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2002 Lexus ES300 engine problems

13 complaints (8% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 102,542. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
13
of this car's complaints
8%
typical mileage
102,542
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Engine
    2
  • Engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys
    1
  • Engine: gasoline
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Lexus ES300 engine problems in other years

19921993199419951996199719981999200020022003

Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Lexus ES300 engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Stalling 8

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2002 Lexus ES300 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 13, 2016 · Engine · 145,000 miles · IL

Large cloud of white/gray smoke when car sits overnight from previous night driving. After researching online this seems to be a common problem. There was a lawsuit filed because of this. Why not a recall????

Filed Jan 25, 2016 · Engine · 130,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 lexus es300. While driving 30 MPH, there were flames and a black substance coming from the engine compartment of the vehicle. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to an auto body repair center, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Jan 17, 2015 · Engine · 180,000 miles · MD · fire

On 1/8/15 at approx. 9:30 am, I was driving to work south on hwy 95 near exit 67 . Suddenly, other drivers were frantically waving at me to pull over onto the shoulder of the highway. What they saw ( and which I couldn't), was that there were flames under my car. I pulled over and got out of the car. Within seconds ( not even a full minute), the entire car was engulfed in flames and soon became a complete and total charred mess. Fortunately, I was not physically hurt and a maryland state trooper came onto the scene 2-5 minutes after I got out of the car. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

Filed Jul 9, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 156,342 miles · CA

Dealer and finance company claim clean title but documents reflect otherwise.

Filed May 13, 2011 · Acceleration, Engine · 95,000 miles · IL · crash

I was stopped at a red light approximately 3-4 ft. Behind a utility truck. Suddenly the car surged forward and hit the rear end of the truck in front of me.

Filed Jul 29, 2010 · Engine · 102,542 miles · MD

Check engine light came on and car acceleration was limited. Error codes p2121 and p2128 indicated faulty "throttle position sensor" the part retails for around $100. Lexus insisted that I had to replace the complete accelerator pedal assembly with a new throttle position sensor. Lexus charged me $764 to replace both assemblies. I believe lexus should have covered the cost of all of the cost of replacing the accelerator pedal assembly. My vehicle is a 2002 lexus es300.

Filed Feb 3, 2010 · Engine · 69,000 miles · TX

I have a 2002 lexus es300. It stopped while driving recently. There was no indication. The engine was running but the car was not moving. After opening the hood I found the small pipe connecting the air intake to the engine had come off. I was lucky as the driver behind me slowed down and stopped. However if this had happened on a highway, I possible would not be writing this complaint.

Filed Jun 16, 2009 · Engine · 44,000 miles · FL · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 lexus es300. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and the contact smelled fuel. He pulled the vehicle over and noticed smoked under the hood. In a matter of seconds, flames appeared. The vehicle was destroyed. The palm beach county police department filed report number 09-092367 and fire report number 09-50737. There were no injuries. The manufacturer will be notified. The current and failure mileages were 44,000.

Filed Feb 4, 2009 · Engine · 56,000 miles · FL

I recently purchased a 2002 lexus es 300 and not much to complain about the inside etc. The acceleration and throttle though are a major problem. I almost got into a car accident getting onto 95 trying to pass a semi because the accelerator " pauses" when I step on the gas pedal. After the pause it starts to accelerate so I barely made it without hitting the semi. This really concerns me and want lexus to do something about it. Its just plain unsafe.

Filed Jul 28, 2005 · Engine, Transmission · 48,480 miles · TX

Upon acceleration in stop-and-go traffic, severe hesitation with brake-like effect, engine reviving, with driver thrown forward, then lurching into gear. Said was fixed with installation of tsib tc004-3. Narrowly being missed by oncoming traffic when car basically stalled. Tsib not a fix. Now engine light on. Dangerous in stop-and-go traffic.

Questions about the 2002 Lexus ES300 engine

Does the 2002 Lexus ES300 have engine problems?

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Lexus ES300, 8% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2002 Lexus ES300 engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 102,542 miles.

Is there a recall for the 2002 Lexus ES300 engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

Other 2002 Lexus ES300 problems

Transmission 52Acceleration 50Brakes 14Electrical 11Airbags 9Fuel system 7Tires 7Lights 3Steering 3Suspension 3Visibility 3Body 2Driver assistance 1Seat belts 1Seats 1

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