Check a VIN

2002 Saturn SL problems

The most common problem on the 2002 Saturn SL is electrical system, typically around 90,000 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical SL model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
74/100
Owner complaints
131
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
244
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
26-29mpg

The worst 2002 Saturn SL problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Saturn SL

Stalling 15Fire or smoke 5

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Saturn SL 244

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 244 bulletins for the 2002 Saturn SL

2002 Saturn SL fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.9L 4‑cylFWD22-2532-3626-29

What 2002 Saturn SL owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 4, 2023 · Airbags · NC · 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

Filed Sep 25, 2020 · Electrical, Visibility · 57,000 miles · GA

Ignition requires key jiggle in order to start. Electrical issues such as constant shorts, major failure in supporting systems.

Filed Dec 19, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 141,244 miles · IL

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: the federal safety agency 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?

Filed Aug 31, 2018 · Seats · 252,000 miles · ME · crash · 1 injury

The vehicle was stopped, was involved in a 3 car collision. The vehicle was hit from behind by a 1985 cadillac fleetwood traveling at at least a moderate rate of speed. The vehicle was pushed into a 2002 audi (I believe it was) SUV. During the collision the drivers seat back failed and collapsed into the back seat. I believe it was the seat adjuster that failed. The driver sustained a concussion due to the collision and the seat failure. The vehicle was on a state road, and was stationary.

Filed May 21, 2018 · Engine · 40,400 miles · PA

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.

Filed Feb 27, 2018 · Body · 142,000 miles · PA

After opening any door, the handles stick in the upright position, won't release and the door may not be properly secured.

Filed Sep 15, 2017 · Electrical · 988,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jan 10, 2017 · Airbags · 34,000 miles · NJ · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Dec 9, 2016 · AZ

The coolant system breaks frequently. The radiator breaks about every year. There also seems to be a sticking accelerator. If you have to accelerate very quickly. The car will idle abnormally high for weeks before returning to normal. The ignition key comes out without turning the vehicle off.

Filed Aug 28, 2015 · Electrical · 78,000 miles · FL

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.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2002 Saturn SL before you buy

Compare the 2002 Saturn SL

Other model years

199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002

Questions about the 2002 Saturn SL

Is the 2002 Saturn SL reliable?

Owners have filed 131 complaints about the 2002 Saturn SL, close to a typical SL model year.

What is the 2002 Saturn SL year score?

The 2002 Saturn SL scores 74 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Saturn SL: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Saturn SL?

Electrical system, with 43 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles. Next is transmission (22).

How many recalls does the 2002 Saturn SL have?

No recalls on record.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Saturn SL get?

Official estimates for the 2002 Saturn SL range from 26 to 29 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.9L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 22-25 city and 32-36 highway.

Share your experience with the 2002 Saturn SL

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2002 Saturn SL?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN