2001 Saturn LS complaints

2ND OWNER OF VEHICLE, TAIL LAMPS HAD OVER HEATING ISSUE, NHTSA ISSUED RECALL ON 2 JUNE 2005, SATURN REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, SAYING AUTO IS TO OLD. DATE FOR FIXING ISSUE IS 10 YEARS FROM DATE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED. WAS TOLD BY A SATURN "CUSTOMER CARE REP." THAT ADAPTERS WERE INSTALLED IN FEB 2009. AUTO WASN'T REGISTERED IN 2009, AND NO ADAPTERS HAVE EVER BEEN INSTALLED. I AM A DISABLED VIETNAM VETERAN LIVING ON A VERY MEAGER MONTHLY INCOME AND CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE THESE LAMPS. I AM DRIVING THIS AUTO WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS, ASIDE FROM ANTI-COLLISION LAMP AT TOP OF REAR WINDSHIELD. I HOPE THIS LETTER HAS MORE IMPACT THAN I'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE, AS OF TODAY. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE STOPPED AND WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED DUE TO BROKEN TIMING CHAIN WHICH BENT THE VALVES IN THE ENGINE. *TR

VEHICLE WAS COVERED BY SATURN RECALL 07V519000, ENTIRE VALVE ASSEMBLY AND TIMING CHAIN REPLACED BY GM SHOP AT APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES AFTER TIMING CHAIN FAILURE WITH BENT VALVES, FAILURE ALSO WAS AT EXPRESSWAY SPEED OF 55 MPH. SAME TYPE OF FAILURE AGAIN OCCURRED ON HIGHWAY AT SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO STATED PROBLEM WAS VALVE FAILURE. TOTAL VEHICLE MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 95,000 MILES. *TR

I BRAKE HARD TO AVOID AN ANIMAL IN THE ROAD. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. WHEN I PUT IT IN PARK, THE CAR WOULD ROLL. UPON INSPECTION, THE FRAME HAD BUCKLED, CAUSING THE CV JOINT TO FALL OUT. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING OR GO OFF THE ROAD. ALL I DID WAS HIT THE BRAKES AND THE FRAMED COLLAPSED IN THE AREA OF RIGHT FRONT A-ARM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THE TIMING TENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 95,402. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR (2001 SATURN L200) GOING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE OF MY CAR STALLED AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED CAUSING CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO MY ENGINE. *TR

VEHICLE 2001 SATURN L200 , WAS BEING DRIVEN AT APPROX 10MPH THRU RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD APPROX 100 YARDS FROM RESIDENCE, APPROACHING STOP SIGN. GM WAS CONTACTED ABOUT RECALL WAS TOLD VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL, BY 5 UNITS. VEHICLE SAT FOR 6 MONTHS. I EXAMINED ENGINE FOUND TIMING CHAIN TO BE BROKEN. 4 BENT VALVES, CYL 2 BOTH INTAKE & CYL 4 BOTH EXHAUST VALVES. CYL 2 & 4 PISTONS HAD HEAVY IMPACT MARKS, CYL 1 PISTON HAD LIGHT IMPACT MARKS, FROM THE VALVES HITTING THEM. PARTS REPLACED UPDATED TIMING CHAIN KIT, BALANCE SHAFT CHAIN, TENSIONER & GEARS WATER PUMP & THERMOSTAT CYLINDER HEAD GASKET UPPER KIT CYLINDER HEAD BOLT SET TIMING COVER GASKET KIT DRIVE BELT TENSIONER & DRIVE BELT SPARK PLUGS 4 COST TO REPAIR APROX: $2700 PARTS & LABOR EXAMINATION OF THE PARTS REMOVED SHOW'S THE OILER FOR THE TIMING CHAIN TO BE OF SIGNIFICANTLY SMALLER SIZE THAN THE UPDATED CHAIN OILER IN THE NEW UPDATED TIMING CHAIN KIT. CHAIN WAS EXCESSIVELY WORN AND BROKE AT A LINK, CHAIN TENSIONER WAS IN PIECES. THEIR IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THE ENGINE IN THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE RECALL. *TR

