Saturn SL Complaints

2,218 consumer complaints on file.

#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
#10089157August 18, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES BECAUSE THE HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION WHEN ENGAGED. THERE WAS RECALL 98V307000 ON THIS ISSUE BUT THIS MODEL AND YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10088124August 18, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN, EQUIPMENT
I OWN A 1996 SATURN SL1 THAT I PURCHASED USED IN DECEMBER OF 2000. I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY HORN SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT SERVICED TWICE AND THE HORN IS BROKEN FOR A THIRD TIME. I REPLACED A FUSE IN SPRING 2001, BECAUSE IT WENT OUT. IN DECEMBER OF 2002 THE HORN WENT OUT AGAIN, SO IN MAY OF 2003 HAD THE DEALER REPLACE THE ENTIRE HORN ASSEMBLY. THIS LASTED UNTIL OCTOBER OF 2003 WHEN MY HORN STARTED GOING OFF WILDLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, CAUSING THE LOCAL POLICE TO RESPOND AND GIVE ME A WARNING FOR A NOISE VIOLATION. IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA I AM REQUIRED TO HAVE AN OPERATIONAL HORN TO GET MY VEHICLE INSPECTED, WHICH IS CURRENTLY COSTING ME AN $66/YEAR IN REPLACEMENT. THIS SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED REGULAR MAINTENANCE. I WAS LOOKING ON THE INTERNET FOR PARTS TO FIX MY HORN AGAIN, WHEN I CAME ACROSS A RECALL NHTSA: 98V-307, GM RECALL: 98C301. THIS APPLIES ONLY TO THE SW MODELS OF THE 1996 SATURN LINE. WHY DOES THIS ONLY APPLY TO THIS MODEL? THE EQUIPMENT AND THE CONFIGURATION ARE ALMOST IDENTICAL, AND YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS SPECIFIC COMPLAINT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10089208August 18, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THERE WAS OIL IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. WHEN THE ENGINE WARMED UP IT WOULD LEAK FLUID IN THE DRIVEWAY. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CYLINDER CRACKED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10088154August 18, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL CHANGE AT SATURN DEALERSHIP ON 6/10/04. CAR DRIVEN ONLY EVERY 10 DAYS AFTERWARDS, THEN DRIVEN 400 MILES TO NORTH CAROLINA. WITH NO DASH WARNING LIGHTS, OIL WAS 3 QUARTS LOW. REFILLED OIL, DROVE 1 MILE, ENGINE BLEW WITH CONNECTING ROD THROUGH BLOCK. STOPPED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON I-95. ENGINE REPLACEMENT REQUIRED, SATURN ACKNOWLEDGED NO RESPONSIBILITY AS CAR NOT MAINTAINED IN THEIR SYSTEM. CAR HAD 64,000 MILES AND OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 6 MONTHS. SUGGEST THAT SATURN HAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN ENGINE BLOCK, LUBRICATION OR CONNECTING RODS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10088087August 17, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED BY #5 CYLINDER BY CAM JOURNAL ON A 1999 SATURN SL-1 4 DOOR SEDAN WITH 54,950 MILES. DEALER COST WAS $2,100.00, SATURN COVERED $700.00. DEALER CLAIMED THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT YET HAD THE REPLACEMENT HEAD ASSEMBLY IN STOCK. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10087011August 16, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
ANY SATURN KEY OF OR AROUD THE SAME YEAR CAN UNLOSK OTHER SATURN DOORS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10086867August 14, 2004
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:COLUMN SHIFT ASSEMBLY
MY WIFE'S '98 SATURN SL1 HAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000 MILES ON IT. ABOUT A WEEK AGO, SHE WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR. AFTER TAKING THE CENTER CONSOLE OUT, I NOTICED THAT A RUBBER GROMMET THAT ATTACHED THE SHIFT ROD TO THE SHIFT CABLES HAD ROTTED AND BROKEN IN HALF. NORMALLY, THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN VERY EASY TO REPLACE. A NEW GROMMET COULD VERY EASILY BE POPPED IN WITH AROUND 1/2 HOUR OF WORK. WHEN I APPROACHED THE LOCAL SATURN DEALERS, THEY SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE THE .50 CENT GROMMET AVAILABLE, AND THAT THE ENTIRE SHIFTER CABLE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED (THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CABLES THEMSELVES). THE PERSON WORKING THERE SAID THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE CABLES VERY OFTEN. TOTAL COST FOR THE CABLES AND LABOR IS AROUND $600. THEY DO NOT SELL THE GROMMET SEPERATELY. GETTING SUSPICIOUS, I WENT ON THE INTERNET TO RESEARCH THE PROBLEM. I FOUND MANY SITES WITH PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM (SEE HTTP://WWW.CHAOSMAGNET.COM/BLOG/ARCHIVES/000112.HTML, HTTP://WWW.AUTOGUIDE.NET/CGI-SEC/AUTOPARTS/MESSAGES/MSG.CGI?1589.SHTML, FOR EXAMPLE). ALL COULD EASILY HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM BY GETTING A NEW RUBBER GROMMET. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT SATURN NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT. SPENDING $600 FOR A $5 REPAIR IS REDICULOUS AND WRONG. ALSO, MY WIFE'S CAR IS COMPLETELY OUT OF COMISSION UNTIL THIS CAN BE REPLACED. MANY REPORTS FROM OTHER OWNERS I HAVE READ HAVE STATED THAT TO GET AROUND SPENDING $600, THEY ARE USING SELF MADE FIXES. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS TO DO, AND COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS IN THE FUTURE. HOWEVER, THEIR OPTIONS ARE SOMEWHAT LIMITED UNLESS THEY WISH TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY. AGAIN, THIS PROBLEM COULD BE EASILY RECTIFIED IF SATURN WOULD SIMPLY MAKE THE GROMMET AVAILABLE FOR SALE. REGARDS, JAMES LANGFORD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10087754August 12, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH THE ALTERNATOR FAILSEDWITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. THE PART HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN TWO YEARS. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10086694August 12, 2004
