Saturn SL Complaints (2000)

148 consumer complaints on file.

#11111100July 13, 2018
AIR BAGS, WHEELS
HIT MOUNTAIN HEAD ON AND CAR ROLLED AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. REAR TIRE AND DRUM BROKE OFF CAR WHILE DOING 50 MILE PER HOUR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
1
#10875003June 18, 2016
SERVICE BRAKES
THERE IS NO ISSUE WITH MY BRAKE LIGHT BULB IT IS NOT BURNT OUT. ALL THE FUSES HAVE BEEN CHECKED OVER BY QUALIFIED SALESPERSON WHO HAD SHOWN ME THAT MY THAT MY BRAKE LIGHT WAS STILL WORKING, AND YET MY BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK. I AM AFRAID OF DRIVING AT NIGHT, AND WORRY CONSTANTLY THAT I WILL BE STOPPED DURING THE DAY, AS I DON'T HAVE ANY EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS ONE DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK. I READ SOMEWHERE ON A SATURN FORUM THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL OVER THIS ISSUE, BUT I AM UNABLE TO LOCATE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10662400December 5, 2014
ENGINE
THE TIMING CHAIN WENT OUT AND NEEDS REPLACED. THE ENGINE CRANKS BUT WILL NOT TURN OVER. OUR MECHANIC TOLD US WE'RE LOOKING AT A $1000 PLUS REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10650315October 27, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SOON AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE WE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. SOMETIMES IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO EVEN START THE CAR AS THE SWITCH WOULD BE FROZEN IN PLACE. AFTER SOME PLAY WITH THE STEERING WHEEL IT WOULD WORK. THEN THERE WERE TIMES YOU COULD NOT TURN THE VEHICLE OFF WITHOUT SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. WE TRIED TO TAKE THE CAR TO A MECHANIC TO SEE IF IT COULD BE FIXED BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. NOW THE KEY HAS TO BE LEFT IN AT ALL TIMES, YOU CAN'T REMOVE IT AT ALL. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN WITH ALL THE RECALLS REGARDING THE IGNITION IN THESE VEHICLES. NOT TO MENTION A PERSONAL CONCERN THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE EASILY STOLEN WITH A VISIBLE KEY IN THE SWITCH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10638367September 23, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I TURNED MY CAR INTO A PARKING LOT, AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY JUST QUIT WORKING. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR, IT ALSO HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, AND AGAIN WHEN I MADE A LEFT TURN INTO ANOTHER PARK LOT,ALL ON THE SAME DAY IN LESS THAN 1 1/2 HOURS TOTAL TIME. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM REPEATEDLY OVER THE LAST ABOUT SEVEN YEARS. I WAS TOLD WHEN I FIRST HAD TROUBLE WITH THE IGNITION HOUSING COMING LOOSE, NOT TO PUT ANY OTHER KEYS ON THE KEY RING, AND I ONLY HAVE THE CAR KEY ON THE CHAIN. I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION CHANGED TWICE, AND THIS MAY BE THE THIRD TIME, ON THE LAST TIME I WAS TOLD THERE WERE PIECES OF METAL IN THE IGNITION THAT PROBABLY CAUSED THE PROBLEM. MY CONCERN IS WHAT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE BELTWAY INSTEAD OF THE STREET, OR WHILE I WAS DRIVING (WHICH IT DID,BUT THE STREET WAS EMPTY) INSTEAD OF STOPPED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10633363September 15, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CAR WILL TURN OVER AND IMMEDIATELY STALL. THIS WILL CONTINUE FOR APPROX. 10 TO 15 MIN.EACH TIME YOU TURN THE KEY,IT WILL TURN OVER AND IMMEDIATELY STALL. AS IF THERE IS NO GAS GOING TO THE FUEL INJECTORS; OR THE FUEL INJECTORS STOP . NO MECHANIC CAN SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM SINCE IT NEVER HAPPENS WHEN I'M AT THE REPAIR SHOP. LIKE I SAID WHEN THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS, IT WILL LAST FOR APPROX. 10 TO 15 MIN. THEN THE CAR WILL START AS IF NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10632710September 12, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
