LEXUS IS 300 · model year

2002 LEXUS IS 300

37 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002LEXUSIS 300 carries 37 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 IS 300 is vehicle speed control with 5 filings, followed by unknown or other (4) and power train:clutch assembly (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2002 IS 300. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

37
Complaints
9
Crashes
0
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

37 filings

Crashes Reported

9 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY3
TIRES3
STRUCTURE2
SUSPENSION2
SERVICE BRAKES2
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS1
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)1
SUSPENSION:FRONT1
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR1
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER1

Recent Complaints

20190326UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MELTING DASHBOARD AND AROUND THE GEAR SHIFT AND LEXUS WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR A SO CALLED "LUXURY" BRAND. I HAD SOME PAPER ACTUALLY STICK TO THE PLASTIC AROUND THE GEAR SHIFT AND WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP I HAD TO PEEL IT OFF THEN I TRIED CLEAN IT OFF WITH JUST WATER AND A RAG AND IT LEFT MARKS. I WANT SOMETHING DONE BY LEXUS. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM SO WHY ISN'T LEXUS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT? I WANT SOMETHING DONE! MY DASH AND PLASTIC AROUND THE GEAR SHIFT NEED TO BE REPLACED AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I JUST FOUND THIS SITE THAT'S WHY I'M JUST NOW REPORTING IT BUT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE ABOUT 2014. LEXUS SHOULD OWN UP TO THEIR MISTAKES AND FIX THEM. I WILL KEEP CALLING AND KEEP GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP UNTIL SOMETHING IS DONE!

20160520SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE,TRAC OFF,VSC,ABS LIGHT ARE ON

Mileage: 127,500

20160520ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

BRAKE,TRAC OFF,VSC,ABS LIGHT ARE ON

Mileage: 127,500

20160426UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DASHBOARD IS MELTING ON MY 2002 IS300. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD CAUSING GLARE ON WINDSHIELD. ALSO THE STICKY BLACK DASH GETS ON OUR SKIN AND LIKELY HAS HARMFUL CHEMICALS THAT IS BEING ABSORBED IN OUR BODIES. LEXUS REFUSES TO REPAIR THIS KNOWN DEFECT AND MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I ALWAYS THOUGHT LEXUS WAS THE TOP BRAND FOR RELIABILITY AND QUALITY. MY VIEWPOINT OF LEXUS BRAND HAS CHANGED AFTER THIS AND I CAN NO LONGER CONSIDER BUYING LEXUS IN FUTURE. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THEIR POOR QUALITY CONTROL AND REFUSAL TO STAND BY THEIR BRAND.

20150513UNKNOWN OR OTHER

LIKE MOST LEXUS IS300 OWNERS, MY CAR EXHIBITS THE "MELTING" DASHBOARD ISSUE. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE MELTING MATERIAL COULD BE RELEASING CHEMICALS THAT IS ORDERLESS/TOXIC. LEXUS IS REFUSING THE REPAIR THE ISSUE OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKETS.

20140819STRUCTURE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS IS 300. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, A GLARE APPEARED ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT AFFECTED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING AND A STICKY RESIDUE COVERED ITS SURFACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,500.

Mileage: 144,500

20140524SERVICE BRAKES

I PUT $3000 ON 2002 LEXUS AND HAD IT FOR THREE DAYS WHEN MY 6 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND MYSELF WAS HEADING ONTO COMMERCIAL TURNPIKE SOUTH. I WAS APPROACHING LIGHT ON CORNER OF 441 AND COMMERCIAL WHEN MY BRAKES JUST GAVE OUT ON ME COMPLETELY AND I QUICKLY RESPONDED AND PULLED UP EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TURNED INTO GAS STATION TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MECHANIC AND WHICH IT WAS PUT ON MACHINE AND DETAILED EVERYTHING THAT WAS WRONG WITH CAR INCLUDING THE MALFUNCTION ON THE ABS SYSTEM WHICH CONTROLS BRAKES AND STEERING. I WAS SAVED BY NOT GETTING ONTO TURNPIKE AND MY QUICK MANEUVERING TO EMERGENCY BRAKES WHICH HELPED VERY LITTLE. MY PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. I CALLED AND TOLD MOSCHE WHICH WAS THE GUY I SIGNED CONTRACT WITH AND TOLD HIM TO COME AND GET THIS CAR AND I WANT MY MONEY BACK. HE TOLD ME NO REFUNDS AND I FOUND OUT WITHIN THREE DAYS I SHOULD OF GOTTEN MY REFUND BACK. THEY TOOK MY CAR BACK AFTER I FIXED IT AND PAID OVER $500 FOR AND WILL NOT GIVE ME ANOTHER CAR NOR MY MONEY BACK.

