2000 Saturn LS complaints

2000 SATURN L SERIES TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. METICULOUS MAINTENANCE AND SENSIBLE DRIVING STILL HAVE LEFT ME WITH A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN, BENT VALVES(INTERFERENCE MOTOR, I'M TOLD) AND BASICALLY A BUSTED MOTOR. BIG PROBLEM NOT COVERED BY A RECALL FOR THE 11/00 TO 01 L SERIES. BUNCH OF BULL RECALL ISN'T FOR MY CAR WHEN IT'S THE EXACT SAME DESIGN SEPARATED BY ONLY MONTHS IN PRODUCTION ! NORMAL DRIVING DOWN ROAD AND AWFUL RATTLE SOUND AND MOTOR WAS STALLED AND SO WAS I . *TR

MY TIMING CHAIN SEPARATED AND CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO MY ENGINE. I HAVE A SATURN 2000 LS 2.2L ENGINE. I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM, NEVER KNEW THE CHAIN WAS A PROBLEM. I WENT TO START MY CAR, IT WOULD NOT START. IT WAS TOWED TO GOODYEAR, THEY SAID I HAVE NO COMPRESSION, THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE. MY ONLY SOLUTION IS TO PUT A NEW ENGINE INTO MY CAR. I HAVE ALWAYS CHANGED THE OIL AT 3,000 MILES AND MECHANICALLY TOOK CARE OF MY CAR. I AM LOOKING TO REPLACE THE MOTOR WITH MONEY I DO NOT HAVE. A TIMING CHAIN SHOULD NOT FAIL IN THESE CONDITIONS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN ION LEVEL 2. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE WAS UNDER FORTY DEGREES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE TO BE THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

THE REAR BRAKES SLIDE OFF THE WHEEL CYLINDER CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDDLE TO GO TO THE FLOOR. IF YOU LOOK AT THE SATURN 2000 LS1 THE WHEEL CYLINDERS HAS A FLAT SURFACE WHICH THE BRAKES SET ON AND AFTER DRIVING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME THE BRAKES SLIP OFF THE WHEEL CYLINDER WHICH THEN IT GOES TO THE FLOOR. ON THE SATURN 2000 SL1 THE WHEEL CYLINDER HAS SLOTS ON THE WHEEL CYLINDER WHICH HOLDS THE BRAKES IN PLACE,THEY NEED TO HAVE THE WHEEL CYLINDERS REPLACED FOR ONES WITH SLOTS. IT IS TOTALLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT HAPPENDS ABOUT EVERY 6 MONTHS HAVING TO TAKE APART AND FIX ONE DAY SOMEONE WILL GET KILLED IF IT HASN'T HAPPEN YET. *TR

ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2010, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ILLUMINATED IN MY 2000 SATURN LS2 SEDAN. AS EXPECTED, I TOOK IT IN FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE DIAGNOSIS I RECEIVED WAS QUITE INTERESTING. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A LEFT BANK 02 SENSOR FAILURE (2 BANK SYSTEM) AND THAT THE CAR'S COMPUTER FAILED AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT. I WAS INFORMED THAT IF I DON'T REPLACE THE COMPUTER, I CAN CONTINUE TO EXPECT MAJOR COMPONENTS IN THE VEHICLE TO FAIL ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE 02 SENSOR BUT WANTS OVER $1,000 TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER! I REPORTED THE DEFECTS TO THE MANUFACTURER POINTING OUT THAT THIS IS THE STRAW THAT BROKE THE CAMEL'S BACK FOR ME. I HAVE HAD EVERY SINGLE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ITEM AND ALL RECOMMENDED SERVICE AND REPAIRS DONE AT SATURN DEALERSHIPS SINCE THE TIME I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW, WITH ONE OR TWO EXCEPTIONS. WHENEVER I WOULD CALL THE MANUFACTURER TO REPORT PROBLEMS OR COMPLAIN ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE, I WAS TOLD IN THE LAST FEW RECENT YEARS THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO THE MILEAGE AND THAT I SHOULD TAKE IT TO ONE OF THEIR AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITIES AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. NO ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF MY CONCERNS WAS EVER MADE AND THE DRONES OR ROBOTS AT THE CALL CENTER KEPT REPEATING THE SAME MESSAGE ABOUT THE MILEAGE. I KNOW OF OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME OR SIMILAR CONCERNS AND THE MANUFACTURER'S HABIT OF IGNORING THE PROBLEMS DO NOT MAKE THEM GO AWAY. TOYOTA LEARNED THAT LESSON RECENTLY. SATURN OW

