usable mileage86 / 153 records
86.9%Valid incident date133 / 153 records
100.0%Valid filing date153 / 153 records
86.9%Ordered incident and filing dates133 / 153 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component19992000200120022003200520062013
Vehicle Speed Control
27.4%
ODI 10319100 · 245,000 mi

MY CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT MY CONTROL AND ALL ATTEMPTS TO BRING IT TO A STOP BY USING THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS FUTILE. AFTER ENGAGING THE EMERGENCY BRAKES THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND STOPPED. CAR WAS TOWED BY TRIPLE AAA TO NTB IN ALEXANDRIA VA. REPORT THE INCIDENT TO TOYOTA /LEXUS CUSTOMER SERVICE AND DID NOT GET A FAVORABLE RESPONSE. *TR

Look up ODI 10319100 at NHTSA ↗

814.3%
ODI 10304692 · 40,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS ES300. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A WALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CONTACT SUFFERD MINOR INJURIES TO THE CHEST AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED FOR THE CRASH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40000. UPDATED 3/16/10 *CN UPDATED 09/30/10

Look up ODI 10304692 at NHTSA ↗

413.8%
ODI 10138278

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WOULD SPEED UP ON OWN WITHOUT PUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR. I FOUND MY CAR GOING FROM 40 TO 60. IN PARK POSITION THE CAR WILL REV TO HIGH RPM BUT IF I AM IN DRIVE MODE IT WILL JUST ACCELERATE. I TOOK IT TO LEXUS AND THE TECHNICIAN SAYS THE IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE WAS NOT WORKING AND THE REPAIR WORK WOULD BE $500. *NM

Look up ODI 10138278 at NHTSA ↗

3724.2%
ODI 10001095

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED, THE ENGINE SUFFERED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. TS WHEN ACCELERATING TO CHANGE LANE OR ENTER THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE ALMOST STALLED AND OR DECELERATED. SCC

Look up ODI 10001095 at NHTSA ↗

4337.1%
ODI 10053839 · 25 mi

DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE SPEEDOMETER CONSUMER CANNOT READ THE GAUGE DURING THE BRIGHT DAYLIGHT HOURS. THE POINTER IS BRIGHT RED, AND WITH THE BRIGHT SUN SHINING DOWN, IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE WHERE THE DIAL IS ON THE DASHBOARD. *AK *MR

Look up ODI 10053839 at NHTSA ↗

1100.0%
ODI 10536963 · 111,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A WOODEN WALL. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT AN ENGINEER WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR INSPECTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000. *TR

Look up ODI 10536963 at NHTSA ↗

133.3%
ODI 10306402 · 17,000 mi

ON 12/23/09 AT APPROXIMATELY 1:46PM, MY MOTHER LOST CONTROL OF HER 2006 LEXUS ES300 IN THE PARKING LOT OF A STORE IN MIAMI, FL. THE CAR WENT UP ON A RAISED GRASS BED AND WAS STOPPED ONLY BECAUSE IT WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE ARMS OF A LARGE, METAL GATE. THE GATE REMOVED THE ENTIRE HOOD OF THE CAR AND SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD. MIRACULOUSLY, MY MOTHER WAS NOT HURT AND NO OTHER CARS OR PERSONS WERE INVOLVED IN THE INCIDENT. MY MOTHER WAS TICKETED FOR "CARELESS" DRIVING, LOSS OF CONTROL. FROM THE MOMENT I ARRIVED ON THE SCENE, SHE DESCRIBED A FEEL…

Look up ODI 10306402 at NHTSA ↗

120.0%
ODI 10609490 · 10,991 mi

THE LEXUS ES 300H 2013 MODEL CAR WHILE PARKING ON THE FLAT DRIVE-WAY (NO SLOPE), HAVING THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED AND MOVING THE GEAR LEVER FROM D TO PARK, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHIN A FRACTION OF A SECOND AND HIT THE GARAGE DOOR, COMPLETELY BREAKING THE GARAGE DOOR. THE FRONT OF THE CAR GOT DAMAGED AND A CAR PARKED INSIDE THE GARAGE ALSO GOT DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR STOPPED AFTER THE GEAR LEVER WAS MOVED TO PARK. THIS EXPERIENCE WAS FRIGHTENING AND IS A VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS SAFETY HAZARD. THIS HAPPENED AROUN…

Look up ODI 10609490 at NHTSA ↗

Power Train:Automatic Transmission
27.4%
ODI 10010655 · 81,000 mi

JUST BOUGHT A 1999 LEXUS ES 300, TOOK IT TO BE CHECKED OUT BECAUSE THE ENGINE SOUNDED ROUGH IN THE REVERSE GEAR. FOUND OUT THE TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING BADLY AND HAS TO BE REPLACED, THE LEXUS SPECIALIST SAYS HE HAS SEEN SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSIONS IN THE ES 300 MODELS AS WELL AS SOME OF THE RL MODELS BUT HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY RECALLS. INFORMATION IS FOUND REGARDING THIS PROBLEM IN THE TSB DATABASE. *JB

Look up ODI 10010655 at NHTSA ↗

58.9%
ODI 10221661 · 146,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS ES300. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT SHUT OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACK LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. WHEN THE VEHICLE GAINED NORMAL SPEED, THE WARNING LIGHTS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT IS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO WARRANTY AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEA…

Look up ODI 10221661 at NHTSA ↗

13.4%
ODI 10261275 · 92,000 mi

TRANSMISSION SKIPPING AT 92,00 MILES AND FAILED, MADE REPAIR $560. NOW AT 104,000 TRANSMISSION HAS TOTALLY FAILED. *TR

Look up ODI 10261275 at NHTSA ↗

3623.5%
ODI 10000029 · 228 mi

TRANSMISSION GETS CONFUSED WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF THE LOWER GEARS, THEN SPENDS TOO LONG TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT GEAR TO BE IN. THIS CAUSES DANGEROUS DELAYS IN ACCELERATION, THE EFFECT IS THE SAME AS A MOMENTARY ENGINE STALL. WE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, FREEWAY RAMP ENTRANCES ARE CERTAINLY THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SHIFTING DELAYS BUT THEY SAY NO FIX IS AVAILABLE. THIS IS OUR THIRD ES300, THE PREVIOUS MODELS USED A CABLE BETWEEN THE GA…

Look up ODI 10000029 at NHTSA ↗

1916.4%
ODI 10016689

WHEN ACCELERATING OUT OF A SLOW TURN(USUALLY A U-TURN) THE CAR WILL DELAY APPROX 1 SECOND BEFORE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES. WHEN SLOWING TO STOP BUT NOT COMPLETELY STOPPING THE TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE IT IS SLIPPING WHEN ACCELERATING. *JB

Look up ODI 10016689 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Air Bags:Frontal
13.7%
ODI 10001920

WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

Look up ODI 10001920 at NHTSA ↗

11.8%
ODI 10141172

2000 LEXUS ES300 INVOLVED IN 45 MPH FRONTAL CRASH AND DRIVER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM

Look up ODI 10141172 at NHTSA ↗

310.3%
ODI 10224076 · 99,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LEXUS ES300. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A THREE VEHICLE CRASH. THE FIRST VEHICLE SLAMMED ON ITS BRAKES AND CAUSED THE SECOND VEHICLE TO STRIKE THE BUMPER OF THE FIRST VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER THEN CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE SECOND VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN THE THIRD VEHICLE AND NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY'S SERVICE CENTER FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE AND THEY STATED …

Look up ODI 10224076 at NHTSA ↗

53.3%
ODI 10032815 · 17,000 mi

WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE TRAVELING AT LESS THEN 10 MILES PER HOUR, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, PROCEEDED FORWARD HITTING ANOTHER PARKED CAR HEAD ON. THE VEHICLE THEN JUMPED A CURB AND HIT A SECOND CAR. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE CAR USING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP. IN ADDITION THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE WAS DONE TO TWO OTHER VEHICLES BESIDE MINE.*AK UPDATED 7/3/12 *CN

Look up ODI 10032815 at NHTSA ↗

32.6%
ODI 10063075

WHILE DRIVING 4 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH RESULTED IN VEHICLE HITTING AN EMBANKMENT HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION.*AK

Look up ODI 10063075 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Air Bags
13.7%
ODI 10150951 · 100,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON A RECENTLY OILED AND CHIPPED RURAL ROAD, I HAD TO VEER TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO AVOID AN ONCOMING VEHICLE DRIVING IN THE CENTER OF THE ROAD. UPON SAID VEHICLE PASSING, I SLIGHTLY TURNED THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT IN ORDER TO FULLY RETURN TO THE ROAD. AT THIS POINT, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO "FISH TAIL" TERRIBLY, NO MATTER HOW MUCH I TRIED TO REGAIN CONTROL, AND EVENTUALLY TURNED HEAD ON TOWARD THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD, DIRECTLY TOWARD TREES LINING THE OPPOSITE SIDE. I MUST HAVE LOST CONSCIOUSNESS, AS THE NEXT THING I RECALL IS …

Look up ODI 10150951 at NHTSA ↗

47.1%
ODI 10012387

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM A RESTAURANT VEHICLE TOOK A DIFFERENT COURSE. IT LOCKED UP , BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE AND IT COLLIDED INTO A NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO NECK AND BACK. MR...*AK

Look up ODI 10012387 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

21.3%
ODI 10410546 · 92,000 mi

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.

Look up ODI 10410546 at NHTSA ↗

97.8%
ODI 10032267

WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE WAS DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE DEALERSHIP RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE CONSUMER WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC LATER STATED THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER HAD TO WAIT FOR A REPLACEMENT DASH TO ARRIVE. *PH *JB

Look up ODI 10032267 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

120.0%
ODI 10576579 · 2,100 mi

CAR HAS BRAKE PEDAL CHARACTERISTIC WHICH ALLOWS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO REACH FULL STOP OF THE END OF FULL MECHANICAL TRAVEL (VS. HYDRAULICALLY LIMITED BY BRAKE PRESSURE) AND THE BRAKES ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO APPLY MORE BRAKING FORCE. THIS CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS CAR MODEL IS DIRECTLY LINKED WITH THE CAUSATION OF THE COLLISION AND WAS CERTAINLY A MAJOR SURPRISE TO THE OWNER AS THIS EVENT WAS OCCURRING. NO SUCH WARNING PROVIDED TO CONSUMERS WITH THIS PARTICULAR BRAKING ISSUE IN LEXUS ES300H. CHARACTERISTIC IS ENDEMIC TO THE MODEL AS TESTED IN OTHER …

Look up ODI 10576579 at NHTSA ↗

Power Train
13.7%
ODI 10070114 · 80,000 mi

THE LEXUS SPECIALIST AT THE REPAIR SHOP INFORMED ME THAT HE HAS SEEN SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER ES 300 MODELS AS WELL AS THE RL MODELS AT ABOUT THE SAME MILEAGE. THE ONES WITH THE TOYOTA CAMRY ENGINES HAVEN\\\\\\'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS. THERE IS A TSB ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND I HAVE ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT THERE.

