Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
45
Latest Feb 15, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
9%
of 493 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1
What this page shows
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Saturn LS submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 45 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming fuel system
The 25 most recent of 45, in the owner's own words
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.
NHTSA ID
11073072
Incident
Feb 8, 2018
Mileage
117,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed Aug 11, 2017
Fire reported1 injury reported
FUEL AND COMPUTER FUSE UNDERHOOD 10AMP BLOWING UPON INSERTED
NHTSA ID
11014679
Incident
Oct 3, 2016
Mileage
144,400 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Dec 4, 2015
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 *BF THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 07/15/16
NHTSA ID
10808426
Incident
Jul 4, 2015
Mileage
77,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 25, 2015
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
NHTSA ID
10785833
Incident
Oct 1, 2015
Mileage
220,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 17, 2015
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*LJ UPDATED 11/28/2017*CN
NHTSA ID
10734728
Incident
Jul 10, 2015
Mileage
80,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 22, 2014
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. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY DUE TO A FIRE OR OTHER POTENTIAL ISSUES. GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL OR REIMBURSE AFFECTED OWNERS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10561099
Incident
Dec 23, 2013
Mileage
80,800 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 1, 2013
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. I AM CURRENTLY FIGHTING WITH GM AS THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR TIMING BELTS ON SATURN L200'S, BUT THEY 'CLAIM' MY VIN IS NOT A PART OF THAT RECALL.) *TR
NHTSA ID
10496074
Incident
Aug 30, 2010
Mileage
78,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 7, 2013
2002 SATURN L200. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN VEHICLE. *TGW ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE INVOICE, THE DEALER FOUND THE SUPPLY LINE AT THE FRONT OF THE FUEL FILTER LEAKING FUEL. THE FILTER AND SUPPLY LINE WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, LATER THAT EVENING, THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO SMELL THE SAME STRONG ODOR OF GAS. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND WAS INFORMED THAT FURTHER REPAIR WAS NEEDED AND IT WOULD REQUIRE AN ADDITIONAL COST OF $ 900. THE TECHNICIAN DROPPED THE FUEL TANK AND FOUND FUEL AROUND THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL WAS COMING OUT OF THE PORES OF THE PLASTIC AT THE TOP PUMP. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA ID
10491301
Incident
Dec 18, 2012
BrakesFuel system
Filed Nov 1, 2012
Fire reported
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.
NHTSA ID
10482888
Incident
Aug 15, 2012
Mileage
168,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 26, 2012
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOOKED ONLINE AND NOTICE MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING A FUEL PUMP GAS LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TEST RESULTS DID SHOW A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP THAT WAS CAUSING A LEAK. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.
NHTSA ID
10482330
Incident
Sep 26, 2012
Mileage
153,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 9, 2012
FUEL PUMP LEAKING FUEL FROM CRACKED RETURN FITTING ON MODULE. GM HAS ALREADY RECALLED A FEW MODELS FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT ONLY IN WARMER CLIMATES. WE HAD TEMPS IN EXCESS OF 100 IN ILLINOIS THIS YEAR; HOWEVER MY CAR AND STATE WERE NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I BELIEVE THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED DUE TO THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE FROM GAS LEAKING ONTO THE EXHAUST. *TR
NHTSA ID
10479416
Incident
Oct 4, 2012
Mileage
105,688 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 2, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L100. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A STRONG FUEL ODOR AND LEAKED FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THE FUEL PUMP WAS CRACKED DUE TO DEFECTIVE PLASTIC CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
NHTSA ID
10478260
Incident
Aug 1, 2012
Mileage
138,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 6, 2012
THIS IS THE SECOND SATURN WHERE WE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WE BOUGHT A NEW SATURN IN 2001, AND HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER WITHIN A WEEK BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT WORK. THE SATURN DEALER REPLACED THE CAR (FREE OF CHARGE), AND AT 61,507 MILES, WE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL GAUGE AND SENDING UNITS THAT COST MORE THAN $700 TO REPAIR PLUS THE COST OF TOWING THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ID
10474134
Incident
Mar 7, 2012
Mileage
61,507 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 18, 2011
VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM CAR WHILE DRIVING, WHEN STOPPED OR PARKING CANT HAVE THE WINDOWS DOWN BECAUSE THE SMELL MAKES YOU SICK AND GIVES YOU A HEADACHE. CANT BELIEVE THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS. MECHANIC SAYS HE CANT SEE THE LEAK BUT BELIEVES ITS THE FUEL EVAPORATION SYSTEM NOT WORKING. THIS CANT BE SAFE!!!!!!!!!! MY FAULT AGAIN FOR BUYING AN AMERICAN CAR!!!!!!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ID
10436419
Incident
Oct 29, 2010
Mileage
75,755 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 7, 2011
STRONG GASOLINE ODOR IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. REPAIR SHOP FOUND LEAK AT TOP OF GAS TANK WHICH SPRAYED GAS UP THROUGH THE BACK SEAT. PROBLEM WAS ONLY DISCOVERED LONG AFTER IT STARTED PUTTING MY FAMILY AT SERIOUS RISK! *TR
NHTSA ID
10434769
Incident
Nov 1, 2011
Mileage
66,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 25, 2011
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. NOW THAT IS BEING RESPONSIBLE AND BEING PROACTIVE BEFORE THE UNFORTUNATE HAPPENS. THE LAST TIME I PURCHASED AN AMERICAN CAR WAS IN 1977 AND THE 2002 SATURN. YEA I DON'T THINK I'LL BE BUYING AN AMERICAN CAR ANY TIME SOON AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ID
10408872
Incident
Jun 24, 2011
Mileage
72,200 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 18, 2011
WE HAVE A 2002 SATURN L200 FOUR DOOR SEDAN WITH ABOUT 72,000 MILES AND NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE SPELL COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE REAR WHEEL AREA. THERE IS ALSO A SLIGHT SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WILL BE DROPPED OFF IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS FOR REPAIR. I WILL POST MORE INFORMATION ONCE THE PROBLEM IS IDENTIFIED AND THE SOLUTION TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NOTICED QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS BY SATURN OWNERS ON THIS EXACT PROBLEM WHEN I GOOGLED IT. I'M REALLY SHOCKED THAT A RECALL WAS NOT ISSUED. *TR
NHTSA ID
10407378
Incident
Jun 17, 2011
Mileage
72,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 21, 2010
FUEL LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF GAS TANK. *TR
NHTSA ID
10371884
Incident
Nov 14, 2010
Mileage
116,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 16, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN LW300. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THERE WAS A GASOLINE ODOR. THE ODOR WAS PRESENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF OR WHEN IT REMAINED ON CONTINUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
NHTSA ID
10370929
Incident
Nov 15, 2010
Mileage
98,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 16, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN LW300. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THERE WAS A GASOLINE ODOR. IT OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF OR WHEN IT REMAINED ON CONTINUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ID
10370923
Incident
Oct 31, 2010
Mileage
80,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 16, 2010
THERE IS A STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE AND FUEL DRIPPING UNDERNEATH. *TR
NHTSA ID
10360788
Incident
Jul 1, 2009
Mileage
50,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 21, 2010
I OWN A 2002 SATURN L200 WITH ABOUT 74,000 MILES. MY WIFE NOTICED A FAINT GAS SMELL COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. A VISUAL INSPECTION BY MY MECHANIC DIDN'T SHOW MUCH. HOWEVER WITHIN A FEW DAYS THE LEAK HAD GOTTEN MUCH WORSE SO THAT GAS COULD BE SEEN LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK. I HATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD OF HAPPENED IF MY WIFE AND CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR AND THE GAS LEAKED A FEW MORE INCHES TOWARD THE MUFFLER. ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010 I HAD THE FUEL PUMP MODULE (PART 22710031) REPLACED AT A COST OF $655.87. I SEE OTHER SATURN OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME DANGEROUS PROBLEM. WHY HAS THIS NOT BE RECALLED? LAST YEAR THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND WRECKED THE ENGINE. ALSO A COMMON, BUT AS OF YET, NOT RECALLED PROBLEM. AT LEAST THAT WOULDN'T HAVE SET THE CAR ON FIRE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10356811
Incident
Sep 14, 2010
Mileage
74,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 21, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IDLE. THERE WAS ALSO A LEAK COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE LEAK AND STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91000.
NHTSA ID
10356808
Incident
Jun 14, 2010
Mileage
89,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 6, 2010
2002 SATURN FUEL PUMP WENT VERY BAD... CAR OK WHEN PARKED IN GARAGE NEXT MORNING BAD GAS FUMES COULD HAVE CAUSED EXPLOSION..HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AND REPLACED THE PUMP. *TR
NHTSA ID
10347760
Incident
Aug 4, 2010
Fuel system
Filed Jun 1, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN UNUSUALLY OVERPOWERING GASOLINE FUEL SMELL. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REASON AS TO WHY THE GASOLINE ODOR WAS EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT A DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 98,000.
NHTSA ID
10334079
Incident
May 26, 2010
Mileage
98,000 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
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