Saturn L300 Complaints

128 consumer complaints on file.

#10229004May 27, 2008
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE BATTERY WARNING AND EMERGENCY SERVICE LIGHTS (I.E., "THE CAR WITH THE WRENCH" SIGNAL) FLASHED ON MY 2004 SATURN L300 IN MID-MAY 2008. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME. AS I SLOWED DOWN TO EXIT THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED. I MADE IT HOME AND PARKED IT IN THE CAR PORT. I HAD IT TOWED TO SATURN OF BIRMINGHAM (SOB) THE NEXT MORNING. SOB HAS HAD IT FOR 4 DAYS NOW. THE SERVICE TECH'S (AT LEAST THREE HAVE LOOKED AT IT) HAVE HAD A DIFFICULT TIME DETERMINING WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. FOR NOW, THE POWER TRAIN (PCM) HAS BEEN REPLACED. BUT THE SERVICE REP INFORMED ME THAT THE ALTERNATOR IS OVERCHARGING SO THEY WILL HAVE TO REPLACE IT AS WELL. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN DRAINED, WHICH WILL MAKE THIS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY ON THIS CAR (THE FIRST TIME WAS AFTER ONLY 2.5 YEARS). THE SERVICE REP INDICATED THAT THE TECH WILL HAVE TO DO A THOROUGH CHECK ON THE VEHICLE TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO OTHER PROBLEMS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN TRIGGERED BY THE PCM/ALTERNATOR/BATTERY FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217964February 13, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
I OWN A 2004 SATURN L300 SEDAN. ON OCTOBER 25, 2007, I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE PASSING LANE GOING ABOUT 65 TO 70 MPH AND THE CAR STALLS AND THE GAS PEDAL SHOWS NO RESPONSE. THE CAR ENGINE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON ALONG WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND LOSS OF POWER LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD. I HAD TO CROSSOVER A LANE AND PULL THE CAR OVER. WHILE PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK THE CAR SHAKES. I TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND START THE CAR AGAIN AND I AM ABLE TO GO BUT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD. THERE WERE NO PRECURSOR SIGNS THAT THE CAR WAS HAVING PROBLEMS. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP, AND THEY EXPRESSED THAT CODE P0606 SHOWED UP AND THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM/PCM) BECAUSE IT WAS FAULTY. ON JANUARY 31, 2008, I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR STALLED AGAIN WHILE I WAS IN THE PASSING LANE. I TOOK THE CAR TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE SO THAT THEY COULD GET A QUICK SCAN ON THE COMPUTER. AGAIN THE CODE P0606 SHOWS UP. I HAD THE GENTLEMAN PRINT ME OUT A COPY OF THE CODE, FOR MY OWN RECORD. THE RECEIPT STATED THAT THE PROBABLE CAUSE FOR THE PROBLEM IS A FAILED ECM. SO I RETURN TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM CHECK UP ON THE PROBLEM. LATER THAT DAY, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND THEN WHEN I SHOWED THEM THAT I HAD THE CODES READ JUST BEFORE I CAME IN, THEY HAD TOLD ME THAT "YES , THAT CODE CAME UP, BUT THAT WAS AN OLD CODE FROM BEFORE, SO WE JUST ERASED IT". EVEN THOUGH I HAD PROOF THAT IT WAS A NEW CODE, THEY IGNORED MY CONCERNS. ON FEBRUARY 12, 2008, JUST 12 DAYS AFTER BEING IN THE SHOP, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR STALLS WHILE I AM IN TRAFFIC GOING ABOUT 65 MPH. I AGAIN GO TO THE AUTO STORE TO OBTAIN THE RECEIPTS OF WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE SAME CODE COMES UP AGAIN P0606 (ECM/PCM FAULT). I TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DECIDE TO REPLACE TO MASS AIR SENSOR BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY THINK IS WRONG WITH IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217968February 13, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN L300. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE LOW POWER AND ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ECM, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW AIR SENSOR AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217847February 12, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN L300. THE TIRES WERE WORN ON THE INSIDES AND WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WOULD RIDE AS NORMAL AND THE FAILURE WAS ONLY VISIBLY NOTICED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE REAR SPRINGS AND BOLT KIT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217029February 5, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE DOORS SLAMMING US ALMOST FROM THE DAY WE GOT THE CAR. IT IS AN LW 300.1 2004 SATURN WAGON. MY SMALL GRANDDAUGHTER, AND A PASSENGER HAVE BEEN HIT BY THE DOOR. MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN HIT MANY TIMES ON THE BACK, ARM, AND LEGS. THE DOORS HAVE TWO STOP POSITIONS. IT IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOOR TO ITS WIDEST POSITION, AND THE OTHER POSITION DOES NOT PROVIDE ENOUGH ROOM TO ENTER AND LEAVE COMFORTABLY. THEREFORE, IF THE DOOR IS NOT PUT IN ONE OF THE TWO STOP POSITIONS, IT SLAMS IMMEDIATELY INTO THE PERSON. WE HAVE FELT PAIN AND BRUISING. WE FEEL LUCKY THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO SERIOUS INJURIES, BUT THAT COULD OCCUR THE NEXT TIME THE DOOR "ATTACKS". WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER CLAIM THAT THE CAR IS PERFORMING AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO. THAT IS THE PROBLEM -- POOR DESIGN. OUR OTHER CARS HAVE AND DO STAY OPEN WHEREVER WE OPEN THEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10215728January 22, 2008
