2002 Lexus ES: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jan 28, 2026 · Acceleration, Airbags · 110,000 miles · TX · crash

The contact owns a 2002 Lexus ES 300. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH in the driveway and turning into the garage, the vehicle unintentionally accelerated, hit a beam, drove through the garage wall, and into the dining area of the residence, crashed into the furniture, and stopped. The air bags did not deploy. The contact noticed sparks and smoke coming from the dashboard after the impact. There was no injury sustained. There was property damage. The contact stated that she had previously filed a complaint regarding the vehicle's sudden and unintended acceleration. A report police was filed with the police. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and was later towed back to the residence. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Filed Oct 23, 2020 · Engine · 173,000 miles · FL · fire

Tl* the contact's mom owned a 2002 lexus es 300. The contact stated that while driving at 3 MPH, the vehicle began to emit a thick white, yellowish smoke from the driver side headlight without warning. As the contact attempted to pull the vehicle over,the vehicle began to lose power as a bystander altered the contact that the vehicle was on fire. The contact immediately exited the vehicle and the authorities were called to the scene. The fire department arrived at the scene and was able to extinguish the fire. A police and fire report was filed at the scene. Due to the fire, the vehicle was destroyed and was towed to an independent mechanic. No injuries were suffered as a result of the fire. The manufacturer nor the dealer have yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 173,000.

Filed Jun 25, 2020 · Fuel system, Steering · 151,000 miles · CA · fire

Car began to lurch, stopped, smoke and flames began coming out of front of car. Fire enlarged, several small explosions. Firemen put out fire, but front half of car totally burnt.

Filed Oct 17, 2019 · Body, Electrical · 248,455 miles · DE · fire

On the night of august 20, 2019, at 9:45, I parked my lexus es 300 and went inside the local acme. Acme is approx miles from home. I entered the store and heard over the intercom all shoppers had 12 min before closing. I quickly shopped, and upon exiting the store, my car had a significant fire, and the fire company that was across the street had to respond and put it out. My car had no power, and it mysteriously caught fire. I was given the directive to have it towed immediately by the police and fire co who was on the scene. I quickly grabbed any salvageable personals and had to get a ride home by the police officer. The following day august 21, 2019, aaa towed the vehicle to my home. I had to attach the battery cable to have power for windows and locks along with the trunk. I gathered all my belongings and removed the wire. I called the fire marshall for a report, and he said he couldn't give me a report. It was compromised by being towed. Compromised for towing when I was told or rather demanded to remove the vehicle of the property immediately. I googled the words lexus and fire and noticed by a few posts my issue was not an isolated incident. Therefore, I contacted lexus, who had me tow my vehicle to the local dealer. The car sat and is still sitting for almost three weeks before an inspector looked at it on september 10. 2019. I went to check the only car after and took a video of what I saw. I waited the 30 days for a reply if they'd assume responsibility. I got my letter on the 31st day and they can not identify how the fire started and assume no liability. How does a car mysteriously catch fire parked? Because this issue isn't isolated, is there any recourse action against lexus for damages? I have videos and photos of the damage after the fire and after the inspection.

Filed Oct 26, 2014 · Body, Engine · 127,000 miles · CA · fire

I accelerated from a stop light after it turned green. About 25 feet thru the light I heard the car behind me blowing their horn constantly. I looked in my rear view mirror to see what was going in. Then I thought I notice light smoke coming from my tailpipe. I applied my right turn blinker and pulled to the curve. As soon as I parked, I could see orange colored fire around the front of my car and along the side of my driver/passenger doors. I felt that me and my passenger wouldn't be able to exit the car without be burnt, but I knew we needed to get out immediately. I tried to calmly get my passenger to exit which we did mainly because she hadn't seen the flames. We were able to exit and I immediately call 911 and proceeded to clearing people from near my car. The fire dept and police arrived about 10-15 minutes later. The fire department extinguished the car then left. A police officer stayed until the tow co arrived. The car was towed away and I was given a ride to my residence.

Filed Apr 20, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 267,000 miles · CA · fire

I just purchased this car (lexus es 300 2002 sedan) for my daughter less than a week ago on 4/11/2014 from a private owner, with 267,000 miles and it ran well for a transportation vehicle, seems to have been well cared for mechanically, interior and exterior is in great shape and was checked out my friend a longtime mechanic. My daughter had just left the dmv which was closed today 4/18/2014 and street driving back home. The car made a loud popping sound, smoke started from under the hood and soon flames and she had to pull over and ditch the car. Soon it blazed and the whole front end, engine, windshield the front tires all burned. Fire and police departments showed up, extinguished the fire and did traffic control. The fire damage was control to the front and engine, the firewall did it's job. All the interiors, dash and console are all in tact and in good condition no smoke damage. Vin:[xxx] lexus es 2002 information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).