2002 Saturn L-Series Saturn L-Series 2002

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2002 Saturn L-Series repairs by problem area

Engine (50%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (0%)

Brakes and Traction Control (2%)

Suspension and Steering (15%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (27%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (4%)

Other (2%)

Chart based on 48 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2002 Saturn L-Series.

2002 Saturn L-Series repair cost distribution

$2500+ (2%)

$1000 - $2499 (2%)

$500 - $999 (17%)

$100 - $499 (52%)

< $100 (27%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 48 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2002 Saturn L-Series 4dr Wagon

182-horsepower 3.0L V6 4-speed automatic FWD

Saturn L-Series in California, United States
Feb 2011 - Jul 2011
May 2011

105000 mi

US $1
Replaced small bulbs in third brake light, required some trial and error. 
Jul 2011

116000 mi

US $400
After problem-free 50-mile freeway trip + parking 1-hour, failed to start; AAA towed to AAA shop "around the corner" + found to have failed in-tank fuel pump + "codes in history possibly indicated need for more repairs". Paid 200+towed Going to attempt to drain & drop the fuel tank + remove & replace the fuel pump & filter to remedy AAA shop's diagnosis while saving 500+ in labor costs. First, reading all I can to learn how to do this "big job" on my own. 
Saturn L-Series in Florida, United States
Sep 2014 - Jan 2015
Nov 2014

194000 mi

US $1400
a/c blowing hot... compressor shot, just went ahead and replaced system under the hood (@ 196,000) - thought it was time. :) 

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2002 Saturn L-Series 4dr Wagon

135-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Saturn L-Series in California, United States
Apr 2014 - Mar 2019
Feb 2016

139100 mi
Fuel leak at fuel pump on top of gas tank, requires dropping the tank to replace. One hour diagnosis only, repair not yet performed. Problem worked around by not completely filling tank. 
Jun 2016

142000 mi

US $360
AC compressor failure, burned belt. Quoted $1300 for entire system replacement, declined and went with used compressor acting as bypass pulley to get home. Break down occurred out of town. 
Saturn L-Series in New York, United States
Aug 2011 - Mar 2017
Aug 2012

20000 mi

US $300
No AC, replaced condenser 
May 2016

44000 mi

US $125
Service engine light on-replaced secondary air pump 
Aug 2016

46000 mi

US $428
loss of power when engaging passing gear or driving up inclines, abnormal transmission shifting, poor gas mileage-replaced catalytic converter 

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2002 Saturn L-Series 4dr Sedan

182-horsepower 3.0L V6 4-speed automatic FWD

Saturn L-Series in Texas, United States
- Dec 2006
Nov 2006

120000 mi

US $300
MAP sensor, and the EGR valve went bad. Cost around 300 total for the parts, and the dealer wanted 500 to install. We did it at home, it was a simple install. The EGR is held on by 2 bolts, and the MAP sensor comes in a new section of the intake 
Dec 2006

125000 mi

US $50
Passenger vanity mirror fell of, again. 3rd time since it was bought from carmax in 2004. 
Saturn L-Series in Washington, United States
Jan 2015 - Jan 2016
Jan 2015

123000 mi

US $987
Actually spring 2014. AC went out. tried doing minor fixes but with no avail. Replaced entire ac pump. 
Mar 2015

125000 mi

US $50
Leaking oil cap filter 
Saturn L-Series in South Carolina, United States
Jun 2010 - Jun 2016
Oct 2010

119000 mi

US $250
Replaced air conditioning compressor. 
Saturn L-Series in Michigan, United States
Feb 2011 - Jun 2015
Jan 2012

154200 mi

US $90
replace pass. side outer tie rod end and perform front end alignment 
Jul 2012

163000 mi

US $265
broken hose in a/c system needed to have a new hose fabricated as the part was not available from parts suppliers 
Mar 2013

179000 mi

US $400
misfire on cylinder #4, running rough, wouldn't idle, stalled while idling 
Apr 2013

