VehicleVerdict

2002 Saturn SL electrical system problems

The 2002 Saturn SL has 44 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 29% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

44

Electrical System complaints

29%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

SL electrical system complaints by model year48 complaints1991: 3 complaints1992: 21 complaints1993: 21 complaints1994: 26 complaints1995: 31 complaints1996: 48 complaints1997: 32 complaints1998: 20 complaints1999: 23 complaints2000: 30 complaints2001: 33 complaints2002: 44 complaints
SL electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

THE STARTER MOTOR ENERGIZED WITHOUT A KEY IN THE IGNITION OR ANYONE IN/NEAR THE CAR. IT WAS IN GEAR WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, AND IT RAN OVER A 12 INCH "STOP" AND INTO A FREEZER WHERE IT CONTINUED TO RUN FOR SOMETIME UNTIL IT BURNED UP. THE FREEZER PREVENTED IT FROM GOING THROUGH THE GARAGE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 21, 2009 · crash

Common questions

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

NHTSA has 44 complaints about the 2002 Saturn SL electrical system — 29% of all complaints filed for that model year.

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.