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE A 1997 SATURN SL2. IT HAS APX 78K MILES. MY CAR HAS BEEN GOING THRU ALOT OF OIL. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE MOTOR AND WAS GOING TO COST APX 4K TO FIX.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10087794August 12, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED TOTALED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN KNEE IN THREE PLACES AND NOW UNABLE TO WALK. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL. *JB INFORMATION.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10081573August 12, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER PUMPED THE BRAKES, AND THE THEY MALFUNCTIONED. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT HOME. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION THE NEXT DAY. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE BATTERY LEAKED ACID ON THE BRAKE LINE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE FAULTY DESIGN WHICH LOCATED THE BATTERY OVER THE BRAKE LINES. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10087589August 10, 2004
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE
WHILE DRIVINT BETWEEN 10 TO 15 MPH RIGHT AXLE SPINDLE BROKE, DEALERSHIP WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10086383August 8, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
EVERY FEW MONTHS SINCE I'VE HAD MY CAR, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, IT WILL START, BUT WILL IDLE LOW. IF I TRY TO PUT IT IN GEAR, IT WILL STALL. IF I TRY TO RESTART IT AND GIVE IT GAS IT WILL IMEDIATELY CUT OFF. I'VE HAD IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC NUMEROUS TIMES AND NO ONE CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I'VE HAD THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER, OXYGEN SENSOR (TWICE), WIRES, SPARK PLUGS, ETC. REPLACED COSTING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. ONE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT WAS "THE WAY I WAS DRIVING THE CAR!" THE MOST RECENT TIME I HAD MY 2 MONTH OLD IN THE CAR AND IT STALLED WHEN I WAS IN THE INTERSECTION, TO MAKE IT THROUGH I HAD TO ACCELERATE ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE IS NO PATTERN TO THE PROBLEM LIKE THE WEATHER, SO IT IS HARD TO PINPOINT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083911July 30, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
PROBLEMS WITH 1995 SATURN SL1. *MR SMOKE HAD COME FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE DASH IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CABLE HARNESS FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH MODULE THAT CONNECTED TO THE KEY/LOCK ASSEMBLY BURNED, THE BLACK WIRE HAD NO INSULATION WHICH BURNED OFF ALL THE WAY TO THE GROUNDING POINT AT THE FIREWALL, THE BLACK WIRE WAS NOT CONNECTED TO THE CHASSIS AND ALSO BURNED OFF. (THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND SHORTED THE BATTERY AND THE BLACK WIRE/CHASSIS) *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082762July 27, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I BOUGHT A NEW 1997 SATURN , PAID CASH AND 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, I HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS. PUT BRAKES ON, COULD NOT STOP THE CAR (6/7/97). SATURN DID NOTHING REGARDING THIS. THEY SAID I WAS NOT USE TO THE BRAKES. TAPPED THE BACK OF A VAN. 2.) HAD GRAND CHILD IN CAR, BACKING INTO GARAGE BRAKES DID NOT HOLD AGAIN. HIT SAND BAGS HUSBAND HAD IN GARAGE THAT STOPPED CAR. SOME NUT CAME FROM ANOTHER STATE, SISN'T DRIVE EVEN 2 MILES AND SAIDM THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES!!!!! I WORKED IN A VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL (C.V.S.) IN CHICAGO, IL, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE INSPECTION WAS NOT RIGHT. WROTE TO EVERBODY, NOT HELP FROM NOBODY!!!!! I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND A SATURN TO ANYONE!!!THEY ARE LEMONS!!!I PUT A SIGN IN MY CAR SAYING DON'T BUY A SATURN, YOU'LL GET A LEMON LIKE MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082691July 26, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AFTER A CRASH IN A SATURN AND THE AIR BAGS EXPLODED. THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD AREA STARTED SMOLDERING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT THE FIRE OUT BEFORE IT DID A LOT OF DAMAGE.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10082694July 26, 2004
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY
PLASTIC BUSHING THAT CONNECTS THE SHIFT LEVER TO THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION BREAKS WHITHOUT ANY WARNING, AND LEAVES YOU WITHOUT THE ABILITY TOSHIFT.THIS HAPPENED WHILE PULLING ONTO THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10080670July 9, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, NEAR THE BATTERY, AFTER HAVING OIL CHANGED. TWO PARTIES HAVE LOOKED AT THE CAR AND DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THE WIRING NEAR THE BATTERY WAS THE AFFECTED AREA. THE CAR WAS A LOSS WITH ONLY 30000 MILES ON IT. SATURN DOES NOT WANT TO HONOR FACTORY WARRANTY. ALSO, SATURN FOUND CRACK IN THE ENGINE. THEY "BELIEVE" THIS CRACK COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE. NO OTHER INSPECTOR FOUND THIS CRACK AND I WANT TO KNOW HOW IT GOT THERE. SATURN HAD NO ANSWERS AND WERE VERY NASTY ABOUT MY ENTIRE SITUATION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10075489July 6, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE RESONATOR CRACKED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE RESONATOR CRACKED. THE CONSUMER WANTED THE RESONATOR WELDED BUT THE DEALER SUGGESTED A NEW RESONATOR BECAUSE THEY WERE REDESIGNED AND COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM THE OLD ONES. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT IF THE MANUFACTURER REALIZED THERE WAS A FLAW WITH THE RESONATORS THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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