Saturn SL Complaints (2002)

131 consumer complaints on file.

#10289173October 20, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR IDLES HIGH. IF YOU ARE AT A LIGHT OR PARKED IN THE CAR THE CAR WILL IDLE HIGH THEN SHUT OFF. IF YOUARE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND NEED TO PICK UP SPEED THE CAR REVS UP AND THEN RPMS GO REAL HIGH BUT NOT ANY POWER PUT INTO THE CAR TO MOVE. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE WE FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR. AND IS GETTING WORSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10285018September 23, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
THE STARTER MOTOR ENERGIZED WITHOUT A KEY IN THE IGNITION OR ANYONE IN/NEAR THE CAR. IT WAS IN GEAR WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, AND IT RAN OVER A 12 INCH "STOP" AND INTO A FREEZER WHERE IT CONTINUED TO RUN FOR SOMETIME UNTIL IT BURNED UP. THE FREEZER PREVENTED IT FROM GOING THROUGH THE GARAGE WALL AND INTO THE HOUSE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258175February 10, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. WHENEVER THE CONTACT STARTS THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE FAILS AND THE IGNITION WILL NOT START. SHE HAD NEW KEYS MADE, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE. DURING THE FAILURE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINS ILLUMINATED AND WILL NOT DIM. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR OVER A YEAR. THE CONTACT MUST WIGGLE THE KEYS FOR AT LEAST FIFTEEN TO THIRTY MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL START. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 3/19/09 *CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ENGINE IDLES VERY HIGH. OVER 4000 RPM/ UPDATED 03/25/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258259February 10, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THIS CAR SINCE NEW DELAY AND HARD SHIFTS INTO REVERSE ALWAYS, AND FORWARD GEARS QUITE FREQUENTLY HAD SATURN SERVICE DEPT CHECK AND THEY SHOW NO CODES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255543January 19, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2002 SATURN SL2 TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND DAMAGED ENGINE VALVES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247961November 7, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2002 SATURN SL MILEAGE: 50+K ONLY 2ND OWNER BOUGHT FROM USED AUTO DEALER. COVERED ON DEALER WARRANTY AND FIXED IN 2005. TRANSMISSION FAILURE AGAIN AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRATION- 2008. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246332October 22, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ONE EVENING LAST WEEK I NOTICED THAT WHEN I WOULD SHIFT GEARS AFTER BEING PARKED, IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING DROPPED UNDER MY CAR. THE SAME NIGHT, I WOULD BE DRIVING ABOUT 35-40 MILES AND HOUR IN THE 1-2 RPM RANGE, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE GAUGE WOULD QUICKLY JUMP TO 3 RPMS AND THEN DROP BACK DOWN. IT DID THIS CONSISTENTLY EVERY 2-3 MINUTES. I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP THE NEXT MORNING BECAUSE I FELT THAT IT WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. THE BODY VALVE WAS DAMAGED WHICH WAS THE MAIN PROBLEM. THAT WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH A FEW OTHER PARTS. WHEN I WAS PAYING ($2895) THE MAN THAT HAD BEEN HELPING ME INFORMED ME THAT HIS SHOP HAD ENCOUNTERED MANY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH MY MODEL CAR (2002 SATURN SL1) AND THAT THEY CHECKED IN TO ANY KIND OF RECALL OR BULLETINS. HE SAID THAT HE FELT THAT GM WOULD BE ISSUING A BULLETIN RELATIVELY SOON. I DID MY OWN RESEARCH AND FOUND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT SATURN TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, IN PARTICULAR THE BODY VALVE. WHEN MY FATHER ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THE NEW VEHICLE, HE HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SHIFTING OF THE CAR AND GONE TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP TO COMPLAIN A FEW TIMES, AND HE WAS TOLD, "OH, THAT'S JUST THE WAY CAR IS." I FEEL THAT THIS CAR HAD A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IN THE BEGINNING THAT WAS BRUSHED UNDER THE RUG, AND HAS CREATED A ALMOST $3000 PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237493August 8, 2008
