2002 Cadillac SLS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
87,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 10 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 20.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 20.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 10.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 10.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control:Automatic (Asc) | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 1 |
Electrical System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Electronic Stability Control:Automatic (Asc): 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Service Brakes, Air:Antilock: 1; Structure: 1; Structure:Body:Door: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2014 | 3 |
2002: 1; 2003: 2; 2006: 1; 2008: 3; 2014: 3
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10641036 · 2014-10-03 (October 3, 2014)
WHEN SLOWING AT ABOUT 20 MPH TO 3 MPH THE VEHICLE JUST DIES. 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. AFTER OVER THREE MONTHS AND OVER 1500 MILES, WORKING WITH THE DE LA FUENTE CADILLAC DEALERSHIP, HAVING A RED BUTTON ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE THAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO PUSH WHEN THIS HAPPENED THEY FINALLY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND LOCK CYLINDER PART NUMBERS 12369550 AND 25725312 AT A COST OF $615.73…
Owner-reported narrative. 140,393 miles reported. Look up ODI 10641036 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 770379 · 2002-12-03 (December 3, 2002)
REPAIRING DEALER DEVOE CADILLAC OF NAPLES FL, REPLACED RETAINING CLIP AND FOAM SPACER, BUT NOT THE INTERFACING COMPONENT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHICH CONTAINS THE GROOVE INTO WHICH THE RETAINER CLIP FASTENS. REPAIR BECOMES QUESTIONABLE BECAUSE OF LIMITED PARTS REPLACEMENT. DT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 770379 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10575153 · 2014-03-27 (March 27, 2014)
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. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,806 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,200.
Owner-reported narrative. 58,806 miles reported. Look up ODI 10575153 at NHTSA ↗