KEY FALLS OUT OF IGNITION WHILE DRIVING! THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED WITH ALL OF THE OTHER GM VEHICLES. THIS IS A DANGER AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY INJURED! STEP UP GM AND FIX THE COST CUTTING CORNERS YOU CUT AND PUT YOUR CUSTOMERS AT RISK! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10632728September 12, 2014
POWER TRAIN
ROLL PIN ON RETAINER IN TRANSMISSION DIFFERENTIAL SHEERED OFF CAUSING THE RETAINING PIN TO WEAR THROUGH THE BELL HOUSING AND SEIZE TRANSMISSION. A ROLL PIN IS LIKE USING A RIVET TO HOLD A VERY IMPORTANT MECHANICAL COMPONENT TOGETHER. THIS IS ANOTHER HORRIBLE GM DESIGN. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. $2300 LATER TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10630973September 5, 2014
POWER TRAIN
JUST WANTING TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING OR STILL, I CAN MOVE THE SHIFT FROM D TO N WITHOUT HAVING TO PRESS THE BUTTON TO UNLOCK THE SHIFTER. SAME CAN BE SAID FROM N TO R. I'VE NEVER TRIED IT WHEN IT'S MOVING, BUT WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED, I CAN PUSH IT FROM D TO R. THAT WOULD BE QUITE INTERESTING TO TRY IF IT WERE SOMEONE ELSE'S CAR. THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10631049September 5, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE AS NORMAL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE IGNITION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10608131July 3, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND IT WAS COASTED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL FAILED ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE IGNITION SWITCH, IGNITION CONTROL MODULE AND CYLINDER WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10606365June 26, 2014
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
HAD A FEW MONTHS, HOT SUMMER AND KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION. MANUAL THAT CAME WITH CAR SAID THIS COULD HAPPEN AND IF IT DID TO TURN THE WHEEL, JIGGLE THE SHIFT, ETC. WOULD NOT HAVE THIS TROUBLE EXCEPT IN HOT WEATHER. ON OCT 29, 2010 I HAD LOCK CYLINDER & KEYS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE BY AN AUTHORIZED GM DEALERSHIP. NOW IT IS DOING IT AGAIN (6/26/2014) WITH ONLY 44,000 ACTUAL MILES ON IT. ONLY AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP HAS EVER WORKED ON THIS VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER WHO HAS A NEWER SATURN AND TO A SATURN OF MY GRANDDAUGHTERS. I HATE TO HAVE TO SPEND ANOTHER $310 AT MY EXPENSE TO FIX THIS KNOWN DEFECT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10576317April 1, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IMPORTANT, I DO NOT KNOW THE DATES SO I HAD TO JUST PUT IN A RANDOM ONE. THIS CAR TURNED ITSELF OFF ON 3 OCCASIONS. I BROUGHT IT TO SATURN ON ALL THE INCIDENTS. I WOULD BE DRIVING AND START TO BREAK AND DOWNSHIFT AND THE CAR WOULD LITERALLY JUST TURN OFF, AND I WAS LITERALLY AT THE CARS MERCY TILL IT WOULD TURN BACK ON. AS A FORMER DRIVERS ED INSTRUCTOR, I AM JUST LUCKY I REMAINED CALM. AT SATURN THEY TRIED TO TELL ME THIS COULD NOT HAPPEN. I DEMANDED IT DID, AND THE ONE TIME EVEN LEFT THE CAR WITH THEM FOR A WEEK. I SEEN THE RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE BUT THAT THEY ARE ONLY RECALLING TILL THE 2003'S. I AM THEREFORE COMPELLED TO MAKE SURE IT IS KNOWN THESE INCIDENTS HAPPENED AS FAR BACK AS THE 2000 MODELS. I ALSO AM WILLING TO TESTIFY IF NEED BE BECAUSE I WAS SO UPSET. I HAD NO IDEA BACK THEN HOW TO HANDLE IT, SO I LET IT GO. HOWEVER, NOW I KNOW WHAT TO DO AND SO I AM FILING IN HOPES THIS HELPS PEOPLE BE SAFE. I DO NOT REMEMBER THE DATES BECAUSE IT WAS SO LONG AGO, BUT I BELIEVE THE