2002 SATURN LS — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
631
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
47
Service Bulletins
4
Investigations
Overview of the 2002 SATURN LS
The 2002 SATURN LS has received a total of 631 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, SEAT BELTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE. 47 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Cooling (93 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingengine (73 complaints), and Electrical System (62 complaints).
Recalls for the 2002 SATURN LS
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2002 SATURN LS, potentially affecting up to 552,346 vehicles.
Recall 05V245000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
| 291,652 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE (1) AN INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB OR (2) A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT OPENS A FUSE CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMPS (INCLUDING THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP) OR TAIL LAMPS. A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
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.
View full details →Recall 05V158000 — SEAT BELTS
| 20,701 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED IN CRASH, THE RIGHT AND CENTER REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
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.
View full details →Recall 03V231000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
| 239,993 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: FAILURE OF THE RESONATOR WILL CAUSE INCREASED EXHAUST NOISE. PROLONGED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING A RESONATOR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
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....
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2002 SATURN LS
631 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 SATURN LS. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Safety Rating for the 2002 SATURN LS
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2002 SATURN LS in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2002 SATURN LS
General Motors, LLC has issued 47 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2002 SATURN LS. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
PIP5338B — EQUIPMENT
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vibration complaints that are one of the most challenging complaints to accurately diagnose and repair. Technician will need to use Pico Oscilloscope Diagnostic Kit to effectively diagnosis vehicles. Technician should drive the vehicle will using the Pico Oscilloscope to record...
010604016 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SERVICE ENGINE SOON (SES) TELLTALE ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0171, P0172, P0174 AND/OR P0175. *TT
040310003 — WHEELS
INFORMATION ON CLICKING NOISE FROM CHROME CLAD WHEELS AT LOW SPEEDS- NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC/ NO SERVICE REQUIRED. ALSO INCLUDING 2004-2005 SATURN L-SERIES. *MR
030139015 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
SERVICE MANUAL UPDATE REGARDING A CHANGE IN THE DEFROST OPERATION FOR THE AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL. *TT
030139014 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
SERVICE INFORMATION ON REPLACING AUTO CLIMATE CONTROL (ACC) CONTROL HEAD. *TT
030604043 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) SERVICE ENGINE SOON TELLTALE LAMP ON, REDUCED POWER LAMP MAY ILLUMINATE WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0121, P0221, AND/OR P2135. *TT
030731004 — POWER TRAIN
BLEEDING PROCEDURE FOR HYDRAULIC CLUTCH RELEASE SYSTEM INCLUDING CLUTCH ACTUATOR CYLINDER. *TT
030139002A — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL PERFORMANCE. *TT
030844007 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
INFORMATION FOR CONCERNS ON NOISE HEARD THROUGH THE AUDIO SYSTEM WHEN ANOTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENT IS ACTIVATED OR USED. *TT
030310003 — STRUCTURE:BODY
WHEN MAKING A FULL LEFT TURN ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH P215/55R16 TIRES, A RUBBING NOISE MAY BE ENCOUNTERED COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT INNER FENDER AREA. *TT
Showing 10 of 47 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2002 SATURN LS
NHTSA has opened 4 investigations into potential safety defects in the 2002 SATURN LS.
Other Model Years of the SATURN LS
- 1999 SATURN LS — 0 complaints
- 2000 SATURN LS — 544 complaints
- 2001 SATURN LS — 708 complaints
- 2002 SATURN LS (current)
- 2004 SATURN LS — 2 complaints
Other SATURN Models
- SATURN ION — 5,467 total complaints
- SATURN VUE — 3,269 total complaints
- SATURN SL — 2,891 total complaints
- SATURN AURA — 2,222 total complaints
- SATURN OUTLOOK — 1,939 total complaints
- SATURN SKY — 623 total complaints
- SATURN SC1 — 554 total complaints
- SATURN SC — 379 total complaints