Model year guide

2002 Saturn sl

Q: Does the 2002 Saturn sl have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2002 Saturn sl. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

Q: What gas mileage does the 2002 Saturn sl get?

The 2002 Saturn sl has U.S. EPA estimates of 26–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2002 Saturn sl is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.

2002 Saturn sl — representative photo — Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2002 Saturn sl at a glance

Safety recalls1

Owner complaints150

Combined26–29 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2002 Saturn sl recalls 1

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 7 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2002 Saturn sl common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 150 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System

Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Power Train

Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

Engine And Engine Cooling

Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

Service Brakes

Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

Air Bags

Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

Hydraulic

Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2002 Saturn sl MPG & running costs

Combined26–29 mpg

City24 mpg

Highway34 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$2,475

EPA size classCompact Cars

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd

Passenger volume91 cu ft

Cargo volume12 cu ft

5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$375 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2002 Saturn sl costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,375

Fuel only$12,375

Per mile$0.17

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2002 Saturn sl trims & engines on record

Engines

1.8L 4-cyl

2002 Saturn sl vehicles on record

2002 Saturn sl1G8ZH52892Z281899

2002 Saturn sl1G8ZF52842Z231966

Other Saturn sl model years

2001 1999 1996

2002 Saturn sl — frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Saturn sl have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2002 Saturn sl. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Saturn sl?

Across all 150 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, power train, engine and engine cooling.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Saturn sl get?

The 2002 Saturn sl has U.S. EPA estimates of 26–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.