Saturn LS Complaints

1,458 consumer complaints on file.

#10280448August 14, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2001 SATURN L100, CAR BROKE DOWN ON MASS PIKE, OVERHEATED; TOWED TO MECHANIC, HE REPLACED THERMOSTAT, BUT THE WATER PUMP WAS STILL NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY AND IN PROCESS OF FURTHER TESTING FOUND ONE OF THE TIMING CHAINS HAD BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; (THIS SATURN MODEL HAS TWO CHAINS-ONE RUNS THE ENGINE AND ONE THE COOLING SYSTEM); WHEN LOOKING UP THE INFORMATION TO ORDER THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR HE GOT A TECH NOTE ON A RECALL FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. ONLY SATURN SAID MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. I'VE SEEN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS ON THE WEB. SATURN WILL NOT REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN AS A PART OF THE RECALL. I AM HAVING IT DONE ON MONDAY AT SATURN OF MEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS. I WAS TOLD TO BE SURE TO REGISTER THIS COMPLAINT WITH YOU IN HOPE OF HAVING THE RECALL EXPANDED TO COVER MY CAR AND OTHERS LIKE IT WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT WAS RECALLED, BUT THAT SATURN HAS SOMEHOW FOUND A LOOP HOLE AND IS NOT FIXING. I HAVE NOT HAD A CAR SINCE JULY 28--THE LONGEST SINCE I WAS 16; MY EMAIL IS [email protected]; KAREN BURKE; SHOULD I ASK SATURN TO SAVE THE OLD PARTS? I SENT EMAIL INFORMATION TO JOHN PAUL AND HANK PHILLIPPE RYAN--LOCAL SOURCES FOR HELP IN MATTERS LIKE THIS. JOHN PAUL RESPONDED AND SUGGESTED I BE SURE TO REGISTER THIS COMPLAINT IN HOPE OF EXPANDING THE RECALL. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE STATE POLICE BECAUSE IT WAS A CLOSED ROAD--AAA COULD NOT RESPOND TO MY NEED FOR A TOW. I WAS REFERRED THROUGH THE STATE POLICE FOR SERVICE ON THE MASS PIKE. AGAIN I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS SITUATION. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE RECALL EXPANDED. OBVIOUSLY THE PROBLEM EXISTS, MY CAR IS PROOF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10279455August 5, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE DID NOT HAVE ANY COMPRESSION. THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $7,200. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THE TIMING CHAIN AND WAS ADVISED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10279144August 3, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L2 WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED INSIDE THE MOTOR. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10279167August 3, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SELF-ADJUSTING BRAKES ON THE SATURN 2000 LS. I HAVE BEEN VERY HAPPY WITH THIS CAR FOR THE LAST 7 YEARS, EXCEPT NOW THIS PROBLEM HAS COME UP AND IT CONTINUES, I BELIEVE NOT BY WEAR AND TEAR, BUT MY FAULTY DESIGN. WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT A BRACKET ON THE REAR BRAKES COMES OFF THE GEAR AND NO LONGER ADJUSTS THE BRAKES AS YOU DRIVE. THE BRACKET HAS A SPRING PULLING DOWNWARD ON IT AND NOTHING ON THE END OF THAT BRACKET TO HOLD IT IN PLACE ON THE GEAR. THUS, EVERY 3-4 WEEKS NOW, MY FATHER MUST PULL THE TIRES OFF AND ADJUST THEM BY HAND. THE POINT OF THE SELF-ADJUSTING BRAKE SYSTEM IS THAT THEY DO JUST THAT: SELF-ADJUST. THEY SHOULD NOT BE GRADUALLY COMING OFF AND ENDANGERING THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND THUS MY DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO JUST BRAKES FOR BRAKE REPAIRS (REPLACING SHOES, PADS, CALIPERS, ETC.) AND EVEN FOR THIS PROBLEM. ALL THEY CAN DO IS ADJUST IT A LITTLE TIGHTER THAN MY DAD CAN. THEY AGREE THAT THE SELF-ADJUSTING BRAKES ARE A FAULTY DESIGN, ESPECIALLY SINCE THERE IS NOTHING TO KEEP THE BRACKET ON THE GEAR SO THAT IT CAN DO ITS JOB OF ADJUSTING. THIS CANNOT JUST BE FROM WEAR AND TEAR ON MY CAR AND I KNOW OTHERS SHOULD BE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT TOO. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO PROTECT THE DRIVERS OF THESE SATURN 2000 LS CARS AND THE OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. THIS PAST FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2009, I DIDN'T REALLY HAVE ANY BRAKES TO GET HOME ON IN WET, CURVY MOUNTAIN ROADS OF NORTH GEORGIA. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THIS PROBLEM AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PRODUCT SO THAT OTHERS CAN GET THIS FIXED. TO FIX IT THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING TO HOLD THE BRACKET TO THE GEAR SO THAT THE SPRING DOES NOT PULL IT DOWN OFF THE GEAR AND THE BRAKES CAN CONTINUE TO SELF-ADJUST! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10277970July 22, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L SERIES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE HESITATION. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT FAILED AND RECOMMENCED THAT THE ENGINE BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. CURRENTLY, THE ENGINE IS BEING REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 66,103.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10277560July 21, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAD TO PUSHED OFF OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 67,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10277658July 21, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND ENGINE WAS DESTROYED AS A RESULT SATURN STATES IT IS OUTSIDE THEIR CURRENT RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10277043July 16, 2009
POWER TRAIN
I HAVE A 2000 SATURN LS2. I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT. I DOWNSHIFTED FROM 3RD TO 2ND WITHOUT INCIDENT. WHEN I TRIED TO SHIFT DOWN TO 1ST, I HEARD A POP AND THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER WAS COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED TO THE LINKAGE. THIS WAS VERY DISCONCERTING. WHEN I CALLED THE MECHANIC AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED THE FIRST QUESTION WAS 'DO YOU HAVE A SATURN?" I FOUND OUT THAT THIS PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY FAILURE OF A PLASTIC BUSHING WHICH COSTS LESS THAN $20 BUT WHICH SATURN IS CHARGING $800 TO REPLACE ALONG WITH A LOT OF OTHER PARTS. THEY WILL NOT SELL JUST THE BUSHING. I BOUGHT ONE ON EBAY FOR $19.99. IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY OR WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC CAUSING A STALL, IT COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I SUGGESTED THAT SATURN OUGHT TO BE FIXING THIS FOR FREE AND THEY LAUGHED AT ME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10277054July 16, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT ON THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE A 2002 L200 SERIES SATURN. THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WHILE DRIVING AND IT IS EVEN STRONGER AFTER PARKING. WHEN I HAVE MY OIL CHANGED THEY TELL ME THE GAS DRIPS DOWN ON THE MUFFLER...THIS IS DEFINITELY A FIRE HAZARD. I KNOW THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME PROBLEM. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW MANY OTHERS WERE REPAIRED WITHOUT FIRST MAKING A COMPLAINT. THIS HAS GOT TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. IF YOU CAN RECALL A CHEVY BECAUSE THE LATCH ON THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOESN'T WORK, THEN THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE A TOP PRIORITY. ARE YOU GOING TO WAIT UNTIL A CAR BLOWS UP AND/OR SOMEONE IS KILLED OR INJURED? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10276380July 10, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CAR PURCHASED USED AND INSPECTED (MIDAS) IN JUNE 2007; DRIVEN HOME TO KS FROM IA (8 HRS) IN DEC--NO OIL REMAINING WHEN ARRIVED. OIL LEVEL A PROBLEM ALL WINTER, BUT NOT DRIVEN MUCH--OIL ADDED AS NEEDED. AGAIN DRIVEN HOME FROM IA IN MAY 08-- TIMING CHAIN EXPLODED AND BENT ENGINE VALVES IN FAST LANE ON HIGHWAY BRIDGE! FORTUNATELY, OUR SON WAS ABLE TO PUSH IT TO SIDE BEFORE HIT BY TRAFFIC. TOWED TO NEAREST GARAGE AND THEN TO SATURN DEALERSHIP IN LIBERTY MO. DEALERSHIP INFORMED US THAT VALVES WERE BENT BUT DIDN'T MENTION THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON TIMINGCHAIN...$2500 FIX. ALSO RECEIVED A LECTURE ABOUT CHECKING OIL PROPERLY...BASICALLY BLAMED SON FOR SUPPOSEDLY NOT CHECKING OIL (WHICH HE DID DO). NOTE: I READ AN ACCOUNT OF ANOTHER OWNER WHO GOT THE SAME "TALKING POINTS"--VIN NOT IN RECALL, CHANGE OIL REGULARLY. IN AUG 08, YOUR CAR LOST ALL OIL IN 2 DAYS AND STARTED MAKING HORRIBLE SOUNDS. MIDAS MECHANIC SAID IT COULD BE VALVES AGAIN OR DEEPER. TOWED IT (50 MILES) TO LIBERTY SATURN DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WAS THEIR VALVE WORK UNDER WARRANTY. THEY GUESSED IT WAS DEEPER IN ENGINE (WOULDN'T CHECK W/O PAYMENT) AND DIDN'T KNOW IF THE MAY TIMING CHAIN BREAK HAD CAUSED THE DEEPER DAMAGE--ASSESSMENT: ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $5900. WE ASKED ABOUT THE RECALL AND WERE TOLD OUR VIN DIDN'T FALL UNDER THE RECALL SO THEY HADN'T SAID ANYTHING IN MAY WHEN TIMINGCHAIN ORIGINALLY BROKE. NOW