HAD THE TIMING CHAIN ON MY 2000 SATURN LS1 SNAP ON ME, LEAVING ME STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT LATE AT NIGHT AND WAITING MORE THAN AN HOUR FOR A TOW TRUCK TO SHOW UP. REPAIR COST OF THIS PART, WHICH IS MEANT TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, RAN $800. A RECALL AGAINST SATURN WAS ISSUED BY YOUR AGENCY BY YOUR AGENCY ON THE 20001 MODEL OF THIS CAR BUT NONE OF THE OTHER YEARS, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE MODEL YEARS 2000 THROUGH 2003 ALL HAVE THE SAME DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN AND OILER INSTALLED IN THEM FROM THE FACTORY. *TR

4 CYLINDER SHOT, ENGINE SHOT.THIS 2000 LS2 V-6 HAD THE WHOLE 100,000 MILE MAINTENANCE DONE, TIMING CHAIN BLA BLA BLA.ELECTRIC WINDOWS,4 WAYS HAZARDS, TURN SIGNALS,ENGINE,A/C-HEATER,BLOWER MOTOR,HANDLES BROKE-INTERIOR ONLY,CAR RAN GOOD WHEN IT RAN BUT WHEN IT STOPPED IT ALWAYS COSTS MONEY. *TR

I DRIVE A 2000 SATURN LS AND FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS MY SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY AND THE AC/HEAR/DEFROST WILL NOT WORK. THERE HAS BEEN A NEW SENSOR SYSTEM PLACED IN THE CAR AND I HAVE FLUSHED AND USED THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM AND CHANGED FROM USING REGULAR TO MID GRADE GASOLINE AND I AM STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP (WAS SATURN IS NOW ROAD SHOW AUTO) HAS TRIED EVERYTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BUT THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE TIMING CHAIN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 92,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS1. HE STATED THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING LARGE QUANTITIES OF ENGINE OIL. THE DEALER STATED THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A SECOND OPINION TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE CEASED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF OVER 10 MPH OR ATTEMPTING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER. ALSO, WHILE IN THE REVERSE MODE, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER OVER 4 ADDITIONAL TIMES AND THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND NO FURTHER REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 103,000.

I STARTED THE CAR AND BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WHEN A PUT IT IN FORWARD IT STALLED. IT STARTED AGAIN AND I DROVE TO MY DESTINATION. IT ALSO STARTED AGAIN AND I WAS ABLE TO RETURN HOME. WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO AND FROM MY APPOINTMENT I COULD NOT MAINTAIN SPEED GOING UP HILLS ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I WENT TO START THE CAR THE NEXT DAY IT TURNED OVER BUT DID NOT START. FROM THERE ON IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER AT ALL. MY MECHANIC SAYS THERE NO COMPRESSION ON ANY OF THE CYLINDERS AND IT IS MOST LIKELY THE TIMING CHAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS1. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TIMING CHAIN FRACTURED. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE ENGINE BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

SATURN 2000 LS! STARTING DEFECT. THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES PREVENTS THE VEHICLE FROM STARTING. THE VEHICLE OWNER MUST WAIT TEN MINUTES FOR THE SECURITY LIGHT TO STOP FLASHING BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAN BE STARTED. GM WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE LATE AT NIGHT WHEN MY WIFE IS STUCK IN A DARK PARKING LOT WAITING FOR THE SECURITY LIGHT TO RESET. *TR