Look up ODI 10070114 at NHTSA ↗

35.4%
ODI 10148630 · 87,000 mi

2000 LEXUS ES300 ENGINE BEGAN LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING AT 65-70 MPH. *TS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION BUT THE TACHOMETER WAS SWINGING WILDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE FACILITY WHO INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NM

Look up ODI 10148630 at NHTSA ↗

13.4%
ODI 10456444 · 110,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LEXUS ES300. WHILE DRIVING 8 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BUMP VIBRATION COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT METAL FILLINGS WERE FOUND INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

Look up ODI 10456444 at NHTSA ↗

127.8%
ODI 10000029 · 228 mi

TRANSMISSION GETS CONFUSED WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF THE LOWER GEARS, THEN SPENDS TOO LONG TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT GEAR TO BE IN. THIS CAUSES DANGEROUS DELAYS IN ACCELERATION, THE EFFECT IS THE SAME AS A MOMENTARY ENGINE STALL. WE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, FREEWAY RAMP ENTRANCES ARE CERTAINLY THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SHIFTING DELAYS BUT THEY SAY NO FIX IS AVAILABLE. THIS IS OUR THIRD ES300, THE PREVIOUS MODELS USED A CABLE BETWEEN THE GA…

Look up ODI 10000029 at NHTSA ↗

76.0%
ODI 10040083

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE MOVING. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. *AK *SCC *JB

Look up ODI 10040083 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Unknown Or Other
27.4%
ODI 10070114 · 80,000 mi

THE LEXUS SPECIALIST AT THE REPAIR SHOP INFORMED ME THAT HE HAS SEEN SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER ES 300 MODELS AS WELL AS THE RL MODELS AT ABOUT THE SAME MILEAGE. THE ONES WITH THE TOYOTA CAMRY ENGINES HAVEN\\\\\\'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS. THERE IS A TSB ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND I HAVE ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT THERE.

Look up ODI 10070114 at NHTSA ↗

35.4%
ODI 10381931 · 37,209 mi

TRAC OFF AND CK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE DURING DRIVING. VEHICLE WILL THEN OPERATE IN A ROUGH MANNER AND WILL NOT STEADILY IDLE, RPM'S DRASTICALLY DROP AND VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL OUT ON THE ROAD DURING OPERATION. ON EACH OF THE FOLLOWING OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT LEXUS OF WILMINGTON IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE FOR THIS SAME ISSUE: 8/25/04 - CODE 440 PO AND RESET LIGHTS (WARRANTY) NO REPAIRS; 11/03/2005 - CODES P0046, P0441 & P0440 CLAIMED LOOSE GAS CAP & DIDN'T MAKE ANY REPAIRS; 11/16/05 - CANISTER SWITCHING VALVE SHOR…

Look up ODI 10381931 at NHTSA ↗

13.4%
ODI 8017412

CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO SEE DIGITAL DASH INDICATOR LIGHTS IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT.*AK *JB

Look up ODI 8017412 at NHTSA ↗

85.2%
ODI 10012059

THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCED A HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING, THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB

Look up ODI 10012059 at NHTSA ↗

43.4%
ODI 10070548

I REALIZE THAT MY PROBLEM, WITH A BAD RADIO IS NOT A MECHANICAL ONE. HOWEVER, I AM SENDING THIS FOR YOUR INFORMATION, AND TO INDICATE THAT LEXUS DOES NOT LIVE UP TO ITS ADS AS PURSUING PERFECTION I HAVE SPOKEN TO A NUMBER OF PEOPLE AT LEXUS, IN MY DEALERSHIP AND AT THE MAIN OFFICE OVER A PERIOD OF 10 MONTHS. I HAVE EVEN WRITTEN TO THE VICE PRESIDENT OF LEXUS. HE DID NOT REPLY TO MY FIRST LETTER SO I SENT HIM A SECOND LETTER, CERTIFIED. RETURN RECEIPT. I RECEIVED A RESPONSE TO THAT SECOND LETTER FROM SOMEONE AT CUSTOMER RELATIONS. IN AD…

Look up ODI 10070548 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

11.8%
ODI 10061808 · 38,520 mi

I OWN A LEXUS ES300 AND I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH I BELIEVED THAT THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCLERATED AND TOLD OTHERS THAT IS WHAT I BELIEIVED HAPPENED PRIOR TO READING TODAYS NEWS ON THE INTERNET. I HAD TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE TO BRING THE CAR TO A HALT.*AK

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413.8%
ODI 10062245 · 23,000 mi

ACCERATOR STICKING

Look up ODI 10062245 at NHTSA ↗

138.5%
ODI 10032815 · 17,000 mi

WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE TRAVELING AT LESS THEN 10 MILES PER HOUR, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, PROCEEDED FORWARD HITTING ANOTHER PARKED CAR HEAD ON. THE VEHICLE THEN JUMPED A CURB AND HIT A SECOND CAR. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE CAR USING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP. IN ADDITION THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE WAS DONE TO TWO OTHER VEHICLES BESIDE MINE.*AK UPDATED 7/3/12 *CN

Look up ODI 10032815 at NHTSA ↗

65.2%
ODI 10067151 · 2,000 mi

UPON STOPPING, AND WHEN CONSUMER REMOVED FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD BEFORE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THIS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. ONCE, RESULTING IN CONSUMER'S VEHICLE CRASHING INTO A CONCRETE POLE WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT. ALSO, STARTING AT 5000 MILES BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES BECAUSE IT DIED. THIS WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK *LA

Look up ODI 10067151 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System
13.7%
ODI 10627463 · 85,135 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,135.