TIRES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL1. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65-75 MPH, BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES BLEW OUT. TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURES, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED TO FIND OUT IF IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE LONG DISTANCES. THE VEHICLE PASSED INSPECTION AND THE DEALER WAS UNAWARE OF THE FAULTY VALVE STEMS. AAA INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VALVE STEMS ON THE TIRES WERE FAULTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235733July 25, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I HAVE A SATURN SL2 AND EVERYTIME I TRY TO START THE CAR, THE KEY GETS STUCK AND I HAVE TO JIGGLE AND PUSH AND SHOVE AND SIT IN THE HOT CAR FOR OVER 15 MINUTES IN THE SUMMER HEAT TO START THE CAR. THIS IS AFTER I PAID TO HAVE TWO NEW KEYS MADE THINKING THAT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I DID SOME RESEARCH AFTER BEING TOLD I NEED A NEW IGNITION BARREL AND SAW THAT MANY MANY MANY SATURN VEHICLE OWNERS GO THROUGH THE SAME THING... WHY HASN'T THIS ISSUE BEEN ADDRESSED BY SATURN??? WE MUST WE SPEND SO MUCH MONEY ON A FAULTY ITEM? LIFE AND GAS IS SO EXPENSIVE TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH A FAULTY CAR THAT THIS DEALERSHIP KEEPS SELLING. PLEASE HELP US! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10233995July 11, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, IT WOULD JAM AND NOT TURN TO THE ACCESSORY POSITION. HE DESCRIBED THE IGNITION LOCK AS "FROZEN". AFTER REFERENCING THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THE CONTACT JIGGLED THE STEERING WHEEL AND KEY, BUT STILL WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER (OR TUMBLER) WAS DEFECTIVE ACCORDING TO A MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, WHICH LAPSED ON MAY 30, 2008. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,302 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000. UPDATED 08/04/08. *LJ THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE IGNTION LOCK CYLINDER. UPDATED 08/06/08
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10231155June 16, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2002 SL1 (AUTO TRANSMISSION)WITH OVER 150,000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION HAD STARTED CLUNKING WHEN ENGAGED IN REVERSE AND ALSO WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN OTHER GEARS. I DECIDED TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION REBUILT. I HAVE HAD MY CAR AT A TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR OVER A MONTH NOW. THE MECHANICS REPLACED MY VALVE BOX AND STILL AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. MY MECHANICS IS AT A LOSS RIGHT NOW. I HAVE READ ALOT OF BLOGS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE SATURN TRANSMISSIONS AND BELIEVE I AM NOT GOING TO GET MY CAR FIXED BY MY CURRENT MECHANIC NOR ANYONE ELSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10230735June 11, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL1. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION WILL NOT TURN TO THE START POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT TAKES 5-10 MINUTES OF ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE IGNITION WOULD TURN. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,787 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224431April 14, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL2. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. DURING THE MOST RECENT FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220829March 11, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL2. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20 AND 40 MPH MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME SLUGGISH WHILE THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. HE HAD TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN AND GRADUALLY ACCELERATE IN ORDER TO SWITCH GEARS. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND THEY ACCUSED HIM OF NOT FOLLOWING THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,323 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,175. UPDATED 04/04/08. *LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216992February 5, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANT, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WITH A COMPLAINT THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WELL AND DESCRIBED IT AS "SLUGGISH". AFTER CHECKING IT, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS NOT THE ENGINE. WHEN I KEPT NOTICING THAT THE OIL IN THE CAR WAS EXTREMELY LOW BETWEEN OIL CHANGES, BUT IT WAS NOT LEAKING OUT OF THE CAR NOR WAS THE CAR BURNING OIL FROM THE EXHAUST, I CONTACTED THE DEALER VIA TELEPHONE AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD JUST FIXED A CAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REBUILT TO THE TUNE OF $1400. AT THIS POINT, THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I WAS ADVISED THAT THE OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE ITSELF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209870November 26, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AT AROUND 60K THE SATURN SL1 2002 SHOWED A TROUBLE CODE WITH THE INTAKE GASKET LEAKING FUEL MILEAGE SUFFERED. THIS CAR CAN NOT PASS SMOG AND NOW THE CAR IS CONSUMING 1 QT OF OIL IN 300 MILES, AS WELL AS GETTING TERRIBLE GAS MILEAGE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AS I WOULD THINK THAT SINCE THE NET IS LITTERED WITH THIS PROBLEM ON THE SL1 1.9 IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY SATURN. IF THERE IS NOT A COMMON FAILURE WITH THE INTAKE GASKET WHY HAS SATURN MADE A UPGRADED GASKET?? RECALL THIS POS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197422July 25, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