I USED THE VEHICLE TO PICK MY SON UP FROM COLLEGE FOR THE WEEKEND, WHEN WE RETURNED HOME HE WENT OUT TO START THE VEHICLE LATER THAT NIGHT IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. ALL ELECTRICAL AND POWER TO THE CAR WORKED, LIKE THE RADIO, LIGHTS, WINDOWS, ETC., BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE REPAIR COMPANY CALLED ME TO INFORM ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD WENT ON THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD COST ME ANYWHERE FROM $1,500 TO $3,000 TO BE REAPIRED. AS I DID MORE RESEARCH ABOUT THE VEHICLE I CAME ACROSS A FEW WEBSITES THAT HAD COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME VEHICLE AND THE SAME PROBLEMS. RIGHT NOW WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF LOCATING A REPAIR SHOP THAT WILL DO THE WORK FOR LESS THAN THE DOLLAR AMOUNT QUOTED BY THE REPAIR SHOP, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS JUST PURCHASE ON FEBURARY 13, 2009. ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 I CONTACTED SATURN ABOUT MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE POSSIBLE RECALL OF VEHICLES FROM 1999 TO 2003 L-SERIES SATURNS, BUT I WAS INFORMED THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT ON THEIR LIST FOR ANY RECALLS, SO I QUESTIONED IF THEY HAD SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL WHY HAS NOTHING BEEN DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, BUT HAVE ME TOW MY CAR TO A SATURN DEALER ABOUT 25 MILES FROM MY HOME AND PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE CAR AND THEY MIGHT, "MIGHT" NOT BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME! *TR

2000 SATURN LS TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. ENGINE NOISE FROM RIGHT FRONT, DEALER REMOVED VALVE COVER FOUND PIECE OF TOP CHAIN GUIDE MISSING. DEALER REMOVED FRONT COVER AND FOUND CHAIN TO HAVE EXCESSIVE PLAY. REPLACED TIMING CHAIN, GUIDES AND TENSIONER ASSEMBLY COST OF $846.68 AND LATER DISCOVERED NO RECALL HAS BEEN MADE OTHER THEN WITH THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS OF SATURN LS AND L-SERIES SEDANS AND WAGONS WITH BAD TIMING CHAINS AND NOISE THE ONLY WAY TO NOTICE IT FAILING IS IF YOU REALLY PAY ATTENTION TO THE CAR AND THE NOISE AND CAN REMAIN UNNOTICED TO AVERAGE OWNER AND PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE TO RESULT. TIMING CHAIN REPLACED AT 72550 MILES. *TR

DRIVER'S SIDE POWER SEAT MOTOR OVERHEATED AND BEGAN TO MELT UPHOLSTERY. I HAD TO PULL THE FUSE OUT OF THE RIGHT SIDE FUSE PANEL TO CUTOFF ELECTRICAL SUPPLY AND AVOID LIKELY FIRE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER WITH NO WARNING. I AM TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS BROKEN. I NOW NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE - AT A COST CLOSE TO WHAT THE CAR IS WORTH. I SEE THAT THE 2001 CARS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM AND WERE SUBJECT TO RECALL. WHY NOT THE 2000? *TR

I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SELF-ADJUSTING BRAKES ON THE SATURN 2000 LS. I HAVE BEEN VERY HAPPY WITH THIS CAR FOR THE LAST 7 YEARS, EXCEPT NOW THIS PROBLEM HAS COME UP AND IT CONTINUES, I BELIEVE NOT BY WEAR AND TEAR, BUT MY FAULTY DESIGN. WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT A BRACKET ON THE REAR BRAKES COMES OFF THE GEAR AND NO LONGER ADJUSTS THE BRAKES AS YOU DRIVE. THE BRACKET HAS A SPRING PULLING DOWNWARD ON IT AND NOTHING ON THE END OF THAT BRACKET TO HOLD IT IN PLACE ON THE GEAR. THUS, EVERY 3-4 WEEKS NOW, MY FATHER MUST PULL THE TIRES OFF AND ADJUST THEM BY HAND. THE POINT OF THE SELF-ADJUSTING BRAKE SYSTEM IS THAT THEY DO JUST THAT: SELF-ADJUST. THEY SHOULD NOT BE GRADUALLY COMING OFF AND ENDANGERING THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND THUS MY DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO JUST BRAKES FOR BRAKE REPAIRS (REPLACING SHOES, PADS, CALIPERS, ETC.) AND EVEN FOR THIS PROBLEM. ALL THEY CAN DO IS ADJUST IT A LITTLE TIGHTER THAN MY DAD CAN. THEY AGREE THAT THE SELF-ADJUSTING BRAKES ARE A FAULTY DESIGN, ESPECIALLY SINCE THERE IS NOTHING TO KEEP THE BRACKET ON THE GEAR SO THAT IT CAN DO ITS JOB OF ADJUSTING. THIS CANNOT JUST BE FROM WEAR AND TEAR ON MY CAR AND I KNOW OTHERS SHOULD BE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT TOO. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO PROTECT THE DRIVERS OF THESE SATURN 2000 LS CARS AND THE OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. THIS PAST FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2009, I DIDN'T REALLY HAVE ANY BRAKES TO GET HOME ON IN WET, CURVY MOUNTAIN ROADS OF NORTH GEORGIA. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING

I HAVE A 2000 SATURN LS2. I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT. I DOWNSHIFTED FROM 3RD TO 2ND WITHOUT INCIDENT. WHEN I TRIED TO SHIFT DOWN TO 1ST, I HEARD A POP AND THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER WAS COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED TO THE LINKAGE. THIS WAS VERY DISCONCERTING. WHEN I CALLED THE MECHANIC AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED THE FIRST QUESTION WAS 'DO YOU HAVE A SATURN?" I FOUND OUT THAT THIS PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY FAILURE OF A PLASTIC BUSHING WHICH COSTS LESS THAN $20 BUT WHICH SATURN IS CHARGING $800 TO REPLACE ALONG WITH A LOT OF OTHER PARTS. THEY WILL NOT SELL JUST THE BUSHING. I BOUGHT ONE ON EBAY FOR $19.99. IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY OR WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC CAUSING A STALL, IT COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I SUGGESTED THAT SATURN OUGHT TO BE FIXING THIS FOR FREE AND THEY LAUGHED AT ME. *TR

THE SATURN LS NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED WHEN IT COME TO TAIL LIGHT, REVERSE, AND BLINKER LIGHTS. I HAVE HAD SO MANY SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THESE LIGHTS, AND NOT TO MENTION COSTLY WORK. THERE IS NO WIRING FROM THE LIGHT TO THE VEHICLE THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO CHANGE THE BULB. MY REVERSE LIGHTS COMPLETELY STOP WORKING, AND SO I DID WHAT MOST CAR OWNERS WOULD DO, BUT SOMEHOW REPLACING A BULB DOES NOT WORK WITH THESE VEHICLES. AS A BUYER WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN SIMPLE LABOR. FOR INSTANCE, CHANGING A TAIL LIGHT! THESE LIGHT COMPONENTS NEED TO BE REVIEWED, FOR THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN FOR ANY CAR OWNER. *TR

WITHOUT WARNING, THE TIMING BELT BROKE ON OUR 2000 SATURN LS, AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE. IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, AND THE CAR STALLED. WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED APPROX. 50 MILES HOME, AND ESTIMATED REPAIRS ARE $1000 FOR PARTS ALONE. *TR

2000 SATURN L SERIES DRIVING TO WORK AND TIMING CHAIN BROKE. CAR HAD APPROX 60,000 MILES ON IT. SATURN SAYS 1 IN A MILLION NO WARRANTY. HAD TO HAVE ENGINE REPLACED AT A COST OF 4500. NOW CAR HAS 132000 AND SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN SATURN SAYS SORRY ANOTHER ENGINE WOULD COST 5000 IT SEEMS BY RESEARCHING THE INTERNET L SERIES SATURNS HAVE A FLAW OR DEFECT WITH THEIR TIMING CHAINS. *TR

