Safety ratings
2002 Saturn SL 4-DR.
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
Crash test videos & photos
No public crash-test footage is available for this vehicle.
Recalls (1)
- EXTERIOR LIGHTINGCampaign 09E012000 · 07/04/2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM43
- POWER TRAIN30
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING18
- SERVICE BRAKES13
- HYDRAULIC10
- AIR BAGS10
- SEATS9
- STEERING8
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/23/2003· SEATSCrash
WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED A REAR END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT THE DRIVER SEAT COLLAPSED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
- 12/19/2018· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
I OWN A 2002 SATURN SL VEHICLE PURCHASED IN 7/2016. I'M HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING MY VEHICLE. BOTH STARTER AND BATTERY HAVE BOTH BEEN CHECKED OUT OK. ALL SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED ON 10/31/18. AFTER THESE REPAIRS, WHEN STARTED IT STILL MADE VERY NOISY SOUNDS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. NOW I CAN'T GET IT TO START AT ALL. I TRIED TO GET HELP ABOUT A RECALL RELATING TO MY VEHICLE'S STARTING PROBLEMS. I CONTACTED SATURN COMPANY 1(800)533-6000 AND GM RECALL CENTER 1(866)694-6546. NEITHER WERE WILLING TO HELP. I FOUND INFO ON THE KELLEY BLUE BOOK WEBSITE. I ENTERED MY VIN NUMBER AND FOLLOWING WAS DISPLAYED: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 03V231; REPORT DATE: INFO UNAVAILABLE; VEHICLES AFFECTED: 239,993; CONSEQUENCE: INFO UNAVAILABLE; WHAT YOU SHOULD DO: 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. WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO CONTACT THEIR DEALERS FOR APPOINTMENTS TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLE REPAIRED. PARTS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE DURING SEPTEMBER 2003. SUMMARY: 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. FAILURE OF THE RESONATOR WILL CAUSE INCREASED EXHAUST NOISE. PROLONGED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING A RESONATOR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE. **CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME WITH FINDING OUT IF THIS RECALL EFFECTED MY VEHICLE?
- 12/16/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, AIRCrash
BRAKES FAILED ON MY 2002 SATURN S SERIES SEDAN (15,000 MILES) WHILE DECELLERATING AT A YIELD MERGE AND REARENDED A CAR AT LOW SPEED WITH MINIMAL DAMAGE. POLICE OFFICER NOTED BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE FLOORED TO GET ONLY SLIGHT BRAKING OFFICER ADVISED VEHICLE MUST BE TOWED. VEHICLE TOWED TO SATURN DEALERSHIP. AFTER MUCH RESISTANCE SATURN HOME OFFICE IN TENNESSEE SENT INSPECTOR. CONVERSATION THIS DATE WITH TENNESSEE OFFICE SAID VERBAL PRELIM. REPORT- NOTHING REALLY SEEN WRONG. I DON'T BELIVE IT AND FEAR DRIVING THE CAR.CAR STILL AT SATURN OF FREEHOLD.
- 12/15/2003· POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE GEARS BROKE AND WENT THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION. MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. *AK
- 12/11/2006· POWER TRAIN
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, A NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD, AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE GEAR WENT THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE TRANSMISSION. UPDATED 01/10/07. *JB
- 12/09/2016· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE COOLANT SYSTEM BREAKS FREQUENTLY. THE RADIATOR BREAKS ABOUT EVERY YEAR. THERE ALSO SEEMS TO BE A STICKING ACCELERATOR. IF YOU HAVE TO ACCELERATE VERY QUICKLY. THE CAR WILL IDLE ABNORMALLY HIGH FOR WEEKS BEFORE RETURNING TO NORMAL. THE IGNITION KEY COMES OUT WITHOUT TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF.
- 12/02/2004· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE, WHEN SHIFTING IT DOWN SHIFTED AND CHANGED GEARS ON ITS OWN. MANUFACTURER TO DATE HAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE.*AK
- 12/01/2010· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL2. THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE BULB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE BULB WAS REPLACED, THE BRAKE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.
