Home › Saturn › SC › 2002

2002 Saturn SC Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 38 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Saturn SC, most often about the electrical (32% of complaints, typically around 93,500 miles). It is the most complained-about SC model year since 2000.

Complaints38
Recalls0
Crashes reported7
Fires reported2
Injuries reported9

Most common 2002 Saturn SC problems

  1. Electrical

    12 complaints · 32%

    Half of these problems showed up before 93,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.

    The contact owns a 2002 Saturn SC. The contact stated that when the key was placed in the ignition, the theft system activated and the engine failed to start. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 89,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2002 Saturn SC. The contact stated that the ignition turned from the on position to the off position on its own. The failure occurred several times. An independent mechanic stated that the ignition switch failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was excluded from…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 98,000 miles

  2. Air bags

    6 complaints · 16%

    : the contact stated while driving 40 MPH on a dry highway someone pulled out in front of the vehicle and the contact's vehicle was hit head on. The air bags did not deploy. The passenger side obtained the most damage. There were not any lights illuminated on the dashboard prior to the incident. There were injuries…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 56,000 miles
    Tl contact owns a 2002 Saturn sc1. The vehicle was a salvaged vehicle from a certified dealer. While driving 30 MPH, the brakes failed and the vehicle crashed into a wall. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact believes it is a serious safety issue to have non-functioning air bags. The vehicle was destroyed and a…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 48,000 miles

  3. Engine

    5 complaints · 13%

    Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.

    Tl contact owns a 2002 Saturn sc1. While driving at any speed, the contact smelled coolant in the cab of the vehicle and noticed smoke coming from the tailpipe. The dealer has not inspected the vehicle. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 90,000. Updated 02-01-08 updated 02/01/08
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 60,000 miles
    At around 75000 miles I pulled into work, put it in park, and all of a sudden my engine started to rev, (increasing without leveling. I immediately turned off the car to stop the increased revving. I tried to turn the car on again , hoping it was a fluke. And it started again. I got it towed to the dealership, and…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 75,000 miles

  4. Brakes

    4 complaints · 11%

    Parts named most often: foundation components, disc, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.

    On august 16, 2003 I carried the car to a midas location to have my brakes and alignment checked. Upon leaving they gave me an estimate saying I needed my rotors resurfaced, rear brakes serviced, and my front brakes serviced. Which came to a total of $148.21. So, therefore I called Saturn, and had an appointment to…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 13,695 miles
    While applying the brake pedal the consumer noticed that the pedal went down. The consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle and drove it to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic determined that the brakes needed to be adjusted and cleaned. The mechanic cleaned and adjusted the brakes. However, the problem…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 4,000 miles

  5. Other or unspecified

    3 complaints · 8%

  6. Steering

    3 complaints · 8%

    Parts named most often: column.

    The contact owns a 2002 Saturn sc1. The contact stated that when inserting the key into the ignition, the steering column would suddenly lock. She tried to rock the steering wheel back and forth but it would not unlock. The dealer was contacted and they advised her that the cylinder and the housing would need to be…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 80,000 miles
    Almost from the start the steering column would lock up trying to start the car. Front and back lights have water inside, brakes have never worked right going all the way to floor with no air in lines. Sunroof also quit. Front driver door metal cracks when opening. Engine also looking like trouble.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 1,200 miles

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 SC recalls

NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.

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.

Questions about the 2002 Saturn SC

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Saturn SC?
By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (12 complaints, typically around 93,500 miles); air bags (6 complaints); engine (5 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2002 Saturn SC have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Saturn SC. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2002 a bad year for the Saturn SC?
It is the most complained-about SC model year since 2000, with 38 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.

Other Saturn SC years

Saturn SC problems by year