The Lemon Index
20031st generation
Better than average · most complaints: electrical
Better years to buy
53 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2002 Toyota RAV4 352002 Honda CR-V 912002 Ford Escape 281
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2002 Saturn Vue
- Timing chain29 complaintsmostly at 65,000–117,000 miles (105,000–188,000 km)
- Engine stalling22 complaintsmostly at 53,000–103,000 miles (86,000–165,000 km)
- Throttle body / loss of power15 complaintsmostly at 68,000–117,000 miles (109,000–188,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 167 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Saturn Vue (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 8,000 and 49,000 miles (13,000–79,000 km) (the middle half of the 32 complaints, of all 53 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 recalls 14V490000 (electrical) and 01V386000 (seat belts) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Saturn sent dealers 485 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some customers may comment about a rattle or tapping noise coming from the steering column…”?
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 53 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 8K to 48K miles (13K to 79K km) on the car (32 of all 53 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
When my 2002 Saturn Vue is very cold 20 degrees or colder inside car the horn is very hard to push the plastic will not flex many women wuold not be able to use the horm.
2002 Saturn Vue owner · NHTSA complaint 10003044
More owner reports
The horn failed. Dealership said that consumer hit the horn pad too hard and damaged the wiring. The problem was not resolved.
NHTSA complaint 10101277
While driving at any speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. This problem occurred three times. Dealer notified.
NHTSA complaint 10034236
Problems Saturn told dealers about
Saturn sent dealers 485 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some customers may comment about a rattle or tapping noise coming from the steering column…
- Some customers may comment about a ratle or tapping noise coming from the steering column…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, it may be possible for the key to be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." SOME VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH REAR OUTER SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLT…
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
Government investigations
- ClosedTiming chain failure2006
- ClosedRear suspension toe control link2004
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,750–$3,150 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.2L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Saturn Vue 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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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/saturn-vue/?y=2002" title="Saturn Vue reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="376" 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-vue/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 Saturn Vue reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 Saturn Vue 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 69; 100 is average, lower is better). The Saturn Vue year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2005.
What are the most common 2002 Saturn Vue problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (21%), transmission & drivetrain (19%) and steering (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Saturn Vue have?
2 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Saturn Vue get?
19 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Saturn Vue problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 8,000 and 49,000 miles (13,000–79,000 km) (the middle half of the 32 complaints, of all 53 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 Vue have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 19% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Saturn Vue cost in fuel a year?
About $2,750 to $3,150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Saturn Vue have?
2.2L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Saturn Vue year is better than the 2002?
Nearby, the 2005 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit under 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