2002 Saturn SL engine and engine cooling problems
16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine and engine cooling on the 2002 Saturn SL — 12% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 saturn sl. Whenever the contact starts the vehicle, the ignition control module fails and the ignition will not start. She had new keys made, but this did not correct the issue. During the failure, the check engine indicator remains illuminated and will not dim. The…”
filed Feb 10, 2009
“While the car was still under warrant, I took it to the dealer with a complaint that the engine would not accelerate well and described it as "sluggish". After checking it, it was determined that it was not the engine. When I kept noticing that the oil in the car was extremely low between oil…”
filed Feb 5, 2008
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains…
16-NA-383 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 13, 2024This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the…
22-NA-074 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 22, 2024
Engine and Engine Cooling problems in other SL years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 SL | 18 | 16% |
| 2000 SL | 34 | 23% |
| 1999 SL | 45 | 25% |
| 1998 SL | 28 | 17% |
| 1997 SL | 38 | 17% |
| 1996 SL | 63 | 22% |
| 1995 SL | 67 | 19% |
| 1994 SL | 38 | 13% |
| 1993 SL | 30 | 17% |
| 1992 SL | 24 | 20% |
| 1991 SL | 2 | 7% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2002 Saturn SL
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.