Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Dt: the contact purchased a used vehicle two years ago, and the second day after purchasing the vehicle there was a roaring noise from the front of the vehicle. The dealer said this was a problem with the front tires ,and the dealer replaced both tires. About two weeks later the noise returned. The vehicle has been to the dealer numerous times for numerous repairs. The vehicle would jerk to the right which caused the contact to hit a curb. There were no injuries but a police report was taken. There have been multiple repairs to the wheel bearings and joints which have not corrected this problem. Also the motor mounts and axles have been replaced in hopes of correcting this problem. The dealer has never been able to accurately repair the vehicle. Currently there is a need for new rotors and more tires. …
While driving consumer her head a roaring in the front end. Drive shift caused consumer to wreck 2002 Saturn. The consumer noticed noise/vibration in the front end. The consumer has replaced several tires. When the brakes were applied the vehicle would pull to the left. An alignment was performed correcting the rear cam and setting the front and rear toe. A collapsed motor mount caused rough idle. The rotors and pads had to be replaced. The rear hub assembly had to be replaced twice. Left rear hub bearing had to be replaced. The front driver's side drive axle assembly had to be replaced.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Saturn LS. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle jerked and the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle did not accelerate. The vehicle was pulled over to the shoulder of the highway where it stalled. The vehicle did not restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the timing chain failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,192. Updated 6/8/15
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the entire right front wheel assembly detached, causing the contact to have to guide the vehicle down the right guardrail with the brake depressed to keep the vehicle under control. Also, the air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was taken to a private repair shop, where the mechanic determined that the entire transaxle assembly had been smoothly sheared off. There were no repairs made immediately. There was a police report filed, and the manufacturer was also informed. Updated 10/25/2006 -
Encountered rough gear changes while driving. Took the car to a GM dealer for an inspection. The trouble code p1811 was " transmission fluid leakage causing pressure control solenoid malfunction per c obt" recommend transmission replacement"
On Friday, January 29, 2010, my daughter was driving on the highway, when the car started knocking and then just cut off. She was not able to restart it and struggled to quickly guide it to the shoulder of the road. She then called a wrecker who towed it to a local garage. They ran an analysis and discovered the timing chain had broken. He said , in his opinion, that this was highly unusual which spurred us to search the internet to learn if this was a documented problem with other 2002 Saturn l200's with less than 100,000 miles, and apparently it is. We called the only Saturn dealership left in our city and were told that her VIN number was not on the recall list. With all that I have read in the past 24 hours, I find it very hard to believe this problem is only limited to just the 2001 l200 series. …
I lost power at highway speeds and at full throttle there was no acceleration. It made a loud boom like a backfire and a large piece of material that looked fiberglass matting and rocks blew out of the exhaust. The car accelerated fine for about 15 miles then started to bog down again. Shut off vehicle and tried to restart unsuccessful, waited a few hours then car restarted with no issues ran vehicle off and on over a three day period, that is when it started malfunctioning again with very rough idle, almost dies, extreme loss of power w/almost no acceleration at full throttle. Contacted mechanic the vehicle resonator was expanded to the point of splitting the seam, he removed the resonator to find all the fiber packing gone and the resonator packed with what looked like rocks. …
Dt*: the contact stated recall letter #05V245000 concerning the brake lights was received in December 2005. However, the vehicle was not experiencing any problems and was not taken to the dealer for immediate repair. Recently, the contact was alerted by another driver that the brake lights were not working. The vehicle was driven to the dealer for inspection, and the dealer installed two tail lights, reinforced socket adapters and sockets under the recall. Also, the dealer determined the brake light switch needed to be replaced, but this work has not been completed. When the vehicle was taken from the dealer, the cruise control no longer worked, the gear shift became difficult to shift into drive, and the parking lights and brake lights no longer worked. The dealer informed the contact these items failed as a result of the need to replace the brake light switch. Updated 05/30/06.
I was driving home on 7/26/08 Saturday night, and all of the sudden my engine just shut off. I had no warning and almost got in an accident. I pulled over and had to push the car into a parking lot at 11:00 pm. I did hear a noise from the engine right before it stopped, but I had no idea what it was. I had my mechanic tow it to his shop only to have him call me and tell me the timing chain had broken. It is going to cost 2000.00 dollars to fix and I am a single mother, and don't have that kind of money. I guess I am trying to figure out why Saturn can get away with only recalling certain year cars for this problem!!!! My car is a Saturn l200 series, and I got it in 2002. It only has 45000 miles on it, and I can't believe this timing chain randomly broke!!! They should be held accountable for all the cars in question no matter what the cost. I almost made my daughter motherless!!!!!!!!!!
Takata recall vehicle in park when started. Lights dim an go bright on dash. Fan goes on when motor not hot. When fan goes on and car is being driven car will jump when car shifts gears. I only can drive on side roads. To nervous to go on highway now. Only happens when cooling fan is on. I have seen lots of reports that people post of other cars like mine having same issues. Was told they reported it. Nothing was done. Seriously this needs to be addressed. Shouldn't matter were the car was made. Parts are the same. I haven't brought it in since 2017. I don't have money for repairs or fix it if it's the manufacturs faulty parts. I've already put 1400 dollars for replacement of fuel pump an other parts. An this problem still exists. Please let me know if an when you can look into this issue.
Transmission complaints in other LS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2002 Saturn LS?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2002 Saturn LS, 5% of the model year's 493 complaints. The component named most often is axle assembly (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Saturn LS transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.