MYRModel Year Report

2002 Saturn SL

● Typical for this model
2002 Saturn SL
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:50:46.603Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
131
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Electrical system

34% of complaints

Complaints per year

1991: 29 complaints 1991 1992: 131 complaints 1993: 179 complaints 1993 1994: 303 complaints 1995: 356 complaints 1995 1996: 287 complaints 1997: 227 complaints 1997 1998: 168 complaints 1999: 178 complaints 1999 2000: 148 complaints 2001: 111 complaints 2002: 131 complaints 2002 131
1991: 29 complaints 1991 1992: 131 complaints 1992 1993: 179 complaints 1993 1994: 303 complaints 1994 1995: 356 complaints 1995 1996: 287 complaints 1996 1997: 227 complaints 1997 1998: 168 complaints 1998 1999: 178 complaints 1999 2000: 148 complaints 2000 2001: 111 complaints 2001 2002: 131 complaints 2002 131
1991: 29 complaints 1991 1992: 131 complaints 1992 1993: 179 complaints 1993 1994: 303 complaints 1994 1995: 356 complaints 1995 1996: 287 complaints 1996 1997: 227 complaints 1997 1998: 168 complaints 1998 1999: 178 complaints 1999 2000: 148 complaints 2000 2001: 111 complaints 2001 2002: 131 complaints 2002 131

2002: 131 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199129
1992131
1993179
1994303
1995356
1996287
1997227
1998168
1999178
2000148
2001111
2002131

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

34% · 44 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and switch.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Power train

17% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Gear shift started smoking then caught on fire.*mr there was a recall for 2000-2003 saturns of the same model. The dealer stated they weren't responsible for the fire and wasn't going to pay for the damages.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-11-12

Engine and engine cooling

13% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASHINJURY

Service brakes

8% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH

Air bags

7% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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…

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-07-04

Driving on highway rt. 80, when a car swerved into right lane in front of me from entrance ramp. I was traveling at approx. 45 miles an hour. Airbags failed to deploy in a front end collision, causing life altering injury.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-01-10

Vehicle was in a high speed frontal collision but none of the air bags deployed upon impact.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-05-05

Safety timeline

1 recall · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Saturn SL — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 44 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 22 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 17 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Saturn SL reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Saturn SL is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Saturn SL?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Saturn SL have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.