What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2002 Saturn LS

Typical pattern

4.3% of complaints about the 2002 Saturn LS came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2002 vehicle — around the middle of the 230 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.5 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine cooling (201 complaints), typically at 6.8 yr or about 78,000 miles.

Complaints
608
Median age at failure
6.5 yr
Median mileage
75,200 n=488
Crash / fire / tow
6.1% of reports
Safety recalls
3

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine cooling
201 reports · 78,000 mi
6.8 yr
1%
Electrical system
107 reports · 78,000 mi
5.8 yr
6.5%
Exterior lighting
69 reports · 63,000 mi
4.5 yr
5.8%
Engine
43 reports · 118,000 mi
12.1 yr
4.7%
Fuel system
33 reports · 75,200 mi
7.8 yr
3%
Power train
24 reports · 75,200 mi
6.8 yr
16.7%
Suspension
18 reports · 28,000 mi
3.0 yr
11.1%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

05V245000 2005-06-02
Exterior lighting:brake lights

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.

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.

05V158000 2005-04-20
Seat belts

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.

IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED IN CRASH, THE RIGHT AND CENTER REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

03V231000 2003-06-23
Electrical system:ignition:module

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.

In owners’ own words

Exterior lighting mileage not reported 3 mo in service
HEADLIGHTS WERE FLICKERING, THEY DIMED AND WENT BACK TO NORMAL SEVERAL TIMES. NO DASH INDICATOR INLLUMINATES. IT APPEARS AS IF THE CHARGING SYTEM OUITS AND RESTARTS. *JG *AK
Exterior lighting mileage not reported 11 mo in service
CONSUMER STATES THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS DIM WHEN APPROACHING A STOP. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. THE DEALER DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM BUT STATES IT IS NORMAL FOR THE THIRD TIME BEING IN. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. MR
Exterior lighting mileage not reported 1.3 yr in service
SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW I HAVE HAD TIMES WHEN THE HEAD LIGHTS & DASH LIGHTS FLICKER OR FLASH. IT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL (MY CAR IS A 4 CYL 5 SPEED). THE FLICKERING IS ENOUGH THAT OTHER VEHICLES THAT I AM FOLLOWING SLOW DOWN OR PULL OVER. MY CAR LIGHTS WILL DIM WHEN ELECTRIC MOTORS ARE USED SUCH AS POWER WINDOWS OR THE ENGINE FAN COME ON, ALSO WHEN THE REAR WINDOW DEICER IS TURNED ON. DEALER RESPONSE HAS BASICALLY BEEN THAT SATURN ACKNOWLEDGES THE CONDITION AS A NORMAL CONDITION OF THE CAR. INCIDENT NOT ONLY TIME
Electrical system mileage not reported 5 mo in service
HEADLIGHTS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKER AT SPEEDS OF 65-70 MPH. OTHER ELECTRONICS COMPONENTS DO NOT SEEM TO BE EFFECTED

Other LS model years

200220012000

How to read this