WE ARE IN THE POSITION OF REPLACING THE ENGINE WITH ANOTHER SATURN ENGINE THAT MIGHT HAVE THE VERY SAME PROBLEM! SO THE CAR SITS IN THE GARAGE WHILE WE HOPE SATURN IS PRESSURED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR NEGLIGENCE IN NOT FIXING ALL THE ENGINES WITH THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AN ACCIDENT. A TIMING CHAIN BREAK COULD BE FATAL ON A HIGHWAY AND WE WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE AND HOLD SATURN RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS BLATANT ACT OF IRRESPONSIBILITY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275840July 6, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STARTED HER VEHICLE AFTER PLACING GAS IN IT AND HEARD A RUMBLING SOUND. SHE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V519000. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275224June 29, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TIMING CHAIN BROKE CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE, TRAFFIC HOLDUP, AND HAVING TO PUSH CAR OUT OF WAY. WAS TOLD BY SATURN THIS VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR RECALL, BUT INCIDENT HAPPENED EXACTLY HOW IT WAS DESCRIBED IN RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275103June 27, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2002 SATURN L 300 6 CYL. SAW SMOKE COMING FROM MY STEERING COLUMN, HAVE REPORTED THIS TO SATURN , AFTER HAVING MY OIL CHANGED. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS DUST BURNING IN THE STEERING COLUMN, AND THAT IT HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE THEN, MY CHILD WITNESSED THE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER AREA ON THE STEERING COLUMN. MY CAR IS NOW AT A SATURN DEALERSHIP, WITH A BAD BCM ( BODY CONTROL MODULE) THIS IS THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS ALL ELECTRICAL DEVICES INSIDE THE CAR. THE LIGHT SWITCH , TURN SIGNAL, WIPERS,INSTRUMENT PANEL, KEYLESS ENTRY, POWER DOORS AND WINDOWS,RADIO, CAR IGNITION, ANTI-THEFT, ETC. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE TECH TODAY. HE STATED THE TWO ARE NOT RELATED, AND THAT THERE WILL BE AN EXTRA CHARGE TO HAVE A TECH. LOOK INTO THE STEERING COLUMN. I TOLD HIM I WOULD PAY THE DIFFERENCE BECAUSE SMOKE SHOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT MOST OF THE THINGS THE BCM CONTROLS RUN THROUGH THE STEERING COLUMN. THEY DO NOT WANT TO LOOK AT MY COMPLAINT, THEY ONLY WANT TO PUT IN A 600 DOLLAR PART. IF THE WIRES ARE BURNT THE BCM STILL WON'T WORK. AND THE CAR STILL WON'T WORK OR ELSE IT MAY BURN OUT A NEW BCM. WHY IS SATURN SO HESITANT TO LISTEN TO A CUSTOMERS COMPLAINT ? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275029June 26, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2002 SATURN L300 . HAVE FOLLOWED ALL MAINT. GUIDELINES. THOUGH IT IS ON IT'S THIRD BATTERY, THIRD SET OF TIRES, POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED, TIMING BELT REPLACED, ECM REPLACED, TWO CATALYTIC CONVERTERS REPLACED, THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. LESS THAN 90,000 MILES. DROVE THE CAR. GOT OUT, PUSHED THE KEYLESS ALARM ( ORIGINAL FACTORY) GOT DINNER, PUSHED THE KEYLESS ENTRY, GOT INTO THE CAR , TURNED THE KEY..AND THE CAR WAS DEAD. CAR DOES NOT START. LOCKED IN PARK, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. TOW TRUCK DRIVER HAD TO USE THE DOLLY LIFTS TO MOVE THE CAR, SO HE COULD POSITION IT TO BE ABLE TO TOW IT. HAD IT TOWED TO A SERVICE GARAGE, THEY FOLLOWED GM'S INSTRUCTIONS ..NO LUCK. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AGAIN , TO A SATURN DEALERSHIP ( THE ONLY ONES WHO HAVE THE CODES) TO RESET THE VEHICLE. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT RESET IT. TOLD ME IT NEEDS A NEW BCM. STATED ECM AND BCM ARE UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE. SO THAT UNTIL THE MODULE IS REPLACED THE CAR IS INOPERABLE. STATED THEY KNEW THE BCM'S GO BAD, STATED THEY HAVE HAD ALOT OF THESE GO BAD ( ALOT)???. THE SERVICE TECH STATED " THEY ARE LIKE A COMPUTER HARD DRIVE ON STEROIDS" . STATED THEY BURN OUT WITH NO WAY TO CHECK THEM OR FIX THEM. HE SAID THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TOFIX THE CAR. BUT THEY DO NOT KEEP ANY BCM IN STOCK. IT WILL BE A WEEK BEFORE THEY CAN GET THE PART. AFTER REPLACING THE BCM I WAS TOLD THE CARS INFORMATION WILL NOT BE ACCURATE. THEY TOLD ME THE ODOMETER GOES BACK TO ZERO. HOW CAN THAT BE THE DEALER JUST TURN BACK THE ODOMETER ISN'T THAT ILLEGAL? I WAS TOLD THAT SOMETIMES THERE MAYBE SOME OTHER ISSUES ALSO AFTER INSTALLING A NEW BCM?? IF