Saturn LW200 Complaints

21 consumer complaints on file.

#11485334September 19, 2022
ENGINE
driving at 35 mph when engine stopped running and failed to restart. inspection determined timing chain had failed due to failure to keep tension. the timing chain tensioner on Ecotech 2.2 engines from 2000-2004 had tensioners which failed to keep the chain taught which lead to GM redesigning the tensioner. this problem was never recalled and consequentially this occurred in almost all of these engines and caused severe engine damage to pistons and valves, requiring a complete engine overhaul somewhere's around 100k miles on up. GM's new tensioner design solved this and the part cost a mere $50 yet no recall ever happened. I had to put a new engine in my Saturn and spent over 8000 dollars...
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11325514May 22, 2020
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
VEHICLE EXHIBITS A CONSTANT, STRONG GASOLINE SMELL ORIGINATING FROM REAR OUTSIDE AREA WITH NO ENGINE CODE AND NO LACK OF DRIVABILITY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11196083April 14, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CRANKSHAFT SENSOR CAUSE CAR TO SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND STALL I HAD SENSOR REPLACE IT OCCUR AGAIN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11096799May 18, 2018
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
RECALL 03033/03-C-06 IGNITION CONTROL MODULE WAS NEVER SERVICED. OWNED BY A 88 YEAR OLD LADY. MUST SOME KIND OF A REPAIR SCAM IN LA.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11006653July 20, 2017
ENGINE, STEERING, SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR WITH 2 SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN IN IT MY STEERING WHEEL WENT CRAZY. IT WENT FROM BEING CENTER TO VERTICAL. I DROVE AS CLOSE TO HOME AS I COULD GET AND THEN MY CAR CAME TO A GRINDING HAULT. I THOUGHT I UAD A FLAT TIRE BUT THATS NOT WHAT IT WAS. AFTER TOWING IT HOME WE LOOKED UNDER IT AND THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD BROKE!! WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT BROKE THE CONTROL ARM ON MY CAR CAUSING MY TIRE TO ROTATE INWARD AND BACK INTO THE FENDER WELL. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT AND WE HAVE NO OTHER CAR. THE ONLY WAY THE CHILDREN WERE HURT WAS PSYCHOLOGICAL, SINCETHEY ARE AUTISTIC. NOONE WAS INJURED BUT IF THE CRADLE BROKE CAUSING THE CONTROL ARM TO BREAK WHILE DRIVING I VERY WELL COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL. WE WERE STRANDED IN THE DARK, WITH 2 SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS AND NOWAY HOME. IF WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10946331January 19, 2017
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN LW200. `THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT A FUEL ODOR WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. .....UPDATED 03/08/17 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK AND RUNNING DOWN THE TANK. THE PUMP WAS REPLACED DUE TO A CRACK IN THE PUMP. UPDATED 03/13/17.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10909808September 26, 2016
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN LW200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED TWO OTHER TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10898893August 26, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 WEEKS AGO THE ODOMETER READ 42,000 MILES AFTER A BATTERY CHANGE IT NOW READS 692,208 MILES! EVEN THOUGH THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE BCM COMPUTER GM SAYS I AM NOT COVERED FOR REPAIR . NO ONE IN BARA'S OFFICE AT GM OR SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE (GM) OFFICE CAN TELL US IF THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE. THEY ONLY WANT TO SELL A NEW CAR TO US! THIS IS A LOW MILEAGE CAR IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WE DONT WANT TO SELL IT AND WE FEAR SELLING IT TO SOMEONE ELSE AS IT MAY NOT BE SAFE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10816763December 29, 2015
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN LW200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATOR FUNCTION AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE OWNERS RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10760239August 31, 2015
STEERING, ENGINE, SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING ABOUR 30 MILES,CAR STARTED TO GO CROOKED. AS I PICKED UP SPEED 2 ABOUT 50, IT KEPT GOING TO RIGHT AND AS IF I WAS NOT CONTROLLING IT. HAPPENED VARIOUS TIMES WITH SPEED COMING TO 45-50. WOULD HAVE TO GET OFF FREEWAY, FELT IN DANGER, GO DOWN STREETS OR TURN AROUND . ALIGNMENT. BALANCE, TIRES NOT LAST LONG.CONTROLING STEERING WAS OFF BASE.WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC TO LOOK AT RECALLS FOR THAT TYPE OF CAR. HE HEARD OF SOMETHING WHILE BACK. CAR FINALLY CUT OF WHILE IN DRIVING AND PARKED. FINALLY AFTER 3-4 MONTHS WITH THIS, IT WOULD NOT START ANYMORE, STRANDED AND TOWED HOME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10703682April 13, 2015
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2001 SATURN L200. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL BULLETIN 05052. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHT WORKED SPORDICALLY AND THE PROBLEM WENT ON FOR YEARS. RELACING THE BULB WOULD ONLY CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT TIME. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10659550December 16, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2002 SATURN L200. AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON, AND WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON AND THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. *TA THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10650623October 28, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN LW200. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V245000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10650775October 28, 2014
