10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
28 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
14 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,586 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Lexus ES 300:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #21

Jun 152009

ES 300

  • 73,000 miles
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.

- Milton, MA, USA

problem #20

Feb 122009

ES 300

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Lexus ES300. While driving approximately 5 mph out of a parking space pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal followed by an unintended increase in speed. The vehicle failed to slow down and crashed into the residence home and a tree. There were no injuries. The police was notified. The vehicle was completely destroyed and it was towed to an auto collision facility. The vehicle identification number was unavailable. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Hagerstown, MD, USA

problem #19

Jul 142009

ES 300

  • 96,000 miles
My experience happened on July 14, 2009. I was easing into my parking place at the college where I teach, going about zero miles per hour, when all of a sudden I was plummeted into a tree less that five feet in front of me so hard that it totaled my 2002 Lexus. The forward movement felt like an airplane in takeoff mode.

- Alachua, FL, USA

problem #18

Nov 122009

ES 300 6-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
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 pictures received. Updated 12/16/09

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #17

Jun 012006

ES 300 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,900 miles
When my vehicle is immediately put in drive gear from reverse gear, foot taken off the brake and tap the gas pedal, my vehicle surges forward as if it is in full throttle. As result, my vehicle jumped the curb and impacted a brick wall. I suffered a bloody nose and a cut on my hand. The vehicle suffered frontal damage and is undriveable. I have contacted the auto manufacturer. They will tow and inspect it.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #16

Oct 152005

ES 300 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,655 miles
My 2002 Lexus 3000 suddenly accelerated as I was pulling forward into a parking space and crashed into a building. When it happened, my foot was resting lightly on the brake, preparing to brake to a stop, and letting the car idle into the spot. I had a similar thing happen about 4 months ago. The consumer sustained some bruises as a result of the crash. Updated 12/19/05. The vehicle was inspected by one of Toyota field technicians. The technician determined that the electronic throttle, brake system and other engine operating parameters were functioning properly.

- Falls Church, VA, USA

problem #15

Jul 152005

ES 300 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,500 miles
I had pulled into my garage. I had my foot on the brake and lifted it a little to inch forward to my mark ( to allow for the garage door to close) when the car just surged forward! fortunately I applied the brake hard, since my foot was by the brake, but I banged into the garage wall and did damage to the car and the wall.

- Naperville, IL, USA

problem #14

Jul 272005

ES 300 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer owned a 2002 ES 300. Consumer was getting into a parking place when he went over a speed bump, he stopped with vehicle in reverse, then, placed the car in drive and the vehicle surged forward, consumer tried to apply brake and brakes failed. The vehicle would not stop, ended up striking a concrete pillar. There were no injuries. No police report, but it was reported to insurance company. The vehicle was moving forward with great force and brakes could not stop vehicle. Consumer was aware of an investigation that was in progress on this matter. Although investigation was officially closed, NHTSA said that they would monitor these type of vehicles. Consumer said that investigation was on the electronic throttle control.

- San Fransisco, CA, USA

problem #13

Oct 202002

ES 300

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles
When the gas pedal was applied, the vehicle paused for 1-2 seconds before proceeding forward. As a result, the consumer had almost hit pedestrians and rear ended other motorists. If the consumer attempts to switch lanes to avoid hitting or rear ending anyone, the vehicle stalls. The vehicle has been serviced 9 times by the dealership, in which diagnostic test have been performed, but no failure code was found. The dealership only conclusion is that this is how the vehicle is suppose to drive.

- Concord, CA, USA

problem #12

Aug 082004

ES 300 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
In August I went to park my car (2002 ES300) in my driveway when all of a sudden it picked up speed, crashing through my brand new fence and side porch. It must be noted that I had my foot on the brake, the car was stopped and all of a sudden it took off on me. My foot never moved off the brake the whole time; the car came to a stop when it hit the porch. The day before I was driving with my mom and as I started to slow the car down B/C I was coming to a stop sign the car all of a sudden picked up speed, but thankfully at that time I had time to press the brakes down harder and stop the car. When I park my car in the driveway it is only a couple of inches from the gate and from the gate it is about 2-3 feet to the porch so there was no way to avoid this accident. When Lexus inspected the car they found nothing wrong with the dbw (electronic throttle control). I find this to be a coverup of some sorts B/C I've been driving for years and never had this happen to me before. I know first hand that is is not a driver error it is a manufactor's defect. I know it went into investigations and they are not recalling the cars B/C there was not enough evidence that this really happens. Since I've been bringing this issue to light I recently found out that the same thing happened to my husband's friend's wife last year. Her car took off on her and went through her garage. This is very dangerous and I do not feel safe driving my car. I feel that Lexus is really in a position where they don't have to do anything because the NHTSA deemed there was nothing wrong with the car causing the unintended acceleration. Both the dealership and manufacturer did not want to take any responsiblity what so ever for this incident. They were very helpful when I purchased the car but wiped there hands of any problems with the vehicle.

- Whitestone, NY, USA

problem #11

Jul 162004

ES 300 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles
When backing out of a parking space the car went into a high acceleration. I rear ended two cars that were directly behind me. If there was anyone walking behind I would have killed them. I believe there is a throttle control problem.

- Norton, MA, USA

problem #10

Jun 072004

ES 300 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,600 miles
Consumer stated while parking vehicle and depressing the brake the vehicle surged forward and ran into a street sign and barrier gate.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #9

Apr 272004

ES 300

  • miles
Sudden acceleration of 2002 Lexus ES300 with foot on the brake. Car was just at a stop when itt accelerated with foot still on the brake. Car ran into side of a building before stopping--front end of car was demolished and building bricks and inside wall demolished. Car is at dealership for repairs now, accident happened only 2 days ago.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #8

Jan 122004

ES 300 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When driving at a low speed, the vehicle surged forward. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealership for inspection on five separate occasions, but the problem continued the dealer acknowledged the situation but did not know how to fix it. There was excessive belt squealing in the morning, the brake pedal pulsated and the key would no turn in the ignition.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #7

Feb 192004

ES 300

  • 16,000 miles
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. Vehicle was inspected by the dealer and found nothing wrong with the vehicle.

- Pompano Beach, FL, USA

problem #6

Sep 072003

ES 300 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles
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 shuddering/pausing when accelerating from low speed after the car was updated with tsb-TC004-03; the chief technician drove the car and reproduced the kind of problems that we had. However, he said that he could not do anything about it and was going to write a report to Toyota Corp because it was a software problem. On the other hand, the receipt from the dealer said that they did not find any abnormal transmission shift during test driving, but would file a report. What a contradication! the danger of this transmission problem was further magnified by the fact that 2002 ES300 runs very smoothly at most times (>98%). this shudder/pause/acceleration or pause/acceleration that only occurs sporadically under very special conditions gives drivers surprise that is the last thing they want during driving. For curiosity, I tested driving the car for about 50 miniutes by repeatly slowing down to about 5 - 10 mph by applying brake, then allowing the car to roll for about 3 seconds without pressing gas paddle, and then accelerating moderately to about 20 - 30 mph. The probobility for the shudder/pause/acceleration is about 5%, while that for pause/acceleration about 15%. it seemed that this problem happended more often on down/up hill..

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #5

Aug 142002

ES 300

  • miles
2002 Lexus malfunctioning brake system. 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.

- Mamaroneck, NY, USA

problem #4

Jan 092003

(reported on)

ES 300 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The speedometer is not visible in bright sunlight. Consumer has no idea how fast the vehicle is going.

- Monroe Township, NJ, USA

problem #3

Feb 152002

ES 300

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #2

Aug 152002

ES 300

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While pulling into park with foot on the brakes, vehicle suddenly accelerated and hit a tree. Also while driving in cruise control, tapped on brakes to disengage cruise control and vehicle suddenly accelerated. Dealer checked vehicle and could not find any problems.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

Read the next 1 complaints »