2002 Saturn SL recalls and problems
No recalls and 131 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Saturn SL.
Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2002 Saturn SL recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Most reported problems
Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
A car hit me it the front passenger side the hood of my car bent up the passenger side of my windshield cracked and my car went spinning not one air bag came out
IGNITION REQUIRES KEY JIGGLE IN ORDER TO START. ELECTRICAL ISSUES SUCH AS CONSTANT SHORTS, MAJOR FAILURE IN SUPPORTING SYSTEMS.
I OWN A 2002 SATURN SL VEHICLE PURCHASED IN 7/2016. I'M HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING MY VEHICLE. BOTH STARTER AND BATTERY HAVE BOTH BEEN CHECKED OUT OK. ALL SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED ON 10/31/18. AFTER THESE REPAIRS, WHEN STARTED IT STILL MADE VERY NOISY SOUNDS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. NOW I CAN'T GET IT TO START AT ALL. I…
THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, WAS INVOLVED IN A 3 CAR COLLISION. THE VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY A 1985 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD TRAVELING AT AT LEAST A MODERATE RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO A 2002 AUDI (I BELIEVE IT WAS) SUV. DURING THE COLLISION THE DRIVERS SEAT BACK FAILED AND COLLAPSED INTO THE BACK SEAT. I…
RPMS GO UP TO 5 AND THEN DROP TO 0 - ENGINE STALLS AND WILL START BUT WILL CONTINUE AT HIGH RPMS AND KEEP STALLING. AS I WAS TRAVELING AT 50 MPH, THE RPMS WENT UP TO 5, AND THEN QUICKLY DROPPED TO 0. THE ENGINE STALLED AND I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WOULD START BUT WHEN REACHING 35 MPH, WOULD DO…
SL model years compared
Across all years, the 2000 SL has the most complaints (147). All Saturn SL years →
Questions
- Does the 2002 Saturn SL have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Saturn SL as of October 27, 2026.
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Saturn SL?
- Owners have filed 131 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (43 complaints), followed by power train (22).
- How many 2002 Saturn SL complaints mention a crash or fire?
- 20 of 131 complaints report a crash and 5 a fire; 16 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received July 4, 2023.