VehicleVerdict

2002 Saturn SL engine problems

The 2002 Saturn SL has 22 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 14% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

22

Engine complaints

14%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

SL engine complaints by model year75 complaints1991: 2 complaints1992: 28 complaints1993: 36 complaints1994: 50 complaints1995: 75 complaints1996: 71 complaints1997: 41 complaints1998: 29 complaints1999: 51 complaints2000: 38 complaints2001: 20 complaints2002: 22 complaints
SL engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

MY SON HAD AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING 3 OTHER VEHICLES. THE MOTOR OF THE 2002 SATURN SL1 IN WHICH HE WAS DRIVING STALLED AS HE EXITED THE HIGHWAY ONTO A SERVICE ROAD. ONCE THE ENGINE STALLED,HE DID NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO STEER OR STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, HE STRUCK 2 VEHICLES THAT WERE STOPPED AT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 26, 2007 · crash

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2002 Saturn SL have?

NHTSA has 22 complaints about the 2002 Saturn SL engine — 14% 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.