Saturn LS Complaints

1,458 consumer complaints on file.

#10230539June 11, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I PURCHASED A 2000 SATURN LS 1 FROM CARMAX WITH 63,000 MILES ON IT IN SEPTEMBER, 2007. SINCE FEBRUARY, 2008, I HAVE SPENT MORE THAN $2,600 IN REPAIRS ON THE CAR; $1,600 WAS THE TIMING CHAIN WHICH BROKE WHEN THE CAR ONLY HAD 73,000 MILES ON IT! I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT A TYPICAL PROBLEM AND THAT IT WAS EARLY FOR IT TO HAVE BROKEN. I SEE THROUGH MY RESEARCH THAT THIS IS NOT UNTYPICAL AND IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10230406June 10, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE IN L61 (ECOTEC) ENGINE. SERVICE "TECH FOUND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IS STARTING TO SEPARATE" DURING VISIT FOR BRAKE MAINTENANCE, AT 69,000 MILES. VEHICLE MANUFACTURED 2 MONTHS BEFORE WINDOW FOR RECALL 07V-519 (NOVEMBER 2000 - FEBRUARY 2001). PARTS REPLACED AS PER RECALL PROCEDURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10230293June 9, 2008
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1. THE BATTERY DIED EXACTLY ONE YEAR AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR. 2. TIRES DON'T LAST. THEY WEAR OUT VERY FAST. I READ THAT IT'S DUE TO A FRONT END SUSPENSION PROBLEM, AND CAN BE FIXED WITH A KIT THAT COSTS OVER $500.00, WHICH I CAN'T AFFORD AT ALL. 3. HEATER CORE WENT BAD AND LEAKED ENGINE COOLANT INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD. 4 AFTER MY CAR DIED IN TWO SEPARATE INTERSECTIONS, AND A SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, I FOUND OUT THE PROBLEM WAS THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND CRANK SENSOR WAS BAD. THOSE PARTS WERE AROUND $400.00 TO REPLACE. 5. WHILE DRIVING A REDUCED POWER LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER, LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE BEFORE IT COMPLETELY WENT OUT. 6. ANOTHER SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON. THE COMPUTER READER SAYS IT IS A LEAN FUEL DISTRIBUTION. THE MECHANIC IS CHECKING ANY POSSIBILITIES FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT IT IS LOOKING LIKE THE FUEL PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. 7. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WITH THE WRENCH IS ON. THE CAR JOLTS PRETTY HARD WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THIS USED TO HAPPEN ON A VERY RARE OCCURRENCE. NOW IT HAS BEEN ON THE PAST FEW DAYS, SO THAT ALSO NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT BY MY MECHANIC. 8. ONCE HITTING 60MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. THE CAUSE TO THIS IS STILL UNDETERMINED. 9. THE OIL FILTER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE THIS MONTH AND IS STILL LEAKING OIL. SO THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED AS WELL. 10. THE REAR BRAKES AND LIGHTING SYSTEM HAS BEEN RECALLED. THE SOCKETS LOOK AS THOUGH THEY HAVE BEEN BURNED AND MELTED. SATURN HAS PRODUCED A VERY UNRELIABLE CAR. I, ALONG WITH THE THOUSANDS OF OTHER CONSUMERS WHO ARE FACED WITH THESE PROBLEMS ARE OUTRAGED, AND FEEL AS THOUGH SATURN SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. BECAUSE NO MATTER THE MILEAGE OR AGE THIS MODEL, WE ARE ALL EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES. AS CONSUMERS, WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PUT UP WITH THIS. I WISH THERE WERE SOMETHING THAT COULD BE DONE, AND I AM GOING TO DO MY BEST TO GET THE WORD PUT OUT IN THE OPEN. NO MORE AMERICAN MADE CARS FOR ME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10230299June 9, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AT AROUND 52,000 MILES I HAD TO HAVE MY TIMING CHAIN REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS DUE TO ME NOT HAVING OIL IN THE ENGINE, HOWEVER THE OIL WAS CHANGED AT 3,000 MILE INTERVALS WITH AN OCCASIONAL 6,000 MILE INTERVAL. CHANGING OIL THIS OFTEN I WOULD NOT EXPECT A PROBLEM AND IN ADDITION MY OIL LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. HOWEVER, EVER SINCE I HAD THE TIMING CHAIN REPLACED I AM NOTICING THAT I AM USING AROUND THREE QUARTS OF OIL PER MONTH. I HAVE 73,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND FEEL THAT THIS IS EXCESSIVE. I HAVE READ WHERE OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR TIMING CHAIN AND I WONDER IF THIS HAS CAUSED THE EXCESSIVE BURNING OF OIL OR VICE VERSA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10230119June 6, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L-SERIES SEDAN. WHEN THE CONTACT DRIVES THE VEHICLE AND PARKS, HE SMELLS GASOLINE. HE CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD, BUT COULD NOT LOCATE ANY LEAKS. HE WALKED TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE SMELL OF GASOLINE INTENSIFIED. HE LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT LOCATE ANY LEAKS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING 20 MILES IF THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT HE COULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO BOUNDS AUTOPLEX. WHEN THE CONTACT ARRIVED, THE MECHANIC COULD SMELL THE GASOLINE; HOWEVER, HE COULD NOT LOCATE ANY LEAKS UNDER THE HOOD. THE MANAGER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A LEAK ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK. THE CONTACT DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AMERICAN AUTO, WHERE THEY REMOVED THE FUEL TANK AND IDENTIFIED THE LOCATION OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IT WOULD COST $800 TO REPLACE THE TANK. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE AND THEY INSTRUCTED HIM TO HAVE THE TANK REASSEMBLED AND THEN BRING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10230062June 5, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY TIMING CHAIN IN MY 2001 SATURN L200 WENT. I CONTACTED SATURN AND THEY SAID THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2001 TIMING CHAIN BUT NOT FOR MY VIN #. IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229578June 2, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
CONSUMER COMPLAINT ABOUT LEAKING AXLE SEALS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT THE AXLE SEALS WERE LEAKING AND IT WOULD COST HIM ABOUT $770.00 TO FIX IT. *KB ***NAR***
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229409May 31, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
REAR BRAKE LIGHT (LEFT) GOING OUT YEARLY. HOUSING WARPED/MELTED--EXTREME DIFFICULTY REMOVING BULBS. SERVICE DEALER R. CONFIRMED CHANGING BULBS AND HARNESS BUT NOT THE PLASTIC HOUSING WHILE UNDER WARRANTY (03-11-2006: PAPERWORK AVAIL.) {GOOGLED PROBLEM:FOUND A SITE THAT STATES NHTSA COMPLAINT (#05V245000) ALREADY FILED (BUT NOT FOUND AT NHTSA) WITH MFG CAMPAIGN #05052 FOR 2001 L200 SEDANS, BUT NO VIN #'S RANGES AVAIL.} *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229123May 28, 2008
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT DIM. IN 2007, SHE HAD HER AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM SERVICED, BUT IT CONTINUED TO FAIL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE FAILURE WAS FINALLY CORRECTED. MOST RECENTLY, AS THE TEMPERATURE BECAME HOTTER IN HER STATE, THE AIR CONDITIONING FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE IN THE AIR CONDITIONING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER REGARDING A TIMING BELT RECALL. AFTER DISCUSSING THE FAILURES WITH THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY REPAIR THE AIR BAG FAILURE IF SHE REPAIRED THE ISSUE WITH THE ALTERNATOR. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,857 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,757.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229009May 27, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55-60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED OFF THE ROAD AND TOWED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATIONS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FIRST DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THEY WERE REPLACED, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTED. THE SECOND DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228845May 25, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I ALSO HAVE A 2001 L200. MY PROBLEMS STARTED JUNE 5, 2006. WHILE DRIVING ALONG AT 70 MPH, AND AFTER JUST CRESTING A HILL IN NORTHWESTERN IOWA, MY ENGINE JUST STOPPED. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT BUT FOUND OUT THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AT 64,800 MILES. I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS UNACCEPTABLE BUT DIDN'T WANT TO TOW THE CAR 230 MILES ONLY TO HAVE SATURN OF LINCOLN TELL ME THAT IT WAS MY FAULT THAT THE CHAIN BROKE. (EITHER FROM HAVING INCOMPLETE MAINTENANCE RECORDS OR SOME OTHER REASON.) I HAD THE MOTOR REPLACED WITH A USED ONE. THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THAT THE MOTOR HAD 39,000 MILES. I HAD TO TAKE THEIR WORD FOR IT. (MIGHT HAVE HAD 60,000 HARD MILES) IT WORKED FINE, I KEPT GOOD TRACK OF THE OIL CHANGES WITH THIS MOTOR. THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE HAD DISASTROUS EFFECTS HAD THE ENGINE SEIZED OR TRAFFIC NOT ALLOWED ME TO GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228846May 25, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING AT A STEADY SPEED (CRUISE CONTROL) OF 72 MPH, HAVING JUST RAISED THE SPEED SETTING FROM 70 MPH. ENGINE SPEED INCREASED TO 4200 RPM WHILE INCREASING VEHICLE SPEED. 1 TO 2 MINUTES LATER, THE ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING POWER AND I QUICKLY LOST SPEED. I PULLED OVER THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. THIS COULD HAVE PROVEN TO BE DISASTROUS HAD I BEEN IN A LEFT LANE WITH NO SHOULDER OR HAD THE ENGINE SEIZED AND LOCK THE WHEELS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228801May 23, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION SWITCH IN ALL SATURN CARS IF FAULTY AND HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO LOCKING UP WHETHER DRIVING, STARTING OR TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PART. WHERE AS MANY CONSUMERS HAVE PARADED THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. INSTEAD IT IS A $150-$300 REPLACEMENT CHARGE DEPENDING ON LOCATION AND VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228262May 20, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS1. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, AND NO PREVIOUS SIGNS OF A POSSIBLE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, NO MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 87,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228269May 20, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON ALL THE TIME AND NONE OF THE GAUGES ARE WORKING. CAN HEAR CLICKING NOISES IN CONSOLE AND STATIC FROM SPEAKERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228301May 20, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WAS DRIVING CAR LOSS POWER.. ONCE PARKED CAR WOULD NOT START.. BROUGHT TO SERVICE CENTER THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN AND THERE IS ENGINE DAMAGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228036May 16, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS1. WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE AT 5 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE EXTREMELY CLOSE TO EACH OTHER. AS A RESULT, HER FOOT SLIGHTLY TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, WHICH CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO A BUILDING. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED, BUT A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 77,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227126May 9, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ALONG AT 50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ENGINE STOPPED AND SHE LOST ALL POWER. SHE NEARLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT WHILE TRYING TO GET TO THE SHOULDER AND EVENTUALLY ROLLED TO A STOP. AFTER HAVING A MECHANIC LOOK AT THE ENGINE AT THE SITE, IT WAS DETERMINED THERE WAS NO ENGINE COMPRESSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OUR LOCAL MECHANIC AND DETERMINED THE TIMING CHAIN HAD SNAPPED. I CONTACTED THE SATURN DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL BUT WE DID NOT QUALIFY. EVEN THOUGH THE RECALL WAS FOR OUR EXACT MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE THE VIN DID NOT MATCH. SATURN DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR AS IT WASN'T COVERED AND IT WOULD COST ABOUT $3500-$4000. I SPOKE TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE IS REPAIRING FOR $1355. I CALLED SATURN CORPORATE AND FILED A REPORT AND HAVE THAT ID#. I WAS TOLD THAT IS WAS NOT COVERED BUT THEY WOULD OPEN A CASE AND REPORT IT TO THE AREA MANAGER. THE AREA MANAGER CONTACTED ME AND SAID THAT THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP ME OUT. HOWEVER, I WOULD HAVE TO STOP ALL WORK, TOW IT TO SATURN, PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR WHILE THEY RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM, AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW IF THEY COULD HELP OR NOT EVEN IF IT WAS DEFECTIVE. IF THE COULDN'T HELP I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE $3500-$4000 AT THE DEALER. I INFORMED HIM THAT I CAN'T TAKE ALL THAT TIME AND SPEND THE EXTRA MONEY. I HAVE NEED FOR USE OF THE CAR. I TOLD HIM I WOULD HAVE TO SEEK OTHER ASSISTANCE WITH SATURN BEING HELD LIABLE FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PART AND HE AGREED. HE APOLOGIZED FOR THE PART BREAKING SO EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE CAR AND ALSO APOLOGIZED FOR THE INCONVENIENCE. AT THIS POINT, THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED AT OUR LOCAL MECHANIC AND I HAVE ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. THE DEFECTIVE CHAIN SNAPPED AND INJURED VALVES ON THE ENGINE AS WELL. THOSE ARE ALSO BEING REPAIRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10226502May 2, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING HER 2000 SATURN LS2 3.0 MY DAUGHTERS CAR SUDDENLY DIED ON HER. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A HOTEL PARKING LOT OFF THE INTERSTATE. AFTER TOWING IT TO TWO INDEPENDENT CAR REPAIR SHOPS, THEY BOTH REFUSED TO WORK ON IT. AFTER TOWING IT TO SATURN, THEY CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS THE ISSUE WITH THE TIMING BELT. THEY CLAIM THAT THIS CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL BUT THAT DOES NOT MITIGATE THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE A HUGE FAILURE RATE WITH THEIR TIMING BELTS. WHY IS THIS ONE NOT COVERED UNDER THE SAME RECALL AS THE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA06009? THERE IS A GREATER PROBLEM THEN THEY ARE LETTING ON TO IF YOU READ THE INTERNET PAGES ABOUT THE 2000 LS2. THEY NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10226301April 30, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WAS DRIVING WHEN TIMING CHAIN SUDDENLY SNAPPED. PUSHED VEHICLE TO ROADSIDE AND PROCEEDED TO GET TOWED. REPAIR ESTIMATED AT $2,400.00. CONTACTED BEAVERTON SATURN RETAILER AND WAS TOLD I'D BE CONTACTED LATER WITH NO RESPONSE. UPON CALLING SATURN CORP. AND USING INFORMATION ACQUIRED FROM NSHTA.COM ABOUT A SPECIFIC RECALL ON MY VEHICLE WAS TOLD ONLY THAT MY VEHICLE'S VIN # IS WITH IN THE RECALL BREAKPOINT BUT IS NOT COVERED AND THEY HAVE NO INFORMATION AS TO WHY MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CAMPAIGN . ONLY THAT IT WASN'T AND THEY HAVE NO REASON OR EXPLANATION AS TO WHY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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