Is the 2002 Saturn LS a bad year?
493 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 233.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2002 Saturn LS were filed between 64k and 106k miles. You're at 80,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2002 LS owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 80,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 232 (47%) | 64k–107k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 69 (14%) | 31k–90k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 102 (21%) | 47k–112k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel system | 45 (9%) | 66k–98k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 26 (5%) | 30k–96k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Steering | 12 (2%) | 30k–102k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Suspension | 18 (4%) | 24k–57k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 14 (3%) | 40k–73k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Tires | 13 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exhaust | 9 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 9 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Interior lighting | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 80,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 493 complaints: 12 mention a crash · 12 mention a fire · 5 report an injury.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in May 2023.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I purchased a 2002 Saturn L200 about 1 1/2 year ago with a 1 year warranty it now has 80,000k miles. My warranty ran out a few months ago.
I have a Saturn L200 with the 2.2L engine and 64,100 mile on it. While driving home from work on july 9 2009, my timing chain broke.
I was driving on the highway at +/- 18:50, on november 18th 2008 with my 2002 Saturn L200 when the engine suddenly stalled or cut out.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 80,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2002 Saturn LS: 3
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.
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.
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. Failure of the resonator will cause increased exhaust noise. Prolonged operation of the vehicle following a resonator failure may lead to a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Saturn: 47
Repair instructions Saturn sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2002 Saturn LS. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
Torque specification and installation procedure for ACDelco Spin-On Oil Filters
NHTSA defect investigations: 8
Fuel pump leaks
Timing chain breaks, engine stall
Timing chain failure-stall
Timing chain failure
Timing chain failure
Neighbouring years
2001 LS: 582 complaints, consider selling.
Every Saturn LS year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2004 · All LS years side by side
Other Saturn models: Saturn Astra · Saturn Aura · Saturn ION · Saturn Outlook · Saturn SL · Saturn Sky · Saturn Vue. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2002 Saturn LS a bad year?
493 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 233. At 80,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2002 Saturn LS were filed between 64k and 106k miles. You're at 80,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Saturn LS?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (232), exterior lighting (69), electrical system (102), fuel system (45), transmission and drivetrain (26). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 64k–106k miles.
How many recalls does the 2002 Saturn LS have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 05V-245), Seat belts (NHTSA 05V-158), Electrical system (NHTSA 03V-231). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.