Saturn SL Complaints

2,218 consumer complaints on file.

#705822April 20, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PROBLEM DIAGNOSED BY SATURN OF THOUSAND OAKS AS A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD; AS A RESULT, COOLANT AND COOLANT SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED WITH OIL; ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. DESPITE COMMENT BY SATURN OF THOUSAND OAKS SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH "THE PROCESS" WITH 1996 SATURNS, SATURN CORP. DENIES CAUSE IS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I KNOW OF AT LEAST ONE OTHER 1996 SL1 PURCHASED AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP WHICH EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM IN JUNE/98. BOTH CARS WERE PURCHASED NEW AND WERE LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#836818April 19, 1999
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SEAT BACK FELL BACK WHEN REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH WAS GOING ABOUT 35 MPH, WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#705745April 18, 1999
SEATS
THIS PART WAS OBVIOUSLY RECALLED BY YOUR ORGANIZATION, HOWEVER, SATURN OF FREDERICKSBURG DENIES THAT THEY HAVE TO FIX IT. INSTEAD, THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME FOR REPLACEMENT. THIS IS WRONG FOR A PART THAT WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#705650April 15, 1999
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION BROKE AND THE DEALER CAN OFFER NO CAUSE, SEALED TRANSMISSION
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#705662April 15, 1999
SEATS
THERE IS A RECALL ON 94-95 SATURNS FOR THIS UNUSUAL PROBLEM. OUR VIN IS ABOUT 60 NUMBERS OFF FROM THE LIST. IT IS TOO WIERD OF A PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE SAME THING THAT'S BEING RECALLED. SATURN WILL NOT REPLACE IT UNDER THE RECALL. THEY ARE REQUIRING US TO PAY A FEE EQUAL TO AN EXTENDED WARRENTY DEDUCTIBLE. IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY REFUSED TO AT LEAST EXAMINE THE SUSPECT PART AND PROVE TO US IT IS NOT IN THE RECALL. PLEASE HELP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#705666April 15, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
BROKEN ROCKER SHAFT CAUSED CAR TO LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#835990April 13, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE HAS A DESIGN FLAW. ANITI-FREEZE GETS INTO THE OIL. DEALER CONTACTED AND WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#705531April 12, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SAFETY ISSUE, CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY WHEN TIMING CHAIN BROKE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#705445April 9, 1999
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
I OWN AND OPERATE TWO 1999 SATURN MODELS LS1 VEHICLES AT AAA DRIVING SCHOOL. THEY ARE USED FOR TEACHING BEHIND-THE- HEEL DRIVING INSTRUCTION. BOTH INSTRUCTORS, SEVERAL STUDENTS AND MYSELF HAVE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY WITH THE TURN SIGNAL/HEADLIGHT SWITCH COMBINATION, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT WITH THE HEADLIGHTS OPERATING. THE HEADLIGHT ON/OFF SWITCH IS LOCATED ON THE END OF THE TURN SIGNAL ARM. TO TURN IT ON THE OPERATOR MUST TURN IT COUNTER CLOCKWISE THROUGH TWO POSITIONS. THIS HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS VERY LITTLE TENSION, REQUIRING NOTHING MORE THAN A LIGHT "FLICK" COUNTERCLOCKWISE TO TURN ON. THE TURN SIGNAL HOWEVER, IS ANOTHER STORY. IT REQUIRES APPROXIMATELY 2-4 LBS. OF PRESSURE TO ENGAGE. THE ARM OF THE TURN SIGNAL IS ALSO VERY SHORT IN COMPARISON TO OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME SIZE STEERING WHEEL. APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 INCHES SHORTER THAN OTHER TURN SIGNAL ARMS IN COMPARABLE VEHICLES. THIS "SHORTNESS" REQUIRES THE OPERATOR TO REMOVE THE LEFT HAND FROM THE WHEEL, GRASP AND PULL DOWN OR PUSH UP. (UNLESS THEY HAVE LONGER THAN NORMAL FINGERS) AT NIGHT, WHEN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS IN THE "ON" POSITION AND THE OPERATOR/DRIVER REMOVES HAND FROM WHEEL TO ENGAGE THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, THEY INADVERTANTLY TURN OFF THE HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. ALSO REQUIRING AN OPERATOR/DRIVER TO REMOVE ONE HAND FROM THE STEERING WHEEL TO ENGAGE/DISENGAGE THE TURN SIGNAL WHICH IS DONE WHEN CHANGING LANES IS ALSO VERY DANGEROUS. THE POUNDS OF PRESSURE REQUIRED IS EXCESSIVE IN BOTH ENGAGE/DISENGAGE FUNCTIONS OF THE TURN SIGNAL RELATIVE TO THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE REQUIRED TO TURN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON OR OFF. COMPLAINTS TO THE SATURN DEALER AND FACTORY HAVE BEEN UNANSWERED. IN LAS VEGAS, WITH ITS BRIGHTLY LIT STREETS IT IS QUITE COMMON TO SEE A SATURN BEING DRIVEN WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS OR TAIL LIGHTS ON. SO, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#544776April 1, 1999