- 11/26/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AT AROUND 60K THE SATURN SL1 2002 SHOWED A TROUBLE CODE WITH THE INTAKE GASKET LEAKING FUEL MILEAGE SUFFERED. THIS CAR CAN NOT PASS SMOG AND NOW THE CAR IS CONSUMING 1 QT OF OIL IN 300 MILES, AS WELL AS GETTING TERRIBLE GAS MILEAGE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AS I WOULD THINK THAT SINCE THE NET IS LITTERED WITH THIS PROBLEM ON THE SL1 1.9 IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY SATURN. IF THERE IS NOT A COMMON FAILURE WITH THE INTAKE GASKET WHY HAS SATURN MADE A UPGRADED GASKET?? RECALL THIS POS! *TR
- 11/22/2004· POWER TRAIN
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. DRIVING ON STRAIGHTAWAY ~ 20-30 MPH. BANGING INTO GEAR AS SHIFTS. HARDER BANG WHEN GOING INTO "R". BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY. PROBLEM: FAULTY SOLENOID. REPLACED VALVE BODY. EXPENSIVE REPAIR! THIS IS A VERY PREMATURE, FAILURE. CAR ONLY 3 YEARS WITH ~50K. *JB
- 11/21/2005· SUSPENSION
HUMMING SOUND COMING FROM FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. SOUND GOT LOUDER AFTER REPLACING BRAKE PADS AND TIRES WITH FRONT END ALIGNMENT. UPON INSPECTION, FRONT HUB BEARING IS GOING OUT. SATURN 2002 SL2 WITH 85K MILES, WITH MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING. SOUND OCCURS WHETHER DRIVING HIGHWAY OR CITY. *JB
- 11/19/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash
I WAS HEADING UP A HILL WITH 3 CARS AHEAD OF ME, 3 BEHIND... WHEN I GOT TO THE TOP OF THE HILL, THE 3 CARS AHEAD CAME TO A FULL STOP, WHEN I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE, NOTHING HAPPENED. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE, AND IT FELL TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR DIDNT SLOW DOWN, AND I HEARD THE SOUND OF SANDPAPER SCRATCHING WOOD. I'VE HAD CARS WITH ABS BEFORE, SO I'M FAMILIAR ENOUGH WITH THEM TO KNOW THAT THIS WAS NOT NORMAL. THE CAR HIT THE BACK OF AN SUV AND THATS THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED THE CAR. THE ROAD WAS DRY, WARM, NO SAND OR ROCKS, IT WAS A PAVED ROADWAY. I HAD 3 TO 4 CAR LENGTHS IN FRONT OF ME WHEN I BEGAN BRAKING. THE CAR SHOULD HAVE STOPPED! THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS. IT DIDNT EVEN ATTEMPT TO STOP. I CONTACTED SATURN AND THEY BLEW ME OFF WITH THIS "IT WILL BE 7 TO 10 BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE WE DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT WE'LL INVESTIGATE; AND WE MAY OR MAY NOT CALL YOU". I HAD THE CAR TOWED, EVEN THOUGH IT APPEARED DRIVABLE. I DIDNT WANT THE RISK OF ANOTHER ACCIDENT. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT SATURN OF WEST COUNTY IN ST LOUIS, 63021, AND WILL BE INSPECTED BY ONE OF ALLSTATE'S INDEPENDENT ENGINEERS TODAY OR TOMORROW. *AK
- 11/16/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AFTER A LONG DISTANCE DRIVE AND STOPPING AT LOCAL STORE FOR A MOMENT VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE WHILE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 45MPH. THEN, WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING, RELEASING VERY THICK VAPOR. ALSO, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM EXHAUST, AND VAPORS WAS FROM INSIDE OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK
- 11/11/2004· POWER TRAIN
CAR ENGINE STALLS AND DIES. CAR IDLES VERY ROUGH. THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION POPS OUT OF GEAR BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD OCCASIONALLY. CAR DOES NOT HAVE A 1ST GEAR IF YOU USE 1ST THE CAR BUCKS LIKE CRAZY. BUT ACCORDING TO SATURN DEALER SERVICE CENTERS VISITED 5 TIMES THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING WITHIN FACTORY SPECS AND THERE ARE NO FAIL CODES. HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES ON THE EXPRESSWAY GOING 65 M.P.H AND THE ENGINE HAS DIED WHAT FUN. THE CAR HAS BEEN INSPECTED AND THE REPORT STATES THE CAR SINCE DAY ONE I DROVE IT OFF THE DEALERSHIP LOT WAS WORTH LESS THAN 50% OF PURCHASE PRICE AND HAS BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD. THE CAR HAS SAT IDLE FOR TWO YEARS NOW IN MY GARAGE AND I HAVE LOST MY FIGHT TO HAVE SATURN UPHOLD THEIR END OF THE LEMON LAW IN WISCONSIN. SATURN HAD TRIED TO REPAIR THE CAR TWICE BY PUTTING ALL NEW FUEL INJECTORS IN THE CAR. CAR WAS RETURNED THE FOLLOWING DAY WITH SAME PROBLEM. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS AND GAVE ME ANOTHER SATURN CAR TO DRIVE AND THEY STILL COULDN'T FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE WOULD BE IN THE SHOP EVERY WEEK IF I HAD DECIDED TO STILL DRIVE THE HEALTH RISK TO MYSELF AND DAUGHTER. WENT AND BOUGHT ANOTHER NEW CAR AND DEFINITELY NOT A AUTO FROM GM. *JB
