The Lemon Index2002 Lexus ES.
The 2002 Lexus ES is worse than average by owner complaints: 100 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 137, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 21 mpg combined. The best Lexus ES year is 2020.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 179 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Lexus ES year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 16K to 92K miles on the car (110 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 1K–48K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 20K–84K miles
Recalls 2
- airbags 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A THREE-SPOKE STYLE STEERING WHEEL.
- brakes 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Lexus told dealers about
Lexus sent dealers 102 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information regarding a revised valve body assembly developed to improve harsh 2-3 shift…
- The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of…
- The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedUnwanted and unintended acceleration2009
- ClosedVehicle speed control2005–2006
- ClosedThrottle control system2004
- ClosedThrottle control system2004
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Brake rotors were replaced, entire new brake kit installed and all four tire were replaced prior to reaching 20k miles.
2002 Lexus ES owner · NHTSA complaint 10064969
More owner reports
While driving at 20mph and with no warning making a turn and vehicle will stall. It will be hard for consumer to control vehicle. Dealer notified.
NHTSA complaint 8018169
Lack of response between the transmission and the engine.
NHTSA complaint 10079873
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Lexus ES reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 137; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Lexus ES year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2002 Lexus ES problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (43%), speed control (26%) and brakes (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Lexus ES have?
2 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Lexus ES get?
21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Lexus ES problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 16,800 and 92,000 miles. The middle report was at 40,000 miles, from 110 complaints.
Does the 2002 Lexus ES have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 43% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Lexus ES cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Lexus ES have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
What Lexus ES year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2020, 2012 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works