2002 Saturn LW200 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 Saturn LW200, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine444.4%
- Fuel system333.3%
- Brakes111.1%
- Electrical111.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
driving at 35 mph when engine stopped running and failed to restart. inspection determined timing chain had failed due to failure to keep tension. the timing chain tensioner on Ecotech 2.2 engines from 2000-2004 had tensioners which failed to keep the chain taught which lead to GM redesigning the tensioner. this problem was never recalled and consequentially this occurred in almost all of these engines and caused severe engine damage to pistons and valves, requiring a complete engine overhaul somewhere's around 100k miles on up. GM's new tensioner design solved this and the part cost a mere $50 yet no recall ever happened. I had to put a new engine in my Saturn and spent over 8000 dollars...
RECALL 03033/03-C-06 IGNITION CONTROL MODULE WAS NEVER SERVICED. OWNED BY A 88 YEAR OLD LADY. MUST SOME KIND OF A REPAIR SCAM IN LA.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE EXHIBITS A CONSTANT, STRONG GASOLINE SMELL ORIGINATING FROM REAR OUTSIDE AREA WITH NO ENGINE CODE AND NO LACK OF DRIVABILITY. *TR
RECALL 03033/03-C-06 IGNITION CONTROL MODULE WAS NEVER SERVICED. OWNED BY A 88 YEAR OLD LADY. MUST SOME KIND OF A REPAIR SCAM IN LA.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN LW200. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V245000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
2002 SATURN L200. AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON, AND WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON AND THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. *TA THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .