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2002 Saturn Sl

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Saturn Sl do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 171.5.

About this comparison →
131Owner complaints

Model-year median: 171.5

0Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
178
1999148
2000111
2001131
2002
Compare all Sl years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
43Power Train
22Engine And Engine Cooling
16Air Bags
9Seats
9
All reported categories
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
8Steering
8Engine
5Exterior Lighting
5Tires
5Unknown Or Other
4Structure
3Suspension
3Fuel System, Gasoline
2Fuel System, Other
2Visibility
2Latches/locks/linkages
1Seat Belts
1Service Brakes
1Service Brakes, Air
1Vehicle Speed Control
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

81 reports with mileage · 50 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports5 fire reports15 injury reports

Power Train complaints

22 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2002
Power Train

TRANSMISSION PAWL WILL NOT DISENGAGE IF VEHICLE IS PARKED ON SLIGHTEST INCLINE EVEN WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE. THIS PROBLEM IS BECOMING REPETITIOUS MORE FREQUENTLY. VEHICLE MUST BE LEFT IN NEUTRAL WITH HAND BRAKE ENGAGED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8013312

Mileage unknown · May 17, 2002
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NOT ABLE TO SHIFT INTO LOW GEAR WHILE DESCENDING STEEP GRADE/MOUNTAIN ROADS. BRAKES ARE SCORCHED DUE TO EXCESSIVE PEDAL APPLICATION, AND CONTROLLING VEHICLE IS WITH DIFFICULTY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8010054

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.