Mileage: 150,000

20100407VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ACCELERATOR FAILURE: TWICE THAT I CAN CLEARLY REMEMBER. FIRST TIME HAPPENED IN 2003 AFTER GENTLE DEPRESSION OF THE GAS PEDAL, IT SEEMED TO PUSH ITSELF FURTHER AND WAS STUCK INTO THE FLOOR RESULTING IN UNCONTROLLED, MAX ACCELERATION...THIS WAS MENTIONED TO THE DEALER WHEN I TOOK IT FOR SERVICE (RAY CATENA LEXUS, LARCHMONT, NY). AFTER THAT, IT DIDN'T HAPPEN UNTIL THE SPRING OF 2008 WHERE I WAS ON THE I95 ON MY WAY TO WORK, IN RUSH HOUR WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT FROM ABOUT 40MPH TO 70 OR 80. I MANAGED TO WEAVE AROUND TRAFFIC AND DROVE ON THE SHOULDER WHILE PRESSING FULL FORCE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, PULLED ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THE CAR IN PARK. AFTER THAT OCCURRED, I WAS FOLLOWED OFF HE HIGHWAY BY THE HELP TRUCK, TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND NOTHING WAS FOUND...I IMMEDIATELY MADE AN APPT WITH THE DEALER BUT HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT DAY FOR SERVICE. IN THE MEANTIME, IT HAPPENED TWICE MORE ON THE HIGHWAY BUT I WAS CAUTIOUS AND STAYED A

Mileage: 10,000

20100216CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ACCELERATOR FAILURE IN A LEXUS IS300 ABOUT TWO YEARS MY DAUGHTER GOT ON A CAR ACCIDENT AT THAT TIME SHE MENTIONED THAT HER ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK. THERE HAS BEE A FEW TIME THAT I FELT THAT THE ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ALSO. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THE LEXUS COMPANY FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS AND ALL THEY SAID IS THAT MY CAR IS NOT INVOLVE IN THE RECALL. THAT DON'T MEAN THAT MY CAR IS NOT DEFECTIVE, OR THERE NEED TO BE A FATAL ACCIDENT FOR THEM TO TAKE ACTION. *TR

Mileage: 86,000

20100204SUSPENSION

I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT A PROBLEM WITH THE LEXUS IS300 MODELS 2001-2005. THERE IS SOME TYPE OF DEFECT IN THE FRAME OR FRONT ARM BUSHINGS THAT CAUSE EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE FRONT INNER TIRES. DESPITE THE CAR BEING REGULARLY ALIGNED, UNEVEN AND EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR CONTINUES TO OCCUR. TIRES WILL SOMETIMES LAST LESS THAN 8,000 MILES AND CAN WEAR DOWN TO THE STEEL IN THE INNER SIDES. THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND COMPLAINT AMONG IS 300 OWNERS. AS FAR AS I KNOW, THERE HAS BEEN NO FIX FROM LEXUS AND CAN LEAD TO POTENTIAL BLOWOUTS ON THE FREEWAY DUE TO TIRE FAILURES. PLEASE ALSO SEE THIS MESSAGE THREAD DOCUMENTING SOME OF THE PROBLEMS: HTTP://MY.IS/FORUMS/F89/ALIGNMENT-WOES-STOCK-SUSPENSION-NEED-INPUT-390629/. *JB

