2002 Saturn LS problems
The 2002 Saturn LS has 631 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (39%) concerns engine. After that come electrical system (18%) and lighting (13%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 631 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 39% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 19 and 21
- Injuries and deaths
- 10 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 75,000 miles 488 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 30 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 65 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 68 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 116 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 76 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 45 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 39 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 22 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 13 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 8 |
| 200k+ miles | 6 |
What the data shows
Among the 488 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 75,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 80,000 miles (225 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 19 complaints mention a crash; 21 complaints mention a fire; 10 injuries reported.
It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
2002 saturn l200 hit on drivers side front and rear by a large 4 door truck and side air bags did not deploy . Driver hit head on driver window , 2 passengers hurt necks .
While sitting at a stop light, the consumer's vehicle was rear ended by a SUV. All passengers in the vehicle were wearing seat belts but, one occupant was thrown against the front passenger seat. The shoulder locking mechanism did not lock the passenger in properly. The passenger was taken to the emergency room for a sprained neck and contusions. The consumer suffered minor hip soreness from the collision.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn ls. The contact stated that while waiting at a traffic light, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained unknown injuries. The vehicle was inoperable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
I purchased my 2002 saturn l300 back on 9/30/2002. Car, at time of purchase, was brand new. Since its purchase my vehicle has been in the shop more times than I can remember. Recently I had a problem where vehicle wouldn't start so saturn had the vehicle towed to their columbus, ga location to evaluate the problem. Was advised battery had died and I needed to replace it. The new battery represents the 3rd battery this vehicle has had since I purchased it (vehicle currently has just over 55,000 miles on it).
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn l200. While driving at speeds of 55 MPH, the contact noticed an unusually overpowering gasoline fuel smell. The dealer was contacted and was unable to provide a reason as to why the gasoline odor was emitting from the vehicle without a diagnostic. The vehicle was not yet taken to the dealer. The failure and current mileages were 98,000.