THE SECURITY SYSTEM IN MY 2001 SATURN L100 IS DEFECTIVE, AS MANY OTHER VEHICLES OF THIS MODEL AND YEAR ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER CONSULTING WITH "CUSTOMER SERVICE REP" (HA!HA!) TOLD TO TAKE THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP & TECHNICIANS WILL RESET THE SECURITY SYSTEM. THIS IS A CRAFTSMANSHIP ISSUE CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE ITEM. GENERAL MOTORS HAS LOST A LONGTIME "BE AMERICAN~ BUY AMERICAN" CAR BUYER. THIS IS THEFT PLAIN AND SIMPLE! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200 (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE ASCENDING AN INCLINE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER HAD SEPARATED FROM THE CAM SHAFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000. UPDATED 06/18/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A RECALL BUT, IS BEING DENIED A REPAIR UNDER THE RECALL. UPDATED 06/20/2013 *JS

A STRANGE NOISE SOUNDED WHEN I CRANKED THE CAR TO RETURN HOME FROM THE LAKE WALES MEDICAL CENTER (LOCATED ABOUT 15 MILES FROM MY HOME) AFTER THE CAR IDLED FOR A FEW MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME. WHEN I DROVE IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP THE NOISE GOT MUCH LOUDER. THE REPAIRMAN DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS NOISE FROM TING AREA DUE TO TENSIONER PULLEY BEARINGS; TIMING HAD JUMPED CAUSING INTERNAL VALVE DAMAGE. HEAD WORK REQUIRED: REMOVED AND REPLACED ALL 12 INTAKE VALVES, CK'D AND RESURFACED BOTH HEADS, INSTALLED TIMING BELT KIT, HEADSET WITH BOLTS, CAMSHAFT SEALS, ETC. *TR

THE TIMING CHAIN IS LOOSE AND SLAPPING THE ENGINE. THERE HAD BEEN NOISE INTERMITTENTLY COMING FROM THE ENGINE FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS. UPON REPAIR, THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND TENSION ROD PULLEY SYSTEM. THAT MADE THE PROBLEM WORSE AND THEN THEY FOUND THAT IT WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE. THE TIMING CHAIN BEHIND THE MOTOR IS LOOSE AND SLAPPING THE ENGINE CREATING THE NOISE. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE RECALL ON THE TIMING CHAIN WHEN TRYING TO ORDER IT. LOCAL GM DEALER SAYS MY CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. IT IS A 2001 SATURN L SERIES. *TR

THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. UPON BEING INSPECTED BY AN IN DEPENDENT GARAGE, IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE A TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. SHOULD THIS BE COVERED UNDER 07V-519? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN LS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE DRIVER HEARD A POP AND THE VEHICLE POWERED OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN RECALL NUMBER: 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,116 UPDATED 04/30/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TWICE. THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER BROKE. ALSO, FOUR INTAKE VALVES WERE BENT, AND TWO EXHAUST VALVES WERE BENT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AND ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

UNDER CRUISE CONTROL AT SPEED, HILL PROMPTED A DOWNSHIFT AND ENGINE IMMEDIATELY STALLED. WOULD NOT RESTART. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L-SERIES. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THE FUEL CAP AND FUEL FILTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN A MECHANIC TWICE WHO STATED THE EMISSION CONTROL MODULE SEAL ON THE FUEL TANK WOULD HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE FUEL TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE EMISSION CONTROL MODULE SEAL WAS NOT SOLD SEPARATELY. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL TANK. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000. UPDATED 01/02/2013*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE FUEL TANK WAS REMOVED, THERE WERE GAS STREAKS FOUND WHERE THE GAS LEAKED OUT AROUND THE EMISSION SEAL AND ON TOP OF THE TANK. GAS HAD RAN DOWN THE SIDE OF THE GAS TANK CAUSING FIRE HAZARD. UPDATED 1/7/2013*JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L-200. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE TIMING CHAIN FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN AND ADVISED HIM OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND WITHIN A FEW MOMENTS, THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER THE CONTACT'S IN WAS INELIGIBLE FOR REPAIRS UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.... UPDATED 03-28-13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE. THE HEAD AND CHAIN BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED. 04/02/2013 *JS

