Saturn SL Complaints (1993)

175 consumer complaints on file.

#11006222July 18, 2017
ENGINE, AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1993 SATURN SL-2. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO COAST THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER, BUT LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO THREE POLES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND EJECTED THE CONTACT THROUGH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BROKEN RIBS AND A PERMANENT HEAD INJURY. THE CONTACT WAS IN A COMA ON LIFE SUPPORT FOR THREE WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THAT IT WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 10/05/17*LJ *JS *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10775455September 23, 2015
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
KEY CAME OUT OF IGNITION WHILE GOING AROUND CORNER, ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN, EVERYTHING ELSE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. A LOCKSMITH CUT A NEW KEY THAT IS SINGLE SIDED, THIS DOES NOT FALL OUT BUT ALSO DOES NOT FUNCTION ON LOCKS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10611240July 17, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 93V132000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10585967May 1, 2014
VISIBILITY/WIPER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER SEPARATED FROM THE ARM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT, HORN, IGNITION, AND WINDOWS ALSO FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 172,727. UPDATED 09/15/14*LJ UPDATED 1/13/2014 *JS
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10584831April 7, 2014
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, THE MOTOR WOULD JUST STOP AND THEN WOULD NOT START UNTIL IT COOLED OFF. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED 6 TIMES WITHIN 6 MONTHS. HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT SINCE.
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
#10158245May 25, 2006
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT EXTRACT. THE DEALER DETERMINED BOTH RETRACTOR MODULES NEED TO BE REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10131997August 8, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
PROBLEMS WITH THE HARMONIC BALANCER HAVING EXCESSIVE RUN OUT CAUSING IMPROPER SERPENTINE BELT ALIGNMENT WHICH CREATED EXCESSIVE BELT WEAR. IF PROBLEM IS LEFT UNATTENDED, SERPENTINE BELT/BALANCER CAN SEPARATE CAUSING ENGINE STALL AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHICH MAY CAUSE ACCIDENT. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER BUT DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM EXISTED EVEN THOUGH THE BALANCER WAS REDESIGNED. BALANCER WAS REPLACED BY THE OWNER AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE TO PREVENT POTENTIAL HAZARDS. I ALSO NOTICED SEVERAL FAILURE NOTICES BY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS SAME BRAND/MODEL OF VEHICLE POSTED ON THE INTERNET. VEHICLE IN QUESTION IS A 1993 SATURN SL2 SDN W/DOHC 1.9L ENGINE COULD NOT FIND THE PROPER CATEGORY TO CLASSIFY THE VEHICLE I THE NEXT PAGES.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10112206February 26, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 65 MPH AND CRUISE CONTROL JUST SPEED UP ABOUT 10 MPH OUT OF THE BLUE. CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK AND RPMS TO JUMP. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10087011August 16, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
ANY SATURN KEY OF OR AROUD THE SAME YEAR CAN UNLOSK OTHER SATURN DOORS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10081573August 12, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER PUMPED THE BRAKES, AND THE THEY MALFUNCTIONED. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT HOME. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION THE NEXT DAY. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE BATTERY LEAKED ACID ON THE BRAKE LINE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE FAULTY DESIGN WHICH LOCATED THE BATTERY OVER THE BRAKE LINES. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10042763February 26, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH ENGINE CHECK LIGHT/ABS LIGHT, AND BATTERY LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE CONSUMER LEFT THE DEALER ALL THE DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10053882February 19, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE ON AND PLACING THE GEAR IN PARK OR NEUTRAL VEHICLE WILL JUMPED FORWARD, DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT THE VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE CONSUMER OWNS FOUR OTHER SATURN VEHICLES. THREE OF THEM HAVE ALSO HAD THEIR VALVE BODY ASSEMBLIES REPLACED. ALL OF THE VEHICLES HAD UNDER 50000 MILES ON THEIR ODOMETER'S. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056536February 4, 2004
TIRES:SIDEWALL
SIDEWALLS CRACKING OPEN PREMATURELY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10042105October 24, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
THE ALTERNATOR BELT BROKE FOUR TIMES SINCE OWNERSHIP. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 50 MPH AND THE BELT BROKE, WHICH CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO BECOME INOPERATIVE, AND ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM.*AK THE SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING, DEALER REPLACED. *TS *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10026096July 15, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
OUR VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO VACATION ON HIGHWAY 95. NO WARNING WAS GIVEN. WE WERE APPROACHED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. AT THIS POINT WE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR, AND IMMEDIATELY, THE CAR WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD OF THE CAR. VISIBILITY IN THE CAR WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBILE. WE TRIED TO STOP THE CAR, BUT WE HAD NO BRAKES, NOR ANY EMERGENCY BRAKES. WE TRIED PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK, BUT THE GEAR SHIFT HAD BEEN MELTED DOWN AS WELL. WE HAD TO CUT THE CAR COMPLETELY OFF AND LET IT COAST TOWARDS A DITCH TO STOP IT.WE JUMPED OUT AND RAN OVER A DITCH. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS THERE WITHIN TWO MINUETS FROM ANOTHER BURNING CAR. EVERTHING UNDER THE HOOD WAS MELTED. WE WERE TOLD BY THE FIREMEN THAT UNDER THE CAR WAS ALSO MELTED DOWN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10009241February 25, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD.*JB *TS
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#768642October 19, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
VALVE TRAIN SEEMS TO FAIL AT ABOUT 95-160 THOUSAND MILES WITH UNKNOWN CAUSE. CALLED BOTH DEALER AND REPAIR SHOPS. BOTH SEEM TO SAY THE SAME. EITHER VALVE SEATS OR PISTON RINGS FAIL AT THESE POINTS OF MILAGE. BETWEEN 95,000 TO 160,000 MILES WITH UNKNOWN CAUSE. SOME SAID MIGHT BE THE ALUMINUM HEAD DEFECT, OTHERS SAID THAT THERE ARE STRESS CRACKS FROM THE MOLDING OF THE HEAD. THEY ALL SAY CAN NOT REALLY TELL UNTIL TAKEN APART AND VISUALLY CHECKED. HIGH COST TO DO THIS. BUT NO KNOWN RECALLS ON THE HEAD DEFECT OR VALVE SEAT OR VALVE TRAIN SYSTEM. ALSO ON THE DOOR HINGE, THE DOOR SEALS LET WATER DOWN TO THE HINGE AND IT ROTS OUT THE HINGE ON THE DOOR, CAUSING THE DOOR TO FALL OR ROT OFF.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8012015June 18, 2002
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
WHILE STARTING VEHICLE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL WORK ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS SEAT BELT TENDS TO BE INOPERABLE. HAS HAD SEAT BELT SERVICED. THIS WILL BE THE 2ND TIME FOR SERVICE ON SAME PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8009963May 15, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE CONSUMER ADDED COOLANT SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT KEPT COMING. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE CAUSE TO BE A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD WHICH WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT CAUSED THE ENGINE OIL TO BE CONTAMINATED WITH THE ANTIFREEZE. *YH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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