TIMING CHAIN ON MY 2000 SATURN LS1 IS FAILING WHICH COULD RESULT IN ENGINE BEING DAMAGED AND FULL POWER LOSS, WHICH IN TURN COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. MY SATURN HAS THE SAME EXACT TIMING CHAIN AS THE 2001 SATURN LS1 WHICH WAS RECALLED AFTER YOUR AGENCY DEEMED IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO FAILURE DUE TO POOR DESIGN. SATURN REFUSES TO FIX THIS FOR ME AND INSTEAD WANTS TO BILL $400 JUST TO LOOK AT IT. REPAIRING THE FAILING CHAIN, THE DEALER SAID, WOULD COST $900. IT'S A KNOWN DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE COVERED BY SATURN, AS PER YOUR AGENCY'S INVESTIGATION LAST YEAR.*TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS1. WHILE PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DUE TO ICY CONDITIONS, A SEMI-TRUCK LOST CONTROL WHILE DRIVING UP AN INCLINE. THE SEMI-TRUCK WAS HEADED DIRECTLY TOWARDS THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE, SO HE JUMPED OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AND FELL INTO A DITCH. THE SEMI-TRUCK STRUCK THE FRONT CORNER PANEL OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND PLACED A FEW DENTS IN THE DOOR. WHEN THE CONTACT JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE, ALL OF THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED AND PREVENTED HIM FROM RE-ENTERING. HE SUSTAINED HIP AND MINOR SPINE INJURIES, FOR WHICH HE IS CURRENTLY BEING TREATED. THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE INCIDENT, THE AIR BAGS IN THE VEHICLE NEVER DEPLOYED. HE BELIEVES THAT HAD HE REMAINED IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE AIR BAG FAILURE, HE COULD HAVE SUFFERED MAJOR INJURIES. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000.

I HAVE A 2000 SATURN L SERIES SEDAN. THE TIMING CHAIN IS MAKING A HORRIBLE RACKET AND OUR MECHANIC INFORMED US THAT IT MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF ABOUT $1,200. IF WE DON'T REPLACE IT, THE CHAIN COULD BREAK, CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND COULD LEAVE US STRANDED OR EVEN ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NO WAY TO GET OUT OF HEAVY TRAFFIC. I'VE NOTICED THAT THE NHTSA ADMINISTRATION HAS A RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER OF 07V519000 (AND ACTION NUMBER - EA06009) UNDER WHICH SATURN WAS REQUIRED TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR 2001 MODEL YEAR L SERIES SEDANS WITH THIS VERY SAME ISSUE. I DON'T SEE WHY MY CAR SHOULD NOT BE INCLUDED AS WELL SINCE IT IS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AND COULD CAUSE THE EXACT SAME DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE APPEARS TO BE THAT THE RECALL IS LIMITED TO MODEL YEAR 2001 AND MY CAR IS A 2000. THE TWO CARS PROBABLY EVEN USE THE SAME TIMING CHAIN. I'M ASKING THAT THE RECALL BE EXTENDED TO COVER MY CAR, WHICH SEEMS ONLY FAIR AS IT IS THE SAME ISSUE ON A VERY, VERY SIMILAR CAR. *TR

TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND ENGINE HAD TO BASICALLY BE REBUILT. *TR

SATURN 2000 LS TIMING CHAIN I PURCHASED IT NEW IN 2000. I GOT STUCK YESTERDAY AND AAA HAD TO TOW IT. MECHANIC SAYS IT'S TIMING CHAIN. THIS WILL BE THE 3RD TIMING CHAIN SINCE I BOUGHT IT. LAST ONE WAS REPLACED AT 52,000 MILES IN MARCH 2006. NOW I HAVE 66,000 MILES AND IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. I WAS TOLD LAST TIME, A TIMING CHAIN SHOULD LAST A MINIMUM OF 100,000 MILES. IT COST ME ALMOST 3,000. LAST TIME. MY DEALERSHIP, SATURN OF STAMFORD IS NOW CLOSED. I WILL HAVE IT TOWED TO SATURN OF FAIRFIELD. THIS TYPE OF THING SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AFTER ONLY 66,000 MILES. I'VE KEPT UP WITH MAINTENANCE AND MY OIL AND FILTER WAS CHANGED JUST ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AGO. I FEEL SATURN SHOULD COVER THIS REPAIR, AND PROVIDE ME WITH A RENTAL. *TR

THERE WAS NO WARNING., NO NOISE, NO WARNING LIGHTS. THE CAR DID NOT START IN THE MORNING SATURN SAID THE CHAIN BELT BROKE AND DAMAGED ENGINE. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE TIMING BELT AND IT'S POOR DESIGN. GM HAS DENIED ANY COMPLAINTS AND STATED THAT ODI PUBLISHES BOGUS REPORTS. *TR

