Saturn LS Complaints

1,458 consumer complaints on file.

#10148124January 19, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NUMEROUS PROBLEMS SINCE DAY 1 OF OWNERSHIP. TODAY THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME & REMAINED ON, THE GAS GAUGE WOULDN'T MOVE NOR WOULD THE TEMP. GAUGE. THE ODOMETER WENT TO ZERO. WIPED ALL MILEAGE OUT. CAR IS A LEMON AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. SCARED TO DRIVE IT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148024January 18, 2006
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ON MY 2002 SATURN L200 HAS FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. I NOTICED THAT A SIMILAR RECALL HAD BEEN PLACED ON THE 2003 MODELS AND THOUGHT IT MAY BE RELATED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147719January 13, 2006
SUSPENSION:REAR
THE REAR OF MY SATURN LW200 WAGON IS MAKING MY TIRES WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. IT'S CAUSING THE INSIDE TREAD EDGE TO WEAR OUT BEFORE THE REST. SATURN WANTS TO CHARGE ME 235 TO DO AN ALIGNMENT AND PUT IN A SPACER KIT WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS A FACTORY DEFECT FROM THE BEGINNING. SATURN SHOULD PAY FOR THIS AND MY TIRES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147664January 12, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE E DIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP INDICATED THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND DAMAGED THE PISTONS AND VALVES ON THE ENGINE. THE REPAIR SHOP RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE ENGINE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148627January 9, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2002 SATURN L200 STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. *TS THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TO TOWED A SERVICE STATION. THE NEXT THE DAY, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM STEMMED FROM A BROKEN TENSIONER, WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE TIMING CHAIN TO FAIL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147220January 9, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WITHOUT WARNING, HEADLIGHTS FLASH IN A STROBE-LIKE FASHION. IN ADDITION TO THE MOMENTARY LACK OF LIGHT, ONE OBVIOUS HIGHWAY DANGER IS THAT VEHICLES COULD BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE BEING SIGNALED THAT IS OK TO PULL INTO YOUR LANE. I GUARANTEE THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT OR KILLED BY THIS DEFECT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147049January 6, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
2000 SATURN LS, 6 CYLINDER, HAD SLIPPAGE OF THE TRANSMISSION FOLLOWED BY THE SERVICE LIGHT. BY THE TIME I REACHED THE DEALER THE CAR WAS BUCKING AND FELT LIKE I WAS REPEATEDLY BEING HIT FROM BEHIND. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS THE SENSOR MODULE AND WHEN IT BROKE THE PRESSURE WAS FULL OPEN AND THAT'S WHAT CAUSED THAT PROBLEM. SUBSEQUENTLY THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND THE MODULE WAS REPLACED AGAIN. IT THEN HAPPENED A 3RD TIME AND THE MODULE WAS REPLACED AGAIN. WHEN DRIVING IT HOME AFTER REPAIR, I NOTICED THAT THE TRANS WAS SLIPPING A LITTLE. TOOK IT BACK INTO THE SHOP, THEY SAY THEY CAN'T RIP DOWN THE TRANS UNLESS THE LIGHT COMES ON AND IT GIVES CODES AGAIN. I ONLY HAVE 11,000 MILES ON THE WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THERE IS ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147564January 3, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
(01-03-05) CONSUMER SATURN TIMING BELT BROKE. *TS THE BLOWER FAN WAS INOPERATIVE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER RE-DESIGNED THE OILING NOZZLE AND INCLUDED IT WITH A KIT WHEN REPLACING THE TIMING CHAIN, BECAUSE THEY WERE AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL FAILURE OF THE TIMING CHAIN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146815January 3, 2006
PARKING BRAKE
NOTICED A BURNING RUBBER SMELL FROM THE RT REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THEN FROM THE LEFT REAR TIRE OF THE VEHICLE. HUBCAP VERY WARM AFTER A SHORT TRAVEL DISTANCE, BACK BRAKES MADE A GRINDING SOUND. WENT TO USE PARKING BRAKE, COULD NOT LIFT UP BRAKE. PARKING BRAKE INOPERABLE. TOOK TO GET REPAIRED, WAS TOLD THAT THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE WAS BOUND UP, DUE TO CORROSION, CAUSING THE CONNECTION CABLES TO BIND UP BOTH REAR BRAKES, UNABLE TO BE RELEASED, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE SHOES TO MELT ON BOTH REAR WHEELS, CAUSING THE PAD TO RUB AGAINST THE ROTOR AND, METAL TO METAL, HEAT UP AND CAUSE BURNING SMELL. NEED TO HAVE NEW BACK ROTORS, BRAKES SHOES, BRAKE PADS, PARKING BRAKE FIXED, NEW