Saturn L200 Complaints (2003)

138 consumer complaints on file.

#10194875June 28, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IDLING, THE ENGINE STALLS AND SHUTS OFF. THE VEHICLE IS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED UNDER NHTSA RECALL # 03V231000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE). THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10193467June 15, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
2003 SATURN L200 WOULD NOT START & THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING.. AAA TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST REPAIR FACILITY. ON 7/14/07 THAT FACILITY ADVISED US THAT THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE WAS FAULTY & THAT IT HAD BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. THE SHOP CONTACTED SATURN OF BEAVERTON SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AND WERE TOLD THAT SINCE OUR VEHICLE HAD ALREADY HAD THE RECALL WORK DONE THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THIS FAULTY PART AGAIN UNDER THE RECALL. WE CONTACTED SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE ON 7/14/07 #800-553-6000 , WHO ADVISED US THAT SATURN OF BEAVERTON WAS INCORRECT AND THAT IF THE SAME PART WAS AGAIN FAILING, IT WOULD BE REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL. WE ASKED THEM IF WE SHOULD HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO SATURN OF BEAVERTON AND WAS TOLD THAT WE DID NOT NEED TO AS IT WAS AN HOUR AWAY FROM THE SHOP. WE COULD HAVE THE AAA SHOP DO THE REPAIR AND WE COULD SUBMIT FOR REIMBURSEMENT AS SATURN OF BEAVERTON WOULD NOT DO THE REPAIR FOR US. BUT, ADVISED OUR SHOP OF THIS AND THEY DID THE REPAIRS USING THE CORRECT PARTS SUPPLIED DIRECTLY FROM THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. WE PAID $431.79 FOR THE REPAIR AND PICKED UP THE VEHICLE 7/15/07. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM SATURN (CASE #1-24000059) CALLED US AFTER WE PICKED UP THE CAR AND ASKED US WHAT WE PAID AND WHAT WAS DONE. REFERENCE RECALL BULLETIN 6/23/2003.WE HAVE THE FAULTY IGNITION MODULE IN A BOX FROM THE SHOP. THEY CALLED ME BACK A FEW HOURS LATER AND ADVISED ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE US THE REPAIR COST BECAUSE IT WAS NOT DONE AT A SATURN SHOP. SATURN DENIED THAT IT TOLD US TO HAVE THE REPAIRS COMPLETED AT THE AAA SHOP AND SUBMIT BILL FOR REIMBURSEMENT TOLD HER THAT WE STILL HAVE THE FAULTY PART, SO WE COULD TAKE IT TO THE SATURN SHOP & THEY COULD TEST IT IF NECESSARY. ALSO, WE OFFERED TO HAVE THE SHOP PUT THE FAULTY PART BACK ON &AND HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A SATURN SHOP SO THEY COULD DO THE REPAIR. SATURN TOLD US THAT NONE OF THIS MADE A DIFFERENCE AND THAT WE WILL NOT BE REIMBURSED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10193321June 14, 2007
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE
THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE WOULD REMAIN ENGAGED AFTER I RELEASED THE BRAKE. ORIGINALLY OCCURRED DURING COOL WEATHER, SO I THOUGHT MAYBE RELATED TO THAT, AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT UNSTUCK BY SEVERAL HARD BRAKING EVENTS IN FORWARD OR REVERSE. WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN, I RESOLVED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A CORRODED CABLE AND THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE IT. LUCKILY, I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY (CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED) AND IT WAS STILL COVERED. I'M GUESSING THAT THIS COULD BECOME A PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE, AS LONG AS I LIVE IN THE RUST BELT, EVEN THOUGH I KEEP MY CAR CLEAN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10186591March 30, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L SERIES. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH THE ELECTRICAL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ,AND THE FRONT END BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AFTER WAITING ABOUT TEN MINUTES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED, WHITE SMOKE STARTED EXITING THE EXHAUST PIPE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THIS OCCURRED ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE DEALER HAD REPLACED THE PUMP AND/OR GAS COOLANT, INSULATOR ASSEMBLY FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT, OXYGEN SENSOR AND EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10185079March 14, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FAULTY BODY CONTROL MODULE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182480February 13, 2007
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY 2003 SATURN L200 HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE GENERAL MOTORS PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AFTER BEING STARTED AND THE PASSLOCK LIGHT BLINKS ON AND OFF. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, I FOUND A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR GM VEHICLES. SINCE IT APPEARS THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM, I WAS HOPING SOMEONE WOULD LOOK INTO SIMILAR COMPLAINTS TO SEE IF A RECALL WAS NECESSARY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181580February 5, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
