Saturn SL Complaints

2,218 consumer complaints on file.

#10183710February 16, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
2002 SATURN SL1. CUSTOMER STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS CUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY**CC THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WORK FINE. THE DASH LIGHT ALSO STOPPED WORKING. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181015January 29, 2007
AIR BAGS
WHILE PARKING, AT THE SPEED OF ABOUT 3 MPH I HIT THE SIDE OF A CEMENTED DRIVEWAY WHICH WAS HIGHER THAN THE STREET, AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO MY BUMPER OR ANY OTHER PARTS OF MY CAR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10180909January 28, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
1999 SATURN SL2 77,500 MILES THIRD TIME FUSE BOX HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALL THE POWER WINDOW MOTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10179088January 18, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
AT MY LAST SERVICE VISIT, THE REPAIR TECH RECOMMENDED THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF: 1 IGNITION HOUSING BOLT -- HE STATED THAT WITHOUT THIS REPAIR, THE CAR COULD SUDDENLY "STOP WHERE IT IS AND BE UNSTEERABLE AND/OR UNDRIVEABLE". (LORD HELP WHOEVER'S BEHIND ME ON THE FREEWAY THAT DAY!) I'VE OWNED 5 VEHICLES -- MANUFACTURED BY FORD, CHRYSLER, SUBARU AND GENERAL MOTORS -- NOTHING LIKE THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED BEFORE. IT'S ALSO KIND OF SCARY TO KNOW THAT THE ONLY REASON I'M AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM IS BECAUSE I JUST HAPPENED TO TAKE MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE! QUESTIONS: IF 2 LITTLE BOLTS ARE THAT IMPORTANT, SHOULDN'T THOSE AREAS, INSTEAD AND/OR IN ADDITION TO, BE SOLDERED? IS THIS TYPE OF BREAKAGE SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN? AM I DRIVING "AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN"? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10178095January 8, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
WHILE BACKING THE CAR OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY THE SPRING ON THE RIGHT FRONT STRUT BROKE COLLAPSING THE SUSPENSION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10178114January 8, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, SUSPENSION:FRONT
1. HIGH REVVING ON IDLE MANUAL TRANS 2. FRONT END NOISE MANUAL TRANS P/S SIMILAR TO OTHER RECALL WORN OUT ? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177692January 3, 2007
STEERING
WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 70 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL CAME LOOSE AND FELL OFF CAUSING ME TO LOSE COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE CAR. WE WERE IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE OF THREE LANES AND THE CAR PULLED US ACROSS THE OTHER TWO LANES, DOWN A VERY STEEP DITCH AND INTO THE MEDIAN WHERE WE HIT MANY SMALL TREES. BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEEL, NOR DID WE EVER TAMPER WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DRIVERS SIDE IS GETTING THE BACK DOOR AND PANEL REPLACED AND THE BACK BUMPER ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE STEERING WHEEL. NONETHELESS, MY WIFE AND I NEARLY LOST OUR LIVES BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177314December 29, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
TL* - THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMPLAINT CONCERNING THE BRAKES ON 1996 SATURN SL2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN SHE WAS CUT OFF BY ANOTHER CAR. SHE THEN APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH GAVE NO RESISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BEFORE BEING CUT OFF THE BRAKES DID WORK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED AFTER SHE PUMPED THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH UNTIL SHE REACHED HER DESTINATION AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A SATURN DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY DECEMBER 5, 2006. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS A NICE DAY, AND THAT THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE CONTACT PULLED MUSCLES IN HER BODY, AND WAS CURRENTLY ON MUSCLE RELAXANTS. THE CONTACT ASKED THE SATURN DEALER FOR THE DAMAGED PARTS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS WERE THROWN AWAY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES PULSATING AND GOING ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR SINCE SHE PURCHASED THE CAR. THE CONTACT STATED HAD BRAKE WORK DONE IN 2001 AT 36,000 MILES, THE BRAKE CALIPERS HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA BY THE RHODE ISLAND STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10177211December 28, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
