Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2002 Saturn SL
NHTSA data on file today
The 2002 Saturn SL has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 131 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09E012000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 43 complaints
- Power Train 22 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 16 complaints
- Air Bags 9 complaints
- Seats 9 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 8 complaints
Of the 131 complaints on file, 20 report a crash and 5 a fire; across all 131 complaints, owners report 16 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$7,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2002 Saturn SL demonstrates below-average reliability, primarily due to frequent electrical issues and moderate powertrain complaints. While there are few serious recalls, owner complaints about electrical systems and powertrain components are significant and indicate potential areas of costly repair.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| electrical system | 100,000–150,000 miles | $400–$800 | very common |
| transmission | 90,000–130,000 miles | $1,200–$2,200 | common |
| brake system | 70,000–100,000 miles | $300–$600 | 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
- Tire rotations and balancing
- Brake inspections and replacements
- Transmission fluid replacement
- Coolant system flush
- Air filter replacements
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Electrical flickering or faults
- Grinding or slipping in transmission
- Overheating or coolant leaks
- Unusual brake noise or feel
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2002 Saturn SL at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.