Saturn SL Complaints

2,218 consumer complaints on file.

#10056746February 7, 2004
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
REAR WINDOWS WILL NOT GO UP OR DOWN. HOWEVER, THEY FALL DOWN ON LOW SPEED, SLIGHT IMPACT, UNLEVEL TERRAIN (BUMPS). I WONDER IF SATURN HAS ANY IDEA HOW FUN IT IS TO STOP EVERYTIME YOU PASS A BUMP IN THE ROAD, GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND MANUALLY PUSH THE WINDOWS BACK IN PLACE; ONLY TO HAVE THEM FALL AGAIN WITHIN THE NEXT HOUR. DON'T DRIVE YOUR 1998 SATURN SL2 IN THE RAIN UNLESS YOU WISH TO GET WET ALONG WITH EVERYTHING IN YOUR REAR SEAT. IT'S DEFINATELY "DIFFERENT IN A SATURN", THAT'S WHY I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ONE AGAIN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056599February 5, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
EXPLOSION IN TRANSMISSION OF 1999 SATURN SL2. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056536February 4, 2004
TIRES:SIDEWALL
SIDEWALLS CRACKING OPEN PREMATURELY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056346February 2, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
I HAVE A 1996 SATURN, SL1 WITH 65,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR A REGULAR OIL CHANGE, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WATER COOLING SYSTEM. THE CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED AND OIL LEAKS INTO THE RADIATOR SYSTEM. I CALLED SATURN AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEED TO TALK TO A LOCAL DEALER. I WAS NOT EVEN ABLE TO EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM, AND WAS DISMISSED HUMILIATINGLY. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD CONTACT SATURN, AFTER WHICH I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS ON MY OWN AS THE PURCHASE DATE WAS BEFORE THE 6 YEAR WINDOW THEY HAD DESIGNATED (6 YEAR/100,000 MILES WARRANTY). IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT SATURN KNEW ABOUT THE DESIGN FAULT SO THEY WENT WITH THIS SECRET WARRANTY. IT IS COSTING ME OVER $1000 FOR A PROBLEM I DID NOT CAUSE! I DO NOT BELIEVE SATURN SHOULD GET AWAY WITH SUCH A PRACTICE, AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS AND MY TIME (I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH THE HARDSHIP AND INCONVENIENCE I HAVE EXPERIENCED BECAUSE OF THIS DECEPTIVE ACTION BY SATURN.) I HOPE YOU WILL BE MY (AND THE OTHER CITIZENS IN MY SITUATION) ADVOCATE AND HELP US IN THIS MATTER. SINCERELY,FASSIL GHEBREMICHAEL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055169January 29, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
FREEZING ACCELERATOR ON 2001 SATURN SL1.ODAY I EXPERIENCED A FROZEN ACCELERATOR CABLE WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO ACCELERATE VERY RAPIDLY. I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 80 MILES AND STOPPED AT A STORE. WHEN I CAME OUT OF THE STORE, I STARTED THE CAR AND BACKED OUT OF THE PARKING SLOT. WHEN I THEN STARTED TO GO FORWARD, AND PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, IT FROZE UP AT A RATHER HIGH SPEED. RELEASING THE PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL DID NOT CAUSE THE PEDAL TO RETURN TO IDLE . THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS ZERO DEGREES. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE KEY OFF AND AFTER WORKING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND CABLE FOR ABOUT THREE OR FOUR MINUTES (FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE DRIVER SEAT-TOOK TWO PEOPLE) I WAS ABLE TO FREE UP THE CABLE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL OR TECH BULLETIN ABOUT THIS, AND IF NOT, SUGGEST THAT ONE BE ISSUED IMMEDIATELY. IT HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW HOURS LATER BUT I WAS PREPARED AND TESTED IT BEFORE I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR. THE CABLE APPEARS TO BE FREEZING INSIDE THE SHAFT. IT DOES NOT NECESSARILY DO IT THE FIRST TIME THE ACELERATOR IS DEPRESSED IN THE COLD WEATHER. I BROUHGT THE CAR HOME AND WILL NOT DRIVE IT AGAIN UNTIL THE WEATHER WARMS UP. I DID CALL SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND CAN NOT DO ANYTHING UNLESS A SATURN DEALER DIAGNOSES THE PROBLEM THE NEAREST SATURN DEALER TO ME IS 75 MILES AND SINCE THE WEATHER IS STILL MINUS 4 DEGREES TODAY, I WILL NOT DRIVE THE CAR TO THE DEALER DO TO THE PROBLEM. I SPOKE WITH A LOCAL GENERAL MOTORS DEALER AND HE HAS HAD OTHER SATURNS IN WITH THE PROBLEM. SUGGEST AN ALERT OR WARNING TO OWNERS AND DRIVERS BE ISSUED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054964January 27, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH A SPEED OF 50-55 M.P.H. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10055821January 26, 2004