Mileage: 62,000

20091224CrashWHEELS

LEXUS IS300 2002 VEHICLE ROLLOVER ON FREEWAY. DEFECT THAT CAUSED THE CAR TO ROLL WAS FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL/RIM BROKE IN HALF WHILE DRIVING. I WAS MERGING AND HEARD SOMETHING BREAK UNDER THE CAR. MY STEERING WHEEL TURNED A HARD RIGHT FORCEFUL AND WITHOUT MY CONTROL. I TRIED TO STRAIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL OUT FROM THIS INVOLUNTARY HARSH DIRECTION OF VEHICLE, IT WAS LOCKED UP. I TURNED COMPLETELY AROUND FACING TRAFFIC. ALL ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO DO SO (COMPLETELY LOCKED POSITION). THE VEHICLE SPUN AND I HEARD AND FELT THE BACK END HIT SOMETHING. THE CAR CATAPULTED OVER A 8 FT. FENCE THAT SEPARATES THE ACCESS ROAD. THE CAR LANDED ON ITS ROOF. MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED! IMPACT CRUSHED THE ROOF INTO THE GROUND I WAS SUSPENDED UPSIDE DOWN BY MY SEAT BELT. THE CAR ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. I ATTEMPTED TO UNLATCH MY SEAT BELT, IT TOOK A FEW ATTEMPTS. I COULD NOT FIND A DOOR HANDLE, OR WINDOW TO GET OUT. I TRIED FORCING THE DRIVERS DOOR OPEN. IT

Mileage: 100,474

20091224CrashAIR BAGS

LEXUS IS300 2002 VEHICLE ROLLOVER ON FREEWAY. DEFECT THAT CAUSED THE CAR TO ROLL WAS FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL/RIM BROKE IN HALF WHILE DRIVING. I WAS MERGING AND HEARD SOMETHING BREAK UNDER THE CAR. MY STEERING WHEEL TURNED A HARD RIGHT FORCEFUL AND WITHOUT MY CONTROL. I TRIED TO STRAIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL OUT FROM THIS INVOLUNTARY HARSH DIRECTION OF VEHICLE, IT WAS LOCKED UP. I TURNED COMPLETELY AROUND FACING TRAFFIC. ALL ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO DO SO (COMPLETELY LOCKED POSITION). THE VEHICLE SPUN AND I HEARD AND FELT THE BACK END HIT SOMETHING. THE CAR CATAPULTED OVER A 8 FT. FENCE THAT SEPARATES THE ACCESS ROAD. THE CAR LANDED ON ITS ROOF. MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED! IMPACT CRUSHED THE ROOF INTO THE GROUND I WAS SUSPENDED UPSIDE DOWN BY MY SEAT BELT. THE CAR ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. I ATTEMPTED TO UNLATCH MY SEAT BELT, IT TOOK A FEW ATTEMPTS. I COULD NOT FIND A DOOR HANDLE, OR WINDOW TO GET OUT. I TRIED FORCING THE DRIVERS DOOR OPEN. IT

Mileage: 100,474

20091224CrashSTEERING

LEXUS IS300 2002 VEHICLE ROLLOVER ON FREEWAY. DEFECT THAT CAUSED THE CAR TO ROLL WAS FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL/RIM BROKE IN HALF WHILE DRIVING. I WAS MERGING AND HEARD SOMETHING BREAK UNDER THE CAR. MY STEERING WHEEL TURNED A HARD RIGHT FORCEFUL AND WITHOUT MY CONTROL. I TRIED TO STRAIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL OUT FROM THIS INVOLUNTARY HARSH DIRECTION OF VEHICLE, IT WAS LOCKED UP. I TURNED COMPLETELY AROUND FACING TRAFFIC. ALL ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO DO SO (COMPLETELY LOCKED POSITION). THE VEHICLE SPUN AND I HEARD AND FELT THE BACK END HIT SOMETHING. THE CAR CATAPULTED OVER A 8 FT. FENCE THAT SEPARATES THE ACCESS ROAD. THE CAR LANDED ON ITS ROOF. MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED! IMPACT CRUSHED THE ROOF INTO THE GROUND I WAS SUSPENDED UPSIDE DOWN BY MY SEAT BELT. THE CAR ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. I ATTEMPTED TO UNLATCH MY SEAT BELT, IT TOOK A FEW ATTEMPTS. I COULD NOT FIND A DOOR HANDLE, OR WINDOW TO GET OUT. I TRIED FORCING THE DRIVERS DOOR OPEN. IT