I WENT TO START MY 2000 SATURN AND IT DID NOT START. THERE WAS NO PROBLEM OR WARNING THE DAY BEFORE, SATURN OF RAMSEY SAID THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND CAUSED OTHER ENGINE PROBLEMS AND QUOTED A PRICE OF ALMOST 3,000. AFTER READING INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET INCLUDING INFORMATION FROM YOU, I CALLED GM. THEY SAID ALL THE INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET WAS "BOGUS" AND NOT TRUE. THEY SAID THEY WOULD OFFER NO HELP. I ALWAYS DID REGULAR OIL CHANGES. I NEED HELP PLEASE..THANK YOU. *TR

TIMING CHAIN ON MY 2000 SATURN LS1 BROKE WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH. CAR GLIDED TO A CONTROLLED STOP. ESTIMATED REPAIR COST $2800 DUE TO BENT VALVES AS A RESULT OF THE TIMING CHAIN. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT NCCC HAS PREVIOUSLY REQUESTED NHTSA TO EXPAND RECALL TO INCLUDE EARLIER MODEL YEARS ON THIS KNOWN SATURN DEFECT. IS THERE A STATUS UPDATE? *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WITH MY 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER DURING THE MORNING COMMUTE, TRANSITIONING FROM ONE HWY 24 TO I-80 IN THE EMERYVILLLE / BERKELEY AREA IN CALIFORNIA, OUR SATURN 2000 LW WAGON SUDDENLY LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER BUT COULD NOT RESTART THE CAR. I WAS TOWED TO MY MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN AND TOLD ME THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE AND THAT OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS REASON. *TR

2000 SATURN L-SERIES TIMMING CHAIN BROKE ENGINE NO GOOD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN L SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN LED TO ENGINE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $2,300. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 89,000.

I WAS PICKING MY KIDS UP FROM THE BABYSITTERS WHEN I HEARD A TICKING NOISE. LET ME REMIND YOU THAT I HADN'T ANY ENGINE PROBLEMS BEFORE THIS DAY. ANYWAY, I HEARD THE TICKING NOISE AS I WAS PULLING UP TO THE SITTERS HOUSE AND CUT MY CAR OFF. RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE NOISE WAS LOUDER. TOOK MY CAR TO THE SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY TIMING CHAIN WAS BROKEN AND THAT MY ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER SATURN BECAUSE MY CAR ONLY HAS 70K MILES. IT'S A 2000 SATURN LS2 AND IT WAS RUNNING FINE UP UNTIL THIS DATE. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE IT HAPPENED AND I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY $3600 OUT MY POCKET BUT SATURN WILL TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS MAJOR PROBLEM. CAN YOU HELP ME OUT? WHAT IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS AND AN ACCIDENT HAPPENED? *TR

WHILE CAR WAS STILL UNDER GM WARRANTY, VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD GET STUCK SUCH THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES INTERMITTENTLY BUT EACH TIME WOULD EVENTUALLY FREE UP. TOOK CAR TO DEALER WHERE PURCHASED AND PROBLEM WAS NOT DUPLICATED AT THAT TIME. I BELIEVE I ALSO TOOK TO SATURN DEALER BUT THEY ALSO COULD NOT REPLICATE. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPENED PERIODICALLY AND CAR EVENTUALLY PASSED OUT OF WARRANTY. RECENTLY, THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN BUT IT WILL NOT START AT ALL. HAD TO TOW IT TO THE CLOSEST SHOP AND REPAIR THE CYLINDER. CALLED SATURN AND THEY ARE UNWILLING TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR AT THIS TIME. THEY WILL NOT CONSIDER ANY ASSISTANCE UNLESS I TOW THE CAR TO THE DEALER (AROUND $100) AND PAY THERE DIAGNOSTIC FEES BUT, AGAIN, OFFER NO PROMISE THAT THEY WILL HELP IN ANY WAY EVEN IF THEY CONFIRM THE PROBLEM. *TR

THE 2000 SATURN L-SERIES HAS AN EXISTING RECALL FOR HAZARD WARNING SWITCH ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT (SATURN REFERS TO IT AS #00-C-03, JAN. 4, 2005); HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE IS OUTSIDE THE VIN SERIES FOR THAT RECALL. NEVERTHELESS, MY VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED IN THAT RECALL (TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE; HAZARD WARNING SWITCH SOMETIMES MADE A LOUD "BUZZING" SOUND, ESPECIALLY IN VERY COLD WEATHER); I CONTACTED SATURN; HOWEVER, SINCE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE RECALL VIN RANGE, THEY WOULD NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AS A RECALL ISSUE (I WOULD HAVE HAD TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN AND PAY FOR THE SERVICE MYSELF). INSTEAD, I ACQUIRED AND INSTALLED THE REPLACEMENT HAZARD WARNING SWITCH FROM A SATURN DEALER AND INSTALLED IT ACCORDING TO THE RECALL NOTICE INSTRUCTIONS. SINCE THAT TIME, THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED. *TR

MY MECHANIC GAVE ME INFORMATION ABOUT A RECALL THAT IS BEING DONE ON 2000 AND UP SATURNS ON THE TIMING CHAIN, HOWEVER SATURN HAS YET TO ACCEPT THAT AS A RECALL. I SPOKE WITH SOMEONE FROM NHTSA AND THEY DIRECTED ME TO SATURN WHO AGAIN DIRECTED ME BACK HERE TO FILE A COMPLAINT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS GOING TO BE RECALLED. *TR

MY SON WAS DRIVING MY 2000 SATURN LS2 AT 30 MPH, WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY DIED AND WOULD NOT START. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE WAS NO COMPRESSION WHEN TURNING OVER THE VEHICLE. MY MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THAT THE TENSIONER ARM HOLDING THE TIMING BELT SHATTERED. THE TIMING BELT ON THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP 18 MONTHS PRIOR. LUCKILY, MY SON WAS ON A LIGHTLY TRAVELED RESIDENTIAL STREET AT THE TIME OF THE MALFUNCTION AND WAS NOT INJURED NOR WERE HIS PASSENGERS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN L-SERIES WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SLIPPED ON THE VEHICLE. THE RECALL FOR THE 2001 SATURN L-SERIES DESCRIBED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE SHE WAS EXPERIENCING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $900; HOWEVER, SATURN OFFERED TO TAKE $100 OFF THE COST BECAUSE THE FAILURES WERE RECOGNIZED IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR OF THE SATURN L-SERIES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 90,000. UPDATED 11/26/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/01/08. *JB

REPEATED FAILURE OF THE STARTING OF MY CAR, 2000 SATURN LS2. PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM IS THE PROBLEM. FOR NO REASON AT ALL, THE SECURITY FEATURE TRIGGERS AND DE-ACTIVATES THE FUEL PUMP FOR 10 MINUTES. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, MULTIPLE TIMES A MONTH. MY CAR HAS BEEN "DEAD" IN THE DRIVEWAY NOW FOR TWO DAYS AS THE SECURITY FEATURE WILL NOT DE-ACTIVATE. ONLY WAY TO FIX IS FOR A DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR, BUT NOT A GUARANTEED FIX. COST ANYWHERE FROM $300 TO $500 TO FIX. NUMEROUS BLOG SITES CONTAIN SAME COMPLAINT FROM LOTS OF GM OWNERS. IF ANYONE IS PUT INTO AN EMERGENCY SITUATION AND THE PASSLOCK SECURITY FEATURE FAILS, THAT PERSON IS STUCK FOR 10 MINUTES OR MORE. THERE IS NO FIX TO BE FOUND. GM NEEDS TO RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM! VISIT THIS FORUM SITE FOR NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING I'M MENTIONING ABOVE: HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/CHEVROLET-IMPALA/T30R7CEJ84KTJEL1M. *TR

THE HEATER/DEFROST BLOWER MOTOR ON MY 2000 SATURN LS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS DECEMBER 2004. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I LIVE IN WISCONSIN AND I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DEFROST MY WINDSHIELD FOR VISIBILITY ONCE WINTER IS HERE UNLESS I REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR AGAIN. *TR

2000 SATURN L SERIES WITH 80,000 MILES HAS DAMAGED TIMING CHAIN. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2000 SATURN LS AT 45 MPH WHEN IT JUST SHUT OFF, LOST ALL POWER, AND THANKFULLY HAD A PLACE TO DRIFT OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HOWEVER, I WAS WITHOUT A PHONE, AND HAD TO WALK 5 MILES IN THE SUN TO CALL FOR HELP. I HAD THE CAR TOWED ($100) AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN AND I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. I CALLED FOR A SECOND OPINION AND COULD NOT INCUR THE COST TO TOW IT AGAIN, BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE MECHANIC WAS MORE THAN REPUTABLE. AFTER ALMOST 3 WEEKS WITHOUT A VEHICLE, AS A SINGLE MOTHER WITH A NEW JOB, THIS WREAKED HAVOC IN OUR LIVES AND A $2500 EXPENSE FOR A NEW ENGINE. I'M NOW DRIVING A SATURN WITH A CHEVY CAVALIER ENGINE THAT IS WARRANTED FOR ONLY 90 DAYS. I KEPT THE TIMING CHAIN AND TOOK PHOTOS OF THE ENGINE. I'M JOINING THE MILLIONS OF OTHER PEOPLE IN A CLASS ACTION SUIT, BECAUSE SATURN KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, CONTINUES TO KNOW ABOUT IT, HAS DONE NOTHING TO RECALL, EVEN HAS ITS SERVICE PEOPLE CLAIM IGNORANCE OR TRY TO BLAME THE CONSUMER. I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE, AND IT HAS HAD ALL OF THE REQUIRED SERVICING EVERY 3,000 MILES AS DIRECTED BY THE MANUAL, WHICH I ALSO HAVE. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE MANUAL TO SERVICE THE ENGINE/TIMING CHAIN, AND EVERY 3,000 MILE SERVICE I GOT WAS DONE AT A SATURN DEALERSHIP UNTIL THE LAST FOUR. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR MADE A STUTTERING NOISE. I PULLED OVER - LUCKILY NEAR A SERVICE STATION AND THEY DISCOVERED THE TIMING CHAIN HAD SNAPPED. *TR

MY 2000 SATURN LS1 COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING, AND NEVER STARTED AGAIN. IT WILL COST $2500 FOR A USED MOTOR AND INSTALLATION, PLUS $175 FOR THE TOW AND THE DIAGNOSTICS; AND NOW I'M ENDURING SIGNIFICANT TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGES WITHOUT A VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2000 SATURN LW2. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL WOULD ILLUMINATE IMMEDIATELY AFTER SEVERELY REDUCING SPEED AND POWER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A FAILED MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE RECALLS AND DISCOVERED THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURES NOTED IN RECALL # 03V231000. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THAT ALL REPAIRS WOULD BE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS1. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD NOISE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE CRUISED TO A STOP AND TRIPLE A WAS CALLED TO TOW IT TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND WOULD COST $2,700 TO REPLACE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 121,000.

TIMING CHAIN BROKE ON 2000 SATURN L200 CAUSING BENT RODS AND ENGINE FAILURE. SATURN ESTIMATES COST OF REPAIRS TO BE $2000-3000. I HAVE BEEN READING OF THE CURRENT NHTSA INVESTIGATION OF 1999-2003 SATURNS AND THE HIGH OCCURRENCE OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES. I DO HOPE SOMETHING CAN BE DONE FOR SATURN TO RECALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. *TR

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE ON 2000 SATURN LS1 MODEL. FAILURE CAME UNEXPECTEDLY. LOOKING INTO IT, I FOUND DOZENS OF OTHER SATURN OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SIMPLE FAILURE HAS DAMAGED MY ENGINE. I AM FACING A MINIMUM OF $2600 IN REPAIRS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE. MECHANICS I HAVE CONSULTED STATE THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS HAPPEN MANY TIMES BEFORE. *TR

MY 2000 SATURN LS1 WAS RUNNING PERFECTLY FINE. I CAME BACK TO MY CAR AFTER WORK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A SATURN DEALERSHIP, WHO THEN TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A FAULTY TIMING CHAIN. *TR