LexusLX4702002Overview/lexus/lx470/2002/base/

2002 Lexus LX470

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 LX470.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2002 Lexus LX470 is an SUV equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission and EPA ratings of 12 mpg city, 15 highway, and 13 combined — figures that place it firmly in the heavy-utility category. Its 7.2-quart oil capacity, specified for 10W-30 or 5W-30 API oil, underscores the scale of its powertrain and the maintenance commitment it demands. Within the LX470's 1998–2007 production run, the 2002 model year sits comfortably below the complaint peak of 2003's 21 reports, logging just 10 owner complaints — primarily in exterior lighting — alongside a single recall, marking it as a relatively stable point in the model's reliability history.

Model year200720062005200420032002200120001999

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque97 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy12/15/13 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 27F · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZD3. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 27F · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnTOEM · verified
Tire sizeP275-70R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZD3
Engine air filter1780150040
Fuel filter2330050090 alt 2321774021
Spark plug9008091180
Front wiper blades8522233200 alt 8521260171
Serpentine belt9091602586
Thermostat9091603100 alt 1634650010
Cabin air filter8856860010

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined12 / 15 / 13 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7.2 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, GL-5 · 80W-90 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 97 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.4 Pints
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity7.2 qt
Transfer Case Fluid75W-90 · GL-4 · GL-5
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity2.7 Pints

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts181 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts97 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug27.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug27.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.20-2.42 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.60 oz
Standard BCI Group Number27F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

Residual Pressure21.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13.4-14.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression142-192 PSI. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure4.3 psi @ Idle, 43-85 psi @ 3000 rpm psi

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle90 ft-lbs / 76 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0028 in / 0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.26 in / 0.709 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.26 in / 0.709 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.181 in / 0.611 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (road test)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miActive Suspension System (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Line (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 90,000 miTiming Belt (replace)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Across this generation, federal records show a distinct arc where complaints and recalls are relatively contained in the early years before spiking in the mid-generation, with complaints peaking at 21 in 2003 alongside a jump to 3 recalls, ultimately tapering off by 2007. The 2002 Lexus LX470 sits right at the tail end of this initial low-complaint baseline, carrying just 10 complaints and 1 recall compared to the escalated figures seen in the 2003 and 2004 models. For the 2002 model specifically, Exterior Lighting is the primary concern with 4 complaints, while the remaining issues are scattered across the electrical system, service brakes, power train, and structure; the data does not specify root causes for these faults. The 2002 model also has zero crash complaints, though it does have a single fire complaint recorded. Because it precedes the pronounced mid-generation spike in federal complaints and recalls, the 2002 model represents a comparatively stable entry point into LX470 ownership, making it a good year to buy provided you verify the lighting and electrical systems.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
82
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
10
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 10 complaints on record, top 7 components.

Exterior Lighting4
Electrical System,Service Brakes1
Power Train1
Structure1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Service Brakes, Air1
Seats1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

04V434000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 08/09/2004

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS DO NOT MEET… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RESISTOR, WHICH WILL DECREASE THE LUMINOUS INTENSITY OF THE DRL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE JUNE 10, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 82 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
L-SB-0020-242024-04-19StructureVehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed…
L-SB-0021-242024-04-19StructureLexus vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect…
L-SB-0022-242024-04-19StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
L-SB-0024-242024-04-19StructureThe condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the…
L-SB-0020-242024-04-19StructureVehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific LX470. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 LX470 take?

7.2 qt of ABOVE 0 F: 10W-30 API, BELOW 100 F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 LX470 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the LX470 get?

EPA figures are 12 city / 15 highway / 13 combined mpg.