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2002 Saturn LSProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 493 owner complaints about the 2002 Saturn LS, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the LS median · #2 of 3 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints49329 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage78kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 1, 2023. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Saturn LS has problems

493 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling2002
Electrical system1027
Exterior lighting694
Engine432
Fuel system, gasoline341
Power train265
Suspension182
Steering123
Tires121
16 other systems8412

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2002 Saturn LS recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Exterior lighting: brake lights

Recall 05V-245 · Jun 2, 2005 · 291,652 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Seat belts

Recall 05V-158 · Apr 20, 2005 · 20,701 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Saturn.

Mileage at failure

When do engine and engine cooling problems start?

78kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 180 engine and engine cooling complaints. 75% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
8under 30k miles135under 100k miles45100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Engine and engine cooling

39 owners mentioned a cost

$2,500median

Middle half: $2,000 – $3,000

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other LS year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the LS median. How we score

'00'01'02'04
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
8 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2002 Saturn LS, and the recalls they led to.

  1. INOPERATIVE TAIL LAMPSDP05001 · closed Feb 22, 2005
    No recall
  2. TIMING CHAIN FAILUREDP05008 · closed Feb 6, 2006
    No recall
  3. TIMING CHAIN FAILURE-STALLDP08002 · closed Oct 16, 2008
    No recall
  4. HEADLAMPS FLICKER OFF AND ONPE03017 · closed Aug 25, 2003
    No recall
  5. INOPERATIVE TAIL LAMPSPE05010 · closed Jun 3, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-245
  6. TIMING CHAIN FAILUREPE06006 · closed Jun 6, 2006
    No recall
  7. TIMING CHAIN BREAKS, ENGINE STALLPE08061 · closed Apr 8, 2009
    No recall
  8. FUEL PUMP LEAKSPE09028 · closed Oct 27, 2009
    No recall
In owners' words

What LS owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND MY 2002 L200 STALLED AFTER A RATTLING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP IN MARIETTA, GEORGIA. THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD SLIPPED/BROKE AND HAD DAMAGED THE ENGINE. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE…
Complaint 10617685 · Jul 30, 2014 · 130,000 miles
THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED WITH REGULAR OIL CHANGES. WHILE TURNING ONTO A MAIN STREET THE ENGINE JUST QUIT, LEAVING ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I WAS FORTUNATE I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AS I WOULD HAVE HAD NO MEANS TO REMOVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE HIGHWAY…
Complaint 10534027 · Aug 7, 2013 · 78,000 miles
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC AND A FAULTY THERMOSTAT WAS DIAGNOSED; ENGINE RUNNING TOO COLD. THERMOSTAT IS LOCATED BENEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THEREFORE DIFFICULT AND TIME-CONSUMING TO ACCESS. COST TO REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT WAS APPROXIMATELY $450. *TT
Complaint 10459305 · May 22, 2012 · 61,648 miles

Own a 2002 LS?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.