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
THE VEHICLE FAILED NEW YORK STATE INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER SEAT BELT MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054856January 25, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
WHILE DRIVING AT APP. 45 MPH ON A CITY ROAD THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE FOLLOWED BY A CONTINUOUS RATTLE. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE SERPENTINE BELT HAD COME OFF THE PULLEY BY 3/4 INCH. I PROCEEDED TO GET THE BELT SO THAT IT WOULD NOT WORK ITSELF OFF. I PROMPTLY WENT TO THE LOCAL EXXON AND PULLED OFF THE BELT AND PUT THE CAR ON A LIFT. AFTER INSPECTION IT WAS NOTED THAT THE ALTERNATOR BRACKET..AN EXTENSION OF THE ENGINE BLOCK, HAD BROKEN OFF CLEANLY. AFTER CONSULTING WITH THE MECHANICS THERE, AND 2 OTHER ASE CERTIFIED MECHANICS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE WAS A DEFECT IN THE CASTING OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP WHO WAS OF NO HELP. I WILL BE HAVING THE BRAKING TIG WELDED BACK ON MONDAY, THEN DRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH PICTURES AND DOCUMENTATION ASKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF THE COST. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054792January 24, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
ENGINE SPEED DOES NOT RETURN TO IDLE WHEN REMOVING FOOT FROM THROTTLE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STOP. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055720January 23, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED AND CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054721January 23, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
A MIXTURE OF OIL AND ANTI-FREEZE WERE NOTED. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE HEAD WAS CRACKED DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THEY REPLACED THE HEAD AND COOLING SYSTEM HOSES ONLY. NOW 10,000 MILES LATER I AM HEARING A KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A MECHANIC WHERE HE INFORMED ME THAT THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE ENGINE IS GONE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. HE STATED THAT THE DEALER (SATURN OF MORRISTOWN, NJ) SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE ENTIRE ENGINE INSTEAD OF JUST THE TOP HALF. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10048755January 22, 2004
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BOLTS LOOSENED,CAUSING THE WIPERS TO DROP AND NOT WORK PROPERLY. THIS RESULTED IN POOR VISIBILITY. THE DRIVER HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND TIGHTEN THE BOLT. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE 3 TIMES BY REPLACING THE BOLTS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055293January 16, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO HEAR GAS SPLASHING UP AGAINST THE GAS TANK. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10070891January 15, 2004
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
BEFORE BUYING SATURN SL THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY HAD TO REPLACE A MOTOR MOUNT AND PROMISED ME A GOOD RUNNING CAR. SINCE BUYING THIS VEHICLE "USED" IN MARCH OF 2003 I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP ON AT LEAST 5 OCCASSIONS FOR A VIBRATION IN THE MOTOR THAT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE AND A LOUD EARING RINGING HUMMING IN THE CAR ITSELF THAT WOULD CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL ITSELF TO SHAKE. ALL BUT ONE OF THE TIMES THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A 4 CYLINDER AND THAT IS HOW THEY SOUND. YHEY WOULD THEN RESET THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT AND SEND ME ON MY WAY. THE NOISE GOT GRADUALLY WORSE TO THE POINT THAT IT WAS UNCOMFORTABLE PHYSICALLY TO DRIVE IT. I RECENTLY REQUESTED ANOTHER LOOK AT THE VEHICLE, THEY DID IN FACT FINALLY SAY " YA THAT'S BAD" AND QUESTIONED WHY THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT HAD NOT COME ON BUT AGAIN REPLACED THE SAME DEFECTED MOTOR MOUNT AGAIN. NOW I HAVE IT BACK AND THERE IS STILL A NOISE IN THE ENGINE THAT IS NOT RIGHT AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NO LONGER THEIR PROBLEM.THE VIBRATION ISN'T AS TERRIBLE AS IT WAS BUT MY FEAR IS THAT THEY NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM THAT CASUED THE VIBRATION JUST A SYMPTOM AND THEREFORE LIKE WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT IT WILL COME BACK. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10071090January 15, 2004
EQUIPMENT, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ACCESSORIES: VOLUME KNOB FELL OFF...NOT REPLACED YET. OVERHEAD INTERIOR LIGHT FELL OFF ROOF...REPAIRED IN AUGUST. OTHER:SINCE AROUND 40,000 MILES THIS CAR HAS HAD A SEVERE VIBRATION, WETHER FROM MOTOR OR TRANSMISSION, OR ??? IS NOT KNOWN. VIBRATION IS SO BAD THAT YOU CANNOT SEE CLEARLY OUT OF REARVIEW MIRROR WHEN IN PARK, OR IN DRIVE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. IF YOU ARE SITTING IN CAR WHILE IN PARK, VIBRATION CAN ACTUALLY CAUSE A NUMB FEELING IN YOUR BUTT (I AM SERIOUS...THIS IS NOT A JOKE!!!) OTHER TIMES IT IS A FIGHT TO KEEP THE CAR TO A STOP IF IN DRIVE BECAUSE OF VIBRATION AND A "LEAPING" FEELING. DASH PANEL VIBRATES TERRIBLY LOUD, AND IS VERY DISTRACTING FROM THIS PROBLEM TOO.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10069861January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CRACKED HEAD CYLINDER - MANUFACUTURER HAS "SECRET WARRANTY" ON THIS PART FOR 1994-1996 SATURNS. SATURN WOULDN'T COVER WHOLE REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THE "SECRET WARRANTY EXPIRED IN JUNE 2002" ON MY CAR. REASON I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD PAY FOR ALL OF IT: (1) KNOWN DESIGN DEFECT WITH ENGINE (2) MY CAR WAS IN THE DEALERSHIP GARAGE FOR ENGINE WORK DURING THE SECRET WARRANTY TERM AND DURING MY WARRANTY COVERAGE, FOR AN OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. ENGINE WAS REBUILT BUT HEAD CYLINDER WAS NEVER CHECKED FOR KNOWN PROBLEM AND I WASN'T NOTIFIED OF THE KNOWN PROBLEM. NOW BOTH WARRANTIES ARE EXPIRED SO THEY WANTED ME TO PAY THE WHOLE BILL. I REFUSED BUT THEY ONLY OFFERED TO COVER HALF. I HAVE PUT A COMPLAINT INTO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10070025January 15, 2004
STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, POWER TRAIN, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION CASING HAD A BAD LEAK WIRING HARNESS FROM IGNITION CAUGHT ON FIRE PUTTING ME AND MY FAMILIES LIFE AT RISK RATTLES REAL BAD IN REAR PORTION OF CAR HEATER QUIT WORKING
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10070610January 15, 2004
POWER TRAIN
SATURN SL1 WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIRS ON MONDAY, 6/23/03. SUPOSSEDLY COMPUTER WAS REPROGRAMMED. FOUR DAYS LATER (06/27/03) TRANSMISSION FAILED TOTALY. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED. WHOLE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BUT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10068767January 15, 2004
POWER TRAIN
1998 SATURN WITH 49,000 MILES NEEDED THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION TO BE REBUILT. THE VALVE BODIES ARE KEPT IN STOCK AT SATURN OF ROUTE 23 BECAUSE THIS IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SATURN. THE CAR HAD BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED, TRANS SERVICE AT 25,500 MILES. SATURN WILL TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY IN THE COST OF REPAIRS. I'VE NOTED THAT SATURN IS ON SEVERAL WEBB SITES WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURES DOCUMENTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10069202January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AIR CONDITIONING FAILED AT 4 YEARS, 4 MONTHS. NEW COMPRESSOR NEEDED, ACCORDING TO BOTH SATURN DEALERSHIP AND INDEPENDENT GARAGE. NOT YET REPLACED. WAITING TO SEE IF THERE IS A HIDDEN SERVICE BULLETIN BY WHICH SATURN WILL REPLACE AT REDUCED COST.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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