2002 Lexus ES300

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/29/2002· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE NEW BLUE LIGHTS IN NEW CARS CREATE BLINDNESS WHEN APPROACHING AT NIGHT. EVEN FROM BEHIND IN REAR VIEW MIRROR THEY CREATE BLINDING DISTRACTION.

• 12/28/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  MY EXPERIENCE HAPPENED ON JULY 14, 2009. I WAS EASING INTO MY PARKING PLACE AT THE COLLEGE WHERE I TEACH, GOING ABOUT ZERO MILES PER HOUR, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I WAS PLUMMETED INTO A TREE LESS THAT FIVE FEET IN FRONT OF ME SO HARD THAT IT TOTALED MY 2002 LEXUS. THE FORWARD MOVEMENT FELT LIKE AN AIRPLANE IN TAKEOFF MODE. *TR

• 12/26/2020· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  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

• 12/21/2004· POWER TRAIN

  ROUGH SHIFTING/SLIPPING IN LOWER GEARS (1,2). WHEN ACCELERATING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC CAR SEEMS TO STALL BEFORE IT SUDDENLY BUMPS INTO GEAR. INTERMITTENTLY - WHEN ACCELERATED SUDDENLY (MOVING STEADY AT ABOUT 10 MILES PER HOUR) TRANSSMISION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR, ENGINE RPM REACHED ABOUT 4000 RPM. IT ENGAGED IN GEAR AFTER I RELEASED ACCELERATOR. *AK

• 12/20/2012· POWER TRAIN

  MY 2002 LEXUS ES300 HAS BEEN JERKING AND SHIFTING VERY HARD ON ACCELERATION. IT SEEMS TO HAVE MORE OF A PROBLEM WHEN I ACCELERATE SLOWLY IN THE LOWER GEARS. IT JERKS VERY NOTICEABLY. I WAS TOLD IT WAS JUST THE NATURE OF THE CAR, BUT IT HAS BEEN GETTING MUCH WORSE OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR. IT ALSO HESITATES WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS AFTER DECELERATION. *TR

• 12/18/2017· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  I REPLACED THE BATTERY ON MY LEXUS AND IT WOULD NO LONGER IDLE YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND THE ENGINE DIES.. THE COMPUTER LOST THE IDLE PARAMETERS THIS IS DANGEROUS AS I TURNED LEFT OFF ONE ROAD TO ANOTHER TOOK MY FOOT FROM ACCELARATOR TO BRAKE ENGINE DIED AND I LOST POWER STEERING ALMOST WRECKED MOST MECHANICS ARE AWARE OF THIS DEFECT LEXUS REFUSED TO ADMIT IT GOOGLE IT ALL OVER INTERNET

• 12/17/2002· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED, THE ENGINE SUFFERED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. TS WHEN ACCELERATING TO CHANGE LANE OR ENTER THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE ALMOST STALLED AND OR DECELERATED. SCC

• 12/13/2002· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION GETS CONFUSED WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF THE LOWER GEARS, THEN SPENDS TOO LONG TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT GEAR TO BE IN. THIS CAUSES DANGEROUS DELAYS IN ACCELERATION, THE EFFECT IS THE SAME AS A MOMENTARY ENGINE STALL. WE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, FREEWAY RAMP ENTRANCES ARE CERTAINLY THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SHIFTING DELAYS BUT THEY SAY NO FIX IS AVAILABLE. THIS IS OUR THIRD ES300, THE PREVIOUS MODELS USED A CABLE BETWEEN THE GAS PEDAL AND THE THROTTLE, THIS NEW ONE USES WHAT IS CALLED "FLY BY WIRE", A POSITION SENSOR ON THE ACCELARATOR THAT A COMPUTER IS SUPPOSED TO USE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO TELL THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. IT ISN'T WORKING VERY WELL. IF NOT RECTIFIED THIS PROBLEM WILL CERTAINLY LEAD TO A CRASH SOMEDAY, THEN WE'LL GET TO SEE HOW GOOD THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT IS.

• 12/11/2001· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  GAS CAP IS VERY HARD TO TWIST OFF. CONSUMER DEVELOPED A SPRANG WRIST TRYING TO TWIST IS OFF. SPRING CLIP CAUSES IT TO LOCK UP.*AK

• 12/07/2004· POWER TRAIN

  I OWN A 2002 LEXUS ES300, AND THE CAR IS DANGEROUS! I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION CHECKED OUT, BECAUSE IT HESITATES IN TRAFFIC WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS.THEY JUST SAY SOME BABBLE ABOUT THE "TRANSMISSION JUST NEEDS TO GET USED TO THE DRIVER", IM SORRY BUT JUST BECAUSE WE CAN AFFORD AN EXPENSIVE CAR DOESNT MEAN THAT WE'RE STUPID. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR, AND I REALLY DON'T THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE ANY INJURIES OR FATALITIES TO HAVE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM. *AK

• 12/06/2002· INTERIOR LIGHTING

  ON A SUNNY DAY AND WHILE IN MOTION, CONSUMER STATES THE DASHBOARD CANNOT BE READ, EVEN WITH SUNSHADES ON. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. TS *JG

• 11/30/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  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 *BF PICTURES RECEIVED. UPDATED 12/16/09

• 11/20/2003· POWER TRAIN

  2002 LEXUS ES300 HAD A MAJOR SURGING PROBLEM AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. AFTER A YEAR OF PROMISES, LEXUS CAME OUT WITH A COMPUTER UPGRADE THAT CHANGED THE PROBLEM FROM ANNOYING TO DANGEROUS. THE 1/2 AND 2/3 SHIFTS ARE WILDLY INCONSISTENT, SOMETIMES TAKING 2/3 SECONDS AND FEELING LIKE A SLIPPING TRANSMISSION. WHEN ACCELERATION, AS IN A PASSING OR AVOIDANCE SITUATION, IS CALLED FOR THE MOTOR REVS UP AND THE CAR GOES NOWHERE WHILE THE TRANSMISSION SEARCHES FOR A GEAR. THIS CAN TAKE 3/4 SECONDS AND HAS ALREADY ALMOST CAUSED A ACCIDENT. LEXUS CUSTOMER SERVICE SAYS THE CAR IS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED AND NO FURTHER MODIFICATIONS ARE PLANNED. *LA

• 11/14/2014· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS ES 300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK, NECK, FACE, AND SHOULDER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

• 11/12/2002· POWER TRAIN

  SHIFT COMFORT ISSUE EXISTS AT SOMEWHAT PREDICTABLE DRIVING CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THE DRIVER TO HANDLE THE CAR IN A CAUTIOUS MANNER TO AVOID VEHICLE MALFUNCTION. DT

• 11/12/2002· VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE

  DASHBOARD HAS BEEN REDESIGNED, AND IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE VARIOUS NEEDLE GAUGES WHILE DRIVING DURING THE DAY. AT NIGHT WITH LIGHTS ON, EVERYTHING IS FINE, BUT DURING THE DAY, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS SUNNY, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE GAUGES. *SC...*AK

• 11/12/2001· SEATS

  ANGLE OF THE REAR WINDOW, THE RELATIVELY NARROW APERTURE OF THE GLASS AND THE LARGE HEADRESTS ON THE REAR SEATS CONSPIRE TOGETHER TO SEVERLY RESTRICT THE DRIVER'S VIEW OUT OF THE REAR VIEW WINDOW. IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE ANYTHING ALONG THE REAR "FLANKS" OF THE VEHICLE OUT OF THIS WINDOW WHILE DRIVING. MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE TO INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE VIEWING APERTURE, USE A "LOWER PROFILE" HEADREST IN THE BACK SEAT (LIKE THE ONE IN THE MIDDLE BETWEEN THE TWO REAR SEATS), OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH.*AK

• 11/11/2003· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  1. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, AT 2-4 MPH, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT FULL SPEED, JUMPING THE CURB AND HITTING A TREE WITH FULL FORCE. BECAUSE OF PREVIOUS CONCERNS WITH THROTTLE PROBLEMS NOTED WITH THE DEALERSHIP AT 1000 AND 5000 MILE CHECK, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP. AFTER A CONFERENCE CALL WITH LEXUS ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THE DEALERSHIP, MY CAR WAS FLAT BEDDED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE FRONTAL CRASH RENDERED THE VEHICLE UN-DRIVABLE. RADIATOR DAMAGE WITH LEAKAGE OF FLUID COVERED A PORTION OF THE PARKING LOT. THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR SOMEBODY ELSE LIVE COULD HAVE BEEN IN DANGER. 2. THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE. 3. THE BRAKE ROTORS HAD TO BE CORRECTED AT 1500 MILES AND A "PART" WAS ORDERED AND PUT ON THE CARE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. 4. THE CAR WHEN DRIVING AT ABOVE 50 PULLS TO THE LEFT AND FROM THE BEGINNING IT FELT AS THOUGH THE CAR WAS UNEVEN EVEN WHEN NOT MOVING. AT THAT TIME I REQUESTED A WRITTEN EXPLANATION OF THIS PROBLEM AND TOLD MY RECORD AT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD SUBSTANTIATE THIS. ON THE NIGHT OF THE ACCIDENT I LEARNED BY REVIEWING COMPLAINTS FROM THE OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE THAT THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN KNOWN BY THE CORPORATE OFFICE OF LEXUS FROM AS EARLY AS JANUARY, 2002 IN REGARDS TO ALL OF THE ABOVE PROBLEMS. I ALSO FOUND OUT THERE HAVE BEEN TWO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE THAT I WAS NOT INFORMED ABOUT. I WILL BE REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION WITH THE LEXUS EAST REGIONAL OFFICE AND DISCUSSING THIS WITH THE ROCKVILLE LEXUS OFFICE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I BROUGHT THE LEXUS VEHICLE EVEN WITH IT'S PRICE TAG BECAUSE OF ITS REPUTATION AND TO DRIVE MY 3 YEAR OLD GRANDSON AND 1 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER IN THE SAFEST MANNER I COULD FACILITATE. I AM SURE THAT MY SON AND DAUGHTER-IN-LAW WILL NOT ALLOW THIS AFTER THIS CRASH!!!!*AK UPDATED 7/3/12 *CN

• 11/09/2004· POWER TRAIN

  WHEN ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING VEHICLE SHIFTED VIOLENTLY. DEALER STATED THEY KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT COULD NOT FIND A SOLUTION AT THIS TIME. *AK

• 10/26/2014· STRUCTURE,WHEELS,ENGINEFire

  I ACCELERATED FROM A STOP LIGHT AFTER IT TURNED GREEN. ABOUT 25 FEET THRU THE LIGHT I HEARD THE CAR BEHIND ME BLOWING THEIR HORN CONSTANTLY. I LOOKED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING IN. THEN I THOUGHT I NOTICE LIGHT SMOKE COMING FROM MY TAILPIPE. I APPLIED MY RIGHT TURN BLINKER AND PULLED TO THE CURVE. AS SOON AS I PARKED, I COULD SEE ORANGE COLORED FIRE AROUND THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND ALONG THE SIDE OF MY DRIVER/PASSENGER DOORS. I FELT THAT ME AND MY PASSENGER WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO EXIT THE CAR WITHOUT BE BURNT, BUT I KNEW WE NEEDED TO GET OUT IMMEDIATELY. I TRIED TO CALMLY GET MY PASSENGER TO EXIT WHICH WE DID MAINLY BECAUSE SHE HADN'T SEEN THE FLAMES. WE WERE ABLE TO EXIT AND I IMMEDIATELY CALL 911 AND PROCEEDED TO CLEARING PEOPLE FROM NEAR MY CAR. THE FIRE DEPT AND POLICE ARRIVED ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES LATER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE CAR THEN LEFT. A POLICE OFFICER STAYED UNTIL THE TOW CO ARRIVED. THE CAR WAS TOWED AWAY AND I WAS GIVEN A RIDE TO MY RESIDENCE. *TR

• 10/25/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THIS STARTED TO OCCUR APPROX AT 22000 MILES. THE CARE NOW HAS APPROX 26000 MILES. FOUND 2 OTHER COMPLAINTS WHILE RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM. ODI #S 10034592 AND 10037938. IS THIS SOMETHING LEXUS CORP IS VOLUNTEERING TO FIX FOR THEIR CONSUMERS.*AK

• 10/23/2020· ENGINEFire

  TL* THE CONTACT'S MOM OWNED A 2002 LEXUS ES 300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EMIT A THICK WHITE, YELLOWISH SMOKE FROM THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER,THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AS A BYSTANDER ALTERED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE VEHICLE AND THE AUTHORITIES WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. DUE TO THE FIRE, THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. NO INJURIES WERE SUFFERED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER HAVE YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 173,000.

• 10/21/2006· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ROUGHLY AND SOMETIMES ABRUPTLY IN THE LOWER GEARS. THE DOWNSHIFT AT TIMES IS VERY HARD. THE VEHICLE WILL ALSO SURGE FORWARD AT TIMES OR WILL NOT ACCELERATE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED. *NM

• 10/21/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  THE BRAKES WILL FADE/RELEASE AFTER BEING STOPPED FOR 1-2 MINUTES WITH THE FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT APPEARS THAT THIS HAPPENS AS THE ENGINE RPM DECREASES ABOUT 100-200 AND THE BRAKE PRESSURE EBBS. THE CAR WILL SOMETIMES MOVE FORWARD ABOUT 1-2 FEET BEFORE IT STOPS AGAIN. *NM

• 10/20/2005· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE CAR WENT INTO A HIGH ACCELERATION. I REAR ENDED TWO CARS THAT WERE DIRECTLY BEHIND ME. IF THERE WAS ANYONE WALKING BEHIND I WOULD HAVE KILLED THEM. I BELIEVE THERE IS A THROTTLE CONTROL PROBLEM. *LA *JB