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35.4%
ODI 10313124 · 92,000 mi

CAR SURGED OUT OF CONTROL-STOPPED BY A FIRE HYDRANT AND LAWN BUSHES =CAR WAS TOTALED- BAGS DID NOT OPEN-PROBLEM WITH SENSORS REPLACED 2 AND THE\IMMEDIATELY BEFORE CRASH- RUN AWAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PLUS ANOTHER LIGHT CAME ON. *TR

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13.4%
ODI 8001321

VEHICLE STARTED UP WITHOUT KEY IN IGNITION, AND WHILE IN PARK, VEHICLE STARTED TO MOVE IN REVERSE INTO THE STREET. DEALER IS TAKING A LOOK AT THE VEHICLE.*AK. DEALER STATES THE PROBLEM LIES WITH THE REMOTE STARTER ITS NOT A LEXUS ISSUE. *YD

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21.3%
ODI 10089243

WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. CONSUMER TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK *TC *JB

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65.2%
ODI 10080052

WHILE SHIFTING GEARS VEHICLE JERKED AND HESITATED TO MOVE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE RESET, AND HE RESET IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM REOCCURED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. CURRENTLY, THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Look up ODI 10080052 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Vehicle Speed Control27,200–83,207 mi60,000 mi25
ODI 10037542 · 18,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH ON HIGHWAY. WHEN THE TRAFFIC SLOWED DOWN, I APPLIED THE BRAKE TO BRING DOWN THE SPEED OF THE CAR TO ABOUT 3-7 MPH. AFTER FOLLOWING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS AT ABOUT 3/4 CAR DISTANCE, I SAW THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SPEEDED UP SLOWLY AND I DECIDED TO FOLLOW UP BY PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR MODERATLY. THE CAR FIRST SHUDDERED, THEN PAUSED FOR ABOUT 1 SECOND, AND FINALLY ACCELERATED AT ALMOST MAXIMUM POWER. THIS WAS A NEAR MISS. BEFORE THIS HAPPENED, I BROUGHT OUR CAR TO LEXUS DEALER TO COMPLAIN ABOUT SHU…

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ODI 10063027 · 16,000 mi

UPON PARKING IN A PARKING LOT VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD. WHEN THIS OCCURRED VEHICLE JUMPED THE CEMENT WHEEL BLOCK, AND WENT THROUGH A COMPLEX BEFORE STOPPING. CONSUMER HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP VEHICLE. *AK VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *LA

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ODI 10075774 · 21,600 mi

CONSUMER STATED WHILE PARKING VEHICLE AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND RAN INTO A STREET SIGN AND BARRIER GATE. *AK *NM

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Power Train:Automatic Transmission500–19,900 mi3,350 mi22
ODI 10000029 · 228 mi

TRANSMISSION GETS CONFUSED WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF THE LOWER GEARS, THEN SPENDS TOO LONG TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT GEAR TO BE IN. THIS CAUSES DANGEROUS DELAYS IN ACCELERATION, THE EFFECT IS THE SAME AS A MOMENTARY ENGINE STALL. WE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, FREEWAY RAMP ENTRANCES ARE CERTAINLY THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SHIFTING DELAYS BUT THEY SAY NO FIX IS AVAILABLE. THIS IS OUR THIRD ES300, THE PREVIOUS MODELS USED A CABLE BETWEEN THE GA…

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ODI 10004854 · 150 mi

THE TRANSMISSION HAD A JERK IN THE TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER IT WAS THE DESIGN THE OF THE VEHICLE. *TS *JB

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ODI 10016697 · 100 mi

1) STUMBLE - THIS OCCURS WHEN YOU QUICKLY ACCELERATE AND THE CAR HESITATES FOR 1-2 SECONDS BEFORE IT KICKS IN. 2) SHUDDER - WITH NO PATTERN, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY SHUDDER. THIS OCCURS WITH NO/LITTLE ACCELERATION. 3) SURGING - THE CAR SURGES APPROX. 1/2 FOOT WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS INTENSIFIED WHEN THE CAR IS SLOWLY (E.G., IN TRAFFIC) MOVING DOWN HILL. *JB

Look up ODI 10016697 at NHTSA ↗

Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal10,800–32,005 mi18,900 mi9
ODI 10032815 · 17,000 mi

WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE TRAVELING AT LESS THEN 10 MILES PER HOUR, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, PROCEEDED FORWARD HITTING ANOTHER PARKED CAR HEAD ON. THE VEHICLE THEN JUMPED A CURB AND HIT A SECOND CAR. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE CAR USING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP. IN ADDITION THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE WAS DONE TO TWO OTHER VEHICLES BESIDE MINE.*AK UPDATED 7/3/12 *CN

Look up ODI 10032815 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10045944 · 12 mi

1. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, AT 2-4 MPH, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT FULL SPEED, JUMPING THE CURB AND HITTING A TREE WITH FULL FORCE. BECAUSE OF PREVIOUS CONCERNS WITH THROTTLE PROBLEMS NOTED WITH THE DEALERSHIP AT 1000 AND 5000 MILE CHECK, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP. AFTER A CONFERENCE CALL WITH LEXUS ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THE DEALERSHIP, MY CAR WAS FLAT BEDDED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE FRONTAL CRASH RENDERED THE VEHICLE UN-DRIVABLE. RADIATOR DAMAGE WITH LEAKAGE OF FLUID COVERED A POR…

