2002 SATURN SL — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

154

Owner Complaints

24 Crashes 5 Fires

1

Recall

ACTIVE RECALL

0

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2002 SATURN SL

The 2002 SATURN SL has received a total of 154 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (21 complaints), Power Trainautomatic Transmission (14 complaints), and Electrical Systemignition (11 complaints).

Recalls for the 2002 SATURN SL

NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 2002 SATURN SL, potentially affecting up to 16,270 vehicles.

Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 16,270 vehicles affected

Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

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Owner Complaints for the 2002 SATURN SL

154 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 SATURN SL. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Electrical System
Complaints: 21 1 Crash
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 14
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 11
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 7
Air Bags
Complaints: 6 4 Crashes 4 Injuries
Steering
Complaints: 6 2 Crashes 1 Injury
Engine
Complaints: 5
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 5
Seatsfront Assemblyrecliner
Complaints: 5 4 Crashes 4 Injuries
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
Complaints: 4
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 4 1 Crash 1 Injury
Power Train
Complaints: 4
Seats
Complaints: 4 2 Crashes 2 Injuries
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 4
Tires
Complaints: 4 1 Crash 1 Injury
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 4 1 Crash 1 Injury
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 3 3 Crashes 1 Fire 2 Injuries
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemignitionmodule
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 1 Injury
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 2 2 Fires
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 2
Fuel System Other
Complaints: 2
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionlever And Linkagecolumn Shift
Complaints: 2 1 Fire
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 2
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingbrake Lights
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingheadlightshighlow Beam Dimmer Switch
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingtail Lights
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedelivery
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkages
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Service Brakes
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Airantilock
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicpedals And Linkages
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Steeringrack And Pinion
Complaints: 1
Structure
Complaints: 1
Structurebody
Complaints: 1
Structurebodybumpers
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfronthub
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontspringscoil Springs
Complaints: 1
Tirestreadbelt
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11530331 | AIR BAGS | | N/A miles Crash 1 Injury
A car hit me it the front passenger side the hood of my car bent up the passenger side of my windshield cracked and my car went spinning not one air bag came out
#11361173 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | 57,000 miles
IGNITION REQUIRES KEY JIGGLE IN ORDER TO START. ELECTRICAL ISSUES SUCH AS CONSTANT SHORTS, MAJOR FAILURE IN SUPPORTING SYSTEMS.
#11361173 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | | 57,000 miles
IGNITION REQUIRES KEY JIGGLE IN ORDER TO START. ELECTRICAL ISSUES SUCH AS CONSTANT SHORTS, MAJOR FAILURE IN SUPPORTING SYSTEMS.
#11162608 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | 141,244 miles
I OWN A 2002 SATURN SL VEHICLE PURCHASED IN 7/2016. I'M HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING MY VEHICLE. BOTH STARTER AND BATTERY HAVE BOTH BEEN CHECKED OUT OK. ALL SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED ON 10/31/18. AFTER THESE REPAIRS, WHEN STARTED IT STILL MADE VERY NOISY SOUNDS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. NOW I CAN'T GET IT TO START AT ALL. I TRIED TO GET HELP ABOUT A RECALL RELATING TO MY VEHICLE'S STARTING PROBLEMS. I CONTACTED SATURN COMPANY 1(800)533-6000 AND GM RECALL CENTER 1(866)694-6546. NEITHER WERE WILLING TO HELP. I FOUND INFO ON THE KELLEY BLUE BOOK WEBSITE. I ENTERED MY VIN NUMBER AND FOLLOWING WAS DISPLAYED: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 03V231; REPORT DATE: INFO UNAVAILABLE; VEHICLES AFFECTED: 239,993; CONSEQUENCE: INFO UNAVAILABLE; WHAT YOU SHOULD DO: 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. WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO CONTACT THEIR DEALERS FOR APPOINTMENTS TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLE REPAIRED. PARTS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE DURING SEPTEMBER 2003. SUMMARY: 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. FAILURE OF THE RESONATOR WILL CAUSE INCREASED EXHAUST NOISE. PROLONGED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING A RESONATOR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE. **CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME WITH FINDING OUT IF THIS RECALL EFFECTED MY VEHICLE?
#11162608 | ENGINE | | 141,244 miles
I OWN A 2002 SATURN SL VEHICLE PURCHASED IN 7/2016. I'M HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING MY VEHICLE. BOTH STARTER AND BATTERY HAVE BOTH BEEN CHECKED OUT OK. ALL SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED ON 10/31/18. AFTER THESE REPAIRS, WHEN STARTED IT STILL MADE VERY NOISY SOUNDS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. NOW I CAN'T GET IT TO START AT ALL. I TRIED TO GET HELP ABOUT A RECALL RELATING TO MY VEHICLE'S STARTING PROBLEMS. I CONTACTED SATURN COMPANY 1(800)533-6000 AND GM RECALL CENTER 1(866)694-6546. NEITHER WERE WILLING TO HELP. I FOUND INFO ON THE KELLEY BLUE BOOK WEBSITE. I ENTERED MY VIN NUMBER AND FOLLOWING WAS DISPLAYED: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 03V231; REPORT DATE: INFO UNAVAILABLE; VEHICLES AFFECTED: 239,993; CONSEQUENCE: INFO UNAVAILABLE; WHAT YOU SHOULD DO: 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. WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO CONTACT THEIR DEALERS FOR APPOINTMENTS TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLE REPAIRED. PARTS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE DURING SEPTEMBER 2003. SUMMARY: 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. FAILURE OF THE RESONATOR WILL CAUSE INCREASED EXHAUST NOISE. PROLONGED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING A RESONATOR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE. **CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME WITH FINDING OUT IF THIS RECALL EFFECTED MY VEHICLE?

View all Electrical System complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2002 SATURN SL

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2002 SATURN SL in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2002 SATURN SL

No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2002 SATURN SL

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the SATURN SL

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Other SATURN Models

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