• 10/18/2007· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  MY 2002 ES 300 HAS HEADLIGHT SENSORS WHICH MAKE IT GO UP AND DOWN DEPENDING ON WHAT ANGLE THE CAR IS PARKED/MOVING AT. SO GOING DOWNHILL, IT SHOULD DIP DOWN TO AVOID ONCOMING TRAFFIC FROM GLARE AND GOING UPHILL, IT SHOULD MAKE THE LIGHT GO FARTHER. SOMEHOW THE SENSOR (OR SOMETHING ELSE) GOT FAULTY. LEXUS DEALERSHIP MADE ME DRIVE AT LEAST 5000 MILES (I USED TO LIVE IN FARGO, ND AND THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WITH 225+ MILES ONE WAY) BEFORE THEY COULD ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE LIGHTS. I HAD TO MAKE A VIDEO AT NIGHT (AS THEY DENIED TEST DRIVING AT NIGHT) TO SHOW THEM MY SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT THE HEADLIGHTS. THE DISTANCE I COULD SEE WAS VERY SMALL AND IT GOT DANGEROUS AT NIGHT TIME, UNLESS I TURNED MY HIGH BEAM ON. LEXUS ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM, KEPT MY CAR FOR ONE MONTH, DROVE IT FOR APPROXIMATELY 3000 MILES. ENGINEERS FROM CHICAGO AND LA CAME (I WAS TOLD) AND THE ANSWER WAS: WE COULD NOT FIND WHAT EXACTLY IS CAUSING THIS, BUT THERE IS SOME MAGNETIC FIELD AROUND THE WIRE TO THE SENSOR WHICH DISRUPTS THE FUNCTIONING OF THE SENSOR. WE HAVE PUT THE SHIELDED WIRE AROUND THE WIRE AND IT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. I HAD NOT BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR MUCH SINCE THEN AT NIGHT TIME DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS, TILL I MOVED TO ALBUQUERQUE. THE TERRAIN HERE IS HILLY AND I DON'T SEE THE LIGHTS TO DIP DOWN OR GO FARTHER WHILE GOING DOWNHILL AND UPHILL RESPECTIVELY. WHILE MAKING TURNS AROUND CANYONS AND CLIFFS , GOING UPHILL, IT BECOMES DANGEROUS AS YOU CAN' SEE MORE THAN 30-40 FEET (OR LESS) ON A FREEWAY WHICH IS NOT A SAFE BRAKING DISTANCE AT 65-70 MILES/HR AND IF YOU TURN THE HIGH BEAM ON IT'S NOT SAFE FOR THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I URGE THAT NHTSA INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND I AM WILLING TO PROVIDE MY CAR FOR DRIVING UP TO 300-400 MILES. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE PUT AUG 22ND 2003 AS THE INCIDENT DATE, THAT IS MY PURCHASE DATE FROM MY UNCLE (THE ORIGINAL OWNER) AND IT HAPPENS . EVERYTIME I DRIVE. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME IN THIS MATTER. *TR

• 10/17/2019· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ENGINEFire

  ON THE NIGHT OF AUGUST 20, 2019, AT 9:45, I PARKED MY LEXUS ES 300 AND WENT INSIDE THE LOCAL ACME. ACME IS APPROX MILES FROM HOME. I ENTERED THE STORE AND HEARD OVER THE INTERCOM ALL SHOPPERS HAD 12 MIN BEFORE CLOSING. I QUICKLY SHOPPED, AND UPON EXITING THE STORE, MY CAR HAD A SIGNIFICANT FIRE, AND THE FIRE COMPANY THAT WAS ACROSS THE STREET HAD TO RESPOND AND PUT IT OUT. MY CAR HAD NO POWER, AND IT MYSTERIOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE. I WAS GIVEN THE DIRECTIVE TO HAVE IT TOWED IMMEDIATELY BY THE POLICE AND FIRE CO WHO WAS ON THE SCENE. I QUICKLY GRABBED ANY SALVAGEABLE PERSONALS AND HAD TO GET A RIDE HOME BY THE POLICE OFFICER. THE FOLLOWING DAY AUGUST 21, 2019, AAA TOWED THE VEHICLE TO MY HOME. I HAD TO ATTACH THE BATTERY CABLE TO HAVE POWER FOR WINDOWS AND LOCKS ALONG WITH THE TRUNK. I GATHERED ALL MY BELONGINGS AND REMOVED THE WIRE. I CALLED THE FIRE MARSHALL FOR A REPORT, AND HE SAID HE COULDN'T GIVE ME A REPORT. IT WAS COMPROMISED BY BEING TOWED. COMPROMISED FOR TOWING WHEN I WAS TOLD OR RATHER DEMANDED TO REMOVE THE VEHICLE OF THE PROPERTY IMMEDIATELY. I GOOGLED THE WORDS LEXUS AND FIRE AND NOTICED BY A FEW POSTS MY ISSUE WAS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. THEREFORE, I CONTACTED LEXUS, WHO HAD ME TOW MY VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE CAR SAT AND IS STILL SITTING FOR ALMOST THREE WEEKS BEFORE AN INSPECTOR LOOKED AT IT ON SEPTEMBER 10. 2019. I WENT TO CHECK THE ONLY CAR AFTER AND TOOK A VIDEO OF WHAT I SAW. I WAITED THE 30 DAYS FOR A REPLY IF THEY'D ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY. I GOT MY LETTER ON THE 31ST DAY AND THEY CAN NOT IDENTIFY HOW THE FIRE STARTED AND ASSUME NO LIABILITY. HOW DOES A CAR MYSTERIOUSLY CATCH FIRE PARKED? BECAUSE THIS ISSUE ISN'T ISOLATED, IS THERE ANY RECOURSE ACTION AGAINST LEXUS FOR DAMAGES? I HAVE VIDEOS AND PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGE AFTER THE FIRE AND AFTER THE INSPECTION.

