Saturn LS Complaints

1,458 consumer complaints on file.

#10453576March 30, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LW1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT REAR FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,063.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10452516March 21, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DRIVING ON US HWY 290 AT APPROX 70 MPH, VEHICLE TOTALLY LOST POWER. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDER, BUT WE WERE NEARLY 50 MILES OUTSIDE OF HOUSTON. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. AFTER $350 OF TOWING AND DIAGNOSIS FEES, INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAS FAILED, CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE TO THE ENGINE. NOW I FIND OUT THAT THERE WERE RECALLS ISSUED ON THIS SAME ENGINE FOR 2001 SATURNS, AND ONLY A TSB ON THE 2002 MODELS INDICATING A NEED FOR A NEW OILER FOR THE TIMING CHAIN. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10452336March 20, 2012
STEERING, SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THIS HAPPENED VERY SUDDENLY. I APPLIED THE BRAKE TO ENTER THE RAMP TO THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR PULLED TO THE LEFT AND MADE A NOISE. I THOUGHT IT MAY BE A BEARING OR BRAKE PROBLEM BUT I HAD NOT HAD ANY ISSUES BEFORE THAT SO I WENT ON SINCE IT SEAMED TO BE DRIVING OK. WHILE I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE I WENT TO GO INTO THE LEFT LANE AND REALIZED THERE WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. I SLOWED DOWN AND GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY TO THE SHOP. I WAS TOLD THERE THE K FRAME HAD LESS THAN 1/2" BEFORE BREAKING COMPLETELY AND COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT SINCE IT HAS TO DO WITH STEERING. I HAVE REGULAR MAINT ON THE CAR AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THIS MIGHT HAPPEN. THE UNDERSIDE IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE. I HAD THE FRAME REPLACED. I FEEL IT WAS A DEFECT IN THE FRAME. I'M SURE IM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPENED TOO. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10451615March 14, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE ENGINE TIMING BELT. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE MOTOR TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 06/05/12*LJ UPDATED 6/06/2012*JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10450113March 2, 2012
PARKING BRAKE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY SATURN (MANUAL 5 SP) HAS OVER 202,000 MILES AND THE PARKING BRAKE CABLES ARE FROZEN/BROKEN. I CANNOT CURRENTLY FIND ANY REPLACEMENT/AFTER MARKET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10447673February 12, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND I FOUND THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS BUT WAS TOLD I'M NOT COVERED NOW I HAVE A 6000.00 PAPER WEIGHT!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10447362February 10, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A TICKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. THE NOISE WAS HEARD WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE TIMING BELT LOCATED IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10446804February 6, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIR TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10444413January 18, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE REDUCED SPEED AND IMMEDIATELY STALLED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10440450December 19, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY WIFE HAD DRIVEN TO WORK THIS DAY AND ALL WAS WELL. SHE WENT ABOUT HER WORK DAY AND LEFT FOR HER LUNCH BREAK AT 12:30 IN THE AFTERNOON. SHE DROVE THE CAR AND GOT HER FOOD AND CAME BACK FROM LUNCH. LATER ON THAT EVENING SHE PUNCHED OUT AT 5:00 PM TO LEAVE. WHEN SHE WENT TO START THE CAR THE MOTOR TURNED OVER AT A MUCH FASTER THAN USUAL RATE BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I KNEW WHEN I GOT THERE THE CAR HAD NO COMPRESSION WHEN I TURNED IT OVER. I HAD AAA TOW IT TO THE GARAGE (WORTH THE PEACE OF MIND TO HAVE) AND THEY TOLD ME SURE AS ANYTHING THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN. FORTUNATELY SHE WAS NOT MOVING WHEN IT HAPPENED, MUST HAVE LET GO AS SHE PARKED THE CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND MOTOR WE PUT IN THIS CAR. STILL WAITING ON THE REPAIR ESTIMATE. CHAIN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE CRANKSHAFT GEARS BECAUSE A COUPLE OF TEETH GOT RIPPED OFF IN THE PROCESS. NICE.... THANKS SATURN AND MERRY CHRISTMAS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10439309December 11, 2011
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, EQUIPMENT