Mileage: 100,474

20091224CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

LEXUS IS300 2002 VEHICLE ROLLOVER ON FREEWAY. DEFECT THAT CAUSED THE CAR TO ROLL WAS FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL/RIM BROKE IN HALF WHILE DRIVING. I WAS MERGING AND HEARD SOMETHING BREAK UNDER THE CAR. MY STEERING WHEEL TURNED A HARD RIGHT FORCEFUL AND WITHOUT MY CONTROL. I TRIED TO STRAIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL OUT FROM THIS INVOLUNTARY HARSH DIRECTION OF VEHICLE, IT WAS LOCKED UP. I TURNED COMPLETELY AROUND FACING TRAFFIC. ALL ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO DO SO (COMPLETELY LOCKED POSITION). THE VEHICLE SPUN AND I HEARD AND FELT THE BACK END HIT SOMETHING. THE CAR CATAPULTED OVER A 8 FT. FENCE THAT SEPARATES THE ACCESS ROAD. THE CAR LANDED ON ITS ROOF. MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED! IMPACT CRUSHED THE ROOF INTO THE GROUND I WAS SUSPENDED UPSIDE DOWN BY MY SEAT BELT. THE CAR ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. I ATTEMPTED TO UNLATCH MY SEAT BELT, IT TOOK A FEW ATTEMPTS. I COULD NOT FIND A DOOR HANDLE, OR WINDOW TO GET OUT. I TRIED FORCING THE DRIVERS DOOR OPEN. IT

Mileage: 100,474

20091224CrashEQUIPMENT

LEXUS IS300 2002 VEHICLE ROLLOVER ON FREEWAY. DEFECT THAT CAUSED THE CAR TO ROLL WAS FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL/RIM BROKE IN HALF WHILE DRIVING. I WAS MERGING AND HEARD SOMETHING BREAK UNDER THE CAR. MY STEERING WHEEL TURNED A HARD RIGHT FORCEFUL AND WITHOUT MY CONTROL. I TRIED TO STRAIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL OUT FROM THIS INVOLUNTARY HARSH DIRECTION OF VEHICLE, IT WAS LOCKED UP. I TURNED COMPLETELY AROUND FACING TRAFFIC. ALL ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO DO SO (COMPLETELY LOCKED POSITION). THE VEHICLE SPUN AND I HEARD AND FELT THE BACK END HIT SOMETHING. THE CAR CATAPULTED OVER A 8 FT. FENCE THAT SEPARATES THE ACCESS ROAD. THE CAR LANDED ON ITS ROOF. MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED! IMPACT CRUSHED THE ROOF INTO THE GROUND I WAS SUSPENDED UPSIDE DOWN BY MY SEAT BELT. THE CAR ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. I ATTEMPTED TO UNLATCH MY SEAT BELT, IT TOOK A FEW ATTEMPTS. I COULD NOT FIND A DOOR HANDLE, OR WINDOW TO GET OUT. I TRIED FORCING THE DRIVERS DOOR OPEN. IT

Mileage: 100,474

20060829VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON 8/28/06, AT APPROXIMATELY 8:50 AM I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON A TWO LANE, LEVEL, STRAIGHT PAVED COUNTY ROAD. I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 LEXUS IS 300 THAT HAD JUST REACHED 26,000 MILES. (THIS CAR HAS RECEIVED ALL REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE SERVICES FROM LEXUS OF RENO AND HAS NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE) THE ROAD WAS CLEAR AND DRY. I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN I ACCELERATED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS I PASSED, MY CAR KEPT ON ACCELERATING EVEN AS I LET UP ON THE ACCELERATOR. I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES. THE ENGINE ACCELERATION WAS SO POWERFUL, THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND WELL TO MY ATTEMPT TO BRAKE, SO I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. THE SPEED ON THE DASHBOARD WAS 60 MPH AND ACCELERATING. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AGAIN WITH ALL THE STRENGTH I HAD AND WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR SAFELY OFF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS RACING EVEN WHEN STOPPED. I MOVED THE SHIFT INTO PARK. EVEN IN PARK THE ENGINE WAS RACING. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. MY

Mileage: 26,000

20051012CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

MY 2002, LEXUS IS300 HAD A CASE OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION THAT LED TO A CRASH CAUSING OVER $10,000 WORTH OF DAMAGES TO BOTH MY CAR AND THE OTHER PERSONS CAR. I HAVE SEEN OTHER REPORTS OF OTHER PEOPLE WONDERING IF THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE IS SUSPECT IN THESE CASES, HOWEVER I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT THE REAL PROBLEM IS ONLY PARTLY TO BLAME ON THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE. IN MY OPINION, THE PROBLEM IS THE LIKELIHOOD OF THE PEDAL GETTING STUCK UNDER FLOOR MATS IS TOO HIGH, COMBINED WITH THE RELATIVELY "LIGHT" SPRING FORCE ON THE GAS PEDAL BECAUSE IT IS A THROTTLE-BY-WIRE SYSTEM WHICH LEADS TO THE FLOOR MAT EASILY HOLDING THE PEDAL DOWN TO FULL THROTTLE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I SAY THAT THIS IS "NEGLIGENT PEDAL DESIGN ON THE PART OF THE CAR MANUFACTURER". I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THEY KNEW THIS WAS AN ISSUE BECAUSE THEY MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS IN THE OWNERS MANUAL ON: PG.76 WHERE THERE IS A CAUTION THAT STATES "MAKE SURE THE FLOOR MAT IS PROPERLY PLACED ON THE FLOOR CARPET. IF THE FLO