I HAVE A 2002 SATURN SL2 AND I'VE HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION TWICE NOW. I BELIEVE THAT THE DEALERSHIP IN MANCHESTER, NH KNOWINGLY SOLD IT TO ME LIKE THIS SINCE I HAD BROUGHT UP A VERY SLIGHT SPEED UP EFFECT THE CAR HAD TO THE CAR SALES WOMAN, AND SHE HAD TOLD ME THAT IT WAS BECAUSE THE CAR HAD A SLIGHTLY MORE POWERFUL ENGINE THAN THE 4.0 I WAS USED TO (IT HAD A 4.6) AND THE JUMP WAS JUST THE "EXTRA POWER". I HAVEN'T EVEN OWNED THE CAR FOR 18 MONTHS YET. IT'S A PIECE OF CRAP AND I HAVE A PRETTY BITTER TASTE IN MY MOUTH FROM DEALING WITH THE CAR DEALERSHIPS IN NH AND IN MD. THE DEALERSHIP IN SALISBURY, MD WANTED TO CHARGE ME $3100 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. I NOTICED (AFTER THE FACT) THAT THERE WAS SOME TECHNICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE BEGINNING IN ALL '02 S-SERIES, BUT I REALLY THINK THAT IF THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING ISSUES THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF RECALL ON THE PRODUCT. IT HAS ALREADY COST ME ABOUT $5000 ON TOP OF THE 9,000 THAT I HAVE ALREADY SPENT TO PURCHASE IT (COST OF CAR PLUS BANK INTEREST FOR LOAN). THE CAR IS HARDLY WORTH $14,000 BUT I'M STILL UPSIDE-DOWN ON MY LOAN SO I CAN'T GET RID OF THE THING. I'VE LOOKED INTO THE RESEARCH ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE IN HOPES THAT IT WILL GIVE SOME INSIGHT ON HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM PERMANENTLY (MORE MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN) BUT SATURN SHOULD REALLY BE REPRIMANDED OR MADE TO REIMBURSE THE CUSTOMERS SOMEHOW. CARS ARE REALLY TOO BIG OF A PURCHASE FOR THINGS TO GO THIS WRONG. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10186683April 1, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
MY SON HAD AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING 3 OTHER VEHICLES. THE MOTOR OF THE 2002 SATURN SL1 IN WHICH HE WAS DRIVING STALLED AS HE EXITED THE HIGHWAY ONTO A SERVICE ROAD. ONCE THE ENGINE STALLED,HE DID NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO STEER OR STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, HE STRUCK 2 VEHICLES THAT WERE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT CAUSING A CHAIN REACTION. THE SECOND VEHICLE THAT HE STRUCK HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE VEHICLE MY SON DROVE. THE RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE 1 SUSTAINED DAMAGE. THE REAR AND FRONT BUMPERS WERE DAMAGED ON VEHICLE 2. THE REAR OF VEHICLE 3 IS DAMAGED. THE SATURN IN WHICH MY SON WAS DRIVING HAD FRONT BUMPER DAMAGE, HOOD CRUMPLED, AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, LEFT REAR VIEW MIRROR SEPARATED FROM THE CAR, LEFT HEAD LIGHT AND BRACKETS DESTROYED, AND DAMAGE ALONG THE LEFT FRONT QUARTER PANEL. *JB MY SON RECEIVED A SUPERFICIAL CUT IN WHICH THE EMERGENCY PARAMEDICS BANDAGED WHILE ON SITE. THE SATURN WAS TOWED TO SATURN OF ARLINGTON FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. THE TECHNICIAN EXPLAINED THAT THE COMPUTER CONTAINS VEHICLE SYSTEMS INFORMATION THAT OCCURED IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE COLLISION, HOWEVER HE DID NOT HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO EXTRACT THE INFORMATION.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10184426March 7, 2007
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RACK AND PINION SYSTEM.. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.. SATURN TOLD ME SINCE MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRENTY THAT IT'S GOING TO COST ME 999.99 DOLLARS TO FIX IT A LOT OF OTHER THINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MORE THEN ONCE.. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10179088January 18, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
AT MY LAST SERVICE VISIT, THE REPAIR TECH RECOMMENDED THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF: 1 IGNITION HOUSING BOLT -- HE STATED THAT WITHOUT THIS REPAIR, THE CAR COULD SUDDENLY "STOP WHERE IT IS AND BE UNSTEERABLE AND/OR UNDRIVEABLE". (LORD HELP WHOEVER'S BEHIND ME ON THE FREEWAY THAT DAY!) I'VE OWNED 5 VEHICLES -- MANUFACTURED BY FORD, CHRYSLER, SUBARU AND GENERAL MOTORS -- NOTHING LIKE THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED BEFORE. IT'S ALSO KIND OF SCARY TO KNOW THAT THE ONLY REASON I'M AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM IS BECAUSE I JUST HAPPENED TO TAKE MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE! QUESTIONS: IF 2 LITTLE BOLTS ARE THAT IMPORTANT, SHOULDN'T THOSE AREAS, INSTEAD AND/OR IN ADDITION TO, BE SOLDERED? IS THIS TYPE OF BREAKAGE SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN? AM I DRIVING "AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN"? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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