2002 Saturn LS

493 complaints on file, page 1 of 25.

1. Filed May 1, 2023Failure Dec 29, 2022Nanticoke, PAElectrical system, Exterior lighting

   Rear tail lights will not work. Have checked all fuses relays,and even changed the turn signal switch. My car is currently at the garage. Original appointment was only for inspection. Mechanic has not yet located the issue. Also has no dash lights. Parking lights. Had I known this in advance would have returned car immediately.

   NHTSA complaint 11519745
2. Filed Apr 3, 2023Failure Mar 28, 2023118,000 milesPhoenix, AZElectrical system, Unknown or other

   The contact owns a 2002 Saturn J-Type. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle's brake lights failed to illuminate. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V245000 (Exterior Lighting), however, the part to do the recall repair is no longer being manufactured. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11515269
3. Filed Jun 23, 2022Failure Jun 23, 2022Calabasas, CAEngine

   The same thing is happening to my car that happened to many Saturn owners of the same year. The car is turning but only stays on for a few seconds before shutting off. This seems to be the same as the ignition module and spark plugs issue as it is the same symptoms as those people were experiencing.

   NHTSA complaint 11470765
4. Filed Feb 10, 2021Failure Nov 25, 2020102,057 milesMission Viejo, CAEngine

   ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AROUND 65-70 MPH. ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AND HAD TO BE TOWED BACK HOME. MECHANIC INSPECTION REVEALED COMPLETE LOSS OF COMPRESSION IN TWO CYLINDERS AND PARTIAL COMPRESSION LOSS IN OTHER TWO. ENGINE WAS PERMANENTLY DAMAGED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED OR REBUILT AT HIGH COST IN THE THOUSANDS. ENGINE HAD 102,057 MILES AT TIME OF FAILURE.

   NHTSA complaint 11395636
5. Filed May 26, 2020Failure May 26, 2020130,000 milesBeloit, WIElectrical system

   MECHANIC FOUND SHORT CIRCUIT IN TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLIES CAUSING BRAKE LIGHTS TO COME ON, AND STAY ON, WHEN HEADLAMPS DO. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 11325941
6. Filed Sep 24, 2019Failure Sep 19, 2019175 milesLompoc, CAEngine, Service brakes, Steering

   VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT 30 MPH ON CITY STREET, ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING WITH LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. COASTED VEHICLE TO A SIDE STREET & STOPPED. HAD CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC. WE WERE QUOTED $1700 BILL TO REPAIR DUE TO BROKEN TIMING CHAIN. RESEARCHED RECALLS AND FOUND THAT NHTSA HAD A RECALL #07V519000 FOR 2001 SATURN L100. THIS SEEMS GROSSLY SHORTSIGHTED ON THE PART OF NHTSA, AS THERE HAVE BEEN DOZENS OF DUPLICATE COMPLAINTS. THIS PROMPTED THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CONSUMERS COUNCIL TO ISSUE A DEFECT PETITION FOR 2000-2003 SATURN L SERIES WITH THE 2.2L ENGINE WITH THE NHTSA. IT IS SURPRISING HOW LITTLE EFFORT THE NHTSA HAS MADE IN LIGHT OF THE SCOPE OF THIS PROBLEM.

   NHTSA complaint 11257582
7. Filed Jul 30, 2018Failure Mar 1, 2016Waterbury, CTElectrical system, Electronic stability control (esc), Power train

