NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Lexus RX Recalls & Complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 2002 Lexus RX right now, so this page doesn't state a recall count — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for current campaigns. 12 owner complaints are on file.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Lexus RX.

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2002 Lexus RX owner complaints

Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Lexus RX, describing incidents dated May 17, 2006 to January 5, 2026.

Most-cited components

Power Train 5 complaints
Air Bags 2 complaints
Unknown or Other 2 complaints
Engine 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Tires 1 complaint

Of the 12 complaints on file, 3 report a crash; across all 12 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11714594 · Filed January 30, 2026
I want to raise concern about the safety issue and health issues relating to the new LED headlights on cars now. In the morning and evenings, I regularly encounter these extremely bright headlights. It's a big distraction and my driving visual field is impacted by these lights. I would like to see…
ODI #11613023 · Filed September 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2002 Lexus RX300. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light flashed on the instrument panel. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was…
ODI #11439600 · Filed November 7, 2021
The system component that malfunctioned was the Fuel Tank Overfill Check Valve, also referred to the Rollover Valve located in the top of the gas tank. The valve is suppose to prevent any fuel purging or fuel leaking during a rollover accident. Unfortunately, the valve can malfunction during normal…

Read all 12 complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 2002 Lexus RX right now — this is not a confirmed "no recalls". Check the VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the official status.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2002 Lexus RX. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

12 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Lexus RX.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11714594

Incident: January 5, 2026 · Filed: January 30, 2026

I want to raise concern about the safety issue and health issues relating to the new LED headlights on cars now. In the morning and evenings, I regularly encounter these extremely bright headlights. It's a big distraction and my driving visual field is impacted by these lights. I would like to see this addressed and resolved! Please advise. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Air Bags

ODI #11613023

Incident: August 21, 2024 · Filed: September 6, 2024

The contact owns a 2002 Lexus RX300. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light flashed on the instrument panel. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11439600

Incident: June 30, 2020 · Filed: November 7, 2021

The system component that malfunctioned was the Fuel Tank Overfill Check Valve, also referred to the Rollover Valve located in the top of the gas tank. The valve is suppose to prevent any fuel purging or fuel leaking during a rollover accident. Unfortunately, the valve can malfunction during normal refueling without the owner being aware. For a few years, I have been smelling fuel fumes during and after refueling. I would sometimes discover a pool of raw fuel under the gas tank and charcoal canister during/after refueling and up to 12 miles later. The vehicle started hesitating, missing and actually stalling after refueling. Three professional mechanics couldn't solve the problem. In an attempt to eliminate this safety issue, I replaced the gas tank, gas filler tube, fuel vapor purge valve and charcoal canister. I finally discovered a tube from the malfunctioning Overfill Valve was sending raw fuel directly to the charcoal canister, filling the charcoal canister and ultimately overflowing onto the ground outside of the vehicle. I decided to cut a hole in the vehicle floor under the rear seat and replace the Fuel Tank Overfill Check Valve. The design of the replacement valve was different from the original and incorporated a float type check valve rather than just the simple diaphragm in the original. Maybe Toyota/Lexus quietly redesigned the valve, but all owners should be aware of the redesign and the vehicles should be recalled. Thousands of these vehicles are still on the road because people love them. These vehicles and the valves are aging and failing. Dangerous fire potential certainly exist. One previous owner did have this problem, I believe, and his vehicle burned to the ground. It's an extreme safety issue not just because of the hesitating/stalling in traffic after refueling, but mostly because of the raw fuel leaking from the charcoal canister under the vehicle right in the immediate vicinity of the hot exhaust and the gas tank.