• 10/13/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  I WAS BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT MY TOWN'S TRANSFER STATION. AS I CAME TO A STOP, I BEGAN TO SHIFT INTO PARK WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF MY CONTROL. THE VEHICLE SMASHED INTO A THREE FOOT CONCRETE WALL COMING TO A STOP. THE CAR SUFFERED EXTENSIVE BACK END DAMAGE. I WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL FOR XRAYS OF MY NECK AND SPINE. THANKFULLY I AM NOT INJURED. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER MY CONTROL. IT WAS AS IF IT HAD A MIND OF IT'S OWN. I AM A CLEAR HEADED, FORTY EIGHT YEAR OLD FEMALE. I HAVE A PERFECT DRIVING RECORD. THIS WAS THE RESULT OF SOMETHING OUT OF MY CONTROL. I BELIEVE THIS 2002 LEXUS ES 300 IS A DANGEROUS CAR. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR TWO YEARS. IT WAS PURCHASED AS A SECOND CAR FOR MY HUSBAND. THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE FLOOR MATS NOR DID I CONFUSE THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE. *TR

• 10/08/2002· POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  THE CONSUMER STATES THAT HE CANNOT VIEW THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THE DAYTIME. THE MFR ADVISED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PANEL IS DESIGNED THAT WAY. *MR THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WHITE NUMBERS ON THE INSTRUMENTS WERE OKAY, BUT IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE RED NEEDLE DURING THE DAY LIGHT (UNLESS YOUR IN THE SHADE/OR IN THE EVENING). THE CONSUMER STATES THAT HE IS UNABLE TO TELL THE SPEED OF TRAVEL, WHETHER THE ENGINE IS OVERHEATING, AND/OR THE AMOUNT OF FUEL LEFT. ALSO THE MULTI-INFORMATION DISPLAYS AND THE ODOMETER READINGS ARE BARELY VISIBLE DURING THE DAYLIGHT HOURS. THE CONSUMER STATES THAT HE RECEIVES A STANDARD ANSWER THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS WORKING AS DESIGNED. *SCC

• 10/02/2002· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  I CANNOT READ THE RED DIAL ON THE SPEEDOMETER. DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS, IT FADES AWAY EVEN THOUGH THE PANEL LIGHTS ARE TURNED ALL THE WAY UP. I KEEP UP WITH THE TRAFFIC, NOT KNOWING HOW FAST (OR SLOW) I AM GOING. THIS ONLY HAPPENS DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS, NOT NIGHTTIME. I SPOKE TO LEXUS CUSTOMER SERVICE (MS. YVONNE CHILDS, 800 255 3987) AND TO RAY CATENA LEXUS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. NOBODY CALLED ME BACK. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I WOULD LIKE IT TO BE CORRECTED. TS

• 09/27/2004· POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,EQUIPMENT

  2002 LEXUS ES300 WITH ABOUT 18,000 MILES HAS A PROBLEM WITH HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER SLOWING DOWN, ESPECIALLY AFTER COMPLETING A TURN. IT IS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T ADJUST WITH THE PRESSING OF THE GAS PEDAL. ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE HESITATION. ALSO I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR DOWN SHIFTING AS I COME DOWN A HILL. ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT GEAR TO BE IN WHEN GOING AROUND 20 TO 25 MILES PER HOUR. YOU CAN FEEL THE CAR CHANGE GEAR. PASSENGERS EVEN HAVE ASKED WHAT WAS THAT? COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE WAY I DRIVE. I HAD THE SB-TC004-03 PERFORMED AFTER RECEIVING THE LETTER FROM LEXUS, BUT IT DIDN'T HELP. MAY HAVE MADE IT WORSE. *AK

• 09/21/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. CONSUMER TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK *TC *JB

• 09/17/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  IN AUGUST I WENT TO PARK MY CAR (2002 ES300) IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT PICKED UP SPEED, CRASHING THROUGH MY BRAND NEW FENCE AND SIDE PORCH. IT MUST BE NOTED THAT I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR WAS STOPPED AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT TOOK OFF ON ME. MY FOOT NEVER MOVED OFF THE BRAKE THE WHOLE TIME; THE CAR CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT HIT THE PORCH. THE DAY BEFORE I WAS DRIVING WITH MY MOM AND AS I STARTED TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN B/C I WAS COMING TO A STOP SIGN THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN PICKED UP SPEED, BUT THANKFULLY AT THAT TIME I HAD TIME TO PRESS THE BRAKES DOWN HARDER AND STOP THE CAR. WHEN I PARK MY CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY IT IS ONLY A COUPLE OF INCHES FROM THE GATE AND FROM THE GATE IT IS ABOUT 2-3 FEET TO THE PORCH SO THERE WAS NO WAY TO AVOID THIS ACCIDENT. WHEN LEXUS INSPECTED THE CAR THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE DBW (ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL). I FIND THIS TO BE A COVERUP OF SOME SORTS B/C I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR YEARS AND NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME BEFORE. I KNOW FIRST HAND THAT IS IS NOT A DRIVER ERROR IT IS A MANUFACTOR'S DEFECT. I KNOW IT WENT INTO INVESTIGATIONS AND THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THE CARS B/C THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE THAT THIS REALLY HAPPENS. SINCE I'VE BEEN BRINGING THIS ISSUE TO LIGHT I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO MY HUSBAND'S FRIEND'S WIFE LAST YEAR. HER CAR TOOK OFF ON HER AND WENT THROUGH HER GARAGE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR. I FEEL THAT LEXUS IS REALLY IN A POSITION WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE NHTSA DEEMED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR CAUSING THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER DID NOT WANT TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBLITY WHAT SO EVER FOR THIS INCIDENT. THEY WERE VERY HELPFUL WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR BUT WIPED THERE HANDS OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK

• 09/14/2007· POWER TRAIN

  CAR ACCELERATES WHEN NOT APPROPRIATE AND SHIFTS VERY POORLY ESPECIALLY WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. SEEMS TO BE STUCK IN GEAR WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. HESITATION. BUCKS AND SHIFTS REALLY HARD INTERMITTENTLY. *JB

• 09/14/2002· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  WHEN DRIVING DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS WE CANNOT SEE THE RED DIAL ON THE SPEEDOMETER EVEN THOUGH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT CONTROL IS TURNED FULLY UP. WE NEVER KNOW HOW FAST WE ARE GOING. WE JUST TRY TO KEEP UP WITH THE TRAFFIC. WE SPOKE TO YVONNE CHILDS AT LEXUS CUSTOMER SERVICE (800 255 3987) WHO WOULD LOOK INTO IT, BUT NEVER GOT BACK TO US. I SPOKE TO ANOTHER SERVICE PERSON, AND HE SAID HE HAS HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS DEFINITELY A MAJOR SAFETY FACTOR THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED AND CORRECTED.

• 09/12/2003· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION IS UNRELIABLE. SINCE MARCH 2003, WHEN ACCELERATING THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS. *AK *TS UPDATED 7/2/12 *CN

• 09/09/2003· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH ON HIGHWAY. WHEN THE TRAFFIC SLOWED DOWN, I APPLIED THE BRAKE TO BRING DOWN THE SPEED OF THE CAR TO ABOUT 3-7 MPH. AFTER FOLLOWING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS AT ABOUT 3/4 CAR DISTANCE, I SAW THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SPEEDED UP SLOWLY AND I DECIDED TO FOLLOW UP BY PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR MODERATLY. THE CAR FIRST SHUDDERED, THEN PAUSED FOR ABOUT 1 SECOND, AND FINALLY ACCELERATED AT ALMOST MAXIMUM POWER. THIS WAS A NEAR MISS. BEFORE THIS HAPPENED, I BROUGHT OUR CAR TO LEXUS DEALER TO COMPLAIN ABOUT SHUDDERING/PAUSING WHEN ACCELERATING FROM LOW SPEED AFTER THE CAR WAS UPDATED WITH TSB-TC004-03; THE CHIEF TECHNICIAN DROVE THE CAR AND REPRODUCED THE KIND OF PROBLEMS THAT WE HAD. HOWEVER, HE SAID THAT HE COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND WAS GOING TO WRITE A REPORT TO TOYOTA CORP BECAUSE IT WAS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE RECEIPT FROM THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY DID NOT FIND ANY ABNORMAL TRANSMISSION SHIFT DURING TEST DRIVING, BUT WOULD FILE A REPORT. WHAT A CONTRADICATION! THE DANGER OF THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WAS FURTHER MAGNIFIED BY THE FACT THAT 2002 ES300 RUNS VERY SMOOTHLY AT MOST TIMES (>98%). THIS SHUDDER/PAUSE/ACCELERATION OR PAUSE/ACCELERATION THAT ONLY OCCURS SPORADICALLY UNDER VERY SPECIAL CONDITIONS GIVES DRIVERS SURPRISE THAT IS THE LAST THING THEY WANT DURING DRIVING. FOR CURIOSITY, I TESTED DRIVING THE CAR FOR ABOUT 50 MINIUTES BY REPEATLY SLOWING DOWN TO ABOUT 5 - 10 MPH BY APPLYING BRAKE, THEN ALLOWING THE CAR TO ROLL FOR ABOUT 3 SECONDS WITHOUT PRESSING GAS PADDLE, AND THEN ACCELERATING MODERATELY TO ABOUT 20 - 30 MPH. THE PROBOBILITY FOR THE SHUDDER/PAUSE/ACCELERATION IS ABOUT 5%, WHILE THAT FOR PAUSE/ACCELERATION ABOUT 15%. IT SEEMED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAPPENDED MORE OFTEN ON DOWN/UP HILL.. *AK

• 09/09/2003· POWER TRAIN

  DANGEROUS CONDITION EXISTS WITH 2002 LEXUS ES300, WHERE A SEVERE HESITATION EXISTS WHEN ACCELERATING AT SLOW ROLL (< 5MPH) AT INTERSECTION TURNS, EXITING DRIVEWAYS, AND GENERALLY ANYWHERE WHEN TRYING TO GET INTO FLOW OF TRAFFIC WHEN NEARLY STOPPED - ESPECIALLY WHEN A TURN IS INVOLVED ALONG WITH THE ACCELERATION. VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION EXISTS WHEN TRYING TO ENTER LANE, OR MAKE A TURN, IN FRONT OF FAST-MOVING TRAFFIC. IT SEEMS THE CAR'S ELECTRONICS DOES NOT REGOGNIZE THE ACCELERATOR'S REQUEST FOR FUEL UNDER THOSE CONDITIONS. A PRIOR LEXUS TSB ADDRESSED TRANSMISSION SHIFTING AT HIGHER SPEEDS, BUT SEEMS TO HAVE CREATED A NEW, AND POTENTIALLY MORE DANGEROUS CONDITION.*AK

• 09/09/2002· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE DRIVING AT 20MPH AND WITH NO WARNING MAKING A TURN AND VEHICLE WILL STALL. IT WILL BE HARD FOR CONSUMER TO CONTROL VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

• 09/06/2005· POWER TRAIN

  THE FLAWS AND FAILURES OF THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 LEXUS ES300 WERE NOTICEABLE WITHIN 500 MILES OF DRIVING THE NEW CAR OFF THE LOT. I NOW HAVE 47,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND LEXUS HAS PERFORMED RE-PROGRAMMING OF THE TRANSMISSION LOGIC. HOWEVER, THAT HAS NOT HELPED. IT SEEMS THAT AS I DRIVE MORE MILEAGE THE PROBLEM OF THE TRANSMISSION NOT KNOWING WHAT GEAR TO BE IN IS BECOMING WORSE. THE RESULTING HESITATION IS DANGEROUS FOR THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS OF MY CAR AS IT RESULTS IN CLOSE-CALLS WITH OTHER VEHICLES HITTING ME FROM BEHIND DURING HESITATION. *JB

• 09/05/2003· SUSPENSION

  WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH OR ABOVE VEHICLE WILL STRONGLY PULL TO THE LEFT. DEALER CHANGES WHEELS/TIRES, AND DONE AN ALIGNMENT, BUT SAME PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING.*AK

• 09/03/2010· POWER TRAIN

  LEXUS (2002 ES) HAS DRAMATIC TRANSMISSION STUTTER AT LOW OR HIGH SPEEDS, JERKING OCCUPANTS AND MAKING QUICK STARTS (TURNING ACROSS LANES) VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

• 08/30/2006· POWER TRAIN

  THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS VEHICLE WILL HESITATE AND SURGE CAUSING ERRATIC BEHAVIOR. THIS BEHAVIOR IS DANGEROUS AND ANNOYING. ONE NEVER KNOWS HOW IT WILL REACT. I WOULD LIKE THIS FIXED ONCE AND FOR ALL. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE LEXUS USER GROUP HAS MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS BEHAVIOR. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT MAY GET SOMEONE INJURED. *JB

• 08/30/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  INSTRUMENT GAUGE INDICATORS ARE UNABLE TO READ WHILE DRIVING DURING DAY LIGHT HOURS. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

• 08/27/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  PROBLEMS WITH 2002 LEXUS ES300 SEDAN. *MR THE BRAKE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE CORRECTED. (DUE TO VIBRATION WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED) THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC WHO'S VEHICLE MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE DEFECT. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE WRONG BRAKE PADS WERE PLACED ON THE VEHICLE DURING ASSEMBLY. THEY WILL NOT HOLD UP TO THE PRESSURE AND HEAT. NEW BRAKE PADS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE INSTALLED IN REPLACE OF THE DEFECTIVE PADS. *SCC *JB

• 08/26/2002· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  WHILE PULLING INTO PARK WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKES, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT A TREE. ALSO WHILE DRIVING IN CRUISE CONTROL, TAPPED ON BRAKES TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED.*AK DEALER CHECKED VEHICLE AND COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. *SLC

• 08/25/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHEN DRIVING A SPEED AND THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED HARD TO PASS OR TO ENTER A HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE RAVS BUT THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE. THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT IS HOW THE CAR IS DESIGNED. I HAVE A 2002 LEXUS ES300 BUT HAVE DRIVEN THE 2004'S AND THEY ACT THE SAME WAY. WHEN YOU STUMP ON THE GAS AND THE CAR DOES NOT GO. IT LEAVES YOU IN A VERY PROCARIES SITUATION.*AK

• 08/24/2018· SEATSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS ES300. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AT 45 MPH BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS COLLAPSED. AS A RESULT, THE REAR PASSENGERS SUSTAINED TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS NOT INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT*JB

• 08/17/2011· POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  MY 2002 LEXUS ES 200 WAS DYING OR NOT STARTING AT ALL. SUDDENLY, IT WAS WORKING FINE. 2 DAYS LATER, WHILE IDLING OR WHEN MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, IT WOULD LURCH FORWARD AND START ACCELERATING AT SOMETIMES 40MPH. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES, THEN EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP, THEN AFTER I TURNED IT OFF, IT WOULD SHAKE FORWARD. *KB

• 08/15/2014· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  I OWN A 2002 LEXUS ES300 AND AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I HAVE ENJOYED THE EXPERIENCE OF DRIVING THE CAR TO AROUND 175K MILES IN NEARLY 12 YEARS. SO FAR, I DID NOT HAVE ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR UNTIL RECENTLY. LAST FRIDAY, AUG 8, 2014, MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR TO A FRIEND'S PLACE AND WAS PARKED IN A PARALLEL PARKING AREA. THERE WERE 3 CARS IN THAT PARKING AREA INCLUDING MY CAR IN 5 CAR PARKING AREA. THE TWO PARKING SPOTS BEHIND MY CAR WERE VACANT. MY WIFE WAS TRYING TO BACK UP TO A SPOT RIGHT IN FRONT OF ANOTHER CAR WHICH WAS PARKED THERE. WHILE TRYING TO BACKUP, THERE WAS A SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF THE ENGINE AND HIT THE CAR RIGHT BEHIND AND THAT CAR WENT AND HIT ANOTHER CAR THAT WAS BEHIND THAT CAR. THE IMPACT WAS SO MUCH THAT THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND ANOTHER CAR THAT WAS RIGHT BEHIND AND MINOR DAMAGE TO THE THIRD CAR. NOT ONLY THE DAMAGE TO ONE CAR RIGHT BEHIND BUT DISPLACED ITS POSITION AND DIRECTION THAT IT WAS PARKED. THE THIRD CAR WAS PUSHED OVER TO THE CURB AND WAS ABOUT TO HIT THE PEDESTRIANS THAT WERE NEARBY. THERE WERE EYE WITNESSES AND POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE ACCIDENT SCENE AND REPORTED THE INCIDENT. AFTER THE INCIDENT OCCURRED, I WAS LOOKING TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY ISSUES WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF THE CARS AND ANY SAFETY RECALLS. I DID NOTICE THAT THERE WERE QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND SAFETY ISSUES ON 2002 LEXUS ES300. I AM KIND OF DISAPPOINTED IN THE WAY THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED AND I WANT TO KNOW WHAT NHTSA IS DOING ABOUT IT AND HOW IT CAN HELP VICTIMS LIKE ME. THANKS AND APPRECIATE YOUR RESPONSE. *TR