   TAKATA RECALL VEHICLE IN PARK WHEN STARTED. LIGHTS DIM AN GO BRIGHT ON DASH. FAN GOES ON WHEN MOTOR NOT HOT. WHEN FAN GOES ON AND CAR IS BEING DRIVEN CAR WILL JUMP WHEN CAR SHIFTS GEARS. I ONLY CAN DRIVE ON SIDE ROADS. TO NERVOUS TO GO ON HIGHWAY NOW. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN COOLING FAN IS ON. I HAVE SEEN LOTS OF REPORTS THAT PEOPLE POST OF OTHER CARS LIKE MINE HAVING SAME ISSUES. WAS TOLD THEY REPORTED IT. NOTHING WAS DONE. SERIOUSLY THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. SHOULDN'T MATTER WERE THE CAR WAS MADE. PARTS ARE THE SAME. I HAVEN'T BROUGHT IT IN SINCE 2017. I DON'T HAVE MONEY FOR REPAIRS OR FIX IT IF IT'S THE MANUFACTURS FAULTY PARTS. I'VE ALREADY PUT 1400 DOLLARS FOR REPLACEMENT OF FUEL PUMP AN OTHER PARTS. AN THIS PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF AN WHEN YOU CAN LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE.

   NHTSA complaint 11114655
8. Filed Feb 15, 2018Failure Feb 8, 2018117,000 milesGlendale, AZFuel/propulsion system, Service brakes, Hoses, Lines/piping

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN LS. WHILE PUMPING FUEL INTO THE FUEL TANK, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE TANK. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LEAKAGE SEEMED TO COME FROM THE TUBE, BUT WAS NOT COMPLETELY SURE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ONLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11073072
9. Filed Dec 26, 2017Failure Dec 23, 2017South Hill, VAElectrical system, Steering

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

   NHTSA complaint 11056381
10. Filed Nov 21, 2017Failure Nov 13, 2017161,000 milesWaukegan, ILEngine

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN LS. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT FRACTURED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 161,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11047853
11. Filed Sep 25, 2017Failure Sep 25, 201765,184 milesChicago, ILPower train

    ENCOUNTERED ROUGH GEAR CHANGES WHILE DRIVING. TOOK THE CAR TO A GM DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION. THE TROUBLE CODE P1811 WAS " TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE CAUSING PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID MALFUNCTION PER C OBT" RECOMMEND TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT"

    NHTSA complaint 11025485
12. Filed Aug 11, 2017Failure Oct 3, 2016144,400 milesShelbyville, TNElectrical system, Electronic stability control (esc), Fuel/propulsion systemFire1 injured

    FUEL AND COMPUTER FUSE UNDERHOOD 10AMP BLOWING UPON INSERTED

    NHTSA complaint 11014679
13. Filed Apr 16, 2017Failure Apr 15, 2017Logansport, INElectronic stability control (esc), Exterior lighting, Unknown or other

    WHILE THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE HEADLIGHTS WILL TURN OFF ALONG WITH ALL THE DASH LIGHTS AND ALL THE GAUGES WILL GO TO ZERO, THE INTERIOR LIGHT WILL TURN ON AND IT WILL DING (IT ACTS LIKE YOU ARE SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND OPENING THE DOOR) A COUPLE SECONDS LATER EVERYTHING WILL TURN ON AND QUIT DINGING ALL THE DASH LIGHTS WILL BE ON (LIKE WHEN YOU START THE CAR) BACK AND FORTH ON AND OFF.

    NHTSA complaint 10978673
14. Filed Oct 10, 2016Failure Sep 4, 2016164,155 milesSAN Jose, CAElectrical system, Engine, Power train

