2001 Saturn LS complaints

I PURCHASED A 2001 SATURN L200 IN OCTOBER 2004. IT HAD ROUGHLY 64000 MILES ON IT. THIS PAST OCTOBER MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CAR SLOWED TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. WE HAD IT TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION AND THE NEXT DAY I WAS TOLD THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS BROKE. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP : SATURN OF SAGINAW. AFTER I EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED ,THEY MADE IT SOUND LIKE IT WAS MY FAULT . THEY CLAIMED THAT I WAS NEGLIGENT WITH MY OIL CHANGES. I TOLD THEM THAT I HAD EVERY OIL CHANGE RECEIPT AND THAT THEY WERE ALWAYS AROUND THE 3000 MILE LIMIT. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NO SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WOULD COST $2500 FOR A NEW CHAIN AND REPAIRS(BENT VALVES) OR $ 4000 FOR A NEW ENGINE. THEY CLAIMED THAT I SHOULD EXPECT NO HELP FROM SATURN. SO I HAD THE ENGINE REPAIRED FOR $1700 FROM THE STATION THAT INITIALLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. SINCE THE REPAIRS, THE CAR IS RUNNING FINE, I READ ON THE WEB ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS MYSELF. MY CAR HAD 71000 MILES ON IT WHEN IT FAILED. *JB

I HAVE A SATURN L200, 2001 WITH 54,790 AND THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND BENT THE VALVES. SATURN SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *JB

SUDDEN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TIMING BELT ON START-UP ONE VERY COLD MORNING(15 DEGREE.) SERVICE MGR. AT DEALERSHIP LATER EXPLAINED THAT WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING ONTO BELT AND FROZEN COOLANT MAY HAVE FORCED THE BREAK. DEALER REPLACED BELT AND PUMP AT MY EXPENSE ($1100). ONLY "WARNING" I HAD WAS LOW COOLANT WARNING LIGHT THAT CAME ON BRIEFLY DAILY AT STARTUP BEGINNING 1 WEEK BEFORE FAILURE. NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF WATER LEAKING ON ENGINE NOR ANY PUDDLING UNDER THE CAR BEFORE COMPLETE FAILURE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD RUN ROUGH AT ANY SPEED. THIS FIRST HAPPENED A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE THIRD CYLINDER WAS NOT FIRING AND REPLACED THE SPARK PLUG AND COIL PACK. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AGAIN AND THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED.

1) THE CAR WAS DRIVEN TWO BLOCKS FROM HOME TO BRING A FAMILY MEMBER TO WORK. THE CAR STARTED NORMALLY, DROVE FINE AND GAVE NO WARNING OF ANYTHING GOING WRONG. THERE WERE NO STRANGE NOISES OR ANYTHING. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON EITHER! 2) WITH A LOAD BANGING NOISE, THE TIMING CHAIN INSIDE THE ENGINE BROKE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO IMMEDIATELY STOP. ALL POWER ASSISTED STEERING AND BRAKING WENT OUT AND THE CAR COASTED TO A STOP. IT WAS NAVIGATED THROUGH TRAFFIC TO PULL INTO A STORE PARKING LOT NARROWLY AVOIDING BEING HIT BY OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD. IT WAS A VERY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. 3) THE ENGINE WAS FULLY DISASSEMBLED TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN, RELATED TENSIONER(S) AND 6 BENT VALVES. SEVERAL GASKETS AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PARTS AND KITS WERE USED TO REASSEMBLE THE ENGINE. *NM

2001 L300 SATURN HAS BEEN TO DEALER FOR CONTINUING REPAIRS. CAR BUCKS WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR AND WRENCH LIGHT OR SES LIGHT WILL COME ON. DEALERS SERVICE PERSONNEL DOCUMENT THEY CANNOT SEE LIGHT ON DIAGNOSTICS, BUT PROBLEM CONTINUES INTERMITTENTLY. CAR FAILED COMPLETELY ON INTERSTATE IN COMMUTER TRAFFIC. STATE POLICE ASSISTED OWNER. CAR EXITED INTERSTATE. CAR FAILED AGAIN. CAR TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP FOR A BATTERY WHICH HAD JUST BEEN REPLACED BY DEALER A MONTH EARLIER. CAR DRIVEN FROM REPAIR SHOP AND FAILED FOR THIRD TIME SAME DAY. CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. CAR FIXED AND CUSTOMER CHARGED. COMPLAINT FILED WITH SATURN CORPORATE. CAR BUCKING AND SHIFTING RETURNED IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS. LIGHTS UP INTERMITTENTLY. CAR UNSAFE! SATURN CORPORATE SAYS DEALER WILL OFFER A DISCOUNTED REPAIR. CUSTOMER NO LONGER TRUSTS DEALER OR CORPORATION DUE TO REPEATED REPAIRS FOR SAME ISSUES. CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED BY SELLING DEALER EXCEPT FOR SINGLE TOW DAY OF FAILURE. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION AND COMPLETE REPAIR HISTORY AVAILABLE. *AK

