Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Lexus ES300 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Lexus ES300. The contact stated as she came to a stop with her foot on the brake pedal, there was a bump in the road and the vehicle lurched and accelerated forward. The contact stated as the vehicle accelerated it hit another vehicle and there was extensive damage to both vehicles. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was repaired and checked by a mechanic who stated there was no problem and everything was normal with the accelerator pedal. The mechanic also did a computer check showing no code problem. The failure mileage was 92,388. Updated 03/04/10. The consumer received a letter from Toyota stating upon examination of the vehicle, it was discovered that the after market floor mat that was on top of the factory floor mat was preventing the accelerator from reaching the floor. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Lexus ES300. The contact stated that while at a stand still and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The vehicle continued to accelerate until crashing into the vehicle in front of the contact. As a result, the contact experienced pain on the right shoulder, chest and upper arm. The driver of the vehicle that was crashed into was transported by ambulance to the hospital because she experienced back pain. The police reported to the scene and a report was filed. The vehicle sustained damage to the front end and was towed to an auto body shop. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a complaint was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000. Updated 08/30/11 the consumer also stated the air bags failed to deploy. Updated 11/30/11
I had just left my doctor's office and gone to a parking structure where I had parked my car for the visit. I paid the parking charge, got back my validated ticket, and inserted the ticket in the gate-arm machine. The gate lifted, and I put my foot lightly on the accelerator to exit from the parking structure into the street. The car then picked up speed, well past what it should have picked up based on the light pressure I had put on the accelerator, and the brakes had no effect. The car went faster and faster, crossed a street, and crashed into a concrete wall. On impact, the airbags were deployed. I suffered serious back pain, and my wife was in the hospital for three nights with two broken ribs. The car was totaled.
I experienced the problem after my 90,000 scheduled major maintenance. On 11/22/09, I returned to my car and found the windows and sun roof were opened. I had not engaged the remote to do this. I got in the car and closed the windows and sun roof. I drove approx one and a half miles. I slowed the car to prepare to park. I turned into the parking space and noticed that the car was not stopping. I pressed on the brake and the car suddenly surged forward crossing over a curb and striking a parked car. While at the body shop a Lexus technition went in to check the car and said he found everything to be within specifications. Previously reported by phone but the account was not complete.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Lexus ES300. The contact stated as he backed out of a parking space the vehicle accelerated and crashed into a parked vehicle. No one was injured. A police report is available if needed. The back end of the vehicle was damaged in the crash. The vehicle was able to be driven to contact's home and later to a body shop for repair. The Toyota manufacturer was called and now the contact was waiting for a representative to return his call. The contact stated prior to the crash he had the acceleration problem, he took the vehicle to the Lexus dealer they checked the vehicle but found no failure with the vehicle. The failure mileage was 27,200.
My 2002 Lexus 3000 suddenly accelerated as I was pulling forward into a parking space and crashed into a building. When it happened, my foot was resting lightly on the brake, preparing to brake to a stop, and letting the car idle into the spot. I had a similar thing happen about 4 months ago. The consumer sustained some bruises as a result of the crash. Updated 12/19/05. The vehicle was inspected by one of toyotas field technicians. The technician determined that the electronic throttle, brake system and other engine operating parameters were functioning properly.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Lexus ES300. When he drove out of the parking approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. He began to panic and crashed into a parked vehicle and a fence. The vehicle stopped when he crashed into a tree and the left front tire came off. He received injuries to the left side of his body. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The police report is available upon request. The manufacturer stated that an engineer will examine the vehicle. The failure and current mileages were 58,000.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Lexus ES300. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle accelerated and crashed into the back of a vehicle.the contact and a witness were surprised that the wheels continued to spin after the vehicle had stopped moving. A week later the vehicle accelerated again without warning and crashed into the side of a bank. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The failure mileage was 40000 and the current mileage was 78409, the VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Lexus es 300. While entering a parking space, the vehicle accelerated without intention. The vehicle went over the side-walk and crashed into a parked vehicle. After hitting the vehicle, she put the vehicle in reverse, but the vehicle then accelerated into a tree. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The current and failure mileages were approximately 45,000. Updated 12/16/09 pictures received. Updated 12/16/09
Tl contact owns a 2002 Lexus ES300. While driving approximately 5 MPH out of a parking space pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal followed by an unintended increase in speed. The vehicle failed to slow down and crashed into the residence home and a tree. There were no injuries. The police was notified. The vehicle was completely destroyed and it was towed to an auto collision facility. The vehicle identification number was unavailable. The failure mileage was 60,000.
NHTSA investigations
Throttle control system
The Lexus models were the subject of defect petition (dp) 04-003.twelve odi complaints are duplicative to Toyota reports, including the two minor crashes.the v6 equipped solara models have been excluded because they do not contain the subject throttle control system.Toyota introduced electronic throttle control (etc) on the subject vehicles beginning in model year (my) 2002.odi opened the investigation to determine…
Unwanted and unintended acceleration
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened dp09-001 on April 8, 2009, to evaluate a defect petition requesting additional investigation of potential throttle control system defects unrelated to floor mat interference with accelerator pedals in model year (my) 2007 Lexus es 350 vehicles.the petitioner referenced an earlier odi investigation concerning floor mat interference with accelerator pedal return…
Vehicle speed control
In a letter dated July 8, 2005, and after experiencing two incidents (and one crash) where he alleges his model year (my) 2002 camry accelerated without driver input, mr. Jordan ziprin petitioned the national highway traffic safety administration?s (NHTSA) office of defects investigation (odi) to commence a proceeding to determine the existence of a defect within the etc system in my 2002 to 2005 Toyota and Lexus…
Throttle control system
The population number noted above is estimated.in the January 15th, 2004 petition request letter to the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA), the petitioner identified 37 voq complaints as related to vehicle speed control issues similar to those the petitioner allegedly experienced in their own vehicle on multiple occasions (as described in the petition request letter).during it's consideration of…
Acceleration complaints in other ES300 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2002 Lexus ES300?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2002 Lexus ES300, 33% of the model year's 153 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Lexus ES300 acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2002 Lexus ES300, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Lexus ES300 acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 35% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 29 crashes, 0 fires and 12 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.