Saturn

Sc (2002)

2002 · Compact Sedan ยท 2 engines
Best Engine โœ… Recommended (3.5)
38 NHTSA Complaints
0 Recalls
2 Fire Reports
7 Crash Reports
View all 2 generations of the Saturn Sc → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

LV6

1.8L 4-cyl
โœ… Recommended (3.5)
11 complaints 11.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
2
engine
2
cooling
2
interior
2
electrical
1

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (2 complaints)
Engine Issues (2 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (2 complaints)

1.9-I4-Gas

1.9L 4-cyl
โš ๏ธ Caution (2.1)
16 complaints 9.0 per year
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
9
safety systems
3
steering
1
suspension
1
exterior
1

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (9 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (3 complaints)
Steering Issues (1 complaints)
Show 3 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

Saturn Sc Unidentified Engine

โœ… Recommended (3.7)
8 complaints 8.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
2
brakes
2
steering
1
body
1
electrical
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (2 complaints)
Brakes Issues (2 complaints)
Steering Issues (1 complaints)

L26

3.8L 6-cyl
โœ… Recommended (4.4)
2 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
1
suspension
1

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (1 complaints)
Suspension Issues (1 complaints)

L33

5.3L 8-cyl
โš ๏ธ Caution (3.3)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Saturn Sc regardless of engine variant.

Electrical System Issues (10 complaints)
electrical critical
Safety Systems Issues (5 complaints)
safety_systems critical
Engine Issues (5 complaints)
engine critical

All Generations

Alternatives in Compact Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2002-2002 Saturn Sc problems?

The 2002-2002 Saturn Sc has accumulated 38 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Electrical System, Safety Systems, Engine. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Saturn Sc engine is most reliable?

The 2002-2002 Saturn Sc was offered with 5 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.8L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2002-2002 Saturn Sc a good used car?

The 2002-2002 Saturn Sc can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 38 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002-2002 Saturn Sc have?

The 2002-2002 Saturn Sc has 38 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2002-2002 Saturn Sc?

There are 0 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2002-2002 Saturn Sc vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Saturn Sc?

Before buying a used Saturn Sc, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Electrical System, Safety Systems, Engine, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the Sc have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2002 Saturn Sc. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 38 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-05-20.

© 2026 The Weekly Driver