- 11/08/2010· AIR BAGSCrash
A CAR WAS GOING 55 MPH, DIDN'T BRAKE AND HIT THE PERSON BEHIND ME WHO WAS PUSHED INTO MY CAR AND I WAS PUSHED INTO A TRUCK. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT MOVED ALL OUR CARS 65 FEET. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, ALTHOUGH ACCORDING TO SOME COMMENTS BY POLICE AND FIRE, THEY SHOULD HAVE. I JUST WANTED TO REPORT THIS JUST IN CASE THERE WERE OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES. CAR WAS TOTALED, NO REPAIR DONE. *TR
- 11/08/2007· POWER TRAIN
THE 2002 SATURN SL2 DOES NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND WHINES WHEN STARTED AND UNTIL RUN FOR AT LEAST 15 MIN. CALLED SATURN CORP. AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NEVER ANY MENTION FROM OTHER CONSUMERS. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THIS CERTAIN VEHICLE. *TR
- 11/07/2008· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2002 SATURN SL MILEAGE: 50+K ONLY 2ND OWNER BOUGHT FROM USED AUTO DEALER. COVERED ON DEALER WARRANTY AND FIXED IN 2005. TRANSMISSION FAILURE AGAIN AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRATION- 2008. *TR
- 10/28/2002· SEATS
CONSUMER NOTICE THE VEHICLE DOESN'TCOMPLIES WITH ALL APPLICABLE U.S FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS (FMVVSS). "LATCH" TS
- 10/26/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EQUIPMENT
THE BRAKES ON MY 2002 SL1 SATURN HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 15,000 MI; NOW, AT 30,000 MI, THE SATURN DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I PREVIOUSLY HAD A 1991 SATURN SL1, FOR 11 YEARS AND WITH MORE THAN 100,000 MI, AND DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, SO IT'S NOT MY STYLE OF DRIVING - IT'S APPARENTLY THE EQUIPMENT ON THE CAR ITSELF (AND THE REPLACEMENT PARTS AS WELL.) *NM
- 10/23/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE CAR IDLES ROUGH, HAS LOUSY GAS MILEAGE, AND NO POWER. I WAS TOLD ON THE 5TH TIME TO THE SATURN REPAIR SHOP, THAT THE SL1S HAVE AN ENGINEERING DEFECT AND SATURN DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. DT
- 10/23/2002· STEERINGCrash
NO SUMMARY. DT
- 10/22/2008· POWER TRAIN
ONE EVENING LAST WEEK I NOTICED THAT WHEN I WOULD SHIFT GEARS AFTER BEING PARKED, IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING DROPPED UNDER MY CAR. THE SAME NIGHT, I WOULD BE DRIVING ABOUT 35-40 MILES AND HOUR IN THE 1-2 RPM RANGE, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE GAUGE WOULD QUICKLY JUMP TO 3 RPMS AND THEN DROP BACK DOWN. IT DID THIS CONSISTENTLY EVERY 2-3 MINUTES. I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP THE NEXT MORNING BECAUSE I FELT THAT IT WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. THE BODY VALVE WAS DAMAGED WHICH WAS THE MAIN PROBLEM. THAT WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH A FEW OTHER PARTS. WHEN I WAS PAYING ($2895) THE MAN THAT HAD BEEN HELPING ME INFORMED ME THAT HIS SHOP HAD ENCOUNTERED MANY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH MY MODEL CAR (2002 SATURN SL1) AND THAT THEY CHECKED IN TO ANY KIND OF RECALL OR BULLETINS. HE SAID THAT HE FELT THAT GM WOULD BE ISSUING A BULLETIN RELATIVELY SOON. I DID MY OWN RESEARCH AND FOUND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT SATURN TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, IN PARTICULAR THE BODY VALVE. WHEN MY FATHER ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THE NEW VEHICLE, HE HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SHIFTING OF THE CAR AND GONE TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP TO COMPLAIN A FEW TIMES, AND HE WAS TOLD, "OH, THAT'S JUST THE WAY CAR IS." I FEEL THAT THIS CAR HAD A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IN THE BEGINNING THAT WAS BRUSHED UNDER THE RUG, AND HAS CREATED A ALMOST $3000 PROBLEM. *TR