LOUD ENGINE KNOCK. ENGINE CONSUMES OIL BUT NO LEAK. TOOK TO SATURN DEALER IN FAYETTEVILLE, AR AND TOLD IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. ENGINE HAS LESS THAN 85,000 MILES ON IT. TOLD THERE WAS A BULLETIN ABOUT THIS SOMETIME IN THE PAST. ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE AS RECOMMENDED BY SATURN. COST TO REPLACE ENGINE $2600. ENGINE SHOULD NOT BE ON BRINK OF FAILURE AT 83,000 MILES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177042December 27, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCKED, AND THE DRIVER WASUNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVES HASDTO JIGGLE AND SHAKE THE IGNITION AREA FOR THE KEY TO TURN AND THE CAR TO START. THE CONTACT STATED ONCE THE CAR STARTED THE KEY COULD BE TAKEN OUT AND IT WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN. THIS HAPPENED IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THE IGNITION SWITCH MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177132December 27, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PURCHASED A 2001 SATURN SL FROM A SMALL CAR DEALERSHIP AT THE END OF JUNE 2006. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH A 30 DAY WARRANTY. IN THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST, MANY COMPONENTS OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BEGAN TO FAIL - ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, STARTER. ALL WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE FAILED. JUST TODAY (12/27/06) THE CAR STARTED TO ACT UP AGAIN. WORST CAR I'VE EVER OWNED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175754December 11, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, A NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD, AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE GEAR WENT THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE TRANSMISSION. UPDATED 01/10/07. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174922December 1, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS BOARD HAS ALLOWED THE USE OF "DRIVING LIGHTS" ON CARS ON OUR HIGHWAYS. THESE LIGHTS ARE MISUSED CONSTANTLY AND POSE (IN MY OPINION) A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. THEY ARE USED FOR DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND CONSIDERED SUFFICIENT DURING DUSK AND EVENING HOURS. THEY PRESENT A REDUCED VISIBILITY AND A DANGER TO OTHER DRIVERS. THEY ARE ESPECIALLY A PROBLEM SINCE THEY DO NOT TURN ON THE TAIL LIGHTS. COMING UP ON SUCH A VEHICLE USING DRIVING LIGHTS AT DUSK IN THE RAIN IS ONE OF THE WORST EXPERIENCES I HAVE HAD WHILE DRIVING. I DO NOT KNOW OF ANY SPECIFIC ACCIDENTS RELATING TO THIS PROBLEM, BUT I BET THERE ARE MANY OUT THERE. I AM NOT SURE THE AUTHORITIES ARE FULLY AWARE OF THIS POTENTIAL CAUSE OF SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SERIOUS ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174936December 1, 2006
PARKING BRAKE
MY HAND BRAKE BUTTON SUDDENLY POPPED OUT SHOWING TO BE BROKEN AND I COULD NO LONGER PUT THE HAND BRAKE IN PLACE. STILL TRYING TO FIND A FIX. DIFFICULT TO PARK ON STEEP DRIVEWAYS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174776November 30, 2006
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE, TIRES
I HAVE A TEMPORARY SPARE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN USED & CAME WITH THE CAR WHEN I PURCHASED IT NEW. ON NOVEMBER 21, 2006, I DISCOVERED MY RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS PLAT & CHANGED IT, INSTALLING THE EMERGENCY FLAT (WHICH HAD NEVER BEEN USED). I HEADED TO THE NTB TIRE STORE TO PURCHASE A NEW TIRE. AFTER DRIVING ONLY 2 ,MILES, THE EMERGENCY TIRE EXPLODED. I HAD TO CALL AAA & BE TOWED TO THE TIRE STORE. THE TIRE THAT EXPLODED: FIRESTONE TIEMPA SPARE T115/70R14 88M I HAD TO BUY A NEW TIRE. NOW, I ALSO HAVE TO BUY A NEW RIM + TIRE TO SERVE AS MY SPARE. I FEEL THAT, ALTHOUGH THE CAR WAS OLD, THE EMERGENCY SPARE, NEVER USED, WAS DEFECTIVE, AND EITHER GM (SATURN) OR FIRESTONE SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR REPLACEMENT. THIS UNSAFE TIRE SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AS THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT SPARE. I HAVE SAVED THE TIRE FOR INSPECTION BY ANY PARTY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174847November 30, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
