2002 SATURN SC Problems & Recalls
Detailed safety information and owner complaints
Problem Breakdown
Compare to Other Years
Common Problems
FRONT END ACCIDENT. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CAR WAS IN MOTION, WENT THROUGH A RAIL OVER A EMBANKMENT AND DOWN THE HILL INTO THE LAKE.
Mileage: 90,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE DRIVING. AT TIMES, THE CONTACT HAD DIFFICULTY PLACING THE KEY IN AND OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. TH...
CAR HAS HAD ISSUES WITH THE STARTER OVER THE YEARS, REQUIRING COUNTLESS REPLACEMENTS BEFORE THE RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT DATES. RECENTLY, A STARTER LASTED ONLY 6 MONTHS BEFORE FAILING. WHEN A MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE STARTER, HE SAID THAT THERE IS PROBABLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE IGNITION CAUSING TH...
Mileage: 118,000
I CONTACTED GM'S CUSTOMER SERVICE REGARDING MY IGNITION SWITCH WHICH IS STUCK ON ACCESSORY AND HAS BEEN DRAINING MY BATTERY. MY CAR WAS A YEAR BEFORE THE RECALLED IGNITION SWITCHES IN OTHER SATURN BUT AFTER SIGNIFICANT RESEARCH IT APPEARED TO BE SIMILAR ISSUES THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE RECALLS HAD. T...
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START UNTIL AFTER AWAITING SEVERAL HOURS LATER. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. ALSO,THE KEY BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. IN ADDITION, THE KEY RELEASED INDEPENDENTLY FROM T...
Mileage: 134,000
PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT AT APPROX. 15 MPH. CAR WENT OVER A SPEEDBUMP AND AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED. NO PASSENGER WAS IN THE SEAT AT THE TIME. VEHICLE IGNITION "LOCKS" AFTER KEY IS REMOVED, SOMETIMES MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN KEY WHEN STARTING CAR AG...
Mileage: 150,000
HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE TURNING THE IGNITION AS IT JAMS AND AT TIMES FEARFUL IT MAY NOT TURN NEXT TIME I TRY TO START IT .....BUT TODAY WHILE WAITING AT A RED LIGHT...CAR RUNNING, RADIO ON AND INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS ON...EVERYTHING JUST SHUT DOWN....THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN...BUT T...
Mileage: 141,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION TURNED FROM THE ON POSITION TO THE OFF POSITION ON ITS OWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE V...
Mileage: 98,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A LOT, THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS AND EXERT FORCE TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE AND COIL SPRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE W...
Mileage: 5,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A LOT, THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS AND EXERT FORCE TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE AND COIL SPRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE W...
Mileage: 5,000
THE KEYS TO THE IGNITION SWITCH HAVE WORN DOWN SO MUCH THAT THEY WILL NOT WORK. I PURCHASED NEW KEY BLANKS, WENT TO THE DEALER AND HAD THEM COPY THE KEYS. THE DEALER HAD TO RUN THE KEYS THROUGH THE MACHINE TWICE TO CUT THEM PROPERLY. THE NEW KEYS WORK, BUT A VERY GREAT DEAL OF FRICTION IS FELT WHEN ...
Mileage: 65,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER AND ISSUED NEW KEYS. T...
Mileage: 44,000
ALMOST FROM THE START THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD LOCK UP TRYING TO START THE CAR. FRONT AND BACK LIGHTS HAVE WATER INSIDE, BRAKES HAVE NEVER WORKED RIGHT GOING ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR WITH NO AIR IN LINES. SUNROOF ALSO QUIT. FRONT DRIVER DOOR METAL CRACKS WHEN OPENING. ENGINE ALSO LOOKING LIKE TROUBLE. ...
Mileage: 1,200
ALMOST FROM THE START THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD LOCK UP TRYING TO START THE CAR. FRONT AND BACK LIGHTS HAVE WATER INSIDE, BRAKES HAVE NEVER WORKED RIGHT GOING ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR WITH NO AIR IN LINES. SUNROOF ALSO QUIT. FRONT DRIVER DOOR METAL CRACKS WHEN OPENING. ENGINE ALSO LOOKING LIKE TROUBLE. ...