- 10/22/2003· POWER TRAINFire
GEAR SHIFT STARTED SMOKING THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE.*MR THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2000-2003 SATURNS OF THE SAME MODEL. THE DEALER STATED THEY WEREN'T RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIRE AND WASN'T GOING TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGES. *PH *NLM
- 10/20/2009· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR IDLES HIGH. IF YOU ARE AT A LIGHT OR PARKED IN THE CAR THE CAR WILL IDLE HIGH THEN SHUT OFF. IF YOUARE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND NEED TO PICK UP SPEED THE CAR REVS UP AND THEN RPMS GO REAL HIGH BUT NOT ANY POWER PUT INTO THE CAR TO MOVE. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE WE FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR. AND IS GETTING WORSE. *TR
- 10/18/2004· POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT
THIS IS REGARDED TO THE VALVE BODY ISSUE THAT IS COMMON IN SATURNS. I HAVE A 2002 SL1 WITH 50,000 MILES ON IT AND MUST NEED TO BE REPLACED AFTER DOING RESEARCH ONLINE I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE IS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY HAS SATURN NOT DONE ANYTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, OR OFFER TO HELP PAY FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS?*AK
- 10/17/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HEAD GASKET FAILURE IN A RELATIVELY YOUNG VEHICLE WITH 52,000 MILES. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND COST $600.00 TO FIX. *NM
- 10/17/2006· SUSPENSION
LEFT FRONT STRUT/COIL SPRING BROKE IN HALF WHILE DRIVING. CAUSE WAS ATTRIBUTED TO EXTREME RUST. VEHICLE WAS A 2002 YEAR MODEL WITH 45,000 MILES. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND DEALER DID NOT CONSIDER RUST-INDUCED FAILURE TO BE ABNORMAL. COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC! *NM
- 10/10/2014· POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
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. AFRAID TO DRIVE/CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER CAR/MUST JUNK AND, OFCOURSE, SATURN SAID VIN # NOT UNDER RECALL FOR ENGINE OR ELECTRICAL. IS THERE ANY WAY TO RECOUP DOLLARS I PAID FOR ANY REPAIRS ON THIS CAR??? SO MUCH MORE THAN I AM LISTING HERE......THANK YOU NHTSA. *TR
- 10/10/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE CONSUMER WAS ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE 25 MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR
- 10/06/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
WE HAVE A SATURN SL1 THAT HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT THE CARS ON THE IGNITION RECALL LIST HAVE. THE KEY COMES OUT IN ANY POSITION - THE WHEEL LOCKS UP AND WE CAN'T GET IT TO UNLOCK - WE LIVE IN A RURAL AREA AND OUR ROADS ARE VERY ROUGH. WE FEEL THAT THE KEY MAY MOVE FROM THE RUN POSITION WHILE WE ARE DRIVING THE CAR AND THE ENGINE WILL TURN OFF AND WE WILL BE IN GREAT DANGER. WE HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THEY SAID THAT SINCE THE CAR IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST - THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO....WE WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU COULD INVESTIGATE THIS SITUATION. OUR CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN OUR DRIVEWAY FOR 3 MONTHS, BECAUSE WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME -- AWAITING YOUR EARLIEST RESPONSE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
- 10/01/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AS SHE WAS ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. IT HAD RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. ABOUT $600 WORTH OF DAMAGES OCCURRED NOT INCLUDING THE CAUSE OF REPAIRS FOR THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE.*CB
- 09/29/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
KEYS COME OUT OF IGNITION DURING USE. *TR
- 09/25/2020· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER
IGNITION REQUIRES KEY JIGGLE IN ORDER TO START. ELECTRICAL ISSUES SUCH AS CONSTANT SHORTS, MAJOR FAILURE IN SUPPORTING SYSTEMS.
