Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
130–25K
2325–50K
1550–75K
1075–100K
11100–150K
9150K+
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
What owners actually said
131 reports
30,269 miles · Jun 26, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN BRAKING, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE DEALER REPORTS THIS IS DUE TO WARPED ROTORS DUE TO "EXTERNAL FORCES" AND NOT A WARRANTY PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS 30,000 MILES AND LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD. DRIVEN MOSTLY HIGHWAY TO AND FROM WORK, 35 MILES ONE WAY EACH DAY. SEEMS MORE LIKE A DEFECTIVE PART OR ENGINE…
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STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN BRAKING, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE DEALER REPORTS THIS IS DUE TO WARPED ROTORS DUE TO "EXTERNAL FORCES" AND NOT A WARRANTY PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS 30,000 MILES AND LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD. DRIVEN MOSTLY HIGHWAY TO AND FROM WORK, 35 MILES ONE WAY EACH DAY. SEEMS MORE LIKE A DEFECTIVE PART OR ENGINEERING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10023831
44,000 miles · May 5, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury
VEHICLE WAS IN A HIGH SPEED FRONTAL COLLISION BUT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT.
NHTSA ODI #10018168
Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2003
Seats
I PURCHASED A 4-DOOR SATURN SL 2002 THIS PAST SUMMER. THE CARS DESIGN IS INCORRECT. WHEN I SIT IN THE SEAT WITH BOTH OF MY HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND DRIVE, I HAVE TO TURN MY BODY FROM THE WAIST DOWN TO THE LEFT IN ORDER TO PRESS ON THE GAS OR BRAKE. I HAVE NO ROOM ON THE RIGHT SIDE NEXT TO THE GAS PEDAL DUE TO THE CENTER C…
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I PURCHASED A 4-DOOR SATURN SL 2002 THIS PAST SUMMER. THE CARS DESIGN IS INCORRECT. WHEN I SIT IN THE SEAT WITH BOTH OF MY HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND DRIVE, I HAVE TO TURN MY BODY FROM THE WAIST DOWN TO THE LEFT IN ORDER TO PRESS ON THE GAS OR BRAKE. I HAVE NO ROOM ON THE RIGHT SIDE NEXT TO THE GAS PEDAL DUE TO THE CENTER CONSOLE PANEL, IT FORCES ME TO SIT WITH MY WAIST TURNED TO THE LEFT. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY UNCOMFORTABLE POSITION AND I HAVE HAD CONTINUAL BACK PAIN, WHICH BEGAN TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN SEEING A CHIROPRACTOR FOR THE PAST 4 MONTHS. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER WHOM I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM, AND WAS GIVEN A LETTER STATING THE SEAT WAS POSITIONED CORRECTLY AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I BELIEVE I WILL HAVE LONG TERM BACK PAIN IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS CAR. AS IT IS A NEW CAR AND I WOULD LOOSE $8000 OR $9000 IF I WERE TO SELL IT IMMEDIATELY, I FIND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DO SO. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10014398
Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
2002 SATURN SL HAS 3 LEAKING SEALS. VERY DANGEROUS FOR A FIRE. REAR SEAL, OIL PAN GASKET AND CRANK CASE GASKET ALL LEAKING. DANGEROUS FOR SINGLE WOMEN ON THE ROAD. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10013802
Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2003
Service Brakes, Air
WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO DOWN TO THE FLOOR INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. TS
NHTSA ODI #10004631
Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2003
Structure
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE VEERED INTO ANOTHER LANE OF INCOMING TRAFFIC.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10003695
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2002
Seats
CONSUMER NOTICE THE VEHICLE DOESN'TCOMPLIES WITH ALL APPLICABLE U.S FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS (FMVVSS). "LATCH" TS
NHTSA ODI #8021749
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE CAR IDLES ROUGH, HAS LOUSY GAS MILEAGE, AND NO POWER. I WAS TOLD ON THE 5TH TIME TO THE SATURN REPAIR SHOP, THAT THE SL1S HAVE AN ENGINEERING DEFECT AND SATURN DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. DT
NHTSA ODI #768798
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2002
SteeringCrashInjury
NO SUMMARY. DT
NHTSA ODI #768786
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2002
Tires
CONSUMER STATED, SHE COULD FEEL A SLIGHT THUMPING IN THE STEERING COLUMN, CONSUMER THEN MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN, WHILE IN ROUTE TO THE DEALER, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE RIM, THERE WAS NO AUDIBLE SOUND OF A BLOWOUT, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, CONSUMER I…
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CONSUMER STATED, SHE COULD FEEL A SLIGHT THUMPING IN THE STEERING COLUMN, CONSUMER THEN MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN, WHILE IN ROUTE TO THE DEALER, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE RIM, THERE WAS NO AUDIBLE SOUND OF A BLOWOUT, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING 4 NEW TIRES, BUT THE DEALER REFUSED STATING THAT IT WAS JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS.(FIRESTONE TIRES)*JB
NHTSA ODI #567167
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.
2002 Saturn Sl Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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