2002 Saturn Ls: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2002 Saturn Ls: 3 recalls, 493 owner complaints.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #03V231000 · 2003 · 239,993 vehicles
What's wrong: 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,…
Why it matters: Failure of the resonator will cause increased exhaust noise. Prolonged operation of the vehicle following a resonator failure May lead to a fire.
The fix: 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 calibration. Owner notification began on August 4, 2003. Owners should contact Saturn at…
Seat belts Vehicle recall #05V158000 · 2005 · 20,701 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If a separation occurred in crash, the right and center rear seat occupants May not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix: Dealers will install a rear seat center belt anchor reinforcement plate to the floor pan of the vehicle free of charge. The recall began on April 25, 2005.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #05V245000 · 2005 · 291,652 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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. A following driver May not know when the brakes have been applied, and a rear-end crash could…
The fix: Dealers will install two new tail lamp reinforcing socket adapters and sockets free of charge. The recall began on October 17, 2005.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 12 mention a fire, 8 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (200): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (98), noise or vibration (17).
- Electrical (102): the most common themes are electrical failure (36), warning light on (18), stalls / loses power (17).
- Exterior lights (69): the most common themes are electrical failure (21), warning light on (9), stalls / loses power (7).
- Engine (43): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (28), noise or vibration (6), electrical failure (4).
The 2002 Saturn Ls has 493 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 4 Ls model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 364). Complaints peaked in 2006 (54 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 75,627 miles. Neighboring years: 2001 (582 complaints, 7 recalls).
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2002 Saturn Ls.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2002 Saturn Ls have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2002 Saturn Ls. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2002 Saturn Ls problems?
Owners have filed 493 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (200), electrical (102), exterior lights (69).
Where can I get a 2002 Saturn Ls repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.