2002 Saturn SL Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 4%of 131 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 141,244miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Saturn SL, 4% of the 131 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 141,244 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Rpms go up to 5 and then drop to 0 - engine stalls and will start but will continue at high rpms and keep stalling. As I was traveling at 50 MPH, the rpms went up to 5, and then quickly dropped to 0. The engine stalled and I coasted to the side of the road. The vehicle would start but when reaching 35 MPH, would do same thing (high rpms and then drop and stall). I had to keep sitting and re starting to get the remainder of 6 miles to my home. Garage ran diagnostic and found nothing wrong. …”
NHTSA complaint #11097012, filed 2018-05, 40,400 miles“While going from a parked position to driving. The car shifted gears very hard to the point it rattled the whole car. I stopped driving and checked the engine and all fluid levels. Everything seemed fine. As I pulled off again it did the same thing each time the automatic transmission shifted gears, this time harder. The mechanic at worked tested the computer and it registered a problem with the EGR valve and an unknown code. When I called a certified service center they said they have seen this a bunch of times and that it is a common problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10491002, filed 2013-01, 160,000 miles“Saturn is an l200 series/there was only the ls on your list.numerous occasions of engine stall while traveling at all speeds. Called Saturn/said VIN not accepted? Live in florida keys/had to go to miami & get tail lamp fixed/only lasted two weeks (this was before engine stall) & call to Saturn. Am 69yr old female/afraid to use car/paid for all sorts of repairs/modules/sensors???and more. No one in keys to repair via GM - Saturn said miami only. Roundtrip over 200 miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #10643802, filed 2014-10, 44,330 miles“Ignition switch is hard to impossible to turn on and once the car is running the key will turn to the off position and with the key extracted from the lock the engine continues to run.”
NHTSA complaint #10606539, filed 2014-06, 230,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10178387Jul 27, 2020This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10176326May 21, 2020This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10176607May 8, 2020This 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…
- 10167437Oct 14, 2019This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the…
- 10160987May 7, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10160983May 6, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10144451Aug 8, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible…
- 10129097Jan 25, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10129073Jan 18, 2018This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the…
- 10137727Aug 21, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2002 Saturn SL
43 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsSeats
9 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Saturn SL
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology