2002 Saturn LW200 Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 123,000miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 24 mpgcombined, 2.2L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 30 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Saturn LW200 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2002 Saturn LW200. The part named most often is engine, with 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by fuel system (3) and electrical system (1). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 17% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 123,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 239 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 19 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 13 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine3 38%
- Fuel system3 38%
- Electrical system1 13%
- Engine cooling1 13%
- Exterior lighting1 13%
- Other or unknown1 13%
Example complaints
Engine: “driving at 35 mph when engine stopped running and failed to restart. inspection determined timing chain had failed due to failure to keep tension. the timing chain tensioner on Ecotech 2.2 engines from 2000-2004 had tensioners which failed to keep the chain taught which lead to GM redesigning the tensioner. this problem was never recalled and consequentially this occurred in almost all of these engines and caused severe engine damage to pistons and valves, requiring a complete engine overhaul somewhere's around 100k miles on up. …”
NHTSA complaint #11485334, filed 2022-09Fuel system: “The contact owns a 2002 Saturn LW200. `the contact noticed that a fuel odor was entering the vehicle from the rear. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. .....updated 03/08/17 the consumer stated the fuel pump was leaking on top of the gas tank and running down the tank. The pump was replaced due to a crack in the pump. Updated 03/13/17.”
NHTSA complaint #10946331, filed 2017-01, 90,000 milesElectrical system: “2002 Saturn l200. Airbag light came on for no reason, and when the consumer was involved in an accident, the airbag light didn't come on and the airbags never deployed. The vehicle was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #10659550, filed 2014-12Engine cooling: “The contact owns a 2002 Saturn LW200. The contact stated that the service engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the catalytic converter failed and needed to be replaced. The contact also stated that the same failure occurred two other times. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired again. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10909808, filed 2016-09, 105,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
17% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 90,000 and 145,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2002 Saturn LW200 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LW200 FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 30 | 24 | $2,800 |
| LW200 FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2002 Saturn LW200 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 239 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11020816Jul 18, 2025Other or unknown. This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- 11006621Aug 26, 2024Electrical system. Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need…
- 11004557Jun 17, 2024Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.
- 11002312Jun 6, 2024Electrical system. This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492…
- 10252735Mar 28, 2024Electrical system. This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement fasteners with conductive finish.
- 10251890Mar 13, 2024Engine cooling. This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with…
- 10250775Feb 22, 2024Engine cooling. This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024Engine cooling, Transmission and drivetrain. This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10249011Jan 12, 2024Exterior lighting. This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage.
- 10244274Oct 6, 2023Wheels. This service bulletin provides information about the Hunter wheel Road Force balancers that should be utilized for all repairs requiring balance and Road Force measurement.
Other model years of the Saturn LW200
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 8 | 123,000 | 0 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 8 | 116,500 | 0 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Saturn LW200 have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2002 Saturn LW200 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2002 Saturn LW200 is reported most often?
Engine is named most often, in 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by fuel system with 3.
Has the 2002 Saturn LW200 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Saturn LW200 get?
The EPA rates the 2002 Saturn LW200 (LW200, 2.2L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Saturn LW200 reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 123,000 miles and the middle half falls between 90,000 and 145,000 miles; 17% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.