Mileage: 35,420

20051012CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY 2002, LEXUS IS300 HAD A CASE OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION THAT LED TO A CRASH CAUSING OVER $10,000 WORTH OF DAMAGES TO BOTH MY CAR AND THE OTHER PERSONS CAR. I HAVE SEEN OTHER REPORTS OF OTHER PEOPLE WONDERING IF THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE IS SUSPECT IN THESE CASES, HOWEVER I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT THE REAL PROBLEM IS ONLY PARTLY TO BLAME ON THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE. IN MY OPINION, THE PROBLEM IS THE LIKELIHOOD OF THE PEDAL GETTING STUCK UNDER FLOOR MATS IS TOO HIGH, COMBINED WITH THE RELATIVELY "LIGHT" SPRING FORCE ON THE GAS PEDAL BECAUSE IT IS A THROTTLE-BY-WIRE SYSTEM WHICH LEADS TO THE FLOOR MAT EASILY HOLDING THE PEDAL DOWN TO FULL THROTTLE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I SAY THAT THIS IS "NEGLIGENT PEDAL DESIGN ON THE PART OF THE CAR MANUFACTURER". I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THEY KNEW THIS WAS AN ISSUE BECAUSE THEY MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS IN THE OWNERS MANUAL ON: PG.76 WHERE THERE IS A CAUTION THAT STATES "MAKE SURE THE FLOOR MAT IS PROPERLY PLACED ON THE FLOOR CARPET. IF THE FLO

Mileage: 35,420

20051012CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

MY 2002, LEXUS IS300 HAD A CASE OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION THAT LED TO A CRASH CAUSING OVER $10,000 WORTH OF DAMAGES TO BOTH MY CAR AND THE OTHER PERSONS CAR. I HAVE SEEN OTHER REPORTS OF OTHER PEOPLE WONDERING IF THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE IS SUSPECT IN THESE CASES, HOWEVER I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT THE REAL PROBLEM IS ONLY PARTLY TO BLAME ON THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE. IN MY OPINION, THE PROBLEM IS THE LIKELIHOOD OF THE PEDAL GETTING STUCK UNDER FLOOR MATS IS TOO HIGH, COMBINED WITH THE RELATIVELY "LIGHT" SPRING FORCE ON THE GAS PEDAL BECAUSE IT IS A THROTTLE-BY-WIRE SYSTEM WHICH LEADS TO THE FLOOR MAT EASILY HOLDING THE PEDAL DOWN TO FULL THROTTLE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I SAY THAT THIS IS "NEGLIGENT PEDAL DESIGN ON THE PART OF THE CAR MANUFACTURER". I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THEY KNEW THIS WAS AN ISSUE BECAUSE THEY MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS IN THE OWNERS MANUAL ON: PG.76 WHERE THERE IS A CAUTION THAT STATES "MAKE SURE THE FLOOR MAT IS PROPERLY PLACED ON THE FLOOR CARPET. IF THE FLO

Mileage: 35,420

20050912VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS IS300. THE CONTACT STATES THE VEHICLE STALLS AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON EITHER ON THE HIGHWAY OR ON OFF ROADS. THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AT DECELERATING OR ACCELERATING. THE ONLY WARNING PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. THIS OCCURS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE ENGINE WILL RESTART USUALLY IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE. IT HAPPENED ABOUT 100-150 TIMES. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT 10 TIMES WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, BUT HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. THE TRANSMISSION IS AUTOMATIC. *AK

Compare 2002LEXUSIS 300 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 LEXUS IS 300 have?
The 2002 LEXUS IS 300 has 37 NHTSA complaints, 9 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 LEXUS IS 300?
The most-complained component for the 2002 LEXUS IS 300 is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY.
Is the 2002 LEXUS IS 300 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.