2002 Lexus ES recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2002 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 2
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 185
Latest campaign: Dec 11, 2001

Recall summary by component2

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Air bags	1	Dec 11, 2001	01V372000
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	Dec 11, 2001	01V371000

Safety recalls2

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Dec 11, 2001Latest campaign


Dec 11, 200101V372000	Air bags: frontal IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE DETACHED BOTTOM PORTION MAY STRIKE THE DRIVER CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY. DetailsHide details for campaign 01V372000 What's wrong VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A THREE-SPOKE STYLE STEERING WHEEL. DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE BOTTOM SEAM OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MODULE COVER (HORN PAD) COULD BE TORN AWAY ALLOWING THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE COVER TO COMPLETELY DETACH FROM THE AIR BAG MODULE. Risk IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE DETACHED BOTTOM PORTION MAY STRIKE THE DRIVER CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY. Remedy DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-888-333-9376. Campaign NHTSA 01V372000 · Dec 11, 2001
Dec 11, 200101V371000	Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components hoses, lines/piping, and fittings IF THE BRAKE TUBE IS DEFORMED SIGNIFICANTLY, IT COULD CONTACT THE INNER FENDER PANEL, AND EVENTUALLY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE TUBE DUE TO VIBRATION DURING DRIVING. DetailsHide details for campaign 01V371000 What's wrong VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE TUBE MAY HAVE BEEN DEFORMED PRIOR TO VEHICLE DELIVERY DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A COIL SPRING SPACER THAT WAS INSTALLED TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE DURING TRANSPORTATION. Risk IF THE BRAKE TUBE IS DEFORMED SIGNIFICANTLY, IT COULD CONTACT THE INNER FENDER PANEL, AND EVENTUALLY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE TUBE DUE TO VIBRATION DURING DRIVING. BRAKE TUBE DAMAGE COULD ALSO LEAD TO BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE AFTER EXTENDED USE OF THE VEHICLE. Remedy DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT BRAKE LINE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LINE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 1, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-888-333-9376. Campaign NHTSA 01V371000 · Dec 11, 2001

Dec 11, 200101V372000

Air bags: frontal

IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE DETACHED BOTTOM PORTION MAY STRIKE THE DRIVER CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY.

DetailsHide details for campaign 01V372000

What's wrong: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A THREE-SPOKE STYLE STEERING WHEEL. DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE BOTTOM SEAM OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MODULE COVER (HORN PAD) COULD BE TORN AWAY ALLOWING THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE COVER TO COMPLETELY DETACH FROM THE AIR BAG MODULE.
Risk: IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE DETACHED BOTTOM PORTION MAY STRIKE THE DRIVER CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-888-333-9376.
Campaign: NHTSA 01V372000 · Dec 11, 2001

Dec 11, 200101V371000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

IF THE BRAKE TUBE IS DEFORMED SIGNIFICANTLY, IT COULD CONTACT THE INNER FENDER PANEL, AND EVENTUALLY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE TUBE DUE TO VIBRATION DURING DRIVING.

DetailsHide details for campaign 01V371000

What's wrong: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE TUBE MAY HAVE BEEN DEFORMED PRIOR TO VEHICLE DELIVERY DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A COIL SPRING SPACER THAT WAS INSTALLED TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE DURING TRANSPORTATION.
Risk: IF THE BRAKE TUBE IS DEFORMED SIGNIFICANTLY, IT COULD CONTACT THE INNER FENDER PANEL, AND EVENTUALLY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE TUBE DUE TO VIBRATION DURING DRIVING. BRAKE TUBE DAMAGE COULD ALSO LEAD TO BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE AFTER EXTENDED USE OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT BRAKE LINE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LINE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 1, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-888-333-9376.
Campaign: NHTSA 01V371000 · Dec 11, 2001

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Toyota/Lexus recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component185

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

185Complaints filed

45Involving a crash

10Involving a fire

29Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Power train	57	31	3	0	2
Vehicle speed control	55	30	34	0	15
Electrical system	16	9	1	2	1
Service brakes	16	9	5	0	3
Air bags	12	6	11	0	12
Hydraulic	12	6	3	0	0
Engine	11	6	0	5	0
Engine and engine cooling	11	6	2	2	1
Unknown or other	9	5	0	1	0
Exterior lighting	8	4	1	0	1
Structure	7	4	3	2	2
Tires	7	4	0	0	0
Fuel system	6	3	0	2	0
Steering	5	3	2	1	0
Gasoline	5	3	0	2	0

11 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Air bags
“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…”
Filed 01/28/2026 · ODI 11713910
Engine
“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.”
Filed 07/23/2022 · ODI 11475472
Steering
“I tried to start my car out of no where it wouldn't start no warning or anything I checked the starter that wasn't it I'm not sure off it's the engine or an electrical problem”
Filed 12/26/2020 · ODI 11384987

Other Lexus ES model years

All years: 2025 · 2024 · 2023 · 2022 · 2021 · 2020 · 2019 · 2018 · 2017 · 2016 · 2015 · 2014 · 2013 · 2012 · 2011 · 2010 · 2009 · 2008 · 2007 · 2006 · 2005 · 2004 · 2003 · 2002 · 2001 · 2000

Other Lexus models

All Lexus models and years →

2002 Lexus ES recall questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Lexus ES have?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns for the 2002 Lexus ES. The most recent, 01V372000 (reported December 11, 2001), concerns air bags. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2002 Lexus ES?

Power train is the most-reported component, named in 57 complaints out of 185 filed with NHTSA (31%). Across all complaints, owners reported 45 crashs and 10 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2002 Lexus ES?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Toyota/Lexus recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Lexus dealer.

Check a specific Lexus by VIN

Free · No signup · US-market vehicles, 1981+

Need the factory options too? See the Lexus build sheet & window sticker guide.