NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2002 Saturn SL (Page 1 of 2)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
117,834 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Saturn SL electrical problems

electrical problem

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2002 Saturn SL Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Jul 012020

SL

  • 57,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Ignition requires key jiggle in order to start. Electrical issues such as constant shorts, major failure in supporting systems.

- Cumming, GA, USA

problem #20

Oct 152018

SL

  • 141,244 miles
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. * you please help me with finding out if this recall effected my vehicle?

- Bloomington, IL, USA

problem #19

Sep 072017

SL

  • 988,000 miles
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.

- Thousand Oaks, CA, USA

problem #18

Aug 242015

SL

  • 78,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Tarpon Springs, FL, USA

problem #17

Feb 102009

SL 4-cyl

  • 211,795 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Saturn Sl. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed. The ignition switch was replaced on four separate occasions; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 211,795. The consumer stated the vehicle would stall each time. Updated 08/19/15 also, the starter was replaced. Updated 11/19/15.

- Fernandina, FL, USA

problem #16

Jul 072010

SL 4-cyl

  • 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

- New Egypt, NJ, USA

problem #15

Jun 012012

SL

  • 77,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Saturn Sl. While driving approximately 55 mph, the key ejected from the ignition switch without warning. The vehicle continued to run in the on position without the key in the ignition switch. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.

- Mcconnelsville, OH, USA

problem #14

Jul 012014

SL 4-cyl

  • miles
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).

- Oroville, CA, USA

problem #13

Sep 102012

SL 4-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
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

- Henrico, VA, USA

problem #12

Jul 112012

SL

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Saturn Sl. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing ignition failures. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14E021000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 82,500.

- Grafton, OH, USA

problem #11

Jan 212014

SL

  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While car is moving key comes out of ignition.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

problem #10

Jun 122012

SL

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Saturn SL2. The contact stated the vehicle stalled intermittently without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the ignition switch was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the defect. The contact was never notified or informed if his vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V231000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. The current mileage was 85,000.

- Ann Arbor , MI, USA

problem #9

May 012007

SL 4-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
When I removed the keys from my car it kept running. They keys have only fallen out twice, but I have since removed all the extras from the key fob. But the car should not continue to run after it has been placed in park and the key removed from the ignition. I know it is an older car and currently has 135,000 miles on it. I have had diligent maintenance performed on it since I purchased it new in 2002. The problem occurred when it had 45,000 miles on it and should have been replaced by GM, but I was advised it was a costly expense for me. GM should replace the ignition at their cost.

- Greenville, SC, USA

problem #8

Apr 222014

SL

  • 104,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Saturn SL1. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the key failed to turn to start the engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 104,000.

- South Berwick, ME, USA

problem #7

Apr 112013

SL 4-cyl

  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Saturn Sl. The contact stated that the key was unable to be removed from the ignition. The contact also stated that the key was able to be removed while the vehicle was being operated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 72,000. Updated 5/27/14 updated 06/02/2014

- New Egypt, NJ, USA

problem #6

Mar 172014

SL

  • 155,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Saturn ls. The contact stated while the driver drove at low speed in a parking lot the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact's independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and located the failure at the ignition switch. The contact notified the manufacturer, who advised the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 155,000.

- Chesterfield , MI, USA

problem #5

Mar 012005

SL 4-cyl

  • miles
The GM ignition problems prompting the current recall also affected the car above. I bought the 2002 Saturn new in March of 2003, and owned it for over 10 years, selling it last fall to a friend. I had it at the jake sweeney (cincinnati) dealership several times for strange "electrical" problems. (car did not have auto door locks or windows - everything was manual). I would be driving, when all the dash gauges would go out. It would register no speed, no temp, no gas, no rpms. Odometer didn't move. I could drive the car, stop and start. Then suddenly it would "come to". the dealership thought I was nuts, until finally in early 2013, I was able to get it to the dealership while it was doing it. After days of diagnostics, they said it was the ignition. They replaced the whole thing (at my expense) and the problem was solved. They said "were you aware that you could take the key out while the car was in drive?" (I had not been aware).

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #4

Jun 152011

SL 4-cyl

  • 155,062 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Saturn Sl. The contact stated that he attempted to start the vehicle but the engine would not start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the ignition switch would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 155,062.

- Fair Hope, AL, USA

problem #3

Jan 022009

SL

  • miles
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.

- Hanover Twp, PA, USA

problem #2

Jul 212009

SL

  • 100,414 miles
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.

- Centennial, CO, USA

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