NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 149 owner complaints for the 2002 Saturn SL. Most complaints involve electrical system (43) and power train (30). The EPA rates it 26–29 mpg combined.
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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“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 TRIED TO GET HELP ABOUT A RECALL RELATING TO MY VEHICLE'S STARTING PROBLEMS. I CONTACTED SATURN COMPANY 1(800)533-6000 AND GM RECALL CENTER 1(866)694-6546. NEITHER WERE WILLING TO HELP. I FOUND INFO ON THE KELLEY BLUE BOOK WEBSITE. I ENTERED MY VIN NUMBER AND FOLLOWING WAS DISPLAYED: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 03V231; REPORT DATE: INFO UNAVAILABLE; VEHICLES AFFECTED: 239,993; CONSEQUENCE: INFO UNAVAILABLE; WHAT YOU SHOULD DO: 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. WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO CONTACT THEIR DEALERS FOR APPOINTMENTS TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLE REPAIRED. PARTS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE DURING SEPTEMBER 2003. SUMMARY: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH…”
“SATURN IS AN L200 SERIES/THERE WAS ONLY THE LS ON YOUR LIST.NUMEROUS OCCASIONS OF ENGINE STALL WHILE TRAVELING AT ALL SPEEDS. CALLED SATURN/SAID VIN NOT ACCEPTED? LIVE IN FLORIDA KEYS/HAD TO GO TO MIAMI & GET TAIL LAMP FIXED/ONLY LASTED TWO WEEKS (THIS WAS BEFORE ENGINE STALL) & CALL TO SATURN. AM 69YR OLD FEMALE/AFRAID TO USE CAR/PAID FOR ALL SORTS OF REPAIRS/MODULES/SENSORS???AND MORE. NO ONE IN KEYS TO REPAIR VIA GM - SATURN SAID MIAMI ONLY. ROUNDTRIP OVER 200 MILES. AFRAID TO DRIVE/CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER CAR/MUST JUNK AND, OFCOURSE, SATURN SAID VIN # NOT UNDER RECALL FOR ENGINE OR ELECTRICAL. IS THERE ANY WAY TO RECOUP DOLLARS I PAID FOR ANY REPAIRS ON THIS CAR??? SO MUCH MORE THAN I AM LISTING HERE......THANK YOU NHTSA. *TR”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN S SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY SHUTS OFF EVER SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE MUST REMAIN PARKED FOR AT LEAST A WEEK BEFORE IT WILL RESTART. AFTER THE MOST RECENT FAILURE, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN CALLING THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY LOCATED, BUT HAS NOT GOTTEN A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. UPDATED 05/27/09 *BF UPDATED 05/29/09.*JB”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 36 | 29 | $2,150 | 306 |
| SL Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 34 | 27 | $2,300 | 329 |
| SL Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, DOHC · Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 34 | 27 | $2,300 | 329 |
| SL Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, DOHC · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 32 | 26 | $2,400 | 342 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 149 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (43), power train (30), engine and engine cooling (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2002 Saturn SL at 26–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).