Model year record
2002 Saturn Saturn L Series recalls & problems
The 2002 Saturn Saturn L Series has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 3 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (1 complaint).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2002 Saturn Saturn L Series.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine coolingEngine | 1 | — |
| Exterior lightingTail lights | 1 | — |
| Electrical systemIgnition › Module | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
VEHICLE ENGINE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING IN A HIGH TRAFFIC INTERSECTION A LOW IDLE SPEED. PRIVATE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS IGNITION CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. THERE WAS ALREADY A RECALL ISSUED (03V2310000)A.K.A.03-C-06, HOWEVER IT DOES NOT COVER THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS 2002 SATURN L100 WITH 23,000 MILES. THE MFG HAS TO BE AWARE THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS. THE COST OF THIS REPAIR WAS $497.00. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INJURIES IN THIS INCIDENT FORTUNATELY. I HAVE RETAINED THE DEFECTIVE PART FOR INSPECTION IF NEEDED. *TR
- Exterior lighting › Tail lights
SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS W/THE TAIL LAMP BRACKET HOUSING ASSEMBLY. THIS PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED, I THOUGHT WHEN I BROUGHT BACK THE VEHICLE ON DATE OF PURCHASE, SUCH WAS NOT THE CASE, THE TAIL LAMP BRACKET HOUSING CONTINUED TO BURN OUT. I STRESSED TO THE REPAIR FACILITY AT SATURN THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. FINALLY I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN 2005 FOR THIS DEFECT (TAIL LIGHT HOUSING BRACKET). I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE VESICLE FOR 2 YEARS PRIOR TO THE RECALL, IN 2005, IT STILL BURNS OUT 3 BULBS AT A TIME USUALLY A WEEK OR MONTH AFTER REPAIR. IT IS NOW 2006 AND I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT NO COST TO ME ONLY BECAUSE I HAVE ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM WITH…
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
MY 2002 SATURN L200 WITH 66,000 STARTED AND RAN FINE UNTIL I TURNED A CORNER WAS GOING ABOUT 10 TO 20 MPH AND THE CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING APPOX 100 YARDS FROM A BUSY INTERSECTION. CAR WAS TOWED TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO LOOK AT IT TILL THE NEXT DAY. THEY FOUND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN AND CYLINDER HEAD WOULD COST $2200 TO FIX BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE. NO INJURIES OR CRASHES OCCURRED ASK DEALER IF THIS WAS COMMON HE SAID NO THAT THIS OCCURS EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS. *NM
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
- TIMING CHAIN FAILURE-STALLClosed
ON JUNE 6, 2006, ODI OPENED AN INVESTIGATION OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURE RESULTING IN ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING WITH NO RESTART IN APPROXIMATELY 20,514 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L ENGINES (L61) BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2000 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2001 (EA06-009).THE VEHICLES BUILT DURING THOSE MONTHS EXHIBITED HIGHER FAILURE RATES THAN SIMILARLY EQUIPPED VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE AND AFTER.GM INTRODUCED A NEW TIMING CHAIN DESIGN IN PRODUCTION IN MAY 2002.ODI CLOSED ITS INVESTIGATION AFTER GM INITIATED A SAFETY RECALL ON NOVEMBER 7, 2007 (RECALL 07V-519). ON MAY 22, 2008, THE NORTH CAROLINA CONSUMERS COUNCIL (NCCC) SUBMITTED A DEFECT PETITION TO ODI REQUESTING THE EXPANSION OF RECALL 07V-519 TO INCLUDE ALL MY 1999 THROUGH 2003 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES WITH 2.2L ENGINES USING THE SAME TIMING CHAIN DESIGN AS THE RECALLED POPULATION.THE PETITION STATES THAT THE NCCC…