2002 Lexus RX: common problems and reliability
An average RX year.
105 owner complaints, most about power train. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2002 RX?The 2002 Lexus RX has 105 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and vehicle speed control.
Safety record for the 2002 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2002 Lexus RX vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other RX years only. How we score it
Is 2002 a good year for the RX?
Across the 29 RX model years we track, complaint volume runs from 6 (1998) to 347 (2007). With 105 complaints, the 2002 RX sits below the model's median of 125.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2002 RX
exterior lighting
Campaign 09E012000SABERSPORT 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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
visibility:glass, side/rear
Campaign 08E020000POLYMER PROCESS DEVELOPMENT IS RECALLING 931 UNITS OF BACK GLASS, P/NO. FB20415ZPY, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON 1999-2004 LEXUS RX300 VEHICLES. THE GLASS FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE AUTOMOTIVE GLAZING MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, GLAZING MATERIALS.
exterior lighting
Campaign 06E049000CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
exterior lighting:headlights
Campaign 09E025000DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Show 1 more recall
exterior lighting
Campaign 06E026000CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
What owners say across generations
Overwhelmingly positive sentiment centered on exceptional long-term reliability, comfort, and low ownership costs. The RX is consistently described as a "bombproof," comfortable, and quiet vehicle built to last well over 150,000 miles with minimal issues.
Owner insights cover all generations of the RX. See the full RX owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used RX listings typically run $48,889–$55,751.
Other RX model years
Compare every RX year side by side to see how 2002 ranks against the rest.
Compare the RX against its rivals
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