Mileage: 1,200
ALMOST FROM THE START THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD LOCK UP TRYING TO START THE CAR. FRONT AND BACK LIGHTS HAVE WATER INSIDE, BRAKES HAVE NEVER WORKED RIGHT GOING ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR WITH NO AIR IN LINES. SUNROOF ALSO QUIT. FRONT DRIVER DOOR METAL CRACKS WHEN OPENING. ENGINE ALSO LOOKING LIKE TROUBLE. ...
Mileage: 1,200
ALMOST FROM THE START THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD LOCK UP TRYING TO START THE CAR. FRONT AND BACK LIGHTS HAVE WATER INSIDE, BRAKES HAVE NEVER WORKED RIGHT GOING ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR WITH NO AIR IN LINES. SUNROOF ALSO QUIT. FRONT DRIVER DOOR METAL CRACKS WHEN OPENING. ENGINE ALSO LOOKING LIKE TROUBLE. ...
Mileage: 1,200
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY WAS PLACED IN THE IGNITION, THE THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS N...
Mileage: 89,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SC1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD SUDDENLY LOCK. SHE TRIED TO ROCK THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH BUT IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE CYLINDER AND THE HOUS...
Mileage: 80,000
LEFT HEAD LIGHT HAS A LEAK OR WATER KEEPS GETTING IN AND BURNING OUT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS. *TR
Mileage: 50,000
LEFT HEAD LIGHT HAS A LEAK OR WATER KEEPS GETTING IN AND BURNING OUT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS. *TR
Mileage: 50,000
2002 SATURN SC1 LOST ENGINE--OIL IN COOLANT AT 80,000 MILES. THE MECHANIC THAT DISASSEMBLED THE ENGINE STATED THAT THE CAMSHAFT JOURNALS WERE WORN SO BAD THAT THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RE-BUILT. REPLACED ENGINE 5 MONTHS AGO, LAST WEEK, AUTO TRANSMISSION STOPPED ENGAGING REVERSE GEAR. DISCUSSED WITH ...
Mileage: 80,000
2002 SATURN SC1 LOST ENGINE--OIL IN COOLANT AT 80,000 MILES. THE MECHANIC THAT DISASSEMBLED THE ENGINE STATED THAT THE CAMSHAFT JOURNALS WERE WORN SO BAD THAT THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RE-BUILT. REPLACED ENGINE 5 MONTHS AGO, LAST WEEK, AUTO TRANSMISSION STOPPED ENGAGING REVERSE GEAR. DISCUSSED WITH ...
Mileage: 80,000
AFTER READING SEVERAL CASES OF WHICH SATURN IGNITION LOCKING UP. SO I THOUGHT I WOULD GIVE IT A SHOT TO FILE A COMPLAINT TO SEE IF MANY A RECALL WILL BE ISSUED. I REALLY NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY SATURN UNTIL A FEW MONTHS AGO WHEN I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN OVER. I JUST ...
Mileage: 105,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SC1. THE VEHICLE WAS A SALVAGED VEHICLE FROM A CERTIFIED DEALER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT BELIEVES IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE TO HAVE NON-FUNCTIONING AIR BAGS. THE ...
Mileage: 48,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SC1. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT SMELLED COOLANT IN THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF ...
Mileage: 60,000
THE 2002 SATURN SC1 NEEDED AN INTAKE MANIFOLD AT 60, 000 MILES BECAUSE IT WAS PLACED ON WRONG SIDE AT THE FACTORY. THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY GOT ALOT OF THESE COMPLAINTS, SHOULD THIS WARRANT A RECALL.*AK
AT AROUND 75000 MILES I PULLED INTO WORK, PUT IT IN PARK, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY ENGINE STARTED TO REV, (INCREASING WITHOUT LEVELING. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE CAR TO STOP THE INCREASED REVVING. I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR ON AGAIN , HOPING IT WAS A FLUKE. AND IT STARTED AGAIN. I GOT IT TOWED TO ...
Mileage: 75,000
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SC-2. WHILE SLOWLY MOVING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLICKING SOUND. THE CONTACT NOTICED A TIRE WAS FLAT BECAUSE THE COIL SPRING PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW OF THE DEALERS DIAGNOSIS OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE MILEA...
ON 2/1/07 MY CAR STARTED RUNNING ROUGH, WITH NO SES LIGHT COMING ON. AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS THE SES LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. A DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET HAD CAUSED THE ROUGH IDLE, AND THE DEALER SAID THAT IF I LEFT GO TO LONG ENOUGH IT COULD HAVE CAUSED T...