LEFT MY DRIVEWAY AND STARTED DOWN STREET. GOT A BLOCK OR SO AWAY AND CAR JUST STOPPED. WAS ON MAIN HIGHWAY. WAS VERY LUCKY TOOK TO GARAGE IT IS THE TIMING CHAIN. IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS I NEVER RECEIVED IT TOOK TO GM DEALER WAS TOLD THERE WAS NEVER A RECALL FOR THIS *TR *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000. ..UPDATED 09-26-12 *BF UPDATED 10/01/2012 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE TIMING CHAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

HEARD THIS STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM MY ENGINE...NOT SURE WHAT IT WAS. DROVE A LITTLE ORE ABOUT A MILE AD THE NOISE GOT LOUDER DECIDED TO PULL OVER, SHUT OFF MY CAR. TRIED TO TURN IT BACK OVER TO SEE IF THE NOISE CONTINUED AND IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. HAD MY CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN (BELT). $1000.00 BILL. I FIND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON CERTAIN VIN'S AND HUNDREDS MORE AFTER THAT COMPLAINED AND NOTHING IS DONE. THAT'S CRAP! I AM THE SECOND OWNER...THE CAR HAS ONLY 100,000 ON A CAR THAT IS 11 YEARS OLD. I HAVE MY OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES AND SERVICED ALL THE TIME. I BELIEVE THIS CAR HAS A FAULTY TIMING CHAIN AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT WHEN IT IS CLEARLY THE MANUFACTURERS FAULT. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO HAVE A FIRE OR DIE TO BE COVERED...IT SEEMS THAT IS WHAT YOUR LOOKING FOR! COULD SOMEONE PLEASE ADVISE! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THAT VEHICLE STALLED WHENEVER BRAKING TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE EXACT FAILURE WAS NOT FOUND HOWEVER THE TRANSMISSION FILTER AND FLUID WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CEASED FOR THREE WEEKS BUT LATER RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THEY DID NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT SECURED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,362. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,762.

THE SECURITY LIGHT BLINKS CONSTANTLY ALL NIGHT LONG RUNNING DOWN MY BATTERY IN TURN THE CAR WONT START , I HAVE HAD THE BCM REPLACED WHICH THE DEALER SAID WAS BAD , HAVE HAD BATTERY REPLACED AND STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ONE TECH. SAYS THE LIGHT IS SUPPOSE TO BLINK ALL NIGHT ANOTHER ELECTRICAL TECH SAYS IT NOT THE MANUAL SAY IT WILL BLINK TWICE TO LET YOU KNOW IT IS ARMED. IT HAS COST ME A THOUSAND DOLLARS ALREADY AND THE CAR IS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

I WAS GOING TO MY PART TIME JOB ON SUNDAY AND MY CAR "SHUT OFF" ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED BY A SEMI AND SIDSWIPED BY ANOTHER CAR TRYING TO GET TO THE SHOULDER MY HAZARDS WHERE ON. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND THEY INFORMED ME IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE UPPER END OF THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT/REPLACED. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE CHEAPER TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AND THOSE YEAR SATURNS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING CHAINS. I HAVE SINCE LOST MY JOB AND QUICKLY APROACHING EVICTION THE ONLY REASON IAM NOT HOMELESS IS BECAUSE MY PRIMARY JOB IS 6.8 MILES AWAY BIKING DISTANCE .I STILL OWE MONEY ON THE CAR SO IAM NOW PAYING $5,000 FOR A CAR THAT NEEDS $2,000 REPAIR I CANNOT AFFORD. I HAVE OWNED 2 SATURNS IN THE PAST AND THEY WHERE AWESOME. *TR

LOW BANG NOISE IN PASSENGER SIDE FRONT END. WORSE TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT. SOUNDED LIKE MAJOR BREAK, BUT NOTHING COULD BE SEEN VISUALLY. HAD CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC. HAD TO REPLACE UPPER STRUT MOUNTS ON BOTH FRONT AND RIGHT STRUTS. PASSENGER SIDE UPPER STRUT MOUNT WAS BROKEN COMPLETELY, AND DRIVER SIDE UPPER STRUT MOUNT WAS CRACKED. UPPER STRUT MOUNTS BOTH MADE OF A PLASTIC BASED MATERIAL. SERVICE MANAGER STATED THE SHOCK COULD HAVE BROKEN THROUGH, AND HIT HOOD OF CAR IF WE HAD NOT SERVICED IT IMMEDIATELY. REPLACEMENT PART MADE OF SAME MATERIAL. HAD TO HAVE AN ALIGNMENT DONE. VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX, AND I AM NOW CONCERNED THE CAR COULD BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L SERIES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE WITH AN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND N AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO BOTH ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,800.

DRIVING VEHICLE ON RESIDENTIAL STREET. CAR ENGINE STALLED OUT AND WOULD NO LONGER RUN OR START. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE. THIS CAR WAS VERY GENTLY DRIVEN AND WELL-MAINTAINED. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. *TR

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN TURNING RIGHT AT A STOP SIGN MY CAR JUST STOPPED PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE. HAD IT TOWED AND WAS TOLD THE TIMING BELT WENT OUT AND IT CAUSED IT TO BREAK THE VALS IN THE CAR AS WELL HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 10 YEARS SO ITS BEEN A GOOD ONE FOR THE MOST PART. *TR

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. SAFELY STEERED CAR TO SHOULDER OF 2 LANE HIGHWAY. TRIED TO RESTART CAR. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD CAR TOWED TO A SATURN CERTIFIED MECHANIC. MECHANIC FOUND THE TIMING CHAIN HAD FAILED. MECHANIC IS NOT SURE WHAT FAILED FIRST. (THE CHAIN, TENSIONER OR OILER?) MECHANIC DID STATE THE CHAIN GUIDES DID NOT SEEM EXCESSIVELY WORN FOR THE MILEAGE OF THE CAR. MECHANIC TOLD ME GM HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TIMING CHAIN, GEAR AND OILER SETS IN THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND DECIDED TO REPORT THIS. WE PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW IN 2001. HAD IT SERVICED EVERY 3,000 MILES AT THE DEALER TILL WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. SERVICED IT MY SELF FROM THEN ON EVERY 3,000 MILES. FROM 36,000 TO 157,000 MILES WE ALWAYS USED FULL SYNTHETIC 5W30 ENGINE OIL. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A LOCAL STREET IN MY HOMETOWN. I WAS DOING THE SPEED LIMIT AND JUST CRUISING WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST ALL POWER IN MY CAR. I DIDN'T ACTUALLY NOTICE UNTIL I WENT TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE FROM MY ENGINE. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE CAR AND GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD AND NOT BEING ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM I CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY DISPATCHED A TOW TRUCK. AFTER GETTING THE CAR HOME I CALLED A LOCAL MECHANIC FRIEND OF MINE HOPING HE COULD GIVE ME A DIAGNOSIS AFTER TAKING THE ENGINE COVER OFF WE WERE ABLE TO VISIBLY SEE THAT THE CHAIN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY ENGINE WAS BROKEN. AFTER SEEING THAT HE PRETTY MUCH SAID I'M LOOKING AT A BROKEN TIMING BELT AND POSSIBLY VALVE AND PISTON DAMAGE. IN THE END IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT MY ENGINE WAS NOT FIXABLE. *JS *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE ENGINE TIMING BELT. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE MOTOR TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 06/05/12*LJ UPDATED 6/06/2012*JS

THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND I FOUND THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS BUT WAS TOLD I'M NOT COVERED NOW I HAVE A 6000.00 PAPER WEIGHT!!!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE REDUCED SPEED AND IMMEDIATELY STALLED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

DURING A RAINSTORM, AFTER DARK, AND ON-THE-ROAD, I REPLACED MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WITH RAIN*X WEATHERBEATER WIPER BLADES TO IMPROVE VISIBILITY. THE BLADES WERE PURCHASED AT A TARGET (UPC 79118 00419) AND INSTALLED IN THE RAIN IN THEIR PARKING LOT. WITHIN 20 MILES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING LATER, ONE BLADE (DRIVER'S SIDE) BECAME DETACHED FROM THE WIPER ARM. THIS CAUSED SUDDEN LOSS OF VISIBILITY IN THE DARK AND IN THE HEAVY RAIN. I PULLED OVER THE SHOULDER, AND REINSTALLED THE WIPER BLADE. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I DOUBLE CHECKED THAT IT WAS INSTALLED TIGHTLY, AND ACCORDING TO DIRECTIONS. A FEW MILES LATER, IT DETACHED AGAIN. THIS TIME, I SWAPPED THE TWO BLADES, HOPING THAT ANOTHER FAILURE, IF IT OCCURRED, WOULD BE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. A FEW MILES LATER, FOR A THIRD TIME, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER BLADE DETACHED FROM THE WIPER ARM. AT THIS POINT I REINSTALLED THE OLD AND BADLY FUNCTIONING BLADES. I SUBSEQUENTLY INSPECTED THE WIPER ARMS AND FOUND NO DEFECTS OR DEFORMITIES THAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURES. THE WIPER ARMS WERE THE "J-HOOK" TYPE ON A 2001 SATURN L SERIES VEHICLE. *TR

