2002 Saturn SL: problems, recalls and reliability

“Rpms go up to 5 and then drop to 0 - engine stalls and will start but will continue at high rpms and keep stalling. As I was traveling at 50 mph, the rpms went up to 5, and then quickly dropped to 0. The engine stalled and I coasted to the side of the road. The vehicle would start but when reaching 35 mph, would do same thing (high rpms and then drop and stall). I had to keep sitting and re starting to get the remainder of 6 miles to my home. Garage ran diagnostic and found nothing wrong. The car continues to do this at least 2 times per week, currently sitting in our garage because I am afraid to drive it and get stranded again. This occurs on city streets and highways.”Owner report · Engine · May 2018

“After opening any door, the handles stick in the upright position, won't release and the door may not be properly secured.”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2018

“Ignition cylinder is wore out, when putting in the key, you have to jiggle the key, sometimes takes up to 10 minutes for the key to turn and start. Sometimes it works fine. This is an off and on problem. This month (sept 2017) it has been real bad. I am afraid to go anywhere, fearing I will be stranded.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2017

“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn sl. After parking the vehicle and returning twenty minutes later, the ignition key would not turn and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle could not be restarted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ignition module failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2015

“Driving on highway rt. 80, when a car swerved into right lane in front of me from entrance ramp. I was traveling at approx. 45 miles an hour. Airbags failed to deploy in a front end collision, causing life altering injury. Left temporal brain damage, post concussion syndrome and epilepsy, also other injuries to neck, shoulder and to lower back. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2014

“Tl* 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, the contact noticed the ignition key was on the floor. The air bags deployed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2014

“I recently purchased my saturn and replaced the brake pads and rotors it was fine then after 200 miles the brakes started grinding then would stop. Checked the calipers they were fine had to replace the rotors again due to the grinding brakes were fine. 2 weeks later same thing then stopped it starts and stops grinding when it wants. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2014