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
SATURN 2003 L300, PURCHASED NEW, MULTIPLE ISSUES. INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER. CAR WILL NOT START WHEN GAS IS UNDER 1/4 TANK, DEALERSHIP SAYS OPERATING PER DESIGN. IGNITION, KEY FROZE, WOULD NOT TURN, KEY STUCK, CAR HAD TO BE TOWED, IGNITION REPLACED. MAJOR ISSUE: STEERING. INTERMEDIATE SHAFT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. IN ADDITION TO GEAR BOX. PROBLEM MAKES STEERING LOOSE, CLUNKING FEEL AND NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215441January 19, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL PUMP FAILURE -- DISINTEGRATED. HAVE OVER $1,000 OF REPAIRS. THIS IS ON TOP OF $400 REPAIRS LAST MONTH TO REPLACE THE HEATER CORE AND A RECOMMENDED $600+ TO REPLACE THE OIL COOLER HOUSING. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 80,000 MILES ON IT AND IS NOT PAID OFF FOR 2 MORE MONTHS. I'VE GONE TO THE WEBSITE WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG AND MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS WITH THIS AS WELL. LUCKILY, THE PUMP DIDN'T DISINTEGRATE WHILE WE WERE DRIVING, UNLIKE SOME OTHER OWNERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10211288December 9, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
2004 SATURN ION - WILL NOT START IF OUTSIDE TEMP IS BELOW FREEZING. SERVICE VEHICLE LIGHT COMES ON. IF YOU WAIT 5-10 MINUTES THEN THE CAR WILL START. THIS HAS HAPPENED 15+ TIMES TO ME IN THE LAST MONTH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10210141November 27, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
MY 2004 SATURN ION WILL NOT START WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD. AFTER SEVERAL VISITS TO THE MECHANIC IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS BECAUSE OF A FAULT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH KEEPS IT FROM STARTING WHEN IT GETS BELOW A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN SATURN IONS AND THAT THE COST TO FIX IT WOULD BE OVER $200. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201622August 31, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 2005 SATURN L300, HAD AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS AND REMOTE START INCLUDED WITH THE PACKAGE UPON BUYING. AFTER APPRX 1 YEAR, AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS (NOT THE RUNNING LIGHTS) WOULD FAIL TO TURN ON AT NIGHT, TURN OFF DURING DAY. COULD NOT OVERRIDE PROBLEM BY MANUALLY TURNING ON LIGHTS. ISSUE WAS INTERMITTENT. SATURN COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM AND SUGGESTED THAT IT WAS THE REMOTE START CAUSING THE PROBLEMS. REMOTE START WAS REPLACED. SEPTEMBER 2006, HEADLIGHT ISSUE RETURNED. ONCE AGAIN, SATURN SUGGESTED IT WAS THE REMOTE START. BCM MODULE OF REMOTE START WAS REPLACED. JULY - AUGUST 2007, NO HEADLIGHT ISSUES. HOWEVER CAR HAS STARTED ON IT'S OWN ACCORD. KEY FABS WERE SITTING ON TOP OF CAR, SO THE BUTTONS WERE NOT ACCIDENTALLY PUSHED. TAILLIGHTS WOULD PERIODICALLY FLASH FOR APPRX A MINUTE. GAS GAUGE WOULD REGISTER AT EMPTY BUT UPON TURNING CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN GAS GAUGE WORKED FINE. SATURN SUGGESTED THE REMOVAL OF THE REMOTE START. REMOTE START WAS REMOVED, NO REIMBURSEMENT WAS MADE, I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF TWO COMPANIES (SATURN AND SUNROOF, ETC) BICKERING ABOUT WHO WAS AT FAULT. SOLUTION, AFTER HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE OVER A SPAN OF THREE YEARS, CAR WAS TRADED IN FOR A VOLKSWAGEN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200111August 20, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
AFTER TURNING ON MY LEFT BLINKER, SMOKE STARTING COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD IT REPAIRED THIS MORNING AT THE SATURN DEALERSHIP. I OVERHEARD TWO OTHER CALLS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. IN FACT, ONE OF THE SERVICE ADVISORS TOLD THE CUSTOMER NOT TO USE THEIR BLINKERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199511August 14, 2007
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 SATURN L300. THE CONTACT'S ATTORNEY STATED THAT A FORD VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND STRUCK THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE CONTACT'S WIFE STRUCK HER HEAD ON THE LEFT SIDE AND HER HAIR WAS CAUGHT IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN HER AND SHE DIED DUE TO HER HEAD INJURY. HER SON, SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, WAS PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. A SAFETY RESTRAINT EXPERT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT SHOWED WITNESS MARKS OF PROPER RESTRAIN, BUT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT SHOW ANY WITNESS MARKS. PARKER HEIGHTS POLICE FILED REPORT NUMBER 05-00081. THE DEALER AND SPEED INFORMATION WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
1