TL*- WHILE DRIVING A 2003 SATURN L 200 AT A SPEED OF 25 MPH THE WIRING HARNESS FROM THE STEERING COLUMN CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL VEHICLE OVER AND TURN THE POWER COMPLETELY OFF. WHEN CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF THE WIRING HARNESS STOPPED BURNING. BEFORE INCIDENT THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177525January 2, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A STOP ON 12/30/06 THE CONTACT TRIED TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC ON A 50 MPH HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, BUT THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE WOULD NOT TRAVEL AT AN ACCELERATED SPEED. WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE LIKE METAL GRINDING ON METAL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND SHE TRIED AGAIN TO GET VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE, BUT IT WOULD NOT. THE CONTACT CALLED FOR ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO SATURN OF HOLLAND. THE CONTACT DID CALL EDSATURN, AND FILED A COMPLIANT ,AND WAS GIVEN FILE# 1-22553734 FROM CUSTOMER SERVICE.*AK THE AXLE CV JOINT FAILED. THE INNER SPLINES STRIPPED AND THE OUTER AXLE CRACKED. UPDATED 01/29/07. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176663December 20, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL* - THE CONTACT'S 2003 L SERIES SATURN WAGON STALLED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER IN GREENSBORO, NC. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR NOISES WERE EXPERIENCED. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 72 MILES AN HOUR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, THE CAR DRIFTED AFTER IT LOSS POWER AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE WARRANTY ENDED 3 TO 4 MONTHS AGO AND SHE INCURRED THE COST FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT REVIEWED A NOTICE ON NHTSA WEBSITE DEFECT PETITION DATED JANUARY 23, 2006 STATES NUMBER PE06006 WHICH STATES THAT THE TIMING CHAIN CAN CAUSE FAILURE AND STALLING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173976November 21, 2006
SEAT BELTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BOLT THAT HELD THE REAR LEFT SEAT BELT TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE DETACHED FROM THE FRAME, RENDERING THE SEAT BELT USELESS. 5 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, THE SAME SITUATION OCCURRED WITH THE REAR RIGHT SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT BOTH SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ENTIRELY. THERE WERE NO IMMEDIATE REPAIRS MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED, WHO OFFERED A REBATE OF 100 DOLLARS TOWARD THE REPAIR OF THE ASSEMBLIES. UPDATED 12/15/2006 - *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173625November 16, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 SATURN L200 WITH 48,000 MILES DIED WHILE DRIVING. WE HAD TO QUICKLY SWERVE TO OPPOSITE SIDE OF ROAD WHERE THERE WAS A SHOULDER IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF THE TRAFFIC LANE(NO SHOULDER ON THE LANE WE WERE IN). CAR WAS TOWED, AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN, PROBABLE ENGINE DAMAGE, AND POSSIBLE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. SINCE I JUST PUT A NEW ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY IN THE VEHICLE THREE WEEKS PRIOR, I CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AND TALKED WITH DEALER ABOUT WORKING WITH ME TO FIX THIS CAR. THEY WOULD NOT EVEN DISCUSS NEXT STEP UNTIL I AUTHORIZED (PAID FOR) A $750 TEAR DOWN OF THE MOTOR TO "FULLY DIAGNOSE" THE PROBLEM. I REFUSED TO TO AUTHORIZE, BECAUSE ALL OF THE BURDEN AT THAT POINT WOULD BE ON ME, WHATEVER HAPPENED. SITUATION WAS NEVER RESOLVED; I TRADED THE CAR (AT A DRASTIC REDUCTION OF VALUE DUE TO ITS NON-WORKING CONDITION). *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170360October 10, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON - FOUND OUT THAT GAS CAP DOES NOT STAY SECURE AND WILL HAVE TO HAVE GAS CAP REPLACED - I COULD NOT LOCATE ANY DAMAGE TO CAP THIS STARTED IN AUGUST OF 2006 - I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT I WAS NOT SECURING GAS CAP BUT I MADE SURE IT CLICKED AND WHEN I PULLED ON IT - CAME RIGHT OUT THIS MORNING. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10169945October 4, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
ON JANUARY 30, 2006, MY 2003 L200 WOULD NOT START. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO SATURN OF THE VALLEY WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN OCTOBER, 2002. THEY DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A FAILED FUEL PUMP THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AT THE TIME, THE VEHICLES MILEAGE WAS 58,270. THE TOTAL COST OF REPLACEMENT CAME TO $553.79 INCLUDING PARTS, LABOR AND APPLICABLE TAX. SUBSEQUENTLY, ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2006, I TOOK MY 2002 L200 TO SATURN OF THE VALLEY WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN OCTOBER, 2001, DUE TO A POSSIBLE FUEL PUMP LINE LEAK THAT HAD BEEN DISCOVERED ON THE PRIOR SATURDAY, 9/23/06, BY THE FIRESTONE FACILITY WHERE I HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICING BECAUSE I COULD SMELL GAS COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SATURN