2002 Saturn LS: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 493 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (39% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2005
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 493 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2002 Saturn J-Type. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle's brake lights failed to illuminate. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V245000 (Exterior Lighting), however, the part to do the recall repair is no longer being manufactured. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2023
“Rear tail lights will not work. Have checked all fuses relays,and even changed the turn signal switch. My car is currently at the garage. Original appointment was only for inspection. Mechanic has not yet located the issue. Also has no dash lights. Parking lights. Had I known this in advance would have returned car immediately.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2022
“The same thing is happening to my car that happened to many Saturn owners of the same year. The car is turning but only stays on for a few seconds before shutting off. This seems to be the same as the ignition module and spark plugs issue as it is the same symptoms as those people were experiencing.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“Engine stalled while driving at highway speeds around 65-70 mph. Engine could not be restarted and had to be towed back home. Mechanic inspection revealed complete loss of compression in two cylinders and partial compression loss in other two. Engine was permanently damaged and would have to be replaced or rebuilt at high cost in the thousands. Engine had 102,057 miles at time of failure.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2020
“Mechanic found short circuit in tail lamp assemblies causing brake lights to come on, and stay on, when headlamps do. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn ls. While pumping fuel into the fuel tank, the contact noticed that fuel was leaking out of the tank. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the leakage seemed to come from the tube, but was not completely sure. The contact also noticed that the brake lines were rusted. The contact researched the failure online. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The contact also stated that the service engine indicator was illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn ls. While driving 15 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the timing belt fractured and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 161,000.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2017
“Encountered rough gear changes while driving. Took the car to a gm dealer for an inspection. The trouble code p1811 was " transmission fluid leakage causing pressure control solenoid malfunction per c obt" recommend transmission replacement"”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2017
“While the vehicle is running and driving down the road the headlights will turn off along with all the dash lights and all the gauges will go to zero, the interior light will turn on and it will ding (it acts like you are shutting the car off and opening the door) a couple seconds later everything will turn on and quit dinging all the dash lights will be on (like when you start the car) back and forth on and off.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Apr 2017
“Tl* the contact owned a 2002 saturn l. The contact stated that the vehicle began to slow down without warning. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and exited the vehicle. The vehicle began to emit smoke from the hood and suddenly caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was totaled. There were no injuries and a report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact LS by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Saturn LS reliable?
NHTSA has 493 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Saturn LS. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (39% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Saturn LS problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 76,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Saturn LS have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:brake lights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.