Mileage: 37,200
ON 2/1/07 MY CAR STARTED RUNNING ROUGH, WITH NO SES LIGHT COMING ON. AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS THE SES LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. A DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET HAD CAUSED THE ROUGH IDLE, AND THE DEALER SAID THAT IF I LEFT GO TO LONG ENOUGH IT COULD HAVE CAUSED T...
Mileage: 37,200
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON A DRY HIGHWAY SOMEONE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS HIT HEAD ON. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SIDE OBTAINED THE MOST DAMAGE. THERE WERE NOT ANY LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD PRIOR TO THE INCIDEN...
Mileage: 56,000
SEAT BELT HAS BECOME TORN AND FRAYED, CAUSED BY SEAT BELT RETRACTION DEVICE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS ON THE 2001-2002 SATURN SC1. *NM
Mileage: 32,000
ASSISTANCE REQUESTED REGARDING 2002 SATURN SC-1.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS LIED TO ABOUT THE VEHICLE NOT BEING IN AN ACCIDENT PREVIOUSLY. *JB
DT: CONSUMER HAS A 2002 SATURN SC2. HE HAS A PROBLEM WITH BOTH HEADLIGHTS, THEY HAVE ACCUMULATED CONDENSATION INSIDE OF THE GLASS FRONT OF THE HEADLIGHT. HE SAYS THAT THE MOISTURE IS ALWAYS IN THE HEADLIGHT, DAY, NIGHT, RAIN OR SHINE. HE SAYS THAT IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT DUE TO THE MOISTURE...
ON FEBRUARY 11, 2005 I WAS INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT. I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP AND REAR ENDED BY A PERSON MOST LIKELY GOING ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR. I OWN A SATURN SC1 2000. MY SEAT WENT FORWARD AND THEN COMPLETELY COLLAPSED INTO THE BACK SEAT. THIS IS VERY SIGNIFICANT FOR THE FOLLOWIN...
Mileage: 88,000
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE PEDAL WENT DOWN. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED AND CLEANED. THE MECHANIC CLEANED AND ADJUSTED THE BRAK...
Mileage: 4,000
THE SPARK PLUG WIRES ARE ARCHING AND SPARKING WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INITIALLY CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS. DEALER CONTACTED THE DIVISION OFFICE WHICH TOLD HIM TO PUT THE OLD SPARK PLUGS BACK ON THE VEHICLE. *AK *MR
Mileage: 11,000
ON AUGUST 16, 2003 I CARRIED THE CAR TO A MIDAS LOCATION TO HAVE MY BRAKES AND ALIGNMENT CHECKED. UPON LEAVING THEY GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE SAYING I NEEDED MY ROTORS RESURFACED, REAR BRAKES SERVICED, AND MY FRONT BRAKES SERVICED. WHICH CAME TO A TOTAL OF $148.21. SO, THEREFORE I CALLED SATURN, AND HAD A...
Mileage: 13,695
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE CONSUMER S VEHICLE HEAD ON. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON IMPACT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *NLM
MY VEHICLE WAS IN A HEAD-ON CRASH AND NONE OF THE FOUR AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. MY VEHICLE WAS A 2002 SATURN SC2 ,AND IS NOW A TOTAL LOSS. IT'S VIN NUMBER IS [XXX]. THERE WERE 4 PEOPLE IN THE CAR AND ALL SUSTAINED INJURIES, ONE SERIOUS.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMAT...
DRESS PANEL, ON DRIVERS SIDE CONNECTED TO CENTER CONSOLE FALLS OFF WHEN DRIVING. WHEN IT COMES OFF IT THEN GETS JAMMED UNDER THE THROTTLE. *AK
THE CONSUMER HIT A POT HOLE IN THE ROAD, WHICH CAUSED HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB
I HAVE HAD 2 BLOWOUTS ON MY CAR. I HAVE FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA TIRES. BOTH HAPPENED WITHIN A COUPLE MONTHS TIME AND HAD TO BE REPLACED
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY THAT THE STOPPING DISTANCE HAS INCREASED ALSO THE CONSUMER HEARS SOME NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. NLM
VEHICLE VIBRATES WHEN TRAVELING AT 50 MPH OR HIGHER.*AK