The Lemon Index
20012nd generation
Better than average · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
75 owner complaints, first 3 years 26–29 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2002 Ford Taurus 622002 Toyota Avalon 412002 Volkswagen Golf 344
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 12,000 and 48,000 miles (19,000–77,000 km) (the middle half of the 30 complaints, of all 75 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 09E012000 (lights) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Saturn's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 75 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 12K to 48K miles (19K to 77K km) on the car (30 of all 75 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Transmission was defective, when shifting it down shifted and changed gears on its own. Manufacturer to date has offered no assistance.
2002 Saturn SL owner · NHTSA complaint 10102004
More owner reports
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.
NHTSA complaint 10050569
When putting the gear shift in reverse vehicle would not move. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection.
NHTSA complaint 10072203
Recalls 1
- Lights · recall issued 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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,050–$2,300 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.9L 4-cyl.
Every Saturn SL year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2002 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/saturn-sl/?y=2002" title="Saturn SL reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="284" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/saturn-sl/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 Saturn SL reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 Saturn SL reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 63; 100 is average, lower is better). The Saturn SL year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2001.
What are the most common 2002 Saturn SL problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (19%), engine (13%) and brakes (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Saturn SL have?
1 safety recall (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Saturn SL get?
26 to 29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Saturn SL problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 12,000 and 48,000 miles (19,000–77,000 km) (the middle half of the 30 complaints, of all 75 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2002 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2002 Saturn SL have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 19% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Saturn SL cost in fuel a year?
About $2,050 to $2,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Saturn SL have?
1.9L 4-cyl.
What Saturn SL year is better than the 2002?
Nearby, the 2001 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works