Saturn SL Complaints (2000)

148 consumer complaints on file.

#10135824September 8, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
A 2000 SL1 SATURN PASSENGER VEHICLE IS THE SOURCE OF THIS COMPLAINT. SATURNS ARE OFTEN RECOGNIZED AS BEING 200K MILE CARS - LOOK FOR THE WALL AT THE SERVICE CENTERS. - POLAROIDS OF 'HAPPY' SATURN CUSTOMERS. AFTER 94K MILES, MY SATURN HAD A PISTON FRAGMENT INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE MOTOR IS A TOTAL LOSS. I JUST PAID IT OFF 6 MONTHS AGO. SATURN REFUSED TO SUPPLY ANY EXPLANATION OR OFFER TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10131843August 7, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
REVERSE GEAR HAD BEEN ACTING FUNNY (NOT GOING INTO REVERSE AND ALLOWING THE CAR TO SLIDE FORWARD BEFORE GRABBING). GRINDING SOUND WAS NOTED, TOOK CAR INTO AAA APPROVED FACILITY, THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. FINALLY REVERSE GEAR JUST QUIT (AS I WAS TRYING TO PARALLEL PARK) AND "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. THIS WHOLE PROCESS TOOK ABOUT A MONTH FROM START TO FINISH. TOOK IT BACK TO AAA APPROVED FACILITY WHO PUT IN ON THE COMPUTER AND FOUND VARIOUS CODES P0300, P0732, P1599, P0732, P1599. THE MILEAGE ON THIS CAR IS 37,134. I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2000. CALLED SATURN IN STEVENS CREEK, WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO BRING IT TO A SATURN DEALERSHIP. EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT THE NEAREST ONE IS APPROX. 2 HOURS FROM WHERE I LIVE AND I WAS NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING A CAR WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT DISTANCE.(2ND INTO 3RD GEAR WAS NOW VERY ROUGH SHIFTING). WAS TOLD THAT WAS THE ONLY OPTION. THIS IS MY ONLY CAR SO THIS WAS NOT AN OPTION AT ALL. CHECKED AROUND THIS AREA TO FIND SOMEONE TO FIX IT. AAMCO WILL NO LONGER REPAIR TRANSMISSIONS IN SATURN CARS BECAUSE THEY ARE SO UNRELIABLE. FOUND A REPAIR SHOP THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH WHO SAID THEY WILL FIX IT FOR $1,700.00. THEY DID RESEARCH AND FOUND A BULLETIN (# 00-T-24) WHICH DEALS EXACTLY WITH THIS PROBLEM AND SUGGESTS HOW TO FIX IT. IN THE BULLETIN (OF WHICH I HAVE A COPY) IT STATES "THIS CONDITION MAY BE CAUSED BY AN IMPROPERLY MACHINED SURFACE FINISH ON THE AREA OF THE INPUT SHAFT HUB WHERE THE SEALS RIDE. IMPROPER SURFACE FINISH ON THE INPUT SHAFT HUB ALLOWS CROSS LEAKAGE BETWEEN THE 1ST AND 2ND/ REV CLUTCHES". THIS IS THE FAULT OF SATURN AND THEY SHOULD PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS. IN ADDITION TO THE $1,700.00 FOR REPAIRS, I AM HAVING TO RENT AN ECONOMY CAR FOR A WEEK AT A COST OF $163.58. AGAIN, THIS CAR HAS ONLY 37,134 MILES ON IT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10131844August 7, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
REVERSE GEAR HAD BEEN ACTING FUNNY (NOT GOING INTO REVERSE AND ALLOWING THE CAR TO SLIDE FORWARD BEFORE GRABBING). GRINDING SOUND WAS NOTED, TOOK CAR INTO AAA APPROVED FACILITY, THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. FINALLY REVERSE GEAR JUST QUIT (AS I WAS TRYING TO PARALLEL PARK) AND "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. THIS WHOLE PROCESS TOOK ABOUT A MONTH FROM START TO FINISH. TOOK IT BACK TO AAA APPROVED FACILITY WHO PUT IN ON THE COMPUTER AND FOUND VARIOUS CODES P0300, P0732, P1599, P0732, P1599. THE MILEAGE ON THIS CAR IS 37,134. I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2000. CALLED SATURN IN STEVENS CREEK, WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO BRING IT TO A SATURN DEALERSHIP. EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT THE NEAREST ONE IS APPROX. 2 HOURS FROM WHERE I LIVE AND I WAS NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING A CAR WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT DISTANCE.