RECORDS SHOULD BE DEMANDED FROM SATURN IN CLARENCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10569089March 13, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I INSERTED THE KEY TO START THE CAR AND THE CYLINDER WOULD NOT TURN; THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED; HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. HAPPENED AGAIN 4-3-08 AND HAD ANOTHER NEW KEY CYLINDER INSTALLED, ODOMETER THEN 35449. IT STILL FEELS "STICKY" WHEN I TURN THE KEY AND FEELS LIKE IT COULD EASILY HAPPEN AGAIN. I LOOKED ON-LINE AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. NOW I DRIVE THE CAR AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE. I DON'T WANT TO BE STUCK SOMEWHERE WITH A LOCKED STEERING WHEEL. I'M REPORTING THIS NOW BECAUSE OF THE RECENT IGNITION PROBLEMS WITH THE SATURNS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10404873June 1, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY
REAR DOOR LATCHES DO NOT ALWAYS LATCH AFTER CLOSING REAR DOORS (SL2-4 DOOR SEDAN). EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES WILL STICK IN OPEN POSITION. IF NOT NOTICED, DOORS WILL OPEN WHEN DRIVING, USUALLY WHEN BRAKING OR MAKING A TURN. REAR SEAT PASSENGERS OR ITEMS COULD BE EJECTED FROM VEHICLE OR DOORS COULD STRIKE OTHER VEHICLES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10402914May 27, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE OF SATURN 2000 TODAY WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY MY SATURN STOPPED WORKING AND I HAD TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD PARK IN A DANGEROUS LOCATION GET TOWED ONLY TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN THAT BROKE CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. I HAVE TO JUNK MY CAR AND GET A NEW ONE. I AM VERY DISTRESSED TO FIND THE RECALL OF THE TIMING CHAIN IN THIS VEHICLE AND SINCE IT WAS LAWFULLY REGISTERED TO ME AM WONDERING WHY I HAVE NO RECALL FROM YOU? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10304629February 3, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TWICE I WAS STOPPING THE CAR--ONCE TO PARK AND ONCE AT A LIGHT AND INSTEAD OF STOPPING THE ENGINE REVVED UP AT FULL THROTTLE DRAGGING THE CAR FORWARD EVEN WITH THE BRAKES PRESSED FULLY DOWN. I HAD TO THROW THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND CUT THE ENGINE OFF TO STOP IT. NO REASON WAS EVER FOUND. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10298191January 4, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FUEL SYSTEM,GASOLINE:STORAGE TANK ASSEMBLY.NHTSA ID #00V309000. SPOKE TO A PERSON TODAY AND THEY SAID THAT MY CAE IS NOT ONE OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES IN THIS RECALL. I HAVE THIS CAR ALMOST 7 YEARS AND NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE OF THIS. HOW CAN I MAKE SURE THAT MY CAR IS NOT AFFECTED I FEEL THAT I WILL GET A HARD TIME IF I ASK THEM TO INSPECT TO MAKE SURE. ALSO GAVE THEM MY VIN NUMBER TO VERIFY TO MAKE SURE. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10288946October 19, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY 2000 SATURN SL1 SOMETIMES HAS REVERSE & SOMETIMES NOT & TO GET IT TO GO INTO REVERSE YOU HAVE TO GIVE IT A LOT OF GAS & IT HAS WENT IN REVERSE AT LOW & HIGH SPEEDS. THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10288949October 19, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHEN I START MY CAR OR PARK IT AFTER DRIVING THE RPMS SHOOT UP EXTREMELY HIGH & THE ENGINE RACES. WHEN I SHUT THE CAR OFF THE ENGINE MAKES A LOUD CLUNK DUE TO SHUTTING IT OFF WITH THE RPMS THAT HIGH. I HAVE HAD IT DIAGNOSED SEVERAL TIMES & NO ONE KNOWS WHAT IS WRONG. I HAD THE AIR IDLE SENSOR REPLACED THINKING IT WAS THE PROBLEM BUT IT IS NOT. THIS IS VERY BAD FOR THE ENGINE.*TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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