NUMEROUS PROBLEMS SINCE DAY 1 OF OWNERSHIP. TODAY THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME & REMAINED ON, THE GAS GAUGE WOULDN'T MOVE NOR WOULD THE TEMP. GAUGE. THE ODOMETER WENT TO ZERO. WIPED ALL MILEAGE OUT. CAR IS A LEMON AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. SCARED TO DRIVE IT. *JB

NOTICED A BURNING RUBBER SMELL FROM THE RT REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THEN FROM THE LEFT REAR TIRE OF THE VEHICLE. HUBCAP VERY WARM AFTER A SHORT TRAVEL DISTANCE, BACK BRAKES MADE A GRINDING SOUND. WENT TO USE PARKING BRAKE, COULD NOT LIFT UP BRAKE. PARKING BRAKE INOPERABLE. TOOK TO GET REPAIRED, WAS TOLD THAT THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE WAS BOUND UP, DUE TO CORROSION, CAUSING THE CONNECTION CABLES TO BIND UP BOTH REAR BRAKES, UNABLE TO BE RELEASED, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE SHOES TO MELT ON BOTH REAR WHEELS, CAUSING THE PAD TO RUB AGAINST THE ROTOR AND, METAL TO METAL, HEAT UP AND CAUSE BURNING SMELL. NEED TO HAVE NEW BACK ROTORS, BRAKES SHOES, BRAKE PADS, PARKING BRAKE FIXED, NEW CABLES, AND SPRING CLIPS REPLACED. ALL PARTS NEED TO BE NEW AS THE ROTORS ARE DAMAGED DUE TO BRAKE HANGUP. BACK ROTORS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACE 3 TIMES ON THIS VEHICLE SO FAR. *NM

(01-03-05) CONSUMER SATURN TIMING BELT BROKE. *TS THE BLOWER FAN WAS INOPERATIVE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER RE-DESIGNED THE OILING NOZZLE AND INCLUDED IT WITH A KIT WHEN REPLACING THE TIMING CHAIN, BECAUSE THEY WERE AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL FAILURE OF THE TIMING CHAIN. *JB

OIL COOLER FAILURE. NOTICED ORANGE COLORED "GUNK" ON GROUND UNDER CAR FOLLOWING OIL CHANGE. SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM COOLANT RESERVOIR. TOOK CAR IN FOR COOLANT FLUSH. WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS OIL IN THE COOLANT AND THAT ENGINE HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SAID THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO TEAR INTO ENGINE TO DISCOVER SOURCE. FOUND IT TO BE A LEAKING OIL COOLER. OIL COOLER WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH ALL COOLANT HOSES, THERMOSTAT, AND COOLANT RESERVOIR. TOTAL WAS $2100 ($571 FOR OIL COOLER). HAVE ALL OLD PARTS. SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE ACKNOWLEDGES A TSB REGARDING OIL COOLER IN THE L81 ENGINE BUT REFUSES TO REIMBURSE EVEN FOR PARTS. *JB

SATURN HAS A RECALL ON TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES. I HAVE A 2001 L SERIES SATURN. BOUGHT IT FROM OLDS DEALER IN HELENA MT. THERE ARE NO SATURN DEALERS IN MONTANA. I CALLED THE 800# IN THE RECALL LETTER AND THEY SAID TO GO TO UNDERRINER OLDS IN BILLINGS, APPROXIMATELY 240 MILES AWAY. I BOUGHT IT AT AN OLDS DEALER TWO MILES FROM MY HOUSE. SEEMS TO ME THEY COULD AUTHORIZE THAT OR PAY ME A COUPLE OF DAYS WAGES, GAS, MOTEL, PER DIEM OR HAVE IT FIXED IN HELENA!!! THIS IS REALLY STUPID, BECAUSE MY TAILLIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE AND KEEP WIGGLING LOSE AND I LOSE MY BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS.*JB

FAX FM (KS) REQUEST THAT A RECALL IS ISSUED BY GM/SATURN FOR A FAULTY TIMING CHAIN, REPLY ATTN SHAWN COWING/ OVERLOAD PARK OFC. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM, THEREFORE THEY REDESIGNED THE TIMING CHAIN OILER. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. *JB

I HAVE A 2001 SATURN L-SERIES PASSENGER VEHICLE WITH A 2.2 4-CYLINDER ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAS 69K MILES AND THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE CAUSING SEVERE ENGINE TROUBLE (BENT VALVES), WITH AN ESTIMATED COST OF $2400. IF THERE IS DAMAGE TO ANY OF THE PISTONS THEN THE COST WILL INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY. THE MECHANIC THAT I TAKE MY VEHICLE TO USED TO TEACH AUTO MECHANICS AT THE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL UNTIL THEY ELIMINATED THE PROGRAM. AS MY MECHANIC WAS EXPLAINING THE PROBLEM TO ME HE TELLS ME THAT ONE OF HIS FORMER STUDENTS NOW WORKS AS A MECHANIC FOR SATURN. MY MECHANIC HAD TROUBLE DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM AND SO HE CALLED HIS FORMER STUDENT WHO INFORMED HIM THAT IT COULD POSSIBLY BE A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN. HE GOES ON TO TELL ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IS OILED BY SPRAYING OIL ON TO THE CHAIN THROUGH AN ORIFICE THAT IS NOT MUCH BIGGER THAN A PIN HOLE. THIS TINY HOLE WHERE THE OIL SPRAYS FROM IS AT THE END OF A PLASTIC PIECE ABOUT A HALF INCH LONG. IF SOMETHING SHOULD BLOCK THIS HOLE THE CHAIN BECOMES DRY AND EVENTUALLY BREAKS. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THEIR ORIGINAL DESIGN HAD A FATAL DESIGN FLAW, WHICH SATURN CAME TO RECOGNIZE, I CAN ONLY ASSUME DUE TO NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE TIMING CHAIN BREAKING, PROBABLY WHILE THE VEHICLES WERE UNDER WARRANTY, FORCING THEM TO COME UP WITH THE REDESIGN. I BELIEVE THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL FOR ANYONE WHO DRIVES A SATURN WITH THE ORIGINAL OILIER. IT IS A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. SHOULD SOMEONE BE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY AND HAVE THEIR TIMING CH

SATURN LW300 CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILURE (3/05) - REPLACED BODY CONTROL MODULE FAILURE (11/05) - REPLACED MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILURE (11/05) - REPLACED OIL COOLER LEAK (11/05) - RESEALED BATTERY FAILURE (JUST OVER 1 YEAR OLD, 11/05) - REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *JB

I HAVE A 2001 SATURN L-SERIES, 2.2L ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING UNDER 30 MPH,ENGINE DIED. DIAGNOSIS: TIMING CHAIN BROKE, + ALL THE VALVES BENT COST TO ME $2400 (SEE ODI ID #10142499.) ALSO SEE COMPLAINT ODI ID #10129780, DATED 7/16/05. THIS VEHICLE WAS A 2000 SATURN L-SERIES, PASSENGER CAR. THIS INDIVIDUAL WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 101 IN CALIFORNIA WHEN HIS MOTOR SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. HE WAS TOLD SEVERAL DAYS LATER THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND IN HIS CASE THE ENTIRE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I AM SURE IN HIS CASE BECAUSE HE WAS DRIVING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED AND THE VALVES CONTINUED TO HIT THE PISTONS DAMAGING THE ENTIRE ENGINE. HAD HE BEEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I DON'T KNOW IF SATURN HAS ISSUED ANY TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS, MY DEALER SAYS NO BUT I WOULD GUESS THEY HAVE SINCE THE AREA (ENGINE REBUILDERS ASSOCIATION) HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETINS DATED APRIL 2004 WHICH SAYS, "THE AREA TECHNICAL COMMITTEE OFFERS THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION REGARDING CHANGES TO THE TIMING CHAIN AND OILING NOZZLE ON THE 2000-2003 SATURN 2.2L ENGINES. ALL GM TIMING CHAIN KITS AVAILABLE THROUGH GM SERVICE HAVE A REVISED NOZZLE INCLUDED IN THE KIT. THE REVISED NOZZLE HAS HIGHER FLOW RATE CHARACTERISTICS THAT WILL INCREASE OIL FLOW TO THE TIMING CHAIN UNDER LOW RPM OPERATING CONDITIONS. WHENEVER REPLACING THE TIMING CHAIN, IT IS IMPORTANT TO REPLACE THE OIL NOZZLE." THIS SAME ENGINE IS IN AT LEAST THE CHEVY CAVALIER. I CONTEND THAT THE ORIGINAL

ON OCTOBER 1, 2005 WILL DRIVING HOME, MY CAR STOPPED WITH NO WARNING. AFTER HAVING THREE MACHINCS INSPECT THE VECHILE, THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THE TIMINING CHAIN HAD BROKEN AND CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGE TO MY ENGINE. I BROUGHT THE CAR USED WITH 38,000 MILES AND IT NOW HAS 50,000 MILES. THE REPAIRS SATURN QUOTED ME WAS 4,700 TO REPAIR THE ENGINE. *NM