(2ND INTO 3RD GEAR WAS NOW VERY ROUGH SHIFTING). WAS TOLD THAT WAS THE ONLY OPTION. THIS IS MY ONLY CAR SO THIS WAS NOT AN OPTION AT ALL. CHECKED AROUND THIS AREA TO FIND SOMEONE TO FIX IT. AAMCO WILL NO LONGER REPAIR TRANSMISSIONS IN SATURN CARS BECAUSE THEY ARE SO UNRELIABLE. FOUND A REPAIR SHOP THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH WHO SAID THEY WILL FIX IT FOR $1,700.00. THEY DID RESEARCH AND FOUND A BULLETIN (# 00-T-24) WHICH DEALS EXACTLY WITH THIS PROBLEM AND SUGGESTS HOW TO FIX IT. IN THE BULLETIN (OF WHICH I HAVE A COPY) IT STATES "THIS CONDITION MAY BE CAUSED BY AN IMPROPERLY MACHINED SURFACE FINISH ON THE AREA OF THE INPUT SHAFT HUB WHERE THE SEALS RIDE. IMPROPER SURFACE FINISH ON THE INPUT SHAFT HUB ALLOWS CROSS LEAKAGE BETWEEN THE 1ST AND 2ND/ REV CLUTCHES". THIS IS THE FAULT OF SATURN AND THEY SHOULD PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS. IN ADDITION TO THE $1,700.00 FOR REPAIRS, I AM HAVING TO RENT AN ECONOMY CAR FOR A WEEK AT A COST OF $163.58. AGAIN, THIS CAR HAS ONLY 37,134 MILES ON IT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125374June 15, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT- WAS ON THE INTERNET WONDERED IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR SATURN SL2. THERE WAS, BUT IT DIDN'T INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO VIN. WHEN KEY IS NOT IN THE IGNITION ONE CAN SHIFT IN ANY GEAR, AND THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL. IT CAN BE STOLEN IF SOMEONE CHOSE TO PUSH IT ONTO A TRUCK. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125297June 14, 2005
TIRES:SIDEWALL
I HAVE HAD TWO TIRES FAIL THROUGH THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES. BOTH TIRES WERE REAR, 49,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAD JUST PASSED INSPECTION, TIRES WERE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. THE TIRE IS 185/65R14 85S FIRESTONE FR680. I REPLACED ONE WITH A NEW FIRESTONE AND THE OTHER WITH A GOODYEAR REPUBLIC. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS TIRE? I HAVE TWO MORE THAT COULD BLOW AT ANY TIME ON THE FRONT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10124156June 3, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
FOR 3 YEARS I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO SATURN ABOUT MY SATURN S SERIES CARS. ONE IS AN SL2 THE OTHER IS A SATURN WAGON. IN BOTH CASES WHEN THE WEATHER HAS BEEN EITHER SNOWY OR RAINY OR THE ROADS HAVE BEEN SLICK WHEN I TRY TO TURN THE CORNER IN THE CARS THE BRAKES DO NOT ENGAGE INITALLY. I HEAR A CLUNKING LIKE NOISE WHICH SATURN HAS YET TO BE ABLE TO REPRODUCE & THEN MY ATTEMPTS TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK AS SOON AS THEY SHOULD. THIS HAS CAUSED QUITE A BIT OF CONCERN SINCE I COULD BE ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENS OR JUST DRIVING MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL & WHEN I TAKE A CORNER THE BRAKES DO NOT FULLY ENGAGE. I WAS FIRST TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE BRAKES WHICH I DID & IT STILL DIDN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE BEYOND THE FIRST MONTH AFTER BEING REPAIRED. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT WAS THE TIRES AGAIN REPLACED BUT PROBLEM STILL HAS COME BACK. I WAS TOLD THE ROADS ARE JUST SLICK DUE TO THE FIRST RAINS, SNOW ETC OF THE SEASON. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO SATURN WHO SAYS THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM & ALTHOUGH I HAVE A HISTORY OF COMPLAINING ABOUT IT THEY HAVE YET TO OFFER A SOLUTION. THANKFULLY WE HAVE YET TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT SINCE I HAVE ON OCCASION RESORTED TO USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO AVOID A COLLISION BUT SINCE I SAW THE ARTICLE ABOUT THE GM TRUCKS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE SOMEONE WOULD LISTEN TO ME & HAVE THE S SERIES SATURNS CHECKED OUT AS WELL. I SHOWED A COPY OF THE GM TRUCK BRAKE RECALL TO MY LOCAL SATURN & ASKED THEM TO CHECK THIS ON MY CAR & WAS TOLD IT WASN'T NECESSARY SINCE IT COULDN'T POSSIBLY BE THIS AS I DON'T HAVE A TRUCK. I HAVE LISTED THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT DATE & THE NUMBER OF FAILURES FOR THIS CURRENT YEAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10120953May 15, 2005
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
MY SATURN CLUTCH/TRANSMISSION JUST LOCKED UP AND DOES NOT FUNCTION. I WAS LEFT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH MY THREE SMALL CHILDREN. MY CAR ONLY HAS 52,000 MILES ON IT. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD NOT BE OCCURING WITH THIS MILAGE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10119250April 27, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
2000 SATURN SL2 INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKING COOLANT. *MR *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10116118March 30, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