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ODI 10061924 · 22,300 mi

I PUCHASED A 2002 LEXUS 300 FROM WESTSIDE LEXUS IN HOUSTON, TEXAS. SINCE PURCHASE THE VEHICLE HAS SURGED WHEN SHIFTING AT LOWER SPEEDS NUMEROUS TIMES AND HAS SURGED WHEN THE VECHILE IS ON CRUISE CONTROL. I HAVE COMPLAINED NUMEROUS TIMES TO WESTSIDE LEXUS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT THEY AWAYS SAY THAT LEXUS IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IS TRYING TO COME UP WITH A FIX. LAST YEAR THEY ADJUSTED THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) CALIBRATION AND LEXUS SAID THE CAR SHOULD DRIVE BETTER - IT DID AT FIRST BUT IS NOW BACK TO THE SAME OLD SURGING AT SLOW SHIFT…

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Power TrainToo few reports for a range75,501 mi4 (sparse)
ODI 10000029 · 228 mi

TRANSMISSION GETS CONFUSED WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF THE LOWER GEARS, THEN SPENDS TOO LONG TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT GEAR TO BE IN. THIS CAUSES DANGEROUS DELAYS IN ACCELERATION, THE EFFECT IS THE SAME AS A MOMENTARY ENGINE STALL. WE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, FREEWAY RAMP ENTRANCES ARE CERTAINLY THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SHIFTING DELAYS BUT THEY SAY NO FIX IS AVAILABLE. THIS IS OUR THIRD ES300, THE PREVIOUS MODELS USED A CABLE BETWEEN THE GA…

Look up ODI 10000029 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10489419 · 150,001 mi

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. *TR

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ODI 10593191 · 1,000 mi

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. *TR

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Unknown Or OtherToo few reports for a range196,371 mi2 (sparse)
ODI 10609464 · 156,342 mi

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

Look up ODI 10609464 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10881603 · 236,400 mi

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…

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Engine And Engine Cooling69,000–102,542 mi95,000 mi5
ODI 10273948 · 44,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS ES300. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED SMOKED UNDER THE HOOD. IN A MATTER OF SECONDS, FLAMES APPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE PALM BEACH COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT FILED REPORT NUMBER 09-092367 AND FIRE REPORT NUMBER 09-50737. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 44,000.

Look up ODI 10273948 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10304641 · 69,000 mi

I HAVE A 2002 LEXUS ES300. IT STOPPED WHILE DRIVING RECENTLY. THERE WAS NO INDICATION. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING. AFTER OPENING THE HOOD I FOUND THE SMALL PIPE CONNECTING THE AIR INTAKE TO THE ENGINE HAD COME OFF. I WAS LUCKY AS THE DRIVER BEHIND ME SLOWED DOWN AND STOPPED. HOWEVER IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY, I POSSIBLE WOULD NOT BE WRITING THIS COMPLAINT. *TR

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ODI 10346158 · 102,542 mi

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR ACCELERATION WAS LIMITED. ERROR CODES P2121 AND P2128 INDICATED FAULTY "THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR" THE PART RETAILS FOR AROUND $100. LEXUS INSISTED THAT I HAD TO REPLACE THE COMPLETE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. LEXUS CHARGED ME $764 TO REPLACE BOTH ASSEMBLIES. I BELIEVE LEXUS SHOULD HAVE COVERED THE COST OF ALL OF THE COST OF REPLACING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY. MY VEHICLE IS A 2002 LEXUS ES300. *TR

Look up ODI 10346158 at NHTSA ↗

TiresToo few reports for a range17,762 mi4 (sparse)
ODI 10053324 · 15,145 mi

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. *AK

Look up ODI 10053324 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10056829 · 17,523 mi

I PURCHASED A NEW LEXUS,MODEL ES300 ON JULY 17,2002. AT 17,000 MILES I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES AND WAS TOLD THE EDGES WERE CUPPED AND MANY CUSTOMERS HAD REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM THE CAR DEALER AND TIRE DEALERS IN OUR AREA, THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE TOYO PROXES J33, P215/60 R 1694V SERIES TIRE. THE TOYO COOPERATION WILL ONLY COVER 50% OF REPLACEMENT COST ON A TIRE WITH 17,000 MILES, 6/32 REMAINING TREAD. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THESE TIRES, THEY ARE UNSAFE TIRES AND AN ADDED…

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ODI 10068597 · 18,000 mi

THE TIRES SHOWED SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE WEAR EVERY 18,000 MILES. DEALER HAD REPLACED THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WITH BRIDGESTONE, TURANZA T, SIZE P215/60R16. THE BRIDGESTONE FRONT TIRES WERE REPLACED AT 23, 000 MILES, REAR TIRES WERE REPLACED AT 30, 000 MILES. CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH TIRES. *AK *LA

Look up ODI 10068597 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 25 reports

2006: 2 complaints · 2013: 5 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2006112
2013455
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
2006300
2013500

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentVehicle Speed ControlPower Train:Automatic TransmissionVehicle Speed Control:Accelerator PedalPower TrainUnknown Or OtherElectrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under DashEngine And Engine CoolingTires
Vehicle Speed Control—
1
ODI 10419895 · 139,450 mi

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. *KB

Look up ODI 10419895 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 10293960 · 45,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS ES 300. WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT INTENTION. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER THE SIDE-WALK AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. AFTER HITTING THE VEHICLE, SHE PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, BUT THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED INTO A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 45,000. UPDATED 12/16/09 *BF PICTURES RECEIVED. UPDATED 12/16/09

Look up ODI 10293960 at NHTSA ↗

000
1
ODI 10401859 · 95,000 mi

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.

Look up ODI 10401859 at NHTSA ↗

0
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
1
ODI 10419895 · 139,450 mi

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. *KB

Look up ODI 10419895 at NHTSA ↗

—
2
ODI 10074804

POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AR HESITATES ON ACCELERATION, LUNGES AT TIMES, SEARCHES FOR PROPER GEAR AND SHIFTS HARD. THE HEISTATION CAN BE QUITE DRAMATIC; ENOUGH TO LOSE CONFIDENCE IN CRITICAL SITUATIONS. THE CAR HAS BEEN "RE-PROGRAMMED" BY LEXUS, BUT PROBLEMS CONTINUE. LEXUS DENIES THERE IS A PROBLEM AND SAYS THE CAR FUNCTIONS AS DESIGNED. PROBLEMS SURFACED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE AND CONTINUE.*AK

Look up ODI 10074804 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10093211 · 10,000 mi

2002 LEXUS ES300 WITH ABOUT 18,000 MILES HAS A PROBLEM WITH HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER SLOWING DOWN, ESPECIALLY AFTER COMPLETING A TURN. IT IS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T ADJUST WITH THE PRESSING OF THE GAS PEDAL. ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE HESITATION. ALSO I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR DOWN SHIFTING AS I COME DOWN A HILL. ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT GEAR TO BE IN WHEN GOING AROUND 20 TO 25 MILES PER HOUR. YOU CAN FEEL THE CAR CHANGE GEAR. PASSENGERS EVEN HAVE ASKED WHAT WAS THAT? COMPLAINED…

Look up ODI 10093211 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 10000029 · 228 mi

TRANSMISSION GETS CONFUSED WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF THE LOWER GEARS, THEN SPENDS TOO LONG TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT GEAR TO BE IN. THIS CAUSES DANGEROUS DELAYS IN ACCELERATION, THE EFFECT IS THE SAME AS A MOMENTARY ENGINE STALL. WE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, FREEWAY RAMP ENTRANCES ARE CERTAINLY THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SHIFTING DELAYS BUT THEY SAY NO FIX IS AVAILABLE. THIS IS OUR THIRD ES300, THE PREVIOUS MODELS USED A CABLE BETWEEN THE GA…

Look up ODI 10000029 at NHTSA ↗

000
1
ODI 10064969

BRAKE ROTORS WERE REPLACED, ENTIRE NEW BRAKE KIT INSTALLED AND ALL FOUR TIRE WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO REACHING 20K MILES. *PH THE CONSUMER HAS NOT BEEN PLEASED WITH THE SHIFTING PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DEMONSTRATE ERRATIC, ROUGH AND INCONSISTENT SHIFTING. THE MANUFACTURER INSTALLED A SOFTWARE UPGRADE BUT IT ONLY SLIGHTLY IMPROVED THE PERFORMANCE. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD A 2000 LEXUS GS 300 WHICH HAD A MORE DRAMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE LOCAL DEALER INSISTED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *NM

Look up ODI 10064969 at NHTSA ↗

Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
1
ODI 10293960 · 45,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS ES 300. WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT INTENTION. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER THE SIDE-WALK AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. AFTER HITTING THE VEHICLE, SHE PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, BUT THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED INTO A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 45,000. UPDATED 12/16/09 *BF PICTURES RECEIVED. UPDATED 12/16/09

Look up ODI 10293960 at NHTSA ↗

2
ODI 10074804

POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AR HESITATES ON ACCELERATION, LUNGES AT TIMES, SEARCHES FOR PROPER GEAR AND SHIFTS HARD. THE HEISTATION CAN BE QUITE DRAMATIC; ENOUGH TO LOSE CONFIDENCE IN CRITICAL SITUATIONS. THE CAR HAS BEEN "RE-PROGRAMMED" BY LEXUS, BUT PROBLEMS CONTINUE. LEXUS DENIES THERE IS A PROBLEM AND SAYS THE CAR FUNCTIONS AS DESIGNED. PROBLEMS SURFACED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE AND CONTINUE.*AK

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ODI 10093211 · 10,000 mi

2002 LEXUS ES300 WITH ABOUT 18,000 MILES HAS A PROBLEM WITH HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER SLOWING DOWN, ESPECIALLY AFTER COMPLETING A TURN. IT IS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T ADJUST WITH THE PRESSING OF THE GAS PEDAL. ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE HESITATION. ALSO I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR DOWN SHIFTING AS I COME DOWN A HILL. ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT GEAR TO BE IN WHEN GOING AROUND 20 TO 25 MILES PER HOUR. YOU CAN FEEL THE CAR CHANGE GEAR. PASSENGERS EVEN HAVE ASKED WHAT WAS THAT? COMPLAINED…

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Power Train0
1
ODI 10000029 · 228 mi

TRANSMISSION GETS CONFUSED WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF THE LOWER GEARS, THEN SPENDS TOO LONG TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT GEAR TO BE IN. THIS CAUSES DANGEROUS DELAYS IN ACCELERATION, THE EFFECT IS THE SAME AS A MOMENTARY ENGINE STALL. WE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, FREEWAY RAMP ENTRANCES ARE CERTAINLY THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SHIFTING DELAYS BUT THEY SAY NO FIX IS AVAILABLE. THIS IS OUR THIRD ES300, THE PREVIOUS MODELS USED A CABLE BETWEEN THE GA…

