Saturn L300 Complaints (2004)

61 consumer complaints on file.

#10315338March 2, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
MY WIFE AND I OWN A 2004 SATURN L300. MY WIFE IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER AND SHE REPORTED SEEING A WISP OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. WE TOOK IT TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER MY WIFE REPORTED THE SAME WISP OF SMOKE. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM REPAIR IT AGAIN. THE SECOND TIME THEY REPAIRED IT, THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD NOT TURN OFF WHEN THE WHEEL WAS TURNED. ALSO, THE WISP OF SMOKE IS BACK AGAIN. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE I DON'T WANT IT TO START A FIRE WHILE IT IS BEING DRIVEN. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE OTHER ISSUES INCLUDING THE POWER STEERING RACK FAILING, THE WATER PUMP FAILING, AND THE PLENUM FAILING. THE CAR ONLY HAS 46,000 MILES ON IT AND MY WIFE HAS PUT ABOUT 13,000 IN 27 MONTHS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10315665March 2, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAVE A 2004 SATURN L300.1 SEDAN WITH CRUISE CONTROL. A COUPLE OF TIMES OVER THE PAST YEARS WHEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND PRESSING THE CRUISE CONTROL ACCELERATE BUTTON, THE BUTTON STUCK IN THE ACCELERATE POSITION CAUSING THE CAR TO ACCELERATE UNTIL THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS TURNED OFF BY BRAKE OR SWITCH. KNOWING THIS CAN HAPPEN, I AM CAREFUL USING CRUISE CONTROL AND HAVE NOT REPORTED IT. WITH THE CURRENT PUBLICITY ABOUT ACCELERATION PROBLEMS, I THOUGHT IT SHOULD BE REPORTED. BETTER LATE THAN NEVER. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10314965February 28, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 SATURN L300 AT 55 MPH. THE CAR SUDDENLY CUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME IN A PARKING LOT APPROXIMATELY 3 OTHER TIMES. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT MAY BE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10283911September 14, 2009
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN L300. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, BENT THE FRAME AND DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONTAL AND SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AN AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10259424February 20, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A SATURN L300 AND WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE LEFT LANE ONE DAY AND THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN AND STOPPED RUNNING. WHEN MY MECHANIC READ THE ELECTRICAL CODE ON THE CAR IT WAS THE BCM THAT HAD FAILED. I HAD READ THAT THIS IS A KNOWN COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES AND WANTED TO KNOW WHY THIS IS NOT A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE SINCE IT COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE AS IN MY CASE. I DID AVOID AND ACCIDENT AND GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT GETTING HIT OR HITTING SOMEONE ELSE BUT IT WAS DEFINITELY COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE AND I HAD MY 4 YEAR OLD IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME AT THE TIME. SINCE THAT HAPPENED I HAVE NOTICES OTHER THINGS GOING WRONG ON THE VEHICLE THAT ARE ATTACHED THE BCM, RADIO STOPPED WORKING, KEYLESS REMOTE STOPPED WORKING, DEFROST ON SIDE MIRRORS DON'T WORK...WHICH ARE NOT SAFETY ISSUES BUT WHAT CAUSE IT TO SHUT MY CAR DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I WAS DRIVING WAS SCARY AND UNSAFE!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252332December 20, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL, EQUIPMENT
I CAN NOT GET A REPLACEMENT PART FOR MY 2004 SATURN WAGON. THE TAIL LIGHT IS BROKEN, GM SAID THE SUPPLIER QUITE MAKING THE PART. THE CAR IS NOT LEGAL TO DRIVE WITH A BROKEN TAIL LIGHT. *TR THANK YOU ROBERT EMANUEL
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248739November 13, 2008
STRUCTURE
MY TRUNK FILLS WITH WATER IF I GO THROUGH A CAR WASH. I DIDN'T NOTICE FOR A WHILE BECAUSE I RARELY USE THE TRUNK. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS DUE TO BROKEN SEALS, IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD COST ABOUT 300.00 DOLLARS. I DON'T HAVE 300.00 DOLLARS. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN A ACCIDENT SO THERE SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM WITH THE SEALS UNDER IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236336July 29, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TROUBLE WITH ABS SYSTEM. LIGHT CAME ON, CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO FINALLY DETERMINED IT WAS THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. REPAIR EST. OVER $1200. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#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
#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
#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
#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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