DURING A RAINSTORM, AFTER DARK, AND ON-THE-ROAD, I REPLACED MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WITH RAIN*X WEATHERBEATER WIPER BLADES TO IMPROVE VISIBILITY. THE BLADES WERE PURCHASED AT A TARGET (UPC 79118 00419) AND INSTALLED IN THE RAIN IN THEIR PARKING LOT. WITHIN 20 MILES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING LATER, ONE BLADE (DRIVER'S SIDE) BECAME DETACHED FROM THE WIPER ARM. THIS CAUSED SUDDEN LOSS OF VISIBILITY IN THE DARK AND IN THE HEAVY RAIN. I PULLED OVER THE SHOULDER, AND REINSTALLED THE WIPER BLADE. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I DOUBLE CHECKED THAT IT WAS INSTALLED TIGHTLY, AND ACCORDING TO DIRECTIONS. A FEW MILES LATER, IT DETACHED AGAIN. THIS TIME, I SWAPPED THE TWO BLADES, HOPING THAT ANOTHER FAILURE, IF IT OCCURRED, WOULD BE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. A FEW MILES LATER, FOR A THIRD TIME, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER BLADE DETACHED FROM THE WIPER ARM. AT THIS POINT I REINSTALLED THE OLD AND BADLY FUNCTIONING BLADES. I SUBSEQUENTLY INSPECTED THE WIPER ARMS AND FOUND NO DEFECTS OR DEFORMITIES THAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURES. THE WIPER ARMS WERE THE "J-HOOK" TYPE ON A 2001 SATURN L SERIES VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10437449November 28, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN L SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN THE ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE, THE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERE WAS NO COMPRESSION TAKING PLACE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), DID NOT INCLUDE THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 50,000. UPDATED 02/03/12*LJ THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 02/10/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10437528November 28, 2011
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TURNING THE KEY TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,200.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10437241November 25, 2011
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
THE FRONT SUBFRAME RUSTED THROUGH. MECHANIC STATED WAS NOT NORMAL WEAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10436900November 23, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
RIGHT REAR PARKING BRAKE CABLE RUSTED THROUGH AND SNAPPED. RESULT: NO PARKING BRAKE (NO HAND BRAKE). LOCAL MECHANICS ADVISED US THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. IT CANNOT BE FIXED. SATURN IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. GM NO LONGER SELLS THIS CABLE. NONE OF THE AFTERMARKET COMPANIES MAKE A CABLE THAT FITS THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10436419November 18, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM CAR WHILE DRIVING, WHEN STOPPED OR PARKING CANT HAVE THE WINDOWS DOWN BECAUSE THE SMELL MAKES YOU SICK AND GIVES YOU A HEADACHE. CANT BELIEVE THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS. MECHANIC SAYS HE CANT SEE THE LEAK BUT BELIEVES ITS THE FUEL EVAPORATION SYSTEM NOT WORKING. THIS CANT BE SAFE!!!!!!!!!! MY FAULT AGAIN FOR BUYING AN AMERICAN CAR!!!!!!!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10435973November 15, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION, STEERING
VEHICLE PULLED WHEN BRAKING. SYMPTOMS STARTED ON A MONDAY AS A LIGHT PULL. MORE NOTICEABLE ABOVE 50 MPH, AND NOT NOTICEABLE BELOW 35. BY THURSDAY MORNING, PULL WAS SEVERE ABOVE 50MPH. STAYED TILL AFTER 6:00 AT NIGHT TO AVOID TRAFFIC. RIDE HOME WAS "ENTERTAINING" AS STEERING WHEEL DID NOT ALWAYS GO BACK TO "CENTER" WHEN GOING STRAIGHT. I THOUGHT I NEEDED A STEERING RACK UNTIL I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE ON SATURDAY. MY INSPECTION SHOWED THAT FRONT SUBFRAME (A.K.A. ENGINE CRADLE) FAILED WHERE THE "PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR BUSHING WAS ATTACHED". A SIZABLE PIECE OF FRAME RIPPED OUT, WITH BUSHING STILL ATTACHED TO LOWER CONTROL ARM. RUSTED PERFORATIONS IN SUBFRAME VISIBLE APPROXIMATELY 6" BEHIND WHERE FRAME FAILED. TWO SETS OF RIMS (SUMMER AND WINTER) WITH NO "DINGS" TESTIFIES THAT VEHICLE NEVER EVEN HIT A CURB IN 170,000 MILES. 4 CYLINDER, SO NO EXHAUST NEARBY TO "WEAKEN STEEL". BAD CHOICE OF CORROSION PROTECTION IN A CRITICAL PART OF THE FRAME, AND/OR UNDERSIZING OF STEEL THICKNESS TO ACCOMMODATE FOR CORROSION IS MY ESTIMATE OF "FAILURE MODE". CONTACTED DEALER AND NO REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE. WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE, VERY DISAPPOINTED IT FAILED THIS WAY. LAST VEHICLE I JUNKED WAS A 17 YEAR OLD 1973 OLDS. EVERYTHING BUT THE SUBFRAME INDICATED I'D GET ANOTHER 5 YEARS OUT OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10434769November 7, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
STRONG GASOLINE ODOR IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. REPAIR SHOP FOUND LEAK AT TOP OF GAS TANK WHICH SPRAYED GAS UP THROUGH THE BACK SEAT. PROBLEM WAS ONLY DISCOVERED LONG AFTER IT STARTED PUTTING MY FAMILY AT SERIOUS RISK! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10434084November 3, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE TIMING CHAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS 85,415 UPDATED 12/12/11*LJ UPDATED 12/14/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10434120November 3, 2011
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
THE STEERING WAS NOT PERFORMING CORRECTLY WHICH MADE THE CAR UNSTABLE AND SCARY TO DRIVE SO I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. I WAS ADVISED THE SUBFRAME HAD RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY TOLD ME ALL THAT HELD THE SUBFRAME TOGETHER WAS SOME RUSTY PARTS. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A BAD CRASH IF IT HAD FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY. I KNOW I LIVE IN AN AREA THAT THEY SALT THE ROADS BUT THERE IS NO REASON A 9 YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD HAVE A SUBFRAME THAT HAS FAILED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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