2002 Saturn SL Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 6%of 131 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Saturn SL, 6% of the 131 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“Spouse and I use car. The very first time the occurrence happened, was when parking car into driveway, I went to turn off car ignition and accidentally hit key ring, and the key fell out of the ignition, with the car in park, yet still running. On numerous occasions, while driving the car, the car is still running and the key easily slips out of the ignition. Also, on more than one occasion, when trying to unlock the steering wheel, the key will not turn while in the steering ignition. …”
NHTSA complaint #10631281, filed 2014-09, 115,000 miles“Rack and pinion system.. It has been replaced twice and now needs to be replaced again.. Saturn told me since my car is out of warrenty that it's going to cost me 999.99 dollars to fix it a lot of other things have been replaced more then once..”
NHTSA complaint #10184426, filed 2007-03, 70,000 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Saturn SL. While coming out of a left turn at an unknown speed, the power steering failed. The steering wheel seized and excessive force was required to steer the vehicle. The failure caused the contact to drive into a ditch, over a levee, and crash into a pipe. Once the vehicle came to a stop, the contact noticed the ignition key was on the floor. The air bags deployed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10631621, filed 2014-09, 114,000 miles“This vehicle is a death trap the vehicle shuts off while driving, can not start, whole steering column is loose, key comes out during driving. ...updated 09/22/15”
NHTSA complaint #10731864, filed 2015-07Related service bulletins
- 10113436Feb 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps needed to diagnose and repair the vehicles that may have unwanted or phantom phone…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 8 | 6% |
| 2001 | 3 | 3% |
| 2000 | 10 | 7% |
| 1999 | 7 | 4% |
| 1998 | 4 | 2% |
| 1997 | 10 | 4% |
| 1996 | 20 | 7% |
| 1995 | 37 | 10% |
| 1994 | 11 | 4% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 5 | 4% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2002 Saturn SL
43 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsSeats
9 complaintsEngine
5 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