Nine problems related to suspension have been reported for the 2002 Saturn LS. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
2002 Saturn l300 v6 excessive tire wear and engine problems the oil drained into the radiator and the whole engine had to be reworked all hoses sensors and radiator had to be replaced the valves and lots of other head work had to be done. We have had to have it aligned 3 times in 18,000miles and 60,000 mile tires last about 12-18,000 miles before being told they are hazardous and have to be replaced. The new oil sensor replaced with the engine rebuild now is leaking again and we have to replace it again. Rear brake lamps blow out constantly and even burned the wiring and plastic frame.
I purchased my 2002 Saturn l300 back on 9/30/2002. Car, at time of purchase, was brand new. Since its purchase my vehicle has been in the shop more times than I can remember. Recently I had a problem where vehicle wouldn't start so Saturn had the vehicle towed to their columbus, GA location to evaluate the problem. Was advised battery had died and I needed to replace it. The new battery represents the 3rd battery this vehicle has had since I purchased it (vehicle currently has just over 55,000 miles on it). I asked, while they had it in the shop, to look at the tires as they were wearing unevenly. My wife went to pick the car up yesterday 8/29/06 and was advised all 4 tires needed to be replaced. This will be the 4th set of tires this car has had since it was purchased back in late 2002. At time of purchase I added a 5 year 60,000 mile b-t-b warranty with no deductible. Saturn, following complaints both to the service department and their corp headquarters has decided that the car in fact does not have a problem and that my pregnant wife (with 1 year old in back seat) must be driving it poorly. To date, the vehicle's tires have not been replaced and the problem causing the tires to wear down so quickly has not been identified.
The tires on my 2002 l300 have been replaced numerous times due to cupping caused by an alignment problem. The dealer has indicated that the alignment problem occurred in the manufacturing process and they cannot fix it unless a recall is issued. The cupping of the tires creates an uneven ride and the tires are very noisy. When the tires are replaced, the problem is solved for a few months until the tires begin cupping and the process starts over. Now that I have passed the 36,000 mile warranty, the tires will no longer be replaced free of charge. I have been told by the dealer that my tires will need replacing once again before the end of 2005 so that my car will pass a required safety inspection.
Vehicle's alignment was off, making it hard to maneuver. Vehicle was taken to Saturn for repairs, and it was found that the back tires were worn out, as a result of an alignment problem. The vehicle is now on it's fourth set of tires.
While driving at low speeds and turning driver heard a loud popping noise coming from the steering wheel which vibrated. Driver will contact the dealer in the near future.
2002 Saturn l200 when driving at night the lights flicker as well as the vehicle engine stalled out on expressway and the air conditioner became inoperative. Saturn suggested that the flickering was normal. In very hot/humid weather, the engine would run hot ad the air conditioner would stop running. On two occasions the vehicle refused to start. The service dealer suggested that the catalytic converter was plugged and the oxygen sensor was replaced due to the stalling. All four tires were replaced because of an alignment, toe and camber problem.
Consumer took vehicle into dealer for a regular maintenance check up. The dealer indicated the need to replace all four tires and install a rear alignment kit. The consumer was told by the service manager that the uneven tire wear was caused by the factory alignment.
Since the vehicle was purchased the dealer has replaced 5 sets of tires. The tires were replaced because they constantly cupped. The dealer replaced the tires, installed a shim kit and adjusted the front toe, but none of those repairs stopped the tires from cupping. The consumer contacted the manufacturer and requested that they re-purchase the vehicle. The manufacturer denied the request but offered to extend the warranty to 75,000 miles. The consumer is convinced that the problem will re-occur.
2002 Saturn l100 made clanking noise when turning the wheel. ** answer required*** the consumer was told there was a leak in the power steering shaft and there was wear in the cradle bushings and eventually they would have to be replaced.