Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Saturn LS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2002 Saturn J-Type. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle's brake lights failed to illuminate. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V245000 (Exterior Lighting), however, the part to do the recall repair is no longer being manufactured. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
Rear tail lights will not work. Have checked all fuses relays,and even changed the turn signal switch. My car is currently at the garage. Original appointment was only for inspection. Mechanic has not yet located the issue. Also has no dash lights. Parking lights. Had I known this in advance would have returned car immediately.
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Saturn l. The contact stated that the vehicle began to slow down without warning. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and exited the vehicle. The vehicle began to emit smoke from the hood and suddenly caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was totaled. There were no injuries and a report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Smoke started coming from the turn signal switch in the steering wheel column it got worse and then the handle melted off and then in minutes the flames ignited and the car was completely inflamed. Right before this happened my daughter drove the car up the street to take my son to the bus stop when she brought it back home the smoke started from the steering wheel column. The car was parked in my driveway about 30 feet from my house
The car was brought into the Saturn dalership in dec 2003 to fix a recall on the electrical system: ignition: module. The recall on our vehicle was closed. The vehicle had not shown any problems since that time until recently, March 2, 2005. I went to start the car on the 2nd of March and the car was difficult to start. Once started, the car ran very rough and lost power when I tried to give it gas. When my husband tried to drive the car later, the car backfired and seemed to be missing. We had our mechanic come look at initially that night, and he asked us to bring the car to his shop. Although we would have to drive it very slow, he didn't see any reason why the car could not be driven to the shop instead of having it towed. My husband took the car to the shop and en route, the car lost power, the brakes went out, it then began to smoke so much my husband could barely see. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Saturn l300. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the contact notice smoke emitting from the steering column. The contact mentioned that the battery low and check engine light illuminated on the instrumental panel. Immediately after the warning lights illuminated, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the steering column and ignition sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. Updated 10/23/14
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Saturn LS. While attempting to start the vehicle, the engine failed to start, the key fob failed to lock and unlock the vehicle, the interior lighting failed to illuminate, and the instrument panel malfunctioned. The dealer stated that the body control module and ignition control module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V231000 (electrical system). The approximate failure mileage was 125,000. Updated 02/05/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Saturn l300. The contact stated that there was an abnormal odor coming from the vehicle. The maintenance and the check engine warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the evaporative emission control system had a leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V231000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000. ...updated 07/05/16 the fuel pump was replaced. Updated 07/15/16
Affected parts drop box not functional. Electrical system is defective. Noticed smoke from turn signal area. Pulled to emergency lane, pulled off rubber flap and smoke was pouring into cabin. Turned car off. Could not see flames, smoke stopped after a few minutes. Needless to say turn signals, headlight dimmer, radio, blower motor, door locks are now all malfunctioning. Already had to pay for BCM replacement as not covered under recalls. This make/model is dangerous and needs all complaints addressed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Saturn LS. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the ignition control module was replaced from a previous recall; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,528.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition › Module
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.
Remedy: 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…
NHTSA investigations
Inoperative tail lamps
General motors has decided that a safety related defect exists on certain model Saturn sedans and wagons.the plastic housing in the rear tail lamp assembly can become distorted if the brake lamps remain on for an extended time.this can cause (1) an intermittently inoperative brake/tail lamp bulb or (2) a short circuit that opens a fuse causing inoperative brake or tail lamps (including the center high-mounted stop…
Inoperative tail lamps
On January 25, 2005, a safety defect petition was received by the office of defects investigation (odi), requesting an investigation of inoperative tail lamps on my 2000-2002 Saturn l-series vehicles.the petitioner alleges a defect in the design and assembly of the tail lamp assembly circuit board and light socket contact.the petitioner identified 47 vehicle owner questionnaire's (voq's) associated with the alleged…
Electrical complaints in other LS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2002 Saturn LS?
NHTSA has 102 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Saturn LS, 21% of the model year's 493 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › module (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Saturn LS electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-231 (module, Jun 23, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Saturn LS electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 7 fires and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.