2002 Lexus IS Lexus IS 2002

We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

2002 Lexus IS repairs by problem area

Engine (50%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (2%)

Brakes and Traction Control (2%)

Suspension and Steering (18%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (20%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (7%)

Other (0%)

Chart based on 44 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2002 Lexus IS.

2002 Lexus IS repair cost distribution

$2500+ (3%)

$1000 - $2499 (5%)

$500 - $999 (20%)

$100 - $499 (38%)

< $100 (35%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 40 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2002 Lexus IS 4dr Wagon

215-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD

Lexus IS in California, United States
- Nov 2007
Nov 2007

44000 mi

US $300
Air Flow sensor replacement 
Lexus IS in Minnesota, United States
Jun 2007 - Dec 2012
Apr 2007

58500 mi

US $550
Six disk changer broke. Seems to happen in almost all IS300s. Cost for new head unit was $1600. A 'refurb' was list around $550-600. Planning to install i Pod adapter instead. 
Lexus IS in New Mexico, United States
May 2015 - Jun 2022
Apr 2017

148000 mi

US $200
replaced radiator replaced power steering hose 
Lexus IS in New Jersey, United States
May 2010 - Jun 2014
Apr 2014

75000 mi

US $100
We have a parasitic drain that hasn't been fully located (not uncommon in IS300). The last full drain took some fuses with it. Car was only partially operable until fixed. 
Lexus IS in Arizona, United States
Jan 2013 - Mar 2016
Jun 2015

52000 mi

US $42
Check engine light on. Replaced roll over valve. 
Lexus IS in Oregon, United States
Dec 2009 - Jan 2013
Jan 2013

US $379
Rear O2 Sensor 
Lexus IS in Wisconsin, United States
Aug 2010 - Jun 2014
Dec 2011

129000 mi

US $700
O2 sensor and new plugs and wired 
May 2014

143600 mi
Two front catalytic converters replaced 
Lexus IS in Texas, United States
Aug 2009 - Oct 2012
Jun 2010

54000 mi

US $10
CEL came on pointing to EVAP system as a problem. Replaced gas cap. 
Jul 2010

55000 mi

US $100
Same as above, blew out valves in charcoal canister and had car road tested over a few hundred miles. Got vehicle back and CEL came on within 150 miles. Will return for more trouble shooting. CEL came on at 55k miles. Bad Bank 1 Sensor 2 o2 sensor. Since it was close to the 60k mile maintaince I repaired it while doing the service. (Self-repair) 
Nov 2010

59000 mi

US $300
Replaced charcoal canister to remove CEL. Hopefully this works... CEL from EVAP system again, over a week after replaced charcoal canister. So problem persists. Plan on going to dealer. 
Mar 2011

65000 mi

US $1290
Took car to dealer for EVAP code. Replaced Charcoal canister and found rollover valve was leaking (smoke test), dropped the gas tank and replaced valve and seal. EVAP system tests OK after road test. 
Sep 2012

87000 mi

US $150
Car would not start after getting gas. Diagnosed the alternator as being bad. Self swapped 

Return to top

2002 Lexus IS 4dr Sedan

215-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD

Lexus IS in Alabama, United States
Dec 2016 - Jan 2017
Jan 2017

US $600
All 3 coil packs were out of spec as well as 2 out of 3 spark plug wires. 
Lexus IS in Virginia, United States
- Mar 2007
Mar 2007

53000 mi
Right lower ball joint was replaced due to squeeking. 
Lexus IS in Georgia, United States
Mar 2014 - Jun 2022
Oct 2014

115000 mi

US $1300
Radiator replaced. When the mechanic pulled the top hose off for the timing belt job, he noticed the radiator's top inlet was starting to crumble and missing a chunk of plastic. It's pretty impressive that it had not been leaking already. 
Mar 2016

134000 mi

US $200
Difficult to start at times. Battery tested bad. Thermostat was stuck open, and the engine would not warm up properly. 
Feb 2018

148000 mi

US $350
-lower control arms -d.s. lower ball joint -valve cover gaskets -PCV valve 
May 2021

174000 mi

US $400
Gas pedal would not work, sensor harness had to be replaced. 
Jun 2022

181000 mi

US $550
Had Stephen (Car Craft) remove the R134a and then replaced the compressor with a Denso compressor and got Car Craft to refill the 134a. 
Lexus IS in California, United States
Jul 2012 - Mar 2016
Oct 2014

151800 mi

US $57
B2S2 O2 sensor 
Lexus IS in California, United States
Feb 2012 - Dec 2014
May 2012

98300 mi

US $10
Brakes were squeaky. Found right front caliper sticking. removed and lubed sliders. Reseated anti squeal shims. Brakes now operating as designed. 
Aug 2012

99900 mi

US $600
Found front struts worn, causing unusual tire wear. Replaced front and rear shocks. Found left front lower ball joint leaking. Replaced ball joints. 

Return to top

2002 Lexus IS 4dr Sedan

215-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed manual RWD

Lexus IS in California, United States
Jun 2002 - Dec 2013
Sep 2002

73000 mi
Period from date of purchase to current (November 2008). There have been no repairs needed other than replacing a dome light. That's it. 
May 2010

87000 mi

US $10
Dash backlight burned out on HVAC control panel. Bulb was replaced by owner but the new bulb burned out again and now a second bulb has gone. Extensive dash disassembly is required for replacement. Two hours or more time. 
Dec 2010

93000 mi

US $80
Bank one, oxygen sensor #2 failed (heater circuit P0141 OBD error reported) 
Jul 2012

104800 mi

US $30
Hood prop rod retainer clip broke. Since rod is normally secured under the hood, this had to be repaired to stop rattling noises. 
May 2013

117000 mi

US $110
Weather stripping on body surrounding driver door opening ripped and was replaced 
Lexus IS in Florida, United States
Dec 2008 - Jan 2012
May 2008

62000 mi

US $60
Replaced a failed O2 sensor with one I purchased on eBay. 
Jun 2010

85000 mi

US $2500
Replaced the clutch on the manual transmission. I would consider this a wear item. 
Lexus IS in New Jersey, United States
Aug 2010 - Jun 2011
May 2010

104356 mi

US $359
o2 sensors replaced - (2) 
Lexus IS in Texas, United States
Nov 2010 - Dec 2011
Dec 2010

134000 mi

US $600
Catalytic converter replaced. Bank 1 upstream. Bought replacement part from rock auto.com. 
Jun 2011

137000 mi

US $600
Car misfiring. Valve covers discovered to be leaking, replaced. Misfire smoothed out but still occurred during acceleration. Ignition coil in cylinder 6 replaced. Engine no longer misfire. 
Lexus IS in Ohio, United States
Nov 2012 - Nov 2014
Dec 2012

88000 mi

US $240
Front control rods on both sides had the bushing fail and had to be replaced Both lower ball joints on the front failed 
Nov 2014

98000 mi
Bearings and bushings failing. 
Lexus IS in California, United States
Jun 2015 - Jun 2016
Jun 2016

304000 mi

US $300
Voltage dropped after a 1/2 hour driving. Replaced alternator. 
Lexus IS in Ontario, Canada
Aug 2009 - Feb 2011
Feb 2011

130200 mi
Rust above windshield. 

Return to top

See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans and Convertibles.
See TrueDelta's information for all Lexus models.

2002 Lexus IS Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2002 Lexus IS problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.