2002 Lexus ES300

153 complaints on file, page 1 of 8.

1. Filed Aug 24, 2018Failure Sep 25, 2016155,000 milesDallas, TXSeatsCrash3 injured

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS ES300. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AT 45 MPH BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS COLLAPSED. AS A RESULT, THE REAR PASSENGERS SUSTAINED TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS NOT INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT*JB

   NHTSA complaint 11122195
2. Filed Dec 18, 2017Failure Dec 8, 2017100,000 milesKnoxville, TNElectronic stability control (esc)

   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

   NHTSA complaint 11055236
3. Filed May 9, 2017Failure May 6, 2017Modesto, CAVehicle speed control

   2002 LEXUS EXCELERATED ON IT'S OWN.I WAS GETTING ON FREEWAY I STEPPED ON GAS TO GO WITH FLOW OF TRAFFIC , THEN TRAFFIC STARTED BACKING UP SO I WENT TO USE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN BUT CAR KEPT EXCELERATING. I HAD TO USE BOTH FEET TO TRY TO STOP ,THEN I FELT A POP FROM GAS PEDAL AT THAT TIME IT STOPPED EXCELLERATING

   NHTSA complaint 10984541
4. Filed Jun 29, 2016Failure Jun 13, 2016236,400 milesAlpine, CAFuel/propulsion system, Unknown or otherFire

   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 THE FREEWAY. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF FIRE (EITHER FLAMES, SMOKE OR GAUGE INDICATIONS) FOR ME S THE DRIVER UNTIL I HAD EXITED TO THE OFF RAMP. THE CAR HAS BEEN DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS WITH CAUSE LISTED AS " UNDETERMINED" BY THE INSURANCE CO.

   NHTSA complaint 10881603
5. Filed May 28, 2016Failure Jan 7, 2016Hilton Head Island, SCAir bags

   SIDE AIRBAGS NEAR WINDSHIELD ARE LEAKING WHEN IT RAINS. AT FIRST IT WAS A SLOW LEAK, BUT REALLY POURS IN NOW

   NHTSA complaint 10871321
6. Filed May 13, 2016Failure Sep 2, 2015145,000 milesRiverwoods, ILEngine

   LARGE CLOUD OF WHITE/GRAY SMOKE WHEN CAR SITS OVERNIGHT FROM PREVIOUS NIGHT DRIVING. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. THERE WAS A LAWSUIT FILED BECAUSE OF THIS. WHY NOT A RECALL????

   NHTSA complaint 10864819
7. Filed Jan 25, 2016Failure Jan 4, 2016130,000 milesCulver City, CAEngineFire

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS ES300. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WERE FLAMES AND A BLACK SUBSTANCE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY REPAIR CENTER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

   NHTSA complaint 10822093
8. Filed Jan 17, 2015Failure Jan 8, 2015180,000 milesBEL AIR,, MDEngine and engine coolingFire

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

   NHTSA complaint 10676182
9. Filed Jul 9, 2014Failure Oct 25, 2013156,342 milesVAN Nuys, CAEngine, Power train, Unknown or other

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

   NHTSA complaint 10609464
10. Filed May 21, 2014Failure May 1, 20021,000 milesClovis, CAPower train

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10593191
11. Filed Mar 15, 2013Failure Jul 12, 201183,207 milesMemphis, TNFuel/propulsion system, Vehicle speed control

    SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM A STOP SIGN...CAR SURGES. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10503225
12. Filed Dec 20, 2012Failure Dec 19, 2012150,001 milesCayce, SCPower train

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10489419
13. Filed Aug 17, 2011Failure Aug 16, 2011139,450 milesMcminnville, TNAutomatic transmission, Vehicle speed control

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10419895
14. Filed Aug 11, 2011Failure Aug 4, 201174,000 milesMissouri City, TXFrontal, Vehicle speed controlCrash2 injured

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STAND STILL AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL CRASHING INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED PAIN ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER, CHEST AND UPPER ARM. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE THAT WAS CRASHED INTO WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE SHE EXPERIENCED BACK PAIN. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 08/30/11 THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. UPDATED 11/30/11

    NHTSA complaint 10418506
15. Filed Jul 5, 2011Failure Jun 11, 201192,000 milesToldeo, OHAir bagsCrash1 injured

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 10410546
16. Filed May 13, 2011Failure May 10, 201195,000 milesOrland Park, ILEngine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed controlCrash

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 10401859
17. Filed Mar 17, 2011Failure Dec 14, 2009LAS Vegas, NVVehicle speed controlCrash1 injured

    2002 LEXUS ES200. ATTORNEY WRITES ON BEHALF OF CLIENT IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION *TGW THE ATTORNEY STATED HIS CLIENT WAS INJURED WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND CRASHED INTO WALL AND METAL FENCE, EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10391935
18. Filed Sep 3, 2010Failure Aug 28, 201020,000 milesBeachwood, OHAutomatic transmission

    LEXUS (2002 ES) HAS DRAMATIC TRANSMISSION STUTTER AT LOW OR HIGH SPEEDS, JERKING OCCUPANTS AND MAKING QUICK STARTS (TURNING ACROSS LANES) VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10353695
19. Filed Jul 29, 2010Failure Jul 22, 2010102,542 milesPasadena, MDEngine and engine cooling

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10346158
20. Filed Jul 22, 2010Failure Jul 21, 201058,000 milesStaten Island, NYVehicle speed controlCrash1 injured

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS ES300. WHEN HE DROVE OUT OF THE PARKING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. HE BEGAN TO PANIC AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE AND A FENCE. THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN HE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE LEFT FRONT TIRE CAME OFF. HE RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SIDE OF HIS BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT AN ENGINEER WILL EXAMINE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 58,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10344702