- 09/23/2014· SERVICE BRAKES
I RECENTLY PURCHASED MY SATURN AND REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS IT WAS FINE THEN AFTER 200 MILES THE BRAKES STARTED GRINDING THEN WOULD STOP. CHECKED THE CALIPERS THEY WERE FINE HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS AGAIN DUE TO THE GRINDING BRAKES WERE FINE. 2 WEEKS LATER SAME THING THEN STOPPED IT STARTS AND STOPS GRINDING WHEN IT WANTS. *TR
- 09/23/2009· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENTCrash
THE STARTER MOTOR ENERGIZED WITHOUT A KEY IN THE IGNITION OR ANYONE IN/NEAR THE CAR. IT WAS IN GEAR WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, AND IT RAN OVER A 12 INCH "STOP" AND INTO A FREEZER WHERE IT CONTINUED TO RUN FOR SOMETIME UNTIL IT BURNED UP. THE FREEZER PREVENTED IT FROM GOING THROUGH THE GARAGE WALL AND INTO THE HOUSE. *TR
- 09/16/2005· AIR BAGSCrash
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL1. THE CONTACT STATED HIS DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT AND REAR END COLLISION WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE CONTACT DAUGHTER'S VEHICLE HYDROPLANED INTO A VEHICLE AND WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIRBAGS MAY NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. *AK
- 09/15/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IGNITION CYLINDER IS WORE OUT, WHEN PUTTING IN THE KEY, YOU HAVE TO JIGGLE THE KEY, SOMETIMES TAKES UP TO 10 MINUTES FOR THE KEY TO TURN AND START. SOMETIMES IT WORKS FINE. THIS IS AN OFF AND ON PROBLEM. THIS MONTH (SEPT 2017) IT HAS BEEN REAL BAD. I AM AFRAID TO GO ANYWHERE, FEARING I WILL BE STRANDED.
- 09/14/2005· STRUCTURE
THERE WAS NOTHING THAT LEAD UP TO THE EVENT THE REAR PLASTIC BUMPER COVER FELL OFF I HAVE TO BUY A NEW BUMPER AND MATCHING PAINT. *NM
- 09/10/2004· POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE JERK AND VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION NUMEROUS TIMES. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
- 09/10/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL BRAKES FAILED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED THEM FOUR TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
- 09/08/2014· STEERINGCrash
TL* 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.
- 09/08/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE IT OVERHEATED. ONCE TURNING IT OFF, AND UPON TRYING TO START IT AGAIN, IDLE DROPPED TO ZERO, AND VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER MORE THAN FOUR TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A BAD SENSOR. HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
- 09/07/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELLED TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS EVALUATED THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY DEFECTS IN THE BRAKES. HOWEVER, THEY DID HAVE TO ADD FLUID TO THE BRAKES. LATER THEY CONTACTED THE OWNERS SPOUSE AND SAID THE VEHICLES BRAKE RESPONSE WAS NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE VEHICLE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
- 09/06/2014· STEERING
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. WE WOULD HAVE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL MANY TIMES WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY TURNING THE KEY MANY TIMES TO UNLOCK THE IGNITION. ONE DAY SOON, IT MIGHT NOT TURN. YES, WE KNOW THE ADVISE IS TO USE ONLY A SINGLE KEY, NOT ONE ON A MULTI-KEY RING. HOWEVER, WE BOTH HAVE USED OTHER CARS FOR MANY YEARS, AND NEVER HAD SUCH DIFFICULTY OR FREQUENCY OF PROBLEMS AS THIS SITUATION. *TR
- 09/05/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS REMOVED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000...UPDATED 10/06/14 *BF
- 08/31/2018· SEATSCrash
THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, WAS INVOLVED IN A 3 CAR COLLISION. THE VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY A 1985 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD TRAVELING AT AT LEAST A MODERATE RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO A 2002 AUDI (I BELIEVE IT WAS) SUV. DURING THE COLLISION THE DRIVERS SEAT BACK FAILED AND COLLAPSED INTO THE BACK SEAT. I BELIEVE IT WAS THE SEAT ADJUSTER THAT FAILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION DUE TO THE COLLISION AND THE SEAT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ON A STATE ROAD, AND WAS STATIONARY.
- 08/31/2013· POWER TRAIN
I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP SIGN,WENT TO PUT IT FIRST (5SPEED) AND THE SHIFTER BUSHING BROKE. THE SHIFTER WAS JUST FLOPPING AROUND.I COULD HAVE BEEN IN SERIOUS SITUATION IF I WAS IN THE CITY OR TRAVELING.OR PICKING UP A SENIOR CUSTOMER. *JS
- 08/28/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND RETURNING TWENTY MINUTES LATER, THE IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
- 08/28/2002· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN ON AN INCLINE AND IN PARK, THE ENGINE SURGES AND SOUNDS AS IF IT IS GOING TO FALL OUT.*AK
- 08/22/2006· TIRES
2002 SATURN SL-1 REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. *KB THE CONSUMER NOTICED SOMETHING FLYING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS LOOSING CONTROL AND IMMEDIATELY GRASPED THE STEERING WHEEL TO REGAIN CONTROL. *JB