The Lemon Index
200120031st generation
Not enough data. Only 17 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
17 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2002 BMW 3 Series 662002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 772002 Acura TL 303
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 14 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 09E012000 (lights) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Lexus sent dealers 71 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Malfunction indicator lamp”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Lexus's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 17 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
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.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 13K to 40K miles (22K to 64K km) on the car (14 of all 17 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Loud thumping noise from rear of trunk, on manual transmissions when shifting between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
2002 Lexus IS owner · NHTSA complaint 10096229
More owner reports
The vehicle skidded intermittently when the ground was wet. Provide further details.
NHTSA complaint 10055282
Transmissiong was replaced and clutch. New clutch wore in in 24,000 miles. Claimed it was wear and tear. Never had a clutch go out that early ever!
NHTSA complaint 10114697
Problems Lexus told dealers about
Lexus sent dealers 71 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Malfunction indicator lamp
- Clutch chirping noise in neutral with clutch pedal released
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Lights · recall issued 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS 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.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,950–$4,200 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Lexus IS year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2002 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lexus-is/?y=2002" title="Lexus IS reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/lexus-is/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 Lexus IS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 Lexus IS reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 17 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2002 Lexus IS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (29%), tires (18%) and speed control (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Lexus IS have?
1 safety recall (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Lexus IS get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2002 Lexus IS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 29% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Lexus IS cost in fuel a year?
About $3,950 to $4,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Lexus IS have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
What Lexus IS year is better than the 2002?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2012 drew the fewest (about a fifth as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner 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 years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works