2000 SATURN SL-2 WITH 021500 MILES; ANTI-FREEZE LEAK FROM INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. THIS WILL CAUSE A PROBLEM WITH THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM.THIS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT,CAUSING A BURDEN ONTO THE CONSUMER.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10111466March 18, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH NO WARNING. *AK WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN OVERHEATED AND STALLED. THE CONSUMERS MECHANIC TOLD HER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107479January 18, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATEED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONSUMER HAD TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10096925October 14, 2004
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL WANDERED ON ITS ON. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10095582October 12, 2004
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
SET SCREW THAT HOLDS THE SHAFT THAT HOLDS THE SPIDER GEARS IN PLACE CAME LOOSE CAUSING THE SHAFT TO BACK OUT BREAKING THE TRANSMISSION APART AND LOCKING UP IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION TRANS IS AVAILABLE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10088811August 30, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE SWITCH TO MY POWER WINDOW WAS BURNED OUT IN MY CAR.TOOK IT TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP IN PHIL.THEY TOLD ME I HAD SHORTED OUT BY SPILLING SOMTHING IN MY CONSEL AREA.THEY ALSO SAID THE REGULATOR WAS SHORTED OUT.I KNEW THIS WAS A LIE.WHEN THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRENTY THEY HAD TO REPLACE ANOTHER SWITCH BECAUSE IT WAS BURNT OUT.I KNEW IT WAS THE SAME THING JUST THE OTHER SWITCH.THEY ALSO SAID THE AREA IN QUESTION WAS ALL STICKY .ANOTHER LIE.THEY WANTED 350.00 TO FIX PROBLEM.I SAID NO.I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER CAR SHOP THE MAN THERE SAID THE SWITCH WAS BURNED OUT REPLACED IT FOR 133.00.HE SAID THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT ANY THING HAD BEEN SPILLED INSIDE CONSUL AREA WHERE THE SWITCH AND REGULATOR WAS. I FEEL THAT THEY WERE JUST TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10090050August 30, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PASSENGER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHEN APPLIED. CONSUMER HAD ANOTHER DRIVER TO OBSERVED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL. BRAKE LIGH CAME ON AND THEN WENT OFF. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BULB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10089334August 19, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT A RISK PIN FELL FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING SHE STARTED TO HEAR A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. THE NEXT DAY AFTER A COUPLE OF PHONE CALLS, SHE HAD HER VEHICLE TOWED TO A SATURN DEALER. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10076097June 10, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE SHIFTING IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERATIVE. CONSUMER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. CONSUME RWAS UNABLE TO TURN OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AN D MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AMK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074820June 4, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WITHOUT ANY WARNING, I GOT IN MY SATURN AND STARTED IT AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WENT ON. AS I PUT IT IN REVERSE TO PUT IT IN A PARKING SPACE, THERE WAS NO REVERSE MOVEMENT, ONLY REVING ENGINE. THE DEALER I TOOK IT TO, TOLD ME THIS WAS A "KNOWN" PROBLEM (A NUT GETS LOOSE AND FALLS OFF, INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. I ALSO NEEDED A TRANSMISSION SERVICE. I WAS SUSPECIOUS AT FIRST BUT I WAS NOT CLOSE TO HOME SO I PAID THE $440.OO. TODAY I FIND THAT THERE ARE IDENTICAL AND NEARLY IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS AND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN SINCE APR 2000, ONE MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. THIS IS SO OBVIOUS A WARRANTY SITUATION AND I WANT TO BE REIMBURSED WITH CREDIT CARD INTEREST !!!!!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074699June 2, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION WILL NOT ALWAYS TURN OUT OF LOCK POSISTION. YOU HAVE TO FIGHT WITH IT TO GET IT TO TURN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073866May 19, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION LOCKS WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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