ENGINE
TIMING CHAIN BREAK, CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. VEHICLE MANUFACTURED 09/01. NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT ANY POSSIBLE RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10616592July 26, 2014
ENGINE
WHEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR , IT DIED. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE TIMING CHAIN FOR THE SATURN L SERIES FOR THE YEAR OF MY VEHICLE. YET, MINE IS 2 MONTHS SHY OF THE RECALL DATE. MY MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THESE VEHICLES OF THIS YEAR. TELL ME WHY THE ENTIRE PRODUCTION TIME OF THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED? SEEING HOW THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE HAVING THIS ISSUE. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT INVOLVED IN THIS SITUATION, BUT I AM SURE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN. I AM ASKING THAT MY ENGINE BE REPLACED BY GM. I AM ASKING THAT THE THE RECALL BE EXTENDED FOR THE UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE WHO NOW HAVE VEHICLES THAT CANNOT BE DRIVEN DUE TO A FAULTY MANUFACTURING ISSUE. THE NHTSA NEEDS TO EXTEND THE RECALL! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10610956July 16, 2014
ENGINE
THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A TAPPING SOUND @ THE VALVE COVER PASSENGER SIDE WHEN ENGINE WAS RUNNING. OVER A PERIOD OF TIME THE TAPPING GOT LOUDER. TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP THEY SAID IT DEFINITELY WAS THE TIMING CHAIN AND CAUTIONED ME NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR ANY MORE TILL I GOT THE CHAIN REPLACED. THE CHAIN COULD BRAKE AND CAUSE THE VALVES TO HIT THE PISTONS MAKING MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEMS $$$$.THE SHOP I TOOK IT TO WOULD NOT WORK ON SATURN TIMING CHAINS ANY MORE THEY HAD TO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS ISSUE. { 2000 L-SERIES 2.2L 4 CYL TWIN CAM 16 VALVE }. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10605671June 24, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR WON'T START, SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM THROUGHOUT GM'S CARS, YET THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE BEING LED IN CIRCLES BY ANY VEHICLE WITH A PASSLOCK II SYSTEM AND IT IS AN UNSAFE PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. IT PREVENTS VEHICLES FROM RESTARTING IN POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AREAS WHILE THE VEHICLE RESETS AND CAN PERMANENTLY DISABLE THE CAR IF NOT ADDRESSED. THE PROBLEM LIES IN A DESIGN OVERSIGHT AND CUTTING A MATERIAL COST BY PUTTING IN A CHEAP COMPONENT THAT ANY BASIC CHEMIST COULD TELL YOU WOULD GO BAD WITHIN A YEAR OR TWO. CHANGE YOUR IGNITION SWITCH CONTACT FROM NICKEL TO GOLD PLATED CONNECTORS AND OXIDATION WILL NOT CAUSE FAULTY READINGS TO TRICK YOUR VEHICLES INTO THINKING THAT THEY ARE BEING STOLEN AND SHUTTING OFF THE FUEL PUMPS. REMUNERATION FOR INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY THIS FINANCIAL BURDEN FOR THE PURCHASE OF YOUR VEHICLES IS ALSO A REQUEST AS THIS PROBLEM IS A GOLD MINE FOR CAR MECHANICS, BOTH GM CERTIFIED AND FREELANCE, TO TROUBLESHOOT NUMEROUS SYSTEMS BEFORE IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM PROPER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10596097June 4, 2014
ENGINE
AFTER STARTING CAR AND ROLLING BACK TO LEAVE PARKING SPACE AT 5MPH THERE WAS A MUFFLED POP AND THE CAR STOPPED MOVING.I TRIED TO CRANK ENGINE AGAIN AND IT WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO PUSH IT INTO A NEARBY PARKING SPOT. LOCAL REPAIR PERSON DIAGNOSED THE CAR NEEDS A NEW TIMING CHAIN. SAID SAME YEAR AND MODEL WAS INVOLVED IN GM SAFETY RECALL 06074 ISSUED DECEMBER 2007 ACCORDING TO HIS DATABASE. GM SAYS MY CAR ISN'T INVOLVED IN THAT RECALL. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN BREWING FOR YEARS AS THE CHAIN SEEMS NOT TO BE GETTING PROPER OILING AND WOULD RATTLE MAKING A DREADFUL NOISE WHICH WOULD SUBSIDE AFTER A FEW MILES NORMALLY. IT HAS OCCURRED PERIODICALLY SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR USED WITH 32K MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10568462March 13, 2014
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
2001 SATURN L200. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION CONTROL MODULE FAILURE RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IN DECEMBER 2013, THE VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING REALLY BAD, RUNNING ROUGH AND WOULD SHUT OFF. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS MECHANIC, WHERE HE DISCOVERED A RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS NEVER INFORMED ABOUT THE RECALL. THE MECHANIC FIXED THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, IT CONTINUED TO RUN ROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HIS MECHANIC, AND HE INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10547397October 9, 2013
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN LW200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO OTHER COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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