- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2002 Saturn SL Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 149 complaints about the 2002 Saturn SL with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (42) and the transmission & drivetrain (30). Those complaints describe 23 crashes, 5 fires and 19 injuries. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in April 2009 for the exterior lighting. For comparison, the 2001 has 128.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical SL year, for its age
#78 most complained-about 2002 vehicle
- Complaints
- 149
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 23
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 19
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2002 Saturn SL problems
Share of all 149 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2002 Saturn SL recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
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149 complaints about the 2002 Saturn SL
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 6.
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
Ignition requires key jiggle in order to start. Electrical issues such as constant shorts, major failure in supporting systems.
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...
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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?
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.
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.
After opening any door, the handles stick in the upright position, won't release and the door may not be properly secured.
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.
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. *Tr
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn sl. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed. The ignition switch was replaced on four separate occasions; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 211,795. The consumer stated the vehicle would stall each time. Updated 08/19/15*jb also, the starter was replaced. Updated 11/19/15.*Jb
This vehicle is a death trap the vehicle shuts off while driving, can not start, whole steering column is loose, key comes out during driving. ...Updated 09/22/15 *bf
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn sl. While driving approximately 55 mph, the key ejected from the ignition switch without warning. The vehicle continued to run in the on position without the key in the ignition switch. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.
Saturn is an l200 series/there was only the ls on your list.Numerous occasions of engine stall while traveling at all speeds. Called saturn/said vin not accepted? Live in florida keys/had to go to miami & get tail lamp fixed/only lasted two weeks (this was before engine stall) & call to saturn. Am 69yr old female/afraid to use car/paid for all sorts of repairs/modules/sensors???And more. No one in keys to repair via gm - saturn said miami only. Roundtrip over 200 miles. Afraid to drive/can't afford another...
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car/must junk and, ofcourse, saturn said vin # not under recall for engine or electrical. Is there any way to recoup dollars I paid for any repairs on this car??? So much more than I am listing here......Thank you nhtsa. *Tr
We have a saturn sl1 that has the exact same problem that the cars on the ignition recall list have. The key comes out in any position - the wheel locks up and we can't get it to unlock - we live in a rural area and our roads are very rough. We feel that the key may move from the run position while we are driving the car and the engine will turn off and we will be in great danger. We have contacted gm and they said that since the car is not on the recall list - there is nothing they can do....We would...
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appreciate it if you could investigate this situation. Our car has been sitting in our driveway for 3 months, because we are afraid to drive it. Thank you for your time -- awaiting your earliest response. [[redacted]] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr
KEYS COME OUT OF IGNITION DURING USE. *TR
I recently purchased my saturn and replaced the brake pads and rotors it was fine then after 200 miles the brakes started grinding then would stop. Checked the calipers they were fine had to replace the rotors again due to the grinding brakes were fine. 2 Weeks later same thing then stopped it starts and stops grinding when it wants. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn sl. While coming out of a left turn at an unknown speed, the power steering failed. The steering wheel seized and excessive force was required to steer the vehicle. The failure caused the contact to drive into a ditch, over a levee, and crash into a pipe. Once the vehicle came to a stop, the contact noticed the ignition key was on the floor. The air bags deployed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.
Spouse and I use car. The very first time the occurrence happened, was when parking car into driveway, I went to turn off car ignition and accidentally hit key ring, and the key fell out of the ignition, with the car in park, yet still running. On numerous occasions, while driving the car, the car is still running and the key easily slips out of the ignition. Also, on more than one occasion, when trying to unlock the steering wheel, the key will not turn while in the steering ignition. We would have to move the...
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steering wheel many times while simultaneously turning the key many times to unlock the ignition. One day soon, it might not turn. Yes, we know the advise is to use only a single key, not one on a multi-key ring. However, we both have used other cars for many years, and never had such difficulty or frequency of problems as this situation. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn sl. The contact stated that the key was removed while the vehicle was on. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000...Updated 10/06/14 *bf
Key comes out freely while car is in drive and key does not need to be in the ignition once car is started. Engine will randomly stall. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn sl. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing ignition failures. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 14e021000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 82,500.
I have removed the key with the vehicle stopped and the car continues to run. The key falls out of the ignition switch. Additionally, the key can be removed before being turned to the "off" position. This causes the key to be difficult to reinsert into the ignition. *Tr
Ignition switch is hard to impossible to turn on and once the car is running the key will turn to the off position and with the key extracted from the lock the engine continues to run. *Tr
WHILE CAR IS MOVING KEY COMES OUT OF IGNITION. *TR
Saturn SL: every year compared
All SL years2002 Saturn SL vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 Saturn SL | 149 | 1 | C | |
| 2002 Saturn L-Series | 504 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 2002 Saturn Vue | 177 | 2 | B | Compare |
| 2002 Saturn SC | 38 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 2002 Saturn S-Series Coupe | 3 | 0 | D | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2002 Saturn SL
Does the 2002 Saturn SL have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 Saturn SL: exterior lighting (April 2009). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Saturn SL?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (42), transmission & drivetrain (30), engine & cooling (23).
How many complaints has the 2002 Saturn SL had?
149 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on November 16, 2001 and the latest on July 4, 2023. Of these, 23 describe a crash and 5 a fire, and together they report 19 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2002 Saturn SL a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 58 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Saturn SL year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Saturn SL years have the most complaints?
1995 (357), 1994 (339), 1996 (315). See every Saturn SL year compared.
What should I do if my 2002 Saturn SL has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data