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0—
3
ODI 10609464 · 156,342 mi

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

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ODI 8010890

IN DAY LIGHT HOURS WHEN SUN IS OUT CONSUMER CAN'T SEE DIALS ON SPEEDOMETER, UNABLE TO TELL HOW FAST VEHICLE WAS GOING. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS VERY UNSAFE. *AK CONSUMER ALSO CAN NOT SEE THE FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE SPEED AND ENGINE TEMPERATURE. *TT

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ODI 8020437

THE CONSUMER STATES THAT HE CANNOT VIEW THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THE DAYTIME. THE MFR ADVISED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PANEL IS DESIGNED THAT WAY. *MR THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WHITE NUMBERS ON THE INSTRUMENTS WERE OKAY, BUT IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE RED NEEDLE DURING THE DAY LIGHT (UNLESS YOUR IN THE SHADE/OR IN THE EVENING). THE CONSUMER STATES THAT HE IS UNABLE TO TELL THE SPEED OF TRAVEL, WHETHER THE ENGINE IS OVERHEATING, AND/OR THE AMOUNT OF FUEL LEFT. ALSO THE MULTI-INFORMATION DISPLAYS AND THE ODOMETER READINGS ARE BA…

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0
1
ODI 8010890

IN DAY LIGHT HOURS WHEN SUN IS OUT CONSUMER CAN'T SEE DIALS ON SPEEDOMETER, UNABLE TO TELL HOW FAST VEHICLE WAS GOING. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS VERY UNSAFE. *AK CONSUMER ALSO CAN NOT SEE THE FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE SPEED AND ENGINE TEMPERATURE. *TT

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0
Unknown Or Other000
3
ODI 10609464 · 156,342 mi

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

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ODI 8010890

IN DAY LIGHT HOURS WHEN SUN IS OUT CONSUMER CAN'T SEE DIALS ON SPEEDOMETER, UNABLE TO TELL HOW FAST VEHICLE WAS GOING. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS VERY UNSAFE. *AK CONSUMER ALSO CAN NOT SEE THE FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE SPEED AND ENGINE TEMPERATURE. *TT

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ODI 8020437

THE CONSUMER STATES THAT HE CANNOT VIEW THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THE DAYTIME. THE MFR ADVISED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PANEL IS DESIGNED THAT WAY. *MR THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WHITE NUMBERS ON THE INSTRUMENTS WERE OKAY, BUT IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE RED NEEDLE DURING THE DAY LIGHT (UNLESS YOUR IN THE SHADE/OR IN THE EVENING). THE CONSUMER STATES THAT HE IS UNABLE TO TELL THE SPEED OF TRAVEL, WHETHER THE ENGINE IS OVERHEATING, AND/OR THE AMOUNT OF FUEL LEFT. ALSO THE MULTI-INFORMATION DISPLAYS AND THE ODOMETER READINGS ARE BA…

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—0
1
ODI 8010890

IN DAY LIGHT HOURS WHEN SUN IS OUT CONSUMER CAN'T SEE DIALS ON SPEEDOMETER, UNABLE TO TELL HOW FAST VEHICLE WAS GOING. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS VERY UNSAFE. *AK CONSUMER ALSO CAN NOT SEE THE FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE SPEED AND ENGINE TEMPERATURE. *TT

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0
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash00000—00
Engine And Engine Cooling
1
ODI 10401859 · 95,000 mi

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.

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00
1
ODI 8010890

IN DAY LIGHT HOURS WHEN SUN IS OUT CONSUMER CAN'T SEE DIALS ON SPEEDOMETER, UNABLE TO TELL HOW FAST VEHICLE WAS GOING. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS VERY UNSAFE. *AK CONSUMER ALSO CAN NOT SEE THE FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE SPEED AND ENGINE TEMPERATURE. *TT

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1
ODI 8010890

IN DAY LIGHT HOURS WHEN SUN IS OUT CONSUMER CAN'T SEE DIALS ON SPEEDOMETER, UNABLE TO TELL HOW FAST VEHICLE WAS GOING. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS VERY UNSAFE. *AK CONSUMER ALSO CAN NOT SEE THE FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE SPEED AND ENGINE TEMPERATURE. *TT

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0—0
Tires0
1
ODI 10064969

BRAKE ROTORS WERE REPLACED, ENTIRE NEW BRAKE KIT INSTALLED AND ALL FOUR TIRE WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO REACHING 20K MILES. *PH THE CONSUMER HAS NOT BEEN PLEASED WITH THE SHIFTING PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DEMONSTRATE ERRATIC, ROUGH AND INCONSISTENT SHIFTING. THE MANUFACTURER INSTALLED A SOFTWARE UPGRADE BUT IT ONLY SLIGHTLY IMPROVED THE PERFORMANCE. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD A 2000 LEXUS GS 300 WHICH HAD A MORE DRAMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE LOCAL DEALER INSISTED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *NM

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00000—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

6 patterns with matching reports.

Hard or delayed shifting

12 mentions · 7.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 34,240 mi (10 usable records).

ODI 10004854 · 150 mi

THE TRANSMISSION HAD A JERK IN THE TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER IT WAS THE DESIGN THE OF THE VEHICLE. *TS *JB

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ODI 10023430 · 3,200 mi

THE 2002 LEXUS ES300 HAS A SIGNIFICANT FLAW IN THE NEW ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED TRANSMISSION SYSTEM. THIS FLAW HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS AND BY LEXUS CUSTOMER SERVICE. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM SINCE DECEMBER 2002 WHICH IS SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE THREE VERY OBVIOUS SYMPTOMS THAT HAVE BEEN OCCURRING EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. DEPENDING UPON FUEL AND DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE CAR WILL DEVELOP A NECK JERKING SHUTTER AS IT VIOLENTLY SHIFTS BETWEEN GEARS. THIS USUALLY…

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ODI 10074804

POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AR HESITATES ON ACCELERATION, LUNGES AT TIMES, SEARCHES FOR PROPER GEAR AND SHIFTS HARD. THE HEISTATION CAN BE QUITE DRAMATIC; ENOUGH TO LOSE CONFIDENCE IN CRITICAL SITUATIONS. THE CAR HAS BEEN "RE-PROGRAMMED" BY LEXUS, BUT PROBLEMS CONTINUE. LEXUS DENIES THERE IS A PROBLEM AND SAYS THE CAR FUNCTIONS AS DESIGNED. PROBLEMS SURFACED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE AND CONTINUE.*AK

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Matching rule\b(hard shift\w*|rough shift\w*|delay\w* shift\w*|shift\w* hard|jerk\w*|lurch\w*)\b

Stalling or loss of power

9 mentions · 5.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 34,500 mi (6 usable records).

ODI 10000029 · 228 mi

TRANSMISSION GETS CONFUSED WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF THE LOWER GEARS, THEN SPENDS TOO LONG TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT GEAR TO BE IN. THIS CAUSES DANGEROUS DELAYS IN ACCELERATION, THE EFFECT IS THE SAME AS A MOMENTARY ENGINE STALL. WE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, FREEWAY RAMP ENTRANCES ARE CERTAINLY THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SHIFTING DELAYS BUT THEY SAY NO FIX IS AVAILABLE. THIS IS OUR THIRD ES300, THE PREVIOUS MODELS USED A CABLE BETWEEN THE GA…

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ODI 10001095

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED, THE ENGINE SUFFERED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. TS WHEN ACCELERATING TO CHANGE LANE OR ENTER THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE ALMOST STALLED AND OR DECELERATED. SCC

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ODI 10104282 · 1,000 mi

ROUGH SHIFTING/SLIPPING IN LOWER GEARS (1,2). WHEN ACCELERATING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC CAR SEEMS TO STALL BEFORE IT SUDDENLY BUMPS INTO GEAR. INTERMITTENTLY - WHEN ACCELERATED SUDDENLY (MOVING STEADY AT ABOUT 10 MILES PER HOUR) TRANSSMISION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR, ENGINE RPM REACHED ABOUT 4000 RPM. IT ENGAGED IN GEAR AFTER I RELEASED ACCELERATOR. *AK

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Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Brake response concerns

7 mentions · 4.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 45,500 mi (4 usable records).

ODI 10022535

2002 LEXUS MALFUNCTIONING BRAKE SYSTEM. *MR THE ENGINE SURGED WHILE BRAKING. IT WAS INDICATED THAT THIS MAY BE DUE TO AN INCREASE IN IDLING SPEED WHEN THE A/C WAS OPERATING. ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE ALTHOUGH THE CONSUMER APPLIED EXTREME PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. *SCC *NLM

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ODI 10032815 · 17,000 mi

WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE TRAVELING AT LESS THEN 10 MILES PER HOUR, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, PROCEEDED FORWARD HITTING ANOTHER PARKED CAR HEAD ON. THE VEHICLE THEN JUMPED A CURB AND HIT A SECOND CAR. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE CAR USING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP. IN ADDITION THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE WAS DONE TO TWO OTHER VEHICLES BESIDE MINE.*AK UPDATED 7/3/12 *CN

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ODI 10063027 · 16,000 mi

UPON PARKING IN A PARKING LOT VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD. WHEN THIS OCCURRED VEHICLE JUMPED THE CEMENT WHEEL BLOCK, AND WENT THROUGH A COMPLEX BEFORE STOPPING. CONSUMER HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP VEHICLE. *AK VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *LA

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Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

2 mentions · 1.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 87,771 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10308747 · 73,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 LEXUS E300 ON RTE95 IN PROVIDENCE R.I. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE TRAVELING AT THE SPEED OF THE TRAFFIC--65MPH. SUDDENLY T CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND WITHOUT WARNING WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. I WAS IN THE MIDST OF HEAVY TRAFFIC LOSING SPEED RAPIDLY. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD . THE CHIP WHICH FEEDS GAS TO THE ENGINE FAILED. *TR

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ODI 10346158 · 102,542 mi

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR ACCELERATION WAS LIMITED. ERROR CODES P2121 AND P2128 INDICATED FAULTY "THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR" THE PART RETAILS FOR AROUND $100. LEXUS INSISTED THAT I HAD TO REPLACE THE COMPLETE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. LEXUS CHARGED ME $764 TO REPLACE BOTH ASSEMBLIES. I BELIEVE LEXUS SHOULD HAVE COVERED THE COST OF ALL OF THE COST OF REPLACING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY. MY VEHICLE IS A 2002 LEXUS ES300. *TR

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Matching rule\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 0.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 44,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10273948 · 44,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS ES300. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED SMOKED UNDER THE HOOD. IN A MATTER OF SECONDS, FLAMES APPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE PALM BEACH COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT FILED REPORT NUMBER 09-092367 AND FIRE REPORT NUMBER 09-50737. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 44,000.

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Matching rule\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 0.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 100,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 11055236 · 100,000 mi

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

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Matching rule\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b