LEXUS LS · model year

2002 LEXUS LS

10 NHTSA complaints, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002LEXUSLS carries 10 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 6 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 LS is structure:body:trunk lid with 2 filings, followed by wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (2) and tires (1). 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. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2002 LS. 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.

10
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

10 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID2
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS2
TIRES1
SUSPENSION1
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE1
STRUCTURE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
STRUCTURE:BODY1

Recalls (2)

06E05600013/06/2006

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE

09E01200007/04/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES

Recent Complaints

20150601STRUCTURE:BODY

SUPPORTS TO KEEP TRUNK MLID OPEN FAILED AND LID CAME DOWN STRIKING HEAD. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER FROM WHOM I PURCHASED CAR DID NOT OFFER TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS.WILLIAM

Mileage: 80,000

20150213ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE PISTONS THAT HOLD UP THE TRUNK FAILED. THE TRUNK FELL ON ME AND CAUSED INJURY. THESE PARTS SHOULD BE REPLACE AT THE EXPENSE OF LEXUS. IN ADDITION, THE SAME PARTS THAT SUPPORT THE HOOD, ALSO JUST FAILED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IN ORDER TO PREVENT FURTHER INJURY. *TR

Mileage: 225,000

20110223STRUCTURE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS LS400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK LID WAS AJAR WHEN IT UNEXPECTEDLY FAILED AND CRASHED DOWN ONTO THE CONTACTS HEAD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A LOSS OF BLOOD AND SEVERE SWELLING OF THE HEAD. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 3/22/11 *CN UPDATED 1/4/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HIS WIFE OPENED THE TRUNK LID, IT PROMPTLY CAME DOWN ON HER HEAD, WITH NO WARNING...UPDATED 01-30-14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS CYLINDERS THAT HELD THE TRUNK LID UP FAILED. UPDATED 01/30/14

Mileage: 120,000

20110223STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS LS400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK LID WAS AJAR WHEN IT UNEXPECTEDLY FAILED AND CRASHED DOWN ONTO THE CONTACTS HEAD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A LOSS OF BLOOD AND SEVERE SWELLING OF THE HEAD. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 3/22/11 *CN UPDATED 1/4/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HIS WIFE OPENED THE TRUNK LID, IT PROMPTLY CAME DOWN ON HER HEAD, WITH NO WARNING...UPDATED 01-30-14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS CYLINDERS THAT HELD THE TRUNK LID UP FAILED. UPDATED 01/30/14

Mileage: 120,000

20071219STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

LEXUS LS 430 2002 TRUNK STRUT FAILURE. *TR

20071218WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS LS430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE MADE A SQUEAKING NOISE AFTER IT WAS REPLACED. THE NOISE WAS CAUSED BY LOOSE BOLTS. THE NOISE RECURRED TWO MONTHS AGO AND COULD POSSIBLY RESULT FROM A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH THE TIRE BOLTS AND THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VERY VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED ALL OF THE BOLTS AND NUTS ON THE GROUND. HE HAS PAID $3,000 IN REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

Mileage: 72,000

20071207WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

ON 9/6/2007 I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I TOOK IT TO THE TIRE PLACE, I BOUGHT A NEW TIRE THAT THEY INSTALLED. AS I DROVE AWAY I HEARD A CLICKING SOUND AND I WENT BACK TO THE STORE. TWO STUDS WERE BACKED UP A LITTLE AND LOOSENED THE NUTS. ON 11/23/2007 I HAD TO REPLACE TWO TIRES. I TIGHTENED THE STUDS. I DROVE SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES AND THEN ON 11/29/2007 I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND SUDDENLY THE CAR WAS SHAKING AND HARD TO CONTROL. I REDUCED SPEED AND PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER. I CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK AND TOWED THE CAR TO THE LEXUS DEALER. ALL THE NUTS WERE BROKEN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK DELIVERED THE CAR, THERE WERE THREE NUTS ON THE GROUND FROM MY CAR. THE LEXUS DEALER REPLACED NUTS, SPRINGS, HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY, DISC PAD PIN, DISC CYLINDER ASSY. DISC BRAKE PAD KIT, FLAGE BOLT, PARK LEVER SUB-ASSY. I HAVE ALL PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 77,340

20071207TIRES

ON 9/6/2007 I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I TOOK IT TO THE TIRE PLACE, I BOUGHT A NEW TIRE THAT THEY INSTALLED. AS I DROVE AWAY I HEARD A CLICKING SOUND AND I WENT BACK TO THE STORE. TWO STUDS WERE BACKED UP A LITTLE AND LOOSENED THE NUTS. ON 11/23/2007 I HAD TO REPLACE TWO TIRES. I TIGHTENED THE STUDS. I DROVE SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES AND THEN ON 11/29/2007 I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND SUDDENLY THE CAR WAS SHAKING AND HARD TO CONTROL. I REDUCED SPEED AND PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER. I CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK AND TOWED THE CAR TO THE LEXUS DEALER. ALL THE NUTS WERE BROKEN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK DELIVERED THE CAR, THERE WERE THREE NUTS ON THE GROUND FROM MY CAR. THE LEXUS DEALER REPLACED NUTS, SPRINGS, HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY, DISC PAD PIN, DISC CYLINDER ASSY. DISC BRAKE PAD KIT, FLAGE BOLT, PARK LEVER SUB-ASSY. I HAVE ALL PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 77,340

20071207SUSPENSION

ON 9/6/2007 I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I TOOK IT TO THE TIRE PLACE, I BOUGHT A NEW TIRE THAT THEY INSTALLED. AS I DROVE AWAY I HEARD A CLICKING SOUND AND I WENT BACK TO THE STORE. TWO STUDS WERE BACKED UP A LITTLE AND LOOSENED THE NUTS. ON 11/23/2007 I HAD TO REPLACE TWO TIRES. I TIGHTENED THE STUDS. I DROVE SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES AND THEN ON 11/29/2007 I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND SUDDENLY THE CAR WAS SHAKING AND HARD TO CONTROL. I REDUCED SPEED AND PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER. I CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK AND TOWED THE CAR TO THE LEXUS DEALER. ALL THE NUTS WERE BROKEN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK DELIVERED THE CAR, THERE WERE THREE NUTS ON THE GROUND FROM MY CAR. THE LEXUS DEALER REPLACED NUTS, SPRINGS, HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY, DISC PAD PIN, DISC CYLINDER ASSY. DISC BRAKE PAD KIT, FLAGE BOLT, PARK LEVER SUB-ASSY. I HAVE ALL PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 77,340

20060811STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UNLESS THE TRUNK WAS RAISED ALL THE WAY, THE TRUNK CLOSED SO FAST RESULTING IN HITTING SEVERAL FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE HEAD BUT NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE CONTACT TRIED TO CATCH THE TRUNK BEFORE IT SLAMMED SHUT WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONTACT'S FINGER BEING PINNED IN THE TRUNK. THE CONTACT HAD AN X-RAY PERFORMED AND THE RESULTS DISPLAYED LIGAMENT DAMAGE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

Mileage: 60,000

Compare 2002LEXUSLS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 LEXUS LS have?
The 2002 LEXUS LS has 10 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 LEXUS LS?
Yes, the 2002 LEXUS LS has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 LEXUS LS?
The most-complained component for the 2002 LEXUS LS is STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS and TIRES.
Is the 2002 LEXUS LS 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.