THEY KNOW THAT THE BCM IS A PROBLEM, AND THAT WHEN IT GOES BAD, THE CAR IS COMPLETELY USELESS! WHY ISN'T SOMETHING BEING DONE ! YOU ARE AT THE MERCY OF SATURN / GM BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE IS ALLOWED TO FIX THE CAR. I WILL NOW BE WAITING A WEEK FOR MY VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED. ONLY TO HOPE IT RUNS CORRECTLY AFTER IT'S REPAIRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274280June 18, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BLOW OUT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE, BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN RESOLVED. SHE FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE BECAUSE THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 2001 L200 REGARDING THE TIMING CHAIN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274161June 17, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE A 2002 SATURN L200. I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY IN THE DALLAS AREA (I635). WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR STALLED WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND THEN IDLED TO ABOUT 5 MPH. I DROVE MY VEHICLE TO THE ACCESS ROAD WHERE IT DIED AND THE ENGINE NO LONGER TURNED. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC I AM TOLD THAT I WAS THE TIMING CHAIN. SINCE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY VALVES AND ENGINE HEADS CRACKED. NOW SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE COST ME $500 IS NOW GOING TO COST ME $1500. I PRACTICALLY HAVE TO GET A NEW ENGINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273589June 12, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L SERIES. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $950. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS OPEN FOR THE FAILURE THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING; HOWEVER, HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BACK WHEN A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE AND WAS INFORMED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273631June 12, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 2001 SATURN L200, PURCHASED IN DECEMBER OF 2006, NO LONGER RUNS BECAUSE OF A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THE TIMING CHAIN MECHANISM. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY ABOUT 90,000 MILES ON IT AND THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THIS CAUSED THE VALVES IN THE ENGINE TO BEND. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM 'HARDLY EVER HAPPENED WITH THE L-SERIES' HOWEVER, UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY USED IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES WAS ALSO USED IN MODEL YEAR 1999 THROUGH 2003 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES WITH 2.2 LITER ENGINES, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE MY VEHICLE. I GOT THIS INFORMATION FROM CONSUMER AFFAIRS. I ALSO FOUND THAT SATURN HAS REPAIRED 2,932 VEHICLES UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES AND THERE ARE ANOTHER 890 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. WHEN I CALLED WITH THIS NEW INFORMATION I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO TOW MY DISABLED VEHICLE TO SATURN FOR THEIR DIAGNOSIS AT ADDITIONAL COST TO MYSELF BEFORE THEY COULD TELL ME IF ANY OF THE COST OF REPAIR (ESTIMATED AT 2,272.00 BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC) WOULD BE COVERED BY SATURN. I WAS INFORMED FROM SATURN'S CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED, IF SATURN DID DECIDE TO COVER SOMETHING IT WAS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT THEY WOULD COVER 100%. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273122June 8, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 25 MPH, THE ENGINE WOULD SKIP AND EVENTUALLY STALL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A MISFIRE IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A SATURN DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE DEALER AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 49,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273155June 8, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH AND MY 2002 L200 SATURN'S ENGINE STOPPED. NO NOISES BEFOREHAND OR WARNING LIGHTS. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE'S CYLINDERS. ESTIMATED COST IS OVER $2,000. THE CAR ONLY HAS 82,000 MILES ON IT. NO CRASH OR INJURIES OCCURRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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