Tires

ODI #11431343

Incident: July 31, 2021 · Filed: September 1, 2021

4 new tyres were installed by Firestone but driver side wore out despite balancing rotation, alignment performed during install. TyrePlus sister concern replaced with new tyre and prorated as the tyre was at fault. Same tyre blew out on the road. The tread, side all etc damaged the wire harness and car went out of control causing damage to suspension and fuel tank. Fuel began to leak. Car is toatled due to several other damages. TyrePlus does not want to take ownership. However they have all records of up to date maintenance. They referred me to Bridgestone wherein I need to submit 2 estimates. Tyre purchase dates maintenence etc. I have secured the tread and parts of the tyre which blew out and they want me to submit that. I am hesitatnt to submit it as they may tamper with the proof I have to fix it.

Power Train; Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #11426214

Crash 1 injury

Incident: July 23, 2021 · Filed: July 23, 2021

Transmission wouldnt shift all of the sudden on the high way no prior mechanical issues was t boned and broke my leg abs and trac off lights mechanic says total transmission failure 121000 miles and this is the second owner of this vehicle

Unknown or Other

ODI #11307336

Incident: January 29, 2020 · Filed: February 5, 2020

VEHICLES RETRACTABLE ANTENNA STOPPED RETRACTING AND ANTENNA MOTOR CONTINUES TO RUN TRYING TO PULL THE TELESCOPING ANTENNA BACK DOWN. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, ENGINE HAD BEEN SHUT DOWN AND KEYS REMOVED, BUT ANTENNA MOTOR KEPT RUNNING.

Engine

ODI #10872278

Incident: December 12, 2015 · Filed: June 3, 2016

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY REPAIRED PROBLEMS. WAS ACCELERATING FROM STOP LIGHT ON BUSY CITY STREET, HIGHWAY FRONTAGE ROAD AND ENGINE DIED IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION CAUSING NO POWER OR STEERING AND HAD TO COME/COAST TO FINAL STOP WITH NO POWER OR STEERING CAPABILITIES. ENGINE DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. CAR WAS DISABLED UNDER HIGHWAY BRIDGE IN BUSY INTERSECTION. COULD NOT GET IT STARTED. DRIVERS WOULD TURN LEFT FROM THE LIGHT AND ALMOST REAR END ME BECAUSE I WAS DISABLED RIGHT AFTER THE TURN. TURNED OUT TO BE THE INFAMOUS TOYOTA RECALL AND CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OF ENGINE SLUDGE. PAID $6000 TO REPAIR ALL CAR COMPONENTS AFFECTED BY THE LAWSUIT.

Power Train

ODI #10465713

Incident: July 14, 2012 · Filed: July 15, 2012

I WAS OUT OF TOWN I WAS DRIVING, NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY RX AT ALL. IT'S A 2002 LEXUS RX 300, THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN I GO TO TAKE OFF AT THE STOPLIGHT AND IT WAS HESITATING TO TAKE OFF. MY TRANSMISSION IS NOW COMPLETELY GONE. NO WARNING AT ALL. IF I TAKE MY VEHICLE OVER 35 MPH IS JERKS. TRANSMISSION SLIPS AT STOP LIGHTS, (WITH NO INCLINE). 115000 MILES, AND THE TRANNY GOES OUT. I DO BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN REPLACED BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR AS WELL. GREAT JOB LEXUS, NOT. I THOUGHT GOING WITH A LEXUS I WOULD HAVE A QUALITY VEHICLE. MAN WAS I WRONG. *TR

Power Train

ODI #10381142

Incident: February 1, 2011 · Filed: February 8, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS RX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEARS WOULD BECOME STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT THE DEALER FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE FAILURE BEFORE MAKING A DECISION IF THEY COULD ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Air Bags

ODI #10203605

Crash 1 injury

Incident: September 16, 2007 · Filed: September 20, 2007

A CAR CRASHED INTO SIDE DOOR OF PASSENGER AND SIDE AIR DID NOT INFLATE IN MY 2002 LEXUS RX 300. MY CAR WAS THEN IN A ROLL OVER AND NO OTHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INCLUDING THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG. *TR

Other Lexus RX model years

Check your 2002 Lexus RX VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Lexus RX at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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