I BOUGHT A USED 2001 SATURN L300 WITH 34000 MILES ON IT IN GOOD CONDITION. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE FROM DAY ONE. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM THAT I HAVE HAD IS FAILURE TO START. RIGHT NOW MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP AT THE SATURN DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE THE CRANK SENSOR. THEY SAY THIS IS THE REASON WHY IT IS NOT STARTING. LAST TIME THEY FIXED MY CAR IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE SECURITY SYSTEM. I'M TIRED OF ALL THE GAMES. MY CAR HAS HAD A PROBLEM STARTING OFF AND ON THE DAY I BOUGHT IT AND IT SEEMS TO BE A DIFFERENT EXCUSE EVERY TIME. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT NOT JUST I BUT MANY MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME YEAR/MAKE/MODEL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. HOW STRANGE! THERE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL ON THIS OR AT LEAST AN INVESTIGATION, BUT I HAVE YET TO FIND IT ON THE WEB. $200 I MUST NOW PAY TO 'HOPEFULLY' FIX THIS PROBLEM. *NM

DT: 2001 SATURN L SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THE GAS TANK WAS LEAKING GAS IN THE GASKET AREA. THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS ON APRIL 27, 2005. THE CONTACT ALSO, THERE WAS GAS FORMING ON THE GROUND UNDER HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MAY 27, 2005. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE GASKET, BUT THE ENTIRE GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING RIGHT. RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING IS MELTING AND MY BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T CONSISTENTLY WORK WELL. *NM

EXTERIOR LIGHTING AND ENGINE COOLANT LEAKAGE INSIDE OF CAR. CAR SMOKING. *NM

DEFECT IN STEERING/ BROUGHT TO DEALER/ REPLACED GEAR ASSEMBLY, AND FRONT TORSION BAR LINKS. *JB

NOISE FROM STEERING/ BROUGHT TO SATURN/ REPLACED STEERING GEAR. *JB

FYI - COMMENT NOT A COMPLAINT THE ISSUE OF THE TAIL LIGHT GOING DIM OR JUST OUT. SATURN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND THEY ARE STARTING A CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE TAIL LIGHT ON THE 00-02 L SERIES STARTING IN OCTOBER. IF THE TAILLIGHT PROBLEM IS CAUSING TO MANY PROBLEM - YOU LOCAL DEALERSHIP AT NO COST REPLACE WITH THE SAME TAIL LIGHT, BUT YOU WILL STILL HAVE TO HAVE YOUR TAIL LIGHT REPLACED ONCE THE NEW DESIGN ONES COME IN. WANT MORE INFO - CALL SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE 1-800-553-6000. *NM

INCREASING NOISE FROM DRIVERS SIDE REAR WHEEL AREA. UPON REMOVAL OF WHEEL/TIRE THE HUB BEARING UNIT WAS NOT ROTATING FREELY. BEARING FAILURE OF SEALED HUB ASSEMBLY. HUB REPLACED. *JB

BRAKE LIGHTS CEASED TO FUNCTION. CAR REAR ENDED DURING EARLY MORNING PILE UP ON I-85 DUE TO TIRE FAILURE ON CAR TWO POSITIONS IN ADVANCE. INVESTIGATE CAUSE OF LIGHT FAILURE AND FOUND MELTED/BURNED LIGHT SOCKET AREA. TRIED TO REPAIR THEN CALLED SATURN FOR PARTS AVAILABILITY. INFORMED THAT THERE WOULD BE A RECALL IN OCT 05 BUT THAT I COULD PURCHASE THE NEW LIGHT ASSEMBLIES MYSELF AND MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET REIMBURSEMENT LATER. COST OVER $350.00 PER ASSEMBLY! UNABLE TO SPEND THIS AMOUNT IMMEDIATELY SO I PARKED THE CAR UNTIL THE RECALL LETTER COMES!*JB

DT: THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN HE TURNED A CORNER AND HE HEARD A POP. THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AAA TO WESTRIDGE SATURN 4692 RIDGE ROAD WEST, SPENCERPORT, NEW YORK. 585-352-5995. THE CONSUMER THEN LEARNED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS BROKE. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT WOULD BE NEXT WEEK BEFORE THEY COULD GET TO IT TO FIX IT. THE CONSUMER SAYS THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 54000 MILES. *AK *SC

DT: 2001 SATURN L300 SERIES. THE CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WHILE TRAVELING 25-28 MPH, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HE HAS CONTACTED SATURN AND THEY WERE SENDING A BOOKLET ON THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE FRONT END WAS BENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE CONSUMER'S WIFE SUSTAINED CHEST, ABDOMEN, AND KNEE INJURIES, AND WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO A HOSPITAL.*AK

EIGHT MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT A 2001 SATURN L300 I STARTED HAVING TIRE PROBLEMS. IT STARTED OUT WITH THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE RUBBING WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL WHILE BACKING UP. I ONLY HAD 6400