OF THE VALLEY DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP LINES WERE LEAKING AND THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AT THE TIME, THE VEHICLES MILEAGE WAS 75,202. SATURN OF THE VALLEY AGREED TO COVER THE COST OF THE PART BUT I PAID THE LABOR. SUBSEQUENT TO THIS, I WROTE TO SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND REQUESTED THAT THEY COVER THE COST OF THE PART WITH REGARD TO THE 1/30/06 2003 L200 FUEL PUMP FAILURE. I EXPLAINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, AS THE SAME PART FAILED ON BOTH OF MY VEHICLES OF THE SAME MODEL, ONE PRODUCTION YEAR APART, PURCHASED NEW AT THE SAME FACILITY, AT RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE. SATURN CORP. DENIES THAT THERE'S A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT ON THIS PART. HOWEVER, SATURN HAS DISCONTINUED PRODUCTION OF THE L SERIES MODEL VEHICLES. THIS IS HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS AND WARRANTS AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE IF A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT IS AT FAULT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10168227September 14, 2006
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE
I LEFT MY HOUSE (RELEASED MY PARKING BRAKE) AND WENT FOR A SHORT DRIVE 3-4 MILES. MY BRAKES FAILED AND THE REAR BRAKE OVERHEATED AND SMOKE BEGAN BILLOWING OUT FROM THE WHEEL. MY MECHANIC AND I CHECKED THE CAR AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE SHOWED A COMPLETE CORROSION BREAKDOWN OF THE CABLE SHEATHING. THE CAR IS RELATIVELY NEW 2003, I HAVE OWNED THE ENTIRE TIME, NO ACCIDENTS OR ANY SERVICE WHICH HAS NOT BEEN DONE BY THE DEALER. THERE IS NO CORROSION ON ANYTHING ELSE ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE CABLE SEEMED TO BE INSTALLED WITH A LOOP WHICH POOLED MOISTURE AT A LOW POINT IN THE SHEATHING CASE OF THE CABLE. THE SHEATHING COMPLETELY CORRODED AT THAT POINT. THE SATURN DEALERSHIP WAS NOT INTERESTED IN INVESTIGATING MY PROBLEM AND I WENT TO A PRIVATE SERVICE STATION. THE CABLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND POSSIBLY DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR WILL NEED A NEW DRUM DUE TO THE OVERHEATING. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158506May 30, 2006
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
SINCE PURCHASING MY SIX MONTH OLD CAR IN 2003 I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. I'VE HAD A SEAT BELT BUCKLE REPLACED, I'VE HAD MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED, I'VE HAD THEM LOOKING THE BACK END OF MY CAR FOR A VIBRATION THAT WONT GO AWAY WHEN EVER I TURN THE AIR OR HEATER ON, WHICH THEY SAY THEY CAN'T FIND AND DON'T HEAR. MY REAR WINDSHIELD LEAKS BADLY. AND TODAY ONLY TWO AND A HALF YEARS AFTER I GOT MY CAR, MY BRAKES FAILED ME TWICE, THE SECOND TIME HAVING ME DIVE IN TO A CURB TOTALLY DAMAGING MY TIRE AND THE STEERING IN MY CAR, AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER WENT OFF. GOING TO FILE WITH INSURANCE AND TAKE TO REPAIR SHOP. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156859May 5, 2006
TIRES
PROBLEMS WITH TIRES, SATURN REPLACED ALL FOUR <20,000 MILES. UNABLE TO KEEP BALANCED. I HAD ALL OF MY DOCUMENTATION ON NUMBER OF TIMES THEY HAD BEEN BALANCED. STILL HAD PROBLEMS, REPLACED TWO OF THEM. STILL HAD PROBLEMS, REPLACED TWO AGAIN AT 36,000, I HAD TO PAY FOR ONE TIRE BECAUSE THERE WAS A NAIL AND THEY CLAIMED ROAD DAMAGE AND THAT THE WEAR WAS DUE TO LOW TIRE PRESSURE (SO EXPLAIN WHY OTHER TIRE WORE ALSO), EVEN THOUGH I HAD PICKED UP THE NAIL WITHIN THE PAST 3 DAYS. ALSO SAID THERE WAS A DENT IN THE RIM AND THAT WAS OFF BALANCE. WANTED 400.00 FOR ONE NEW STANDARD RIM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155693April 19, 2006
AIR BAGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE RIGHT FRONT QUARTER PANEL WITH MINOR DAMAGE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS, BUT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED IT WAS TOTALED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10150872February 22, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
IN THE YEAR 2003 AFTER HAVING MY L200 FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS 1000 MILES MY FUEL PUMP WENT IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY BUT I TOOK IT TO SATURN OF CLEARANCE THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG SO I WAS ALMOST HOME AND BLACK SMOKE WAS FLOWING OUT OF MY TAIL PIPE AND WHEN I STOPPED TO GET SOME GAS AFTER I GOT GAS I WENT TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START THEN IT WOULD AND IT WOULD STALL SO I TOOK IT BACK UP THERE THE SECOND TIME AND THEY SAID OH ITS YOUR FUEL PUMP WELL WHY DIDN'T THEY LISTEN THE FIRST TIME . *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150874February 22, 2006
TIRES
I WENT IN 2004 FOR A CAR INSPECTION AT 15000 MILES AND I FAILED DUE TO BALD TIRES. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146531December 30, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AT 40 MPH A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED TO THE CONTACT'S BACK AND RIGHT ARM. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTO BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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