2002 Saturn LS Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 2002 Saturn LS, and owners have filed 493 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
3 safety recalls for the 2002 Saturn LS
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Brake lights (exterior lighting)
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.
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.
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Seat belts
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.
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.
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Electrical system: module
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"…
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…
493 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2002 Saturn LS have filed 493 complaints with NHTSA; 12 describe a crash and 12 describe a fire. Reports cite 8 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 80,759 miles. Complaints peaked in 2006 with 54 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Rear tail lights will not work. Have checked all fuses relays,and even changed the turn signal switch. My car is currently at the garage. Original appointment was only for inspection. Mechanic has not”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 1, 2023 · Electrical system
“The contact owns a 2002 Saturn J-Type. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle's brake lights failed to illuminate. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 3, 2023 · Unknown or other
Compare Saturn LS model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Saturn LS model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 Saturn LS | 6 | 382 |
| 2001 Saturn LS | 7 | 582 |
| 2002 Saturn LS | 3 | 493 |
| 2004 Saturn LS | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 2002 Saturn LS
How do I know if my 2002 Saturn LS has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 2002 Saturn LS; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Saturn dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 03V231000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Saturn models
- Ion4,343 complaints
- Vue2,351 complaints
- SL2,218 complaints
- Aura1,439 complaints
- Outlook1,352 complaints
- Sky516 complaints
- SC1413 complaints
- Sc296 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.