VehicleVerdict

2002 Saturn LS electrical system problems

The 2002 Saturn LS has 115 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 18% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

115

Electrical System complaints

18%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

LS electrical system complaints by model year115 complaints2000: 65 complaints2001: 84 complaints2002: 115 complaints
LS electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

03V231000Electrical SystemJune 23, 2003 · 239,993 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L L4 (L61) ENGINES, A FAILURE OF THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE MAY CAUSE DETERIORATION IN IDLE QUALITY, REDUCTION IN OVERALL ENGINE POWER, AND THE VEHICLE MAY BE HARD TO START. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AFTER SUCH AN IGNITION MODULE FAILURE WILL RESULT IN THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT FLASHING, AND MAY LEAD TO SECONDARY FAILURES OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, OXYGEN SENSOR, AND EXHAUST RESONATOR.

Consequence

FAILURE OF THE RESONATOR WILL CAUSE INCREASED EXHAUST NOISE. PROLONGED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING A RESONATOR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy

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 CALIBRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT 3.

What owners report

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 16, 2015 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2002 Saturn LS have?

NHTSA has 115 complaints about the 2002 Saturn LS electrical system — 18% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Saturn LS electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 03V231000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.