2002 Saturn LS fuel system problems

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 complaint #11073072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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 complaint #10808426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 complaint #10785833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

NHTSA complaint #10734728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10561099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.)

NHTSA complaint #10496074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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 complaint #10491301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 complaint #10482330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10479416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 complaint #10478260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10474134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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!!!!!!!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10436419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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!

NHTSA complaint #10434769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10408872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10407378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF GAS TANK.

NHTSA complaint #10371884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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 complaint #10370923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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 complaint #10370929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THERE IS A STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE AND FUEL DRIPPING UNDERNEATH.

NHTSA complaint #10360788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10356811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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 complaint #10356808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10347760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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 complaint #10334079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CRACKED FUEL PUMP AND LEAKING EVAC CANNISTER.

NHTSA complaint #10284797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT ON THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE A 2002 L200 SERIES SATURN. THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WHILE DRIVING AND IT IS EVEN STRONGER AFTER PARKING. WHEN I HAVE MY OIL CHANGED THEY TELL ME THE GAS DRIPS DOWN ON THE MUFFLER...THIS IS DEFINITELY A FIRE HAZARD. I KNOW THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME PROBLEM. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW MANY OTHERS WERE REPAIRED WITHOUT FIRST MAKING A COMPLAINT. THIS HAS GOT TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. IF YOU CAN RECALL A CHEVY BECAUSE THE LATCH ON THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOESN'T WORK, THEN THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE A TOP PRIORITY. ARE YOU GOING TO WAIT UNTIL A CAR BLOWS UP AND/OR SOMEONE IS KILLED OR INJURED?

NHTSA complaint #10277054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2002 SATURN L200 LEAKING GAS DUE TO FAULTY FUEL PUMP. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL REPORTED INCIDENTS AND I CAN IMAGINE THE NUMBER OF OWNERS THAT DID NOT COMPLAIN. SATURN HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IT CONTINUED ON TO THE 2003 MODELS. SATURN SAID YOUR ORGANIZATIONS IS THE ONLY AUTHORITY TO ISSUE RECALLS. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE FOR A RECALL TO BE MANDATED, OR DOES IT TAKE A FATALITY FOR THIS TO OCCUR.

NHTSA complaint #10258900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL SMELL AND SMALL LEAK. DEALER SAYS FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AT SEAM OF VENT COVER PLATE OF FUEL TANK. ALSO, FUEL PUMP OUTPUT FITTINGS ARE PLASTIC AND "BECOME BRITTLE" AND ARE LEAKING. "BECOME BRITTLE" IS THE DEALER SERVICE WRITER'S WORDS. I GOOGLED THIS AND FOUND AT LEAST TWO MORE INSTANCES IN A 5 MINUTE SEARCH. OTHER INSTANCES FROM GOOGLE WERE VERY RECENT ALSO! NOVEMBER 2008. THIS MIGHT BE A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. PLEASE CATCH IT EARLY!

NHTSA complaint #10258269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L SERIES. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED FUEL SPILLAGE ON THE GROUND. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND CRACKED FUEL LINE WAS DISCOVERED. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL PUMP EXHIBITED CRACKS THAT WOULD EVENTUALLY FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,140.

NHTSA complaint #10257468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.