    I LOST POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND AT FULL THROTTLE THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION. IT MADE A LOUD BOOM LIKE A BACKFIRE AND A LARGE PIECE OF MATERIAL THAT LOOKED FIBERGLASS MATTING AND ROCKS BLEW OUT OF THE EXHAUST. THE CAR ACCELERATED FINE FOR ABOUT 15 MILES THEN STARTED TO BOG DOWN AGAIN. SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND TRIED TO RESTART UNSUCCESSFUL, WAITED A FEW HOURS THEN CAR RESTARTED WITH NO ISSUES RAN VEHICLE OFF AND ON OVER A THREE DAY PERIOD, THAT IS WHEN IT STARTED MALFUNCTIONING AGAIN WITH VERY ROUGH IDLE, ALMOST DIES, EXTREME LOSS OF POWER W/ALMOST NO ACCELERATION AT FULL THROTTLE. CONTACTED MECHANIC THE VEHICLE RESONATOR WAS EXPANDED TO THE POINT OF SPLITTING THE SEAM, HE REMOVED THE RESONATOR TO FIND ALL THE FIBER PACKING GONE AND THE RESONATOR PACKED WITH WHAT LOOKED LIKE ROCKS. HE STATED THE BITS THAT LOOKED LIKE ROCKS WERE PART OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER PACKING THAT HAD BEEN HEATED ABOVE THE LIMITS OF THE MATERIAL. THE DISINTEGRATED MATERIAL MADE A BLOCKAGE IN THE RESONATOR NOT ALLOWING THE EXHAUST GASSES TO FLOW HE CHECKED FOR TSB'S AND RECALL CAMPAIGNS AND FOUND CAMP # 03V231000 ACTION # 03033 RECALL # 03-C-06 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IGNITION CONTROL MODULE) AND CAMP # 07V519000 ACTION # EA06009 RECALL # 06074. (ENG. TIMING CHAIN) CALLED GM RECALL CENTER GIVEN CASE #8-2430110427 PER BRANDY SHE IS GETTING MANY CALLS ON THIS, SHE SHOWS ONLY THE RECALL 03-C-06 ONLY AND SHE IS TO DENY ANY ADDITIONAL CLAIMS EVEN THOUGH THEY REPLACED THE PART WITH THE SAME PART THAT WAS RECALLED TO BEGIN WITH. INVESTIGATED RECALL # 06074 AND FOUND THAT DID NOT INCLUDE THE 2002 SATURN L SERIES HOWEVER PER MY MECHANIC BOTH RECALLS ARE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WITH THE OUTSTANDING ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE 2002 SATURN L SERIES SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ROAD AND IT SHOULDN'T TAKE AN ACCIDENT OR A DEATH BEFORE YOU PEOPLE DECIDE TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES.

    NHTSA complaint 10915067
15. Filed Jul 12, 2016Failure Jul 12, 2016110,000 milesOAK Park, MIElectrical system, EngineFire

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 SATURN L. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EMIT SMOKE FROM THE HOOD AND SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10884365
16. Filed Mar 8, 2016Failure Jul 14, 2014Abon, INTurn signal, SteeringFire

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN LS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER WAS ENGAGED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE LEFT OR RIGHT TURN SIGNALS WERE ENGAGED. THERE WERE NO FLAMES PRESENT. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V231000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

    NHTSA complaint 10845598
17. Filed Dec 4, 2015Failure Jul 4, 201577,000 milesFort Walton Beach, FLElectrical system, Fuel system, Gasoline

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MAINTENANCE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM HAD A LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V231000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. ...UPDATED 07/05/16 *BF THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 07/15/16

    NHTSA complaint 10808426
18. Filed Nov 19, 2015Failure Nov 16, 2015175,000 milesWendell, NCElectrical systemFire

    SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN IT GOT WORSE AND THEN THE HANDLE MELTED OFF AND THEN IN MINUTES THE FLAMES IGNITED AND THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY INFLAMED. RIGHT BEFORE THIS HAPPENED MY DAUGHTER DROVE THE CAR UP THE STREET TO TAKE MY SON TO THE BUS STOP WHEN SHE BROUGHT IT BACK HOME THE SMOKE STARTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY ABOUT 30 FEET FROM MY HOUSE

    NHTSA complaint 10794792
19. Filed Nov 10, 2015Failure Nov 7, 2015186,000 milesMason City, IAEngine, Exterior lighting, SteeringFire

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SATURN LS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SMOKING, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WAS SMOKING AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10789655
20. Filed Nov 6, 2015Failure Mar 3, 2015116,528 milesChicago, ILElectrical system

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED FROM A PREVIOUS RECALL; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,528.

    NHTSA complaint 10788815