I PURCHASED A USED 1997 SATURN SL IN 2005. WHEN I NEGOTIATED TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE THE HORN WAS NOT WORKING. THE USED CAR DEALER REPLACED A FUSE. THE HORN THEN WORKED INTERMITTENTLY IF THE HORN BUTTON WAS PUSHED JUST SO. WITHIN A WEEK IT FAILED TO WORK AT ALL. I CONTACTED SATURN (VIA THE INTERNET) AND GOT NO HELP, OTHER THAN TO TAKE THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THIS CAR WAS TOTALED OUT IN AN ACCIDENT. I LIKED IT SO MUCH (OTHER THAN THE HORN ISSUE) THAT I BOUGHT ANOTHER ONE - A 1996 SL. THE HORN ON THE 96 ALSO WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. AGAIN, PUSHING THE HORN BUTTON IN JUST THE RIGHT WAY WOULD ACTIVATE THE HORN. RECENTLY IT STOPPED WORKING - JUST LIKE THE 97. I FEEL THAT THIS MUST BE A PERVASIVE ISSUE. I HAVE NEVER OWNED ANY OTHER VEHICLE WITH A HORN ISSUE. IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE; ONE THAT COULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR DUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL HAVING AN AIR BAG. I REVIEWED A FEW WEB SITES THAT DESCRIBED SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND NOTED A RECALL ON A 96 SATURN Z MODEL. THIS PROVES THAT SATURN HAS HAD SOME HORN ISSUES BEFORE. I'D APPRECIATE ANY HELP I CAN GET TO GET SATURN TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE WITHOUT POTENTIALLY BURDENSOME COST TO ME. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. (740-774-5237 WORK; 614-871-4081 HOME: 614-284-3554 CELL. THANKS! *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173936November 21, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE COOLANT LEVEL INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE COOLANT WAS CHECKED, THE COOLANT LEVEL WAS LOW AND THICKENED. ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, COOLANT HAD BEEN FOUND MIXED INTO THE OIL DUE TO THE GASKET BREAKING DOWN FROM CONTACT WITH THE COOLANT. THE OIL MIXED WITH THE COOLANT CAUSED SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE SERVICE DEALER WHO RECOMMENDED FLUSHING THE RADIATOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173835November 20, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, AIR BAGS
I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT 75 MPH (SPEED LIMIT.) THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME HIT THE BRAKES. I APPLIED MY BRAKES AS I SHOULD HAVE HAD ENOUGH DISTANCE TO SLOW DOWN ENOUGH. MY BRAKES LOCKED-UP AND I SLID INTO THE PICK-UP TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME AT ABOUT 65 MPH. THE SEAT BELTS WORKED, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. I WAS INJURED AND TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10173312November 13, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I PURCHASED A 2000 SATURN SL2 WHICH WAS USED, THEREFORE, I HAD A SHOP THOROUGHLY CHECK THAT ALL MAJOR COMPONENTS WERE IN WORKING ORDER...I WAS TOLD THAT ALL WERE IN GREAT SHAPE..IE., THE ENGINE, STARTER, AND ANY VITAL PARTS. THE CAR RAN GREAT...WELL, FOR 5-6 MOS. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING,WHEN THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF...THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN...NO WARNING, NO LIGHTS, NOTHING! THE CAR IS NOW IN THE SHOP TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THE LIGHTS AND RADIO WORKED BUT I JUST HEARD CLICKING WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION. WITH ONLY 80,000 MILES ON THE CAR, THE MECHANIC SAYS THAT THE ENGINE IS SHOT, THERE'S NOTHING HE CAN DO OTHER THAN PUT A BRAND NEW ENGINE IN IT...WITH A SMALL FEE OF 4000.00. BOTH OF US DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE CAR WAS IN GREAT SHAPE AND WITHIN 6 MONTHS AND BARELY 3,000 MILES THE ENGINE WENT FROM GREAT TO GONE! I HAVE READ SEVERAL DOCUMENTS FROM THIS SITE AND THERE ARE MANY PERSONS WITH 2000 SATURNS THAT ARE SAYING THAT THEY TOO HAVE A CAR THAT STOPPED SUDDENLY AND THE STORIES SOUND VERY SIMILAR TO MINE...I'VE SEEN MANY OF HAVE SIMILAR VIN #S...I IDENTIFIED WITH THE DOCS REGARDING THE 2000-2003 SATURN L-SERIES ISSUES, ALTHOUGH, MINE IS OF THE S-SERIES (I GUESS, BECAUSE IT IS AN SL-2). THE LETTER DISCUSSING THIS ISSUE REFERRED TO (EA06-009), THE DEFECT PETITION (DP05-008) OR THE ODI INVESTIGATION PE06-006 THAT WAS OPENED ON 1/24/06. I AM NOT SURE THAT THOSE DOCUMENT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE BEING THAT I THOUGHT MY ENGINE WAS OF THE SIZE 1.9L, I-4, MP, DOHC. IF YOU HAVE THE TIME TO VIEW THE DOCS MENTIONED, THEY ARE BASICALLY DESCRIBING THE SAME PROB. THAT I HAVE. WILL YOU PLEASE FIND OUT IF I AM INCORRECT WITH THE INFO. THAT I'VE VIEWED AND IF THERE HAS BEEN AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PROBLEMS THAT I'VE HAD FOR OVER 1 YR. OF COURSE, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, ADVICE, OR KNOW WHAT I SHOULD DO OR WITH WHOM I SHOULD SPEAK...PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY HELP THAT YOU COULD PROVIDE ME WITH.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173101November 10, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER, AIR BAGS
I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION TO MY 1999 SL1 SATURN SEDAN THAT CAUSED THE REAR SEAT TO COLLAPSE SO THAT I WAS PRONE AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED (DRIVER OR PASSENGER). *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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