Is the 2002 Saturn Vue a bad year?
167 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 47, 3.9× a quiet Vue year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 65k–110k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2002 Vue 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 88,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 52 (31%) | 51k–119k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 46 (28%) | 65k–110k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 24 (14%) | 29k–101k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Steering | 18 (11%) | 16k–125k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Air bags | 15 (9%) | 41k–109k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 10 (6%) | 19k–113k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Speed control | 6 (4%) | 15k–115k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 9 (5%) | 19k–81k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 6 (4%) | 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 88,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 167 complaints: 13 mention a crash · 5 mention a fire · 6 report an injury.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Feb 2021.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Over the past year, I have had several instances where the "Check engine" Light comes on and the car just shuts down and won't start up.
Electrical system starting to act up (Every dashboard light comes on) causing the vehicle to lose power and stall while driving.
2002 Saturn Vue (65,000 miles) making noise. Would not start, towed to mechanic. Timing chain failure causing engine damage.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 88,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2002 Saturn Vue: 2
In the affected vehicles, it may be possible for the key to be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position. If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position…
Vehicle description: certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 210, "Seat belt assembly anchorages." Some vehicles were produced with rear outer seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts that were incorrectly installed. If these bolts were incorrectly installed, they would not withstand the load requirements of the standard. If an anchorage failed in a crash, the occupant would not be properly restrained and could have an increased risk of injury.
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: 106
Repair instructions Saturn sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2002 Saturn Vue. 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
Will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Timing chain failure
Rear suspension toe control link
Neighbouring years
2003 Vue: 621 complaints, consider selling.
Every Saturn Vue year
2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · All Vue years side by side
Other Saturn models: Saturn Astra · Saturn Aura · Saturn ION · Saturn LS · Saturn Outlook · Saturn SL · Saturn Sky. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2002 Saturn Vue a bad year?
167 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 47, 3.9× a quiet Vue year. At 88,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 65k–110k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Saturn Vue?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (52), engine (46), transmission and drivetrain (24), steering (18), air bags (15). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 65k–110k miles.
How many recalls does the 2002 Saturn Vue have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Electrical system (NHTSA 14V-490), Seat belts (NHTSA 01V-386). 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.