Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Saturn l100. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated as engine power began to reduce independently. The contact merged to the shoulder, shut off and then restarted the vehicle. The contact then saw smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The manufacturer was contact and advised that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the brakes, fuel filter and fuel line would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000 and the current mileage was 168,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Saturn LS. While pumping fuel into the fuel tank, the contact noticed that fuel was leaking out of the tank. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the leakage seemed to come from the tube, but was not completely sure. The contact also noticed that the brake lines were rusted. The contact researched the failure online. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The contact also stated that the service engine indicator was illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.
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
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Saturn LS. The contact stated that there was a fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The contact discovered that fuel was leaking from the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump fractured. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. Updated 09/25/15 updated 11/28/2017
This vehicle is leaking fuel from the top of the fuel tank when the car is running. There is a recall for the Saturn vue for the same problem. There should be a recall for all saturns having the same issue. Https://youtu.be/fjhvmoi4358
There were no special events (accidents, unusual road conditions, etc) precipitating this problem. We have a 2002 Saturn l200 with 75.5K mi.s on it. We have been increasingly smelling gasoline odor coming from this car after parking it. I got underneath the car and found that liquid gasoline is coming from on top of the gas tank and soaking the sides of the tank. When I called the dealer, the service dept seemed familiar with the problem. They said it is likely a leaking fitting on the fuel pump; requiring a new fuel pump $400+. We own an 2002 Ford f-150 that had a recent recall on a cruise control device that they said could cause a fire after engine shutdown-we had that recall done although we had no problems. The gas leak we are having on our Saturn seems much more volatile than the Ford's problem. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Saturn l-series sedan. When the contact drives the vehicle and parks, he smells gasoline. He checked under the hood, but could not locate any leaks. He walked to the rear of the vehicle and the smell of gasoline intensified. He looked underneath the vehicle, but could not locate any leaks. The manufacturer advised him to take the vehicle to a local dealer; however, the contact did not feel safe driving 20 miles if the fuel tank was leaking. The manufacturer also stated that he could take the vehicle to bounds autoplex. When the contact arrived, the mechanic could smell the gasoline; however, he could not locate any leaks under the hood. The manager was notified and was able to locate a leak on top of the gas tank. The contact decided to take the vehicle to American auto, where they removed the fuel tank and identified the location of the failure. …
I am following up on a complaint which I had filed about a week ago. Odi id number : 10407378. The incident started with a gasoline smell in and outside the vehicle. The repair cost me $900.00 to fix a faulty fuel pump after my mechanic had performed a smoke test and a pressure test of the gas tank. I have 72,200 miles on my 2002 Saturn l200 sedan. I have been reading other complaints here and it is very sad that our American car manufacturers are not stepping forward to issue a recall on this particular problems and others. The fact that no one was injured or died from this incident and others is no excuse not to issue a recall. This is irresponsible and negligent. I also own a 2002 Nissan frontier xe and the manufacturer issued a recall on a steering shaft that a rust issue and it might contribute to a failure and issued a recall. …
Vehicle: 2002 Saturn l100 with 80,800 miles. Date: December 2013 to January 2014 problem: for at least a month I started smelling gasoline fumes coming from underneath the rear and side areas of vehicle after having driven it and stopping and shutting off engine. After inspecting underneath vehicle, no signs of leaking fuel appeared. After doing some research on the cars' fuel system, I suspected the leak was occurring on top of the fuel tank around fuel pump or fuel lines. Solution: took the vehicle in to a mechanic to have fuel tank removed to find problem of leaking fuel. After it was removed, the problem was found. The fuel pump nipple return line was cracked and broken resulting in leaking fuel down onto the top of the tank, causing the resulting fuel smell. Total cost to replace fuel pump and labor was $511.64. …
I noticed a very strong smell of gasoline and took my 2002 Saturn vehicle to mechanic who informed me that the fuel pump was likely the issue. Without dropping the tank he was not 100% sure. Repair was made to a nipple near the fuel tank to see if that was the problem. The smell went away for approximately 3 months and at that time returned. I returned the vehicle to the mechanic and he dropped the fuel tank to confirm the fuel pump was damaged. Repair was made at a significant cost to owner. (fyi - in 2010, 2 days after repairing the fuel pump, the transmission failed. It was repaired, and approximately 2 weeks after the transmission repair the body control module (BCM) failed and was repaired. Now, in 2013 my timing belt has broken and I was informed my engine is garbage. …
NHTSA investigations
Fuel pump leaks
The office of defects investigation opened this investigation based on nine vehicle owner questionnaire (voq) reports alleging gasoline leakage from the in-tank fuel pump assembly.some complainants reported leaks from the fuel pump nipple (I.e., the fitting for the fuel supply and/or return hoses).others reported leakage from fuel pump cracks, fuel pump lines, and from the top of the fuel tank.odi was unable to…
Fuel System complaints in other LS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2002 Saturn LS?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2002 Saturn LS, 9% of the model year's 493 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Saturn LS fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2002 Saturn LS, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Saturn LS fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion 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.