Saturn LS Complaints

1,458 consumer complaints on file.

#10000259December 19, 2002
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
CARS HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTANTLY SHUT OFF FOR A BRIEF SECOND AND THEN COME BACK ON. THIS CAN EASILY BE SEEN WHEN DRIVING ON DARKER ROADS. IT'S HAPPENED COUNTLESS TIMES. THE DEALER HAS SEEN THE ISSUE AND IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AND WITH OTHERS IN THE AREA. SATURN CORPORATE CLAIMS THIS TO BE NORMAL AND HAS NO INTENTIONS OF SEEKING A FIX. I WILL CHECK WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, I BELIEVE IT'S ILLEGAL TO DRIVE A CAR IN THIS CONDITION. THIS IS NOT A MERE DIMMING OF THE LIGHTS, THEY GO OFF COMPLETELY FOR A SECOND AND THEN COME BACK ON. THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR ANY CAR AND HAPPENS WHEN I'M JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I'M NOT DOING ANYTHING WITH ANY OTHER ELECTRONICS IN THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENS. I'M HOPEFUL THAT A FIX WILL BE FOUND OR THEY TAKE THE CAR BACK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10000145December 16, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1. CAR HAS 44,000 MILES ON IT. COOLANT SYSTEM IS LEAKING. ESTIMATED $500 TO FIX IT. CAR IS 2.5 YRS OLD. 2. WHEN WINDSHIELD WASHER IS USED, IT SHORTS OUT AND WIPER SYSTEM STOPS WORKING COMPLETELY. DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT RECOMMENDS $400 WIPER MOTOR REPLACEMENT EVEN THOUGH THEY CAN NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. I WENT THRU THREE FUSES IN ONE DAY. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS IT IS WINTER AND I LIVE IN NEW ENGLAND
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#770444December 4, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ENGINE WILL START TO SHAKE UNCONTROLABLY MAKING VEHICLE FEEL AS IF WE'RE SHAKING APART. DT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#770203November 27, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN FAILED TO OPERATE. I CHECKED THE FUSE AND HORN RELAY. I INSPECTED THE HORN ASSEMBLY ITSELF. I WAS SURPRISED TO FIND THAT IT WAS MOUNTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT SPOILER. IN THIS LOCATION IT IS SUBJECT TO ROAD DIRT AND WATER. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A SATURN DEALER IN LYNBROOK NY, THEY AGREED THAT IT WAS A POOR LOCATION FOR THE HORN. THEY SAID OTHER L SERIES CAR OWNERS HAD THE HORN FAIL PREMATURELY. THE L SERIES HAS MUCH ROOM IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND FRONT BODY TO LOCATE THE HORN. THE SATURN DEALER REPLACED THE HORN AND WIRING CONNECTOR. BUT THEY DID NOT RELOCATE THE HORN. ANOTHER PROBLEM I HAVE WITH THE HORN SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR IS THAT I HAVE TO PRESS THE HORN PAD VERY HARD UNLESS I PRESS IT ON THE ONE OF THE TWO HORN SHAPED INDENTS. THESE INDENTS ARE THE SAME COLOR AS THE AIRBAG COVER, VERY SMALL AND HARD TO FEEL AND LOCATE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. MANY TIMES I HAVE WENT TO BLOW THE HORN AND IT DID NOT WORK BECAUSE I HAVE NOT PRESSED IT HARD ENOUGH. ALL THE SATURN PEOPLE I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SAY THAT IT IS BECAUSE OF THE AIR BAG. HOWEVER I HAVE DRIVEN VEHICLES THAT HAVE AIRBAGS AND THE HORN IS MUCH MORE RESPONSIVE. SOME CARS HAVE HORN BUTTONS AND SOME HAVE A MUCH THINNER OR FLEXIBLE COVER FOR A HORN PAD. SOME HAVE AN AIRBAG ASSEMBLY THAT MOVES INWARD WHEN YOU PRESS IT TO ACTIVATE THE HORN. I BELIEVE THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOME MODIFICATION MADE TO MAKE THE HORN MORE RESPONSIVE. THANK YOU. DT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10008568November 15, 2002
SUSPENSION:REAR