#10199583August 14, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT BLINKED ON MY 2004 L300 SATURN IN LATE JUNE 2007. I TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE STATION TO HAVE THE COOLANT LEVEL CHECKED. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT WAS A LITTLE LOW BUT NOT BY MUCH. AFTER HE PUT MORE COOLANT IN, THE SIGNAL CLEARED FOR OVER A MONTH BEFORE IT CAME BACK ON AGAIN IN EARLY AUGUST. I TOOK IT BACK AGAIN AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED THAT THERE MIGHT BE A LEAK. THE SIGNAL CAME ON SHORTLY AFTER THIS VISIT AND REMAINED ON FOR A DURATION OF 30 MINUTES, WHICH PROMPTED ME TO MAKE A DETOUR AND HEAD TO SATURN TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. I TOOK IT TO SATURN AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT I HAD AN OIL COOLER LEAK. IT COST ME $802 TO REPAIR. THE CAR ONLY HAS 33,000+ MILES ON IT, AND I GET IT SERVICED ACCORDING TO SATURN'S MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR THIS VEHICLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10192028May 30, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RECENTLY RAN OUT OF WARRANTY AT 45,000 MILES. THREE SEPARATE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT AS ELECTRICAL FAILURE. FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED MASTER ENGINE FLOW FAILURE. THREE MONTHS LATER THE ENGINE FAILED AGAIN. THE CONTACT HAS SPENT ALMOST $1,200 ON REPAIRS. HE HAS CONTACTED THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND THEY REFEREED HIM TO NHTSA. THE DEALER OFFERED TO PROVIDE A WARRANTY FOR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE NUMBER OF FAILURES. HOWEVER, THE DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHY THE FAILURE RATE IS SO HIGH. THE CONTACT CALLED SATURN WHO STATED THAT HIS DESCRIPTION OF THE FAILURES LACKED MECHANICAL KNOWLEDGE. SATURN WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION, BUT RESPONDED BY STATING, "DIDN'T WE HELP YOU OUT BY EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO FIX THE ISSUE?" THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER BOTH REFERRED THE CONTACT TO ONE ANOTHER. HE STATED THAT SATURN DOES NOT WHAT ANY PART IN THE MATTER AND HIS VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE LEMON LAW FOR HIS STATE. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 44,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190240May 9, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM ON THE 2003 SATURN L300. OUT OF THE BLUE THE CAR WON'T START. SOMETIMES THE PASS LOCK LIGHT COMES ON AND SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT. IF A WAIT ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND THEN TRY TO START THE CAR IT WILL WORK. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVERY DAY FOR THE PAST WEEK. BASED ON MY ONLINE SEARCH, IT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF GM CARS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10187493April 10, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
PURCHASED 2003 SATURN L 300 ON MARCH 24, 2007 AND HAD IT IN THE SHOP ON APRIL 2, 2007 AND APRIL 9, 2007 WITH SAME PROBLEM. INTERIOR LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, AND FAN PULSATE WHICH COULD CAUSE A SAFETY HAZARD ON THE HIGHWAY. THE LONGER YOU DRIVE IT THE MORE IT HAPPENS. THEY SAY IT IS NORMAL.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181545February 4, 2007
STEERING
A YEAR AGO, A GRINDING NOISE CAME FROM THE STEERING WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME, WHILE I WAS MAKING THE APPOINTMENT, THAT IT WAS THE STEERING SHAFT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181045January 29, 2007
TIRES
NOTICED LOUD RUMBLING SOUND FROM TIRES. HAD CAR IN FOR OIL, TIRE ROTATION AND BALANCE AND WAS TOLD THE TIRES ON THE REAR ARE WEARING IN A WAVY MANNER. WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. COULD FEEL WAVES ON TIRES WHEN FELT WITH HAND. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181043January 29, 2007
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
GRINDING NOISE FROM POWER STEERING WHILE MAKING TURNS. HAD TWO MECHANICS LOOK AT THE CAR AND WAS TOLD THE RACK AND PINION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT IS A COMMON FAILURE IN THIS MODEL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10178475January 11, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL* - THE CONTACT'S 2004 SATURN L300 WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 21000 MILES, HEADLIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND DASH BOARD LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT FIRST NOTICED THE FAILURE IN NOVEMBER OF 2006, SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN MOSTLY IN THE DAY TIME THE FAILURE MAY HAVE BEEN OCCURRING PREVIOUSLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SATURN OF FISHERS IN INDIANA, WHERE AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR TWO DAYS HE WAS TOLD THAT A SAFETY BULLETIN HAD BEEN RELEASED ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THIS IS A NORMAL CONDITION FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT IS ALSO WORRIED THAT POLICE MAY STOP HIM DUE TO THE FAULTY LIGHTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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