KnownCarProblems2002 Saturn LS Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 493 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Saturn LS, most often about the engine (49% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about LS model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2002 Saturn LS problems
Engine
242 complaints · 49%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
: the contact stated without warning, the vehicle would not start. There had been no prior problems and the vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop. The repair shop determined the timing chain broke and the engine needed to be replaced. Updated 04/06/06.
Driving at 30 miles per hour my 2002 Saturn l200 lost all power. I was in traffic and fortunately had enough strength to turn the steering wheel,which had no power, to where I could safely pull off the road. I had 3 children in the car at the time. Had the car towed to a Saturn dealership and found it was the timing…
Electrical
102 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 76,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery, horn.
The body control module is defective. The air bag light, check engine light remain on and maybe inoperable. Also, the odometer is registering about 300 miles per second. Lat known mileage was around 76,000 miles. The odometer has sailed past the million mile mark several times.
I was driving my car to work and leaving my street to turn onto a busy highway. I lifted the turn signal lever to indicate my turn and the blinker did not work. I tried the other turn signal direction and that did not work either. The hazard button did work. I instinctively use the turn signals and have heard a…
Lights
73 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, brake lights, tail lights, turn signal.
The interior light flickered intermittently while driving 70 MPH. Currently, there were no interior light while driving at night. Vehicle was taken to the dealer on two separate occasions. During the first visit dealer informed consumer that was the normal characteristic of that vehicle. Presently, it is not covered…
The contact owns a 2002 Saturn l200. The contact stated that the rear lights were continuously burning out and the bolt was cracking. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was already repaired under NHTSA campaign…
Fuel system
45 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 76,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage, fuel injection system.
Very strong fuel odor coming from car while driving, when stopped or parking cant have the windows down because the smell makes you sick and gives you a headache. Cant believe there are no recalls on this. Mechanic says he cant see the leak but believes its the fuel evaporation system not working. This cant be…
The contact owns a 2002 Saturn l300. The contact stated that there was an abnormal odor coming from the vehicle. The maintenance and the check engine warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the evaporative emission control system had a leak. The…
Transmission
26 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 73,500 miles. Parts named most often: axle assembly, automatic transmission, driveline.
: the contact stated there was a NHTSA recall, # 05v245000 concerning the exterior lighting that was performed however; numerous electrical problems evolved since the repair. The dash panel lights intermittently illuminated while driving at various speeds. Although the ignition was turned off the headlights…
: the contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the entire right front wheel assembly detached, causing the contact to have to guide the vehicle down the right guardrail with the brake depressed to keep the vehicle under control. Also, the air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was taken to a private repair shop, where the…
Suspension
18 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 33,500 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
Dt: the contact purchased a used vehicle two years ago, and the second day after purchasing the vehicle there was a roaring noise from the front of the vehicle. The dealer said this was a problem with the front tires ,and the dealer replaced both tires. About two weeks later the noise returned. The vehicle has been to…
Since the vehicle was purchased the dealer has replaced 5 sets of tires. The tires were replaced because they constantly cupped. The dealer replaced the tires, installed a shim kit and adjusted the front toe, but none of those repairs stopped the tires from cupping. The consumer contacted the manufacturer and…
Brakes
15 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components.
In november of 2009, the brakes on my 2002 Saturn 200l suddenly gave out. They went all the way to the floor. After pumping them several times, they came up a little. I thought the brakes needed changing, so I had that done. A few months later, it happened again. It has happened a total of 4 times. I go to stop and…
Dt: when brake pedal was applied, pedal faded"and went to the floor. When the brake pedal was pumped pressure came back . However, fading was still noticeable. When the vehicle was stopped and engine was turned on and off this problem did not exist. This did not appear to happen at low speeds. The car has been taken…
Wheels and tires
14 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 25,000 miles. Parts named most often: rim, tread/belt.
Consumer took vehicle into dealer for a regular maintenance check up. The dealer indicated the need to replace all four tires and install a rear alignment kit. The consumer was told by the service manager that the uneven tire wear was caused by the factory alignment.
Dt: the contact purchased a used vehicle two years ago, and the second day after purchasing the vehicle there was a roaring noise from the front of the vehicle. The dealer said this was a problem with the front tires ,and the dealer replaced both tires. About two weeks later the noise returned. The vehicle has been to…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Saturn LS recalls
Lights: brake lights
Risk: This can cause (1) an intermittently inoperative brake/tail lamp bulb or (2) a short circuit that opens a fuse causing inoperative brake lamps (including the center high-mounted stop lamp) or tail lamps. A following driver may not know when the brakes have been applied, and a rear-end crash could occur without prior warning.
Fix: Dealers will install two new tail lamp reinforcing socket adapters and sockets free of charge. The recall began on october 17, 2005. Owners may contact saturn at 1-800-972-8876.
Full defect summary
On certain sedans and wagons, the plastic housing in the rear tail lamp assembly can become distorted if the brake lamps remain on for an extended time.
Seat belts
Risk: If a separation occurred in crash, the right and center rear seat occupants may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Fix: Dealers will install a rear seat center belt anchor reinforcement plate to the floor pan of the vehicle free of charge. The recall began on april 25, 2005. Owners may contact saturn at 1-800-972-8876.
Full defect summary
Certain wagons fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages." the seat belt anchor may separate from the floor of the vehicle before holding the required test load for the required time.
Electrical: module
Risk: Failure of the resonator will cause increased exhaust noise. Prolonged operation of the vehicle following a resonator failure may lead to a fire.
Fix: Dealers will (1) replace the ignition control module, (2) replace the ignition control module and spark plugs, or (3) replace the ignition control module, spark plugs, and update the powertrain control module calibration. Owner notification began on august 4, 2003. Owners should contact saturn at 1-800-553-6000, prompt 3.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.2l l4 (l61) engines, a failure of the ignition control module may cause deterioration in idle quality, reduction in overall engine power, and the vehicle may be hard to start. Continued operation of the vehicle after such an ignition module failure will result in the "service engine soon" light flashing, and may lead to secondary failures of the catalytic converter, oxygen sensor, and exhaust resonator.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Fuel pump leaks
Summary
The office of defects investigation opened this investigation based on nine vehicle owner questionnaire (voq) reports alleging gasoline leakage from the in-tank fuel pump assembly.some complainants reported leaks from the fuel pump nipple (I.e., the fitting for the fuel supply and/or return hoses).others reported leakage from fuel pump cracks, fuel pump lines, and from the top of the fuel tank.odi was unable to verify that all of the leaks originated from the fuel pump hose fittings and or nipples.odi's analysis of the available complaint data attributed to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles show a low overall rate and a declining trend, as 75% of the reports were received prior to c
Timing chain breaks, engine stall
Summary
On may 22, 2008, theoffice of defects investigation (odi) was petitioned by the north carolina consumers council (nccc) to broaden the scope of safety recall 07v-519, which was conducted by general motors corporation (gm) for model year (my) 2001 saturn l-series vehicles equipped with the l61 2.2l engine and built during a 4-month period from november 2000 through february 2001 (dp08-002). On october 16, 2008, odi granted dp08-002 and opened pe08-061 to investigate timing chain failures resulting in engine stall while driving (swd) in the saturn l-series vehicles equipped with l61 engines and that used the same design timing chain and timing chain lubrication system as the recalled vehicles.
Timing chain failure-stall
Summary
On june 6, 2006, odi opened an investigation of timing chain failure resulting in engine stall while driving with no restart in approximately 20,514 model year (my) 2001 saturn l-series vehicles equipped with 2.2l engines (l61) built from november 2000 through february 2001 (ea06-009).the vehicles built during those months exhibited higher failure rates than similarly equipped vehicles built before and after.gm introduced a new timing chain design in production in may 2002.odi closed its investigation after gm initiated a safety recall on november 7, 2007 (recall 07v-519). On may 22, 2008, the north carolina consumers council (nccc) submitted a defect petition to odi requesting the expansion
Timing chain failure
Summary
On december 12, 2005, odi received a defect petition (dp05-008) requesting the investigation of timing chain failures that could cause stalling in saturn vehicles equipped with the 2.2l (l61) engine. Odi opened pe06-006 on january 24, 2006, with 24 vehicle owner complaints that alleged a broken timing chain caused the vehicle to stop operating.on april 12, 2006, odi received information from general motors (gm) concerning timing chain failures in approximately 412,000 model year (my) 2000 through 2003 saturn l-series and ion vehicles with 2.2l engines. Gm's response included 1,020 owner complaints and field reports concerning timing chain failure, including 228 that alleged the failure cause
Timing chain failure
Summary
Analysis undertaken in response to the petition identified 26 complaints alleging timing chain failures in my 2000-2003 saturn l-series vehicle equipped with the 2.2l l4 engine.most complaints of timing chain failure reportedly resulted in a sudden loss of engine power and stalling.odi also noted that certain my 2002-2003 saturn vue and my 2003 saturn ion model vehicles with the 2.2l engine vehiclescovered by a technical service bulletin (03-06-01-017) that addressed timing chain design and service procedure changes, exhibited no complaints of timing chain failure.odi will grant the petition and open a preliminary evaluation to assess the frequency, trend, scope and safety consequences assoc
Inoperative tail lamps
Summary
General motors has decided that a safety related defect exists on certain model saturn sedans and wagons.the plastic housing in the rear tail lamp assembly can become distorted if the brake lamps remain on for an extended time.this can cause (1) an intermittently inoperative brake/tail lamp bulb or (2) a short circuit that opens a fuse causing inoperative brake or tail lamps (including the center high-mounted stop lamp).gm will conduct a safety recall on an expanded scope of saturn vehicles to install a reinforcing socket adapter (and corresponding nw socket) to the back of the existing lamp assembly.general motors will recall 291,652 my 2000-2002 saturn ls sedans and my 2000-2004 saturn lw
Inoperative tail lamps
Summary
On january 25, 2005, a safety defect petition was received by the office of defects investigation (odi), requesting an investigation of inoperative tail lamps on my 2000-2002 saturn l-series vehicles.the petitioner alleges a defect in the design and assembly of the tail lamp assembly circuit board and light socket contact.the petitioner identified 47 vehicle owner questionnaire's (voq's) associated with the alleged defect, and odi concurs that 40 of those voq's satisfy the scope of this investigation.odi has found an additional 10 voq's related to the allegation.odi has granted the petition and opened a preliminary evaluation (pe05-010).
Headlamps flicker off and on
Summary
This pe was opened based on six odi complaints that headlamps flicker off and on, and two odi complaints that the switch is hot to the touch.the investigation has found no occurrences of headlamps going out.the complaints are due to sporadic dimming (flickering) of the headlamps as a result of variation of the voltage to the headlamps.gm has shown that a 1.5 -2.0 voltage drop occurs when other electrical devices are activated, however at no time do the headlamps turn completely off.with respect to allegations that the headlamp switch is hot to the touch, gm reports that the ambient temperature of the switch is 35 degrees c which is not hot enough to burn a finger or hand.in may 2001, gm modi
Questions about the 2002 Saturn LS
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Saturn LS?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (242 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); electrical (102 complaints, typically around 76,500 miles); lights (73 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Saturn LS have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 2, 2005 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Saturn LS?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about LS model year since 2000, with 493 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.