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED/REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#834496March 23, 1999
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
REVERSE GEAR WENT OUT, AND CONSUMER VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED DUE TO THE REVERSE GOING OUT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#704744March 22, 1999
CHILD SEAT:TETHER: STRAP/WEBBING
I TRIED FOUR BRANDS OF CAR SEATS (GRACO, KOLCRAFT, EVENFLO AND CENTURY) AND VARIOUS MODELS OF EACH, AND NONE WILL SAFELY SECURE IN THE BACK SEAT OF MY CAR DUE TO THE DESIGN OF SATURN'S REAR SEAT BELT SYSTEM. THE BELTS ARE FORWARD OF THE CREASE RATHER THAN IN THE CREASE, AND I CAN MOVE THE VARIOUS CAR SEATS 4-6 INCHES SIDE TO SIDE. I DO NOT BELIEVE, BASED ON MY EFFORTS AND RESEARCH, THAT THERE IS A SAFE REAR-FACING INFANT SEAT FOR USE IN A SATURN. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THE SATURN, AND I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT TRANSPORTING MY NEWBORN IN SUCH A LOOSE CAR SEAT. I WILL HAVE TO PLACE HIM IN THE LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE, RATHER THAN THE CENTER, FOR A SLIGHTLY MORE SECURE FIT OF THE CAR SEAT. BUT THIS IS ONLY A MODERATE IMPROVEMENT AND STILL ALLOWS FOR SEVERAL INCHES OF MOVEMENT TO EITHER SIDE. IS THIS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH SATURNS? I ALSO HAVE A 1992 SATURN SL1 WITH THE SAME SEAT BELT DESIGN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#544500March 19, 1999
POWER TRAIN
MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING PIN OR ROD TO BREAK OFF RESULTING IN HOLE IN TRANSMISSION CASING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#544496March 19, 1999
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM, SUSPENSION:FRONT
BRAKES CONTINUALLY EXPERIENCE NOISE AND REQUIRE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO ENGAGE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#544488March 19, 1999
SEATS
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT FRAME BROKE AT WELD WHEN STOPPING SUDDENLY. *YC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#704599March 18, 1999
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
FIRST INCIDENT WAS AT 3600 MILES ON THE CAR. ON INTERSTATE TRAVELLING AT 55+ CAR LOSES POWER WILL NOT ACCELERATE. MUST PULL OFF ROAD WHERE CAR STALLS OUT. NO IDIOT LIGHTS AND AT DEALER NO COMPUTER CODES. CAR RETURNED TO ME DEALER UNABLE TO DUPLICATE.I GET 15 MILES CAR AGAIN HAS PROBLEM. FINALLY DEALER REPLACES FUEL PUMP.AT 5900 MILES AGAIN CAR HAS SAME PROBLEM 1.5 HOURS FROM HOME 55+MPH ON INTERSTATE.DEALER AGAIN REPLACES FUEL PUMP.AT 24000 MILES ON INTERSTATE AGAIN SAME SYMPTOMS AT 70+ MPH.AFTER 3 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS IN TWO DIFFERENT STATES AGAIN FUEL PUMP IS REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#835938March 17, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER BACKED OUT DRIVEWAY. ON RIGHT SIDE OF DRIVEWAY WHERE THE FRONT OF VEHICLE WAS SITTING, THERE WAS BROWN OIL/WATER MIXTURE. WHEN SHE OPENED THE HOOD AND LOOKED INTO THE RESERVOIR THERE WAS A COLORED LIQUID. MECHANIC DISCOVERED A CRACKED ENGINE CYLINDER. CHECKED COMPUTER AND FOUND A BULLETIN--ID. #96-T-65A--ISSUED FEB. 1997,THAT DEALS WITH THIS PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#704400March 13, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE HEAD WAS FOUND TO HAVE A CRACK IN THE 5TH JOURNAL. CAR RUNNING NORMALLY, WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE PRESENCE OF OIL IN THE COOLANT. NO TRAUMA OCCURED TO THE ENGINE TO SUSTAIN CRACK. ALL SUGGESTED REGULAR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON VEHICLE. LIGHT DRIVING WITH NO INSULT TO VEHICLE TO STRESS ENGINE. REPAIR INCLUDED REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE HEAD AND ENTIRE COOLANT SYSTEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#704315March 11, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
/22/99 - AFTER NO RESPONSE FROM DON HUDLER, POSTED THIS EMAIL TO THE SATURN WEBSITE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#704327March 11, 1999
CHILD SEAT
I AM FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO FIND A CHILD SAFETY RESTRAINT SEAT TO SAFELY FIT IN THE BACK SEAT OF MY SATURN. THE BACK SEAT IS AT TOO MUCH OF AN ANGLE. THE SATURN DEALERSHIP SAID FOR LEGAL REASONS THAT THEY COULD NOT COMMENT. I'VE SPOKEN WITH OTHER SATURN OWNERS AND THEY RECOMMENDED STUFFING BOOKS OR TOWELS BETWEEN THE CAR'S BACK SEAT AND THE CHILD'S SEAT BASE TO LEVEL OUT THE BASE. THIS DOESN'T SOUND SAFE, BUT I HAVE NO OTHER OPTIONS. ANY INPUTFROM YOU WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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