AT 12000 MILES I TOOK MY L200 SATURN IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR WHEELS WERE OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND THE TIRES (2) WERE CHOPPY. THEY REPLACED THE TIRES AND DID THE ALIGNMENT AT NO CHARGE. I INQUIRED AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL SATURN BECAUSE OF THE LIGHT WEIGHTED REAR END OF THE CAR. I AM NOT SURE THAT THIS IS OR IS NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM?? I NOTIFIED SATURN CO AND THEY FILED MY COMPLAINT UNDER REFERENCE # 1-4597347, AND STATED THE MAN MADE COMPONENTS MAY REQUIRE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. THAT I UNDERSTAND, BUT WHAT I DON'T KNOW IS IF THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. IS ONGOING, AND THAT I MUST ASSUME THE COSTS, OR A PROBLEM THAT REQUIRES A RECALL TO CORRECT THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT PROBLEM? OR COULD THIS RESULT IN A BUY BACK ETC....? PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU. WILLIAM SURBROOK. ****DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****769742. *AK *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8022850November 15, 2002
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
CONSUMER STATES THE HEAD LIGHTS SWITCH IS MELTED OBSTRUCTING BRAKE LIGHTS. AND SIGNALS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION... TS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#769648November 13, 2002
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
BRAKE LIGHTS INTERMITTENT, BULBS VIBRATE IN LIGHT ASSEMBLY CAUSING THEM TO STOP WORKING. CONTACTED LOCAL SATURN DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY'VE SEEN THE SAME THING SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE. DT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#568166November 12, 2002
TIRES
THE VEHICLE MADE A ROARING SOUND WHILE DRIVING A WEEK AFTER PURCHASE. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT ALL FOUR FIRESTONE TIRES WERE BADLY CUPPED AND REPLACED THEM. THE DEALER ALSO INSTALLED A SHIM KIT. TIRE SIZE P205/65R15 F AFFINITY AND DOT # W2 URAS FB 05-02. *YH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10007128November 5, 2002
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON A CURVY ROAD, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED. THIS WAS VERY DISCONCERTING DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CAR WAS IN A FAST LEFT HAND CURVE AT THE TIME BEGINNING TRANSITION TO A RIGHT CURVE. THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING INPUT CAUSED AN UNCOMMANDED LANE CHANGE TO THE RIGHT LANE WHICH NEARLY CAUSED A COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE THAT WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE JUST AFTER OUR REAR BUMPER. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED FOR A LOOSE OR BROKEN POWER STEERING BELT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SNAP RING WHICH RETAINS THE POWER STEERING PUMP VANE AND VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY HAD PARTIALLY UNSEATED. WE WERE ABLE TO PUSH THE VALVE BODY BACK INTO THE PUMP AND PRESS THE SNAP RING BACK INTO THE RETAINER BOSS (LAND). THE CAR WAS RESTARTED AND SUFFICIENT FLUID WAS PRESENT IN THE RESERVOIR TO PROVIDE NORMAL STEERING INPUT. ABOUT TWO MILES DOWN THE ROAD AND ANOTHER SUDDEN FAILURE OCCURRED. THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO SHIMMY, OR GRADUAL LOSS OF STEERING INPUT. THE CAR WAS AGAIN RE-INSPECTED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS TIME THE SNAP RING WAS GONE, THE VALVE BODY AND VANE ASSY. HAD EJECTED AN WAS ON TOP OF THE BATTERY. POWER STEERING FLUID WAS EVERY WHERE. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN HOME WITH SIGNIFICANT EFFORT AND PARKED. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE DEALER TWICE SINCE THIS INCIDENT. DUE TO MY WORK. *JB ****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****769327
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#568135October 30, 2002
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
ALL THE ORIGINAL FIRESTONE TIRES WERE REPLACED DUE TO THREAD SEPARATION. *YH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#768803October 24, 2002
CHILD SEAT
