Model year record

2002 Saturn LS

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 631 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V245000

Exterior lighting: brake lights

Component: Exterior lighting: brake lights
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 291,652
Reported to NHTSA: 2005-06-02
Owners notified: 2005-10-17

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND WAGONS, THE PLASTIC HOUSING IN THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME DISTORTED IF THE BRAKE LAMPS REMAIN ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.

Safety risk

THIS CAN CAUSE (1) AN INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB OR (2) A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT OPENS A FUSE CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMPS (INCLUDING THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP) OR TAIL LAMPS. A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW TAIL LAMP REINFORCING SOCKET ADAPTERS AND SOCKETS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V158000

Seat belts

Component: Seat belts
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 20,701
Reported to NHTSA: 2005-04-20
Owners notified: 2005-04-25

Defect description

CERTAIN WAGONS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE HOLDING THE REQUIRED TEST LOAD FOR THE REQUIRED TIME.

Safety risk

IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED IN CRASH, THE RIGHT AND CENTER REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REAR SEAT CENTER BELT ANCHOR REINFORCEMENT PLATE TO THE FLOOR PAN OF THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V231000

Electrical system: ignition: module

Component: Electrical system: ignition: module
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 239,993
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-06-23
Owners notified: 2003-07-01

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Engine and engine cooling	93	85,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	73	74,958 mi
Electrical system	62	84,650 mi
Engine	43	111,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	27	21,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	24	75,755 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys	22	61,000 mi
Exterior lighting	22	89,500 mi
Power train	12	80,500 mi
Suspension	12	25,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module	11	46,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights	11	44,000 mi
Steering	11	90,000 mi
Tires	11	25,000 mi
Unknown or other	10	55,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition	9	102,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	9	117,000 mi
Interior lighting	8	24,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	7	50,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	6	76,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor	6	56,423 mi
Vehicle speed control	6	150,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	5	55,125 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	5	57,900 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights	5	7,100 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	5	75,200 mi
Power train: axle assembly	5	28,000 mi
Suspension: rear	5	25,000 mi
Electrical system: horn	4	92,116 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	3	76,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring	3	26,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers	3	—
Electronic stability control (ESC)	3	144,400 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	3	66,700 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch	3	75,200 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	3	18,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	3	47,300 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	3	47,000 mi
Structure: frame and members	3	49,000 mi
Air bags	2	19,000 mi
Air bags: side/window	2	92,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module	2	92,116 mi
Electrical system: software	2	500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	2	56,423 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch	2	27,877 mi
Fuel system, other	2	65,980 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	2	26,000 mi
Parking brake	2	26,000 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft	2	26,000 mi
Seat belts	2	48,800 mi
Service brakes	2	175 mi
Structure: body	2	13,600 mi
Structure: body: door	2	26,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor	2	166,637 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core	2	—
Visibility: glass, side/rear	2	6,068 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer	2	6,068 mi
Air bags: frontal	1	72,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	1	36,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch	1	—
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk	1	26,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	1	61,648 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control	1	—
Equipment	1	26,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch	1	—
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices	1	—
Exterior lighting: turn signal	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system	1	25,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	1	34,950 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)	1	31,057 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift	1	20,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal	1	—
Power train: driveline	1	124,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor	1	26,000 mi
Seats	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	1	43,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	117,000 mi
Steering: gear box: shaft sector	1	26,000 mi
Structure	1	—
Structure: body: bumpers	1	—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	1	109,200 mi
Suspension: front	1	—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing	1	40,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt	1	—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	1	—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	1	31,057 mi
Visibility	1	148,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices	1	—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor	1	—
Wheels	1	—
Wheels: rim	1	—

The 2001 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.