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Lexus ES sudden acceleration problems

34 of the 673 owner complaints about the Lexus ES describe sudden unintended acceleration, most of them for the 2002 model year.

owner complaints
34
worst model year
2002
typical mileage
69,900
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

  • 2019
    1
  • 2013
    1
  • 2012
    1
  • 2011
    2
  • 2009
    4
  • 2007
    4
  • 2006
    2
  • 2005
    5
  • 2004
    3
  • 2003
    4
  • 2002
    5
  • 1999
    2

What owners say

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 29, 2025 · Electrical · CA · crash

Experienced unintended acceleration when pulling into a parking space. My vehicle went over the curb and into a ditch. The bushes and embankment of the ditch stopped the vehicle. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of a problem.

Filed Oct 27, 2025 · Electrical · CA · crash

On Monday, Oct. 27, 2025 at approximately 11:50 am, my vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. I was pulling into a parking spot and suddenly accelerated and jump the barrier into a ditch. Luckly there were bushes to stop me. I was standing on the brake. There were no prior indications there was an issue.

Filed Mar 26, 2025 · IL · crash

Car suddenly accelerated while entering the home garage at a very low speed causing damage to house and car

Filed Jan 2, 2025 · Acceleration · 25,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2009 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently accelerated upon releasing the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that recently upon entering the garage, the vehicle suddenly accelerated after releasing the brake pedal, almost causing the vehicle to crash into the residence. The struck other materials inside the garage, causing front-end damages to the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the vehicle had already been repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 09V388000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

Filed Jul 23, 2022 · Engine · NC

During a trip on the highway the accelerator was to low and take harder to accelerate the car. When we arrived home close to parking end the car suddenly accelerated while I was using the brakes pedal. I was lucky to stop on time. Thanks for your attention.

Filed Jul 9, 2021 · Acceleration, Airbags · 18,400 miles · NY · crash

The contact's wife owns a 2019 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that while attempting to park in between two vehicles with his foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The vehicle jumped the parking barrier and hit stanchion which caused the vehicle to stop. The airbags did not deploy and the vehicle's electrical warning sensors also failed to operate as needed. No injuries were reported at the scene. Both fire and police reported immediately to the scene and a police report was filed. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer and the contact was given a loaner vehicle. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and the contact agreed to have the black box inspected for an investigation. The contact was informed that an investigator would be sent to the dealer and that the investigation would last approximately two months. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 18,400.

Filed Oct 23, 2020 · Acceleration · 73,000 miles · PA

Unintended acceleration occurred while pulling straight into a parking spot. Vehicle was going about 1 MPH with foot gently applying the brake while coming to a stop. Car suddenly accelerated at what appears to be full throttle. Car jumped over concrete parking curb and rested on top of the concrete curb, coming to a halt. This sudden acceleration incident occurred on october 12, 2020.

Filed Jan 3, 2020 · Airbags, Body · 45,000 miles · IL · crash · 1 injury

The lexus es 350, was turning left onto side street within a sub division, and ran up the curb and hit a tree with the right front side of the vehicle. Significant damage done to the car, and so much damaged that the car has been totaled by insurance company. Driver unsure if vehicle accelerated on its own or just lost control. The greater issue or concern was not what caused the accident, but that the air bags did not deploy after the impact and the driver broke their nose and has been treated 3 times in er since crash. In speaking with repair shop, they informed me that there are 2 air bag sensors at the front of the car, and both are near the headlights. He was surprised that given the damage and impact of the collision (to right front of car by headlight, pictures attached), that the air bags did not deploy.

Filed Feb 24, 2017 · Brakes, Electrical · 135,000 miles · NJ · crash

I had a car accident approximately one month ago due to sudden unintended acceleration and loss of steering in a 2004 lexus es330. I am the only owner of the car and I had it serviced regularly over the past 13 years. The night of my accident I lost complete control of my car as I attempted to merge on to the local lanes of an interstate highway in northern, nj. The car accelerated to the left and crossed sped across 8 lanes of the highway, including over a median before it spun around and jerked to a stop in the left lane of the west bound lanes facing east. I was hit head on by another driver. I was not injured, but the car was a total loss. Both of my parents also currently drive lexus vehicles, and both models were noted to have similar issues. Furthermore, my mother recently received a letter indicating her car was being recalled due to the passenger air bag issues, the letter stated while toyota would offer what they considered to be a suitable fix at no charge. The letter further explained that they did not currently possess the parts needed for the repairs and would be in touch in the future, no indication of the expected time frame was provided. Between my accident and knowing both of my parents are currently driving vehicles that are unsafe to drive, by toyota's own admissions, I have been and continue to experience significant distress. I am aware of the significant fines and suits settled against toyota in the past, but they continue to seem unfazed despite their cars putting all of our lives at risk daily. I am also incredibly disgusted by their history of victim blaming and would love to do whatever I can to bring attention to this issue. I feel it is only fair that toyota accept responsibility for their seemingly never ending list of wrongdoing and take immediate steps to correct ongoing issues.

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Lexus ES sudden acceleration

Which Lexus ES years have sudden unintended acceleration problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2002 (5 complaints), 2005 (5 complaints) and 2003 (4 complaints).

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