I HAVE A REAR FACING INFANT SEAT IN THE BACK OF MY CAR. I HAD THE INSTALLATION CHECKED MY LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT. WHEN I MAKE A RIGHT OR LEFT HAND TURN, THE INFANT SEAT TIPS ONTO ITS SIDE. I CONTACTED SATURN MANY TIMES ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY OFFERED ME A COUPLE OF IDEAS TO TRY, BUT NONE WORKED. THEY TOLD ME THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO TELL ME. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THEY HAVE HAD THIS COMPLAINT BEFORE AND THAT THERE CARS ARE NOT CRASH TESTED WITH INFANT SEATS IN THEM. DT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8021415October 23, 2002
TIRES
ORIGINAL TIRES ON SATURN L300 2002, DOT W2URASFB 05/02 P20565R15 F AFFINITY, WHILE DRIVING A ROARING SOUND COULD BE HEARD, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALE RWHO STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRE WERE BADLY CUPPED. MR *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8021282October 21, 2002
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER HIT A CURBED ISLAND AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. TS THE CONSUMER STATED, IN TURNING TO FIND A PARKING SPOT, SHE DID NOT COMPLETE THE TURN AND ENDED UP ON THE ISLAND HITTING THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS INJURED BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER BADLY. *SCC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#768566October 17, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
LOWER RADIATOR GASKET HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES AND REINSTALLED 3 TIMES. THE ENGING COOLANT LEAKAGE HAPPENED 2 TIMES WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF PURCHASE. THE LIGHT/TURN INDICATOR BROKE OFF WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. BATTERY ACID WAS LEAKING WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND OVERCHARGING THE BATTERY. AND SOMEHOW THE SERPENTINE BELT IS NOW DAMAGED. THE DEALERSHIP IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE STARTER NOT WANTING TO TURN OFF AND ARE GOING TO REPLACE IT IN HOPES THIS CURES THE PROBLEM. DT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8020880October 15, 2002
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
CONSUMER STATES THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS DIM WHEN APPROACHING A STOP. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. THE DEALER DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM BUT STATES IT IS NORMAL FOR THE THIRD TIME BEING IN. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. MR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8020599October 10, 2002
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS:SWITCH
TAIL LIGHT BULB DISENGAGES FROM CONTACT AND GOES OUT. IF CONSUMER JIGGLES CORD IT WILL COME BACK ON. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT ANYTIME BULB CAN GO OUT AND THERE IS NO INDICATION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8018564September 12, 2002
TIRES, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING BATERY AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARED ON DASHBOARD. VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND PULLED OUT ON ROAD. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES WERE WORN PREMATURELY, THE LEFT SIDE BRAKE BULB WAS REPLACED, THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#767051September 11, 2002
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