179300 mi

US $160
replace mass air flow sensor and clear codes from computer. 
Dec 2013

191000 mi

US $150
catalytic converters plugged, forcing an o2 sensor code. 
Mar 2015

215000 mi

US $400
replaced both rear springs and struts 
Saturn L-Series in Pennsylvania, United States
Jul 2017 - Jul 2018
Nov 2017

101000 mi

US $650
2 Tires and a few tie rods in my suspension 
Saturn L-Series in Tennessee, United States
Mar 2011 - Feb 2012
Apr 2011

97000 mi

US $300
Crankshaft Position Sensor failed and was replaced. 
Jun 2011

100000 mi

US $560
Replaced heater core. 
Nov 2011

104000 mi
Sway bar linkage and front struts need to be replaced. Price for work $900. Repair declined. 
Feb 2012

104000 mi
Sway bar linkage and front struts needed to be replaced when sold.  

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2002 Saturn L-Series 4dr Sedan

135-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Saturn L-Series in Colorado, United States
Nov 2011 - Apr 2016
Dec 2012

93000 mi

US $130
Tail light would flicker and go out even after a new one was installed. 
Nov 2013

137100 mi

US $48
Broken blinker/wiper mechanism 
Mar 2014

140000 mi

US $250
Heater Core out, coolant all over front floor board of car. 

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2002 Saturn L-Series 4dr Sedan

135-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Saturn L-Series in Connecticut, United States
Feb 2008 - Apr 2011
Jun 2008

8600 mi

US $500
Body control module (dealer parts and labor) 
Jul 2008

87000 mi

US $400
Catalytic converter replaced 
Nov 2008

92000 mi

US $100
Brake Master Cylinder (parts only) 
Saturn L-Series in Pennsylvania, United States
Feb 2011 - Sep 2011
Sep 2011

105000 mi
Was driving the car, heard and felt a "thud", and the engine stopped. Mechanic suspected internal timing chain broke. Recommended not fixing. 
Saturn L-Series in North Carolina, United States
Sep 2013 - Jun 2015
Feb 2014

70900 mi

US $288
A/C Condensor 1800 had a hole 
Saturn L-Series in Wisconsin, United States
Feb 2010 - Jun 2012
Aug 2010

129130 mi

US $230
Loss of coolant. AZ didn't have adapter to pressure test. The heater hoses were leaking an difficult to take off. Wet carpet on passenger side was relatively easy to fix with two O-rings from Graingers...bag of 50 $5, so I have 48 spares. 
Nov 2010

130100 mi

US $3
Passenger side brake light. 
May 2011

135600 mi

US $800
New tires and alignment after I changed the tie-rod ends, struts and ball joints. 
Oct 2011

143000 mi

US $600
Replaced timing and balance chain. Sheared off bolts in the process because of poor work instructions from GM and a very complicated job for one person. 
May 2012

143000 mi

US $2500
Took it to my mechanic and they replaced the chains again. Also cylinder head valve job. The engine did not hold compression because the valve faces had eroded. 
Saturn L-Series in Georgia, United States
Feb 2010 - Apr 2014
May 2010

68842 mi

US $649
Replaced Ignition Coil 
Jun 2011

69000 mi

US $285
Replaced catalytic Converter Replaced catalytic Converter 
Jul 2012

80000 mi
AC evaporator leaking water into passenger compartment. 
Apr 2014

90000 mi
Failure of the Body Control Module. No instruments or warning lights. Constant alarm chiming. Cost prohibitive to replace. 
Saturn L-Series in Pennsylvania, United States
Jun 2011 - Jun 2013
May 2013

212100 mi

US $100
Had to replace starter before it died. It was starting wind on start up. Replaced before the gear was chewed up 
Saturn L-Series in California, United States
Feb 2011 - Aug 2013
May 2013

147100 mi

US $375
ac worked only a day. needed more repairs so now still no ac 
Saturn L-Series in Indiana, United States
Feb 2011 - Jul 2014
Nov 2011

180000 mi

US $600
Car failed to start. Diagnostic discovered a bad fuel pump. Both pump and fuse were replaced. 
Jul 2014

204000 mi
Original struts have worn out. Need replacing. 

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2002 Saturn L-Series Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2002 Saturn L-Series problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.