AI Damage2002 Cadillac SLS: common problems
Owners of the 2002 Cadillac SLS filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 10
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 30% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 20% of all complaints
- 4 Electronic stability control 10% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 10% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (30% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (20% of all).
- Structure: 2 complaints (20% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 1 complaints (10% of all).
- Engine: 1 complaints (10% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 10 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
No power steering or brakes, all electrical in the vehicle stops working. The vehicle will start again once stopped, placed in park often having to remove the key and putting it back.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 cadillac sls.the contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the battery warning light illuminated as the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that once he was able to restart the vehicle, the check engine light was still illuminated.
One further note: when the engine cut off today, only * key was in the ignition, so it was * a matter of the switch being "weighed down" by an overloaded key chain. I will take the car to my mechanic on monday and suggest that a new ignition switch be installed.
While parked steam/smoke (small amount) began rising from the engine compartment and a small puddle of coolant was found below vehicle. Vehicle was inspected and a crack in the engine block was discovered. Mechanic stated this was very odd. Vehicle has 103k miles.
Head bolts pulled out of block on a 2002 cadillac with a northstar engine. The first time it happened the car had 74,000 mile and was fixed under the vehicles extended warranty. The 2nd time it happened the car had 87,000 on it and the same head bolt that was fixed failed.
Defective northstar engines, head bolts pulling out of block.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle hydroplanes intermittently while driving normal highway speeds of 55 mph or more. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the problem could not be duplicated.
The consumer was concerned at times when the doors were opened without his knowledge, and there was no alarm sound to notify him.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 10,921 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 30% most complained about).
On average one model year of the SLS has 7 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 10, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Electronic stability control. ABS/ESC sensors, steering angle, codes after suspension repair.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Cadillac SLS?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, electrical system, structure. Total complaints: 10. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (20%), smoke, burning smell, fire (10%), steering or power steering problems (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2002 Cadillac SLS?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2002 Cadillac SLS from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2002 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.