Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2002 Saturn LS
NHTSA data on file today
The 2002 Saturn LS has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 493 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #05V245000 REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #05V158000 SIDE REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR/FMVSS 210 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V231000 GM/IGNITION CONTROL MODULE NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 200 complaints
- Electrical System 102 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 69 complaints
- Engine 43 complaints
- Fuel System, Gasoline 34 complaints
- Power Train 26 complaints
Of the 493 complaints on file, 12 report a crash and 12 a fire; across all 493 complaints, owners report 8 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,000–$8,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2002 Saturn LS has a below-average reliability rating, largely due to numerous engine and electrical system complaints. The vehicle has 493 owner complaints and three recall campaigns, suggesting significant issues with key systems. However, the data is limited with few specifics on non-recall components.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 60,000–100,000 miles | $1,000–$3,000 | very common |
| Electrical system | 50,000–90,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | very common |
| Ignition module | 70,000–120,000 miles | $300–$800 | common |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake pad and rotor replacement
- Tire rotations and balances
- Transmission fluid change
- Coolant flush and refill
- Brake fluid replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Engine misfires or rough idle
- Ignition failure lighting up SES
- Persistent electrical issues
- Brake light stays on
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2002 Saturn LS at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.