CABLES, AND SPRING CLIPS REPLACED. ALL PARTS NEED TO BE NEW AS THE ROTORS ARE DAMAGED DUE TO BRAKE HANGUP. BACK ROTORS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACE 3 TIMES ON THIS VEHICLE SO FAR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145078December 13, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUALLY FAIL. ONLY ONE LIGHT WILL COME ON & THE ONE THAT IS ON IS BRIGHTER THAN IT SHOULD BE. MULTIPLE LIGHT REPLACEMENTS DO NOT WORK. DEALERSHIP HAS NOTED THAT THE POWER CIRCUIT IS RUN THROUGH THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY ITSELF & THAT IT ISN'T ALWAYS SEATED RESULTING IN FAILED CIRCUIT. IN DRIVING I SEE MULTIPLE SATURNS WITH THIS ISSUE. SECONDARILY THE HIGH MOUNTED BRAKE LIGHT IF 1 BULB BLOWS IT SHORTS OUT THE INTERIOR DASHBOARD LIGHTS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146421December 13, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER REGARDING SATURN TAIL LIGHT BRACKET HOUSING- BULB REPAIR. WHEN CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT CONSUMER WAS TOLD REPAIR WORK WAS ALREADY DONE. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144931December 11, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
2002 L200 SATURN: TIMING CHAIN FAILURE, SATURN BULLETIN N O. 03-06-01-017, RECOGNIZES PROBLEM BUT ATTRIBUTES FAILURE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE BY OWNER. MY MAINTENANCE WAS AS PER MFR. RECCOMENDATIONS AND PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. FAILURE OCCURRED AT 58,000 MI. VEHICLE LOST BRAKES, POWER STEERING AND STRANDED IN HWY TRAFFIC. INVESTIGATING TIMING CHAIN FAILURES ON WEB, DISCOVERED THERE'S MANY SUCH FAILURES AND COMPLAINTS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144370December 3, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OIL COOLER FAILURE. NOTICED ORANGE COLORED "GUNK" ON GROUND UNDER CAR FOLLOWING OIL CHANGE. SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM COOLANT RESERVOIR. TOOK CAR IN FOR COOLANT FLUSH. WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS OIL IN THE COOLANT AND THAT ENGINE HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SAID THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO TEAR INTO ENGINE TO DISCOVER SOURCE. FOUND IT TO BE A LEAKING OIL COOLER. OIL COOLER WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH ALL COOLANT HOSES, THERMOSTAT, AND COOLANT RESERVOIR. TOTAL WAS $2100 ($571 FOR OIL COOLER). HAVE ALL OLD PARTS. SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE ACKNOWLEDGES A TSB REGARDING OIL COOLER IN THE L81 ENGINE BUT REFUSES TO REIMBURSE EVEN FOR PARTS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144185December 1, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
SATURN HAS A RECALL ON TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES. I HAVE A 2001 L SERIES SATURN. BOUGHT IT FROM OLDS DEALER IN HELENA MT. THERE ARE NO SATURN DEALERS IN MONTANA. I CALLED THE 800# IN THE RECALL LETTER AND THEY SAID TO GO TO UNDERRINER OLDS IN BILLINGS, APPROXIMATELY 240 MILES AWAY. I BOUGHT IT AT AN OLDS DEALER TWO MILES FROM MY HOUSE. SEEMS TO ME THEY COULD AUTHORIZE THAT OR PAY ME A COUPLE OF DAYS WAGES, GAS, MOTEL, PER DIEM OR HAVE IT FIXED IN HELENA!!! THIS IS REALLY STUPID, BECAUSE MY TAILLIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE AND KEEP WIGGLING LOSE AND I LOSE MY BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144271November 30, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
FAX FM (KS) REQUEST THAT A RECALL IS ISSUED BY GM/SATURN FOR A FAULTY TIMING CHAIN, REPLY ATTN SHAWN COWING/ OVERLOAD PARK OFC. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM, THEREFORE THEY REDESIGNED THE TIMING CHAIN OILER. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145324November 29, 2005
STEERING, SUSPENSION
2002 SATURN L100 MADE CLANKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING SHAFT AND THERE WAS WEAR IN THE CRADLE BUSHINGS AND EVENTUALLY THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142499November 29, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I HAVE A 2001 SATURN L-SERIES PASSENGER VEHICLE WITH A 2.2 4-CYLINDER ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAS 69K MILES AND THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE CAUSING SEVERE ENGINE TROUBLE (BENT VALVES), WITH AN ESTIMATED COST OF $2400. IF THERE IS DAMAGE TO ANY OF THE PISTONS THEN THE COST WILL INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY. THE MECHANIC THAT I TAKE MY VEHICLE TO USED TO TEACH AUTO MECHANICS AT THE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL UNTIL THEY ELIMINATED THE PROGRAM. AS MY MECHANIC WAS EXPLAINING THE PROBLEM TO ME HE TELLS ME THAT ONE OF HIS FORMER STUDENTS NOW WORKS AS A MECHANIC FOR SATURN. MY MECHANIC HAD TROUBLE DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM AND SO HE CALLED HIS FORMER STUDENT WHO INFORMED HIM THAT IT COULD POSSIBLY BE A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN. HE GOES ON TO TELL ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IS OILED BY SPRAYING OIL ON TO THE CHAIN THROUGH AN ORIFICE THAT IS NOT MUCH BIGGER THAN A PIN HOLE. THIS TINY HOLE WHERE THE OIL SPRAYS FROM IS AT THE END OF A PLASTIC PIECE ABOUT A HALF INCH LONG. IF SOMETHING SHOULD BLOCK THIS HOLE THE CHAIN BECOMES DRY AND EVENTUALLY BREAKS. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THEIR ORIGINAL DESIGN HAD A FATAL DESIGN FLAW, WHICH SATURN CAME TO RECOGNIZE, I CAN ONLY ASSUME DUE TO NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE TIMING CHAIN BREAKING, PROBABLY WHILE THE VEHICLES WERE UNDER WARRANTY, FORCING THEM TO COME UP WITH THE REDESIGN. I BELIEVE THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL FOR ANYONE WHO DRIVES A SATURN WITH THE ORIGINAL OILIER. IT IS A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. SHOULD SOMEONE BE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY AND HAVE THEIR TIMING CHAIN BREAK FOR IT WOULD BE LIKE SOMEONE PUTTING ON THE BRAKES BUT WITHOUT THE SIGNAL THUS PLACING THEM AS WELL AS ANYONE BEHIND THEM IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I SENT THE FULL STORY TO YOUR WEBMASTER. YOU NEED TO ALLOW MORE SPACE. *NM *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143687November 26, 2005
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ODOMETER READS 694978 AND THAT IS NOT CORRECT. ACTUAL MILEAGE ON THE ODOMETER SHOULD BE LESS THAN 20000. THE TRIP-METER DOESN'T NOT MOVE FROM ZERO AND THE 694978 DOESN'T CHANGE. I AM DRIVING IT BUT THE MILEAGE ISN'T ADDING UP. HOW DO I DETERMINE WHEN II REQUIRE SERVICE?? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143629November 24, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SATURN LW300 CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILURE (3/05) - REPLACED BODY CONTROL MODULE FAILURE (11/05) - REPLACED MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILURE (11/05) - REPLACED OIL COOLER LEAK (11/05) - RESEALED BATTERY FAILURE (JUST OVER 1 YEAR OLD, 11/05) - REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143174November 19, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I HAVE A 2001 SATURN L-SERIES, 2.2L ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING UNDER 30 MPH,ENGINE DIED. DIAGNOSIS: TIMING CHAIN BROKE, + ALL THE VALVES BENT COST TO ME $2400 (SEE ODI ID #10142499.) ALSO SEE COMPLAINT ODI ID #10129780, DATED 7/16/05. THIS VEHICLE WAS A 2000 SATURN L-SERIES, PASSENGER CAR. THIS INDIVIDUAL WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 101 IN CALIFORNIA WHEN HIS MOTOR SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. HE WAS TOLD SEVERAL DAYS LATER THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND IN HIS CASE THE ENTIRE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I AM SURE IN HIS CASE BECAUSE HE WAS DRIVING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED AND THE VALVES CONTINUED TO HIT THE PISTONS DAMAGING THE ENTIRE ENGINE. HAD HE BEEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I DON'T KNOW IF SATURN HAS ISSUED ANY TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS, MY DEALER SAYS NO BUT I WOULD GUESS THEY HAVE SINCE THE AREA (ENGINE REBUILDERS ASSOCIATION) HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETINS DATED APRIL 2004 WHICH SAYS, "THE AREA TECHNICAL COMMITTEE OFFERS THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION REGARDING CHANGES TO THE TIMING CHAIN AND OILING NOZZLE ON THE 2000-2003 SATURN 2.2L ENGINES. ALL GM TIMING CHAIN KITS AVAILABLE THROUGH GM SERVICE HAVE A REVISED NOZZLE INCLUDED IN THE KIT. THE REVISED NOZZLE HAS HIGHER FLOW RATE CHARACTERISTICS THAT WILL INCREASE OIL FLOW TO THE TIMING CHAIN UNDER LOW RPM OPERATING CONDITIONS. WHENEVER REPLACING THE TIMING CHAIN, IT IS IMPORTANT TO REPLACE THE OIL NOZZLE." THIS SAME ENGINE IS IN AT LEAST THE CHEVY CAVALIER. I CONTEND THAT THE ORIGINAL TIMING CHAIN OIL IS FAULTY, IT DOES NOT MAINTAIN THE PROPER OIL TO THE TIMING CHAIN UNDER LOW RPM, THUS CAUSING IT TO HEAT UP AND OVER TIME BREAK, WHICH CAUSES MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE AND EXPENSE TO THE CUSTOMER. THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM SHOULD THIS HAPPEN IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AROUND ANY MAJOR CITY PUTTING INNOCENT PEOPLE'S LIVES IN JEOPARDY. GM SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM BY INSTALLING OR IN MINE AND I AM SURE OTHERS CASES PAYING FOR THE REPAIR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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