GM RECALL #06074 TOWED TO DEALER PINE BELT CHEVY LAKEWOOD N.J. DEALER REFUSES TO MAKE THE REPAIRS SAYS THEIRS A VIN# BRAKE WHERE THIS # DOES NOT COVER RECALL REPAIR FROM GM I JUST THINK THEY DO NOT WANT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE . *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL OF THE WARNING LAMPS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND REALIZED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

TIMING CHAIN HAS SLIPPED CAUSING CAR TO SPEED UP AND SLOW DOWN AND STALL. NARROWLY AVOIDED CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS FAILURE IS REPORTED IN SECURITY BULLETIN 06074 YET DEALER REFUSES TO HONOR RECALL. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L-SERIES. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 60 MPH WHEN THE TIMING CHAIN FRACTURED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC WERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL FOR THE TIMING CHAIN. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICEL WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,400. UPDATED 10/27/11*LJ UPDATED 12/06/2011 *LN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V519000(ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L SERIES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR FAILURE DIAGNOSIS. THE REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSTIC A TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE CONTACT'S VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR REPAIR UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 08/31/2011 *LN *TR

SATURN L SERIES 2001 SUDDENLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD NOT RESTART, DEALER REFUSED TO FIX ALTHOUGH UNDER WARRANTY, THE TIMING CHAIN CAUSED THE PROBLEM THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES WERE ALL BUSTED INSIDE AS WELL. *TT

THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR UNTIL IT DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. WE HAD IT LOOKED AT AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN. I SAW THE RECALL FOR THE TIMING CHAIN ONLINE AND CALLED SATURN. THEY SAID THE RECALL DID NOT AFFECT MY CAR AND THE TIMING CHAIN BREAKING WAS A COINCIDENCE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN LS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A TICKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE TICKING SOUND WAS CONSTANT AND COULD BE HEARD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WHILE DRIVING. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

DRIVING CAR WHEN NOTICED IT WAS NO LONGER ACCELERATING. PUSHED ON GAS PEDAL, NOTHING, THE CAR HAD STALLED OUT ON A VERY BUSY ROAD. HAD TO TRY TO COAST OFF THE ROAD. STEERING & BRAKES WERE VERY DIFFICULT TO USE. CAR WOULD NOT RE-START. HAD IT TOWED, TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDER.

IN DEC 2008 I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IN MY 2001 SATURN L200, WHICH HAD 63,220 MILES, DUE TO FAULTY TIMING CHAIN. THE MECHANIC CALLED SATURN AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL, HOWEVER I AM FINDING OUT THERE IS A RECALL ON TIMING CHAINS(PER SATURN VIN#S 1Y504884-1Y559453). MY CAR FALLS WITHIN THAT RANGE AND I AM TOLD IT IS NOT INCLUDED. I CALLED NHTSA AND WAS TOLD THEY ARE NOT GIVEN VIN SPECIFIC INFORMATION. IT IS RIDICULOUS TO FIND THIS MANY PROBLEMS WITH A VEHICLE AND NOBODY WANTS TO HELP CONSUMERS. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200 EQUIPPED WITH BRIGDGESTONE/FIRESTONE MATRIX TIRES, TIRE SIZE 195/65/R15. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE SIDE WALL ON THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER TIRES EXHIBITED PLY SEPARATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED THREE MONTHS PRIOR TO THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE CENTER WHERE BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH NEW TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECTIVE TIRES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.