ON JUNE 11, 2001 I PURCHASED A NEW (2001) SATURN L-200 4-DOOR SEDAN AT SATURN OF CERRITOS, 18400 STUDEBAKER ROAD, CERRITOS, CA 90703. THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED: ON 6-16-02, I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON THE 405 FREEWAY TO WOODLAND HILLS, CA. THE CLUTCH BEGAN TO FAIL. I WAS ABLE TO 'LIMP' TO MY DESTINATION AND THEREAFTER HAD MY CAR TOWED TO SATURN OF THE VALLEY, 15421 ROSCOE BLVD. SEPULVEDA, CA 91343 818-895-3800, WHERE THEY INSPECTED THE PROBLEM AND THEREAFTER REPLACED THE MASTER CLUTCH CYLINDER ON 6-17-02. THEREAFTER, ON 7-14-02, AGAIN ON THE 405 FWY., THE CLUTCH COMPLETELY FAILED AGAIN. I PUMPED THE CLUTCH MANY, MANY TIMES AND THE CLUTCH BEGAN TO PERFORM NORMALLY. THE CAR PERFORMED NORMALLY UNTIL (FOR THE 3RD TIME) ON8-3-02, UPON EXITING THE FWY., THE CLUTCH FAILED AGAIN. AFTER PUMPING THE CLUTCH SEVERAL TIMES IT BEGAN TO PERFORM NORMALLY AGAIN. (NOTE: MY CAR WAS SERVICED ON 8-2-02 AT SATURN OF CERRITOS AND NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND.) THEN ON 8-25-02, WHILE EXITING A FREEWAY, I TRIED TO DOWNSHIFT GEARS, HOWEVER IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE SINCE MY CLUTCH WAS NOT WORKING AT ALL! I HAD TO GRIND THE GEARS, AFTER PUMPING THE CLUTCH REPEATEDLY, IT REGAINED 'LIFE', UNTIL 9-6-02,FRIDAY, ON MY HOME FROM WORK WHILE ON THE FREEWAY, I PUSHED THE CLUTCH IN AND THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY ZERO CLUTCH, I WAS FORCED TO DRIVE HOME IN 3RD GEAR, I MADE IT, FROM THERE I ARRANGED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO SATURN OF CERRITOS WHERE IT CURRENTLY IS. THEY TOLD ME THEY ONLY MAKE 1 OUT OF EVERY 500 L-200'S WITH A 5PEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION, I WILL APPRECIATE HEARING FROM YOU WITH REGARD TO THIS UNUSUAL AND FRUSTRATING SITUATION. THANK YOU, [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8018456September 11, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS, INTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY TOOK FOOT OF GAS PEDAL AND DASHBOARD LIGHT/ HEADLIGHTS WILL GO DIM. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#766443August 29, 2002
TIRES
FIRST INCIDENT WAS REPORTED ON 6/22/00. VEHICLE WAS NOISY. ON A VIST ON 8/01/2000 HAD AN OCCASION TO BORROW A VEHICLE OF THE SAME KIND. CAME BACK AND INFORMED THEM THAT I WANTED SOMEONE TO DRIVE MY CAR. UPON DRIVING AND INVESTIGATING NOISE, FIRST INCIDENT OF TIRES CUPPING. TWO TIRES WERE REPLACED. NOTICED TIRES NOISE AGAIN AT APPROX. 35,730 MILES, AGAIN TIRES WERE CUPPED AND TWO REPLACED. ASKED AT THAT TIME IF THIS WAS OCCURRING IN OTHER 2000 L SERIES SATURNS, WAS TOLD YES. ASKED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW. NOISE OCCURRED AGAIN IN 8/15/01, AGAIN CUPPING OF TIRES, REPLACED TWO. WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE THE LAST TIME. CALL SATURN IN TENNESSEE AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. NOTICED NOISE AGAIN THIS MONTH. INFORMED SATURN ON VISIT ON 8/17/02, WAS TOLD TIRES WERE CUPPED AGAIN. WAS TOLD THAT I COULDN'T EXPECT TO GET ANY MORE TIRES REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE. I TOLD THEM I DIDN'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD PAY FOR THEM AS I WASN'T CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I AGAIN CALL SATURN IN TENNESSEE AND INFORMED THEM. I BASICALLY WANTED TO KNOW WHY AND WHAT THEY WERE DOING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I WAS REPEATEDLY INFORMED THAT I WAS OVER MY ORIGINAL AND EXTENDED WARRANTY AND COULDN'T EXPECT TIRES CHANGED AGAIN FOR NOTHING. I ENDED UP WITH TELLING THEM THAT THEY HAD LOST A SATURN CUSTOMER AND THAT I WOULD REPORT THE MATTER. THIS IS MY 3RD SATURN, I HAVE HAD NO COMPLAINT UNTIL NOW. I DON'T REALLY HAVE A COMPLAINT WITH MY DEALER, ITS JUST THAT I AM NOT GETTING ANY ANSWERS. I TOLD THEM THAT IF THEY NEEDED TO RECALL THE VEHICLE, THEN THEY BETTER BE DOING IT. I AM VERY UPSET AT THIS AND WANT THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. YESTERDAY SATURN CALLED AND TALKED TO MY HUSBAND AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE TIRES. THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM, IT WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN. ALSO JUST HOW SAFE ARE THESE TIRES. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WASN'T ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. THERE IS MORE TO SAY, BUT I AM OUT OF ROOM. THANK YOU JANIS IPSEN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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