KnownCarProblems2002 Saturn SL Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 131 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Saturn SL, most often about the electrical (33% of complaints, typically around 88,500 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about SL model year since 2000.
Complaints131
Recalls0
Crashes reported20
Fires reported5
Injuries reported16
Most common 2002 Saturn SL problems
Electrical
43 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 88,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, instrument cluster/panel, 12v/24v/48v battery.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Saturn sl1. Whenever the contact attempts to turn on the vehicle, the ignition will not turn to the start position. The contact stated that it takes 5-10 minutes of attempting to turn on the vehicle before the ignition would turn. The contact did not notice any differences in the vehicle prior…
The contact owns a 2002 Saturn SL. The contact stated that the key was removed while the vehicle was on. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000...updated 10/06/14
Transmission
22 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 46,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
This is regarded to the valve body issue that is common in saturns. I have a 2002 sl1 with 50,000 miles on it and must need to be replaced after doing research online I have found that there is hundreds of people with the same problem. Why has Saturn not done anything to fix this problem, or offer to help pay for the…
Saturn is an l200 series/there was only the ls on your list.numerous occasions of engine stall while traveling at all speeds. Called Saturn/said VIN not accepted? Live in florida keys/had to go to miami & get tail lamp fixed/only lasted two weeks (this was before engine stall) & call to Saturn. Am 69yr old…
Engine
21 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
My son had an accident involving 3 other vehicles. The motor of the 2002 Saturn sl1 in which he was driving stalled as he exited the highway onto a service road. Once the engine stalled,he did not have the ability to steer or stop the vehicle. As a result, he struck 2 vehicles that were stopped at a red light causing…
At around 60k the Saturn sl1 2002 showed a trouble code with the intake gasket leaking fuel mileage suffered. This car can not pass smog and now the car is consuming 1 qt of oil in 300 miles, as well as getting terrible gas mileage. No repairs have been made as I would think that since the net is littered with this…
Brakes
10 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 29,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock, pedals and linkages, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
The brake pedal travelled to the floor board. The owner took the vehicle to the dealer and had the dealer inspect the vehicle. The service manager stated after the vehicle was evaluated they could not find any defects in the brakes. However, they did have to add fluid to the brakes. Later they contacted the owners…
Steering wheel shakes when braking, especially at higher speeds. The dealer reports this is due to warped rotors due to "external forces" and not a warranty problem. The car has 30,000 miles and less than 2 years old. Driven mostly highway to and from work, 35 miles one way each day. Seems more like a defective part…
Seats
9 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: front assembly.
After leaving a traffic light, I had to stop suddenly because the car in front of me stopped for a stalled car in the lane of traffic we were traveling. The car behind me also stopped. The car behind this car collided with the car behind me causing it to collide with my car which was then pushed into the car in front…
: the contact stated that two wires at the back of the driver side seat were poking out through the upholstery and someone could be injured. It was not safe for the driver and passenger as well. The dealer offered to pay for partial repair but the contact expressed dissatisfaction with with the seat because there was…
Air bags
9 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: frontal.
Dt: the contact owns a 2002 Saturn sl1. The contact stated his daughter was involved in a front and rear end collision while driving approximately 20 MPH. The contact daughter's vehicle hydroplaned into a vehicle and was struck from behind by another vehicle. Upon impact, front air bags did not deploy. The consumer…
My car has a lot of problems. The steering system has been replaced 2 times. The climate blower motor has been replaced 2 times. It has broken down 2 times. This car is a lemon and gm will do nothing to help with any problems I have.. They just give me the run around. And my windshield wiper system has been replaced 1…
Steering
8 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: steering wheel/handle bar, rack and pinion.
Rack and pinion system.. It has been replaced twice and now needs to be replaced again.. Saturn told me since my car is out of warrenty that it's going to cost me 999.99 dollars to fix it a lot of other things have been replaced more then once..
The contact owns a 2002 Saturn SL. While coming out of a left turn at an unknown speed, the power steering failed. The steering wheel seized and excessive force was required to steer the vehicle. The failure caused the contact to drive into a ditch, over a levee, and crash into a pipe. Once the vehicle came to a stop…
Lights
5 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: tail lights, headlights, brake lights.
When driving at night with the high beams on or off, the headlights, flickered. The consumer felt it was very distracting and annoying.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Saturn sl2. The brake light illuminated intermittently. The dealer was contacted and stated that the bulb needed to be replaced. After the bulb was replaced, the brake light continued to illuminate. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was approximately 40,000. The failure mileage…
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 SL 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 SL
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Saturn SL?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (43 complaints, typically around 88,500 miles); transmission (22 complaints, typically around 46,000 miles); engine (21 complaints, typically around 87,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Saturn SL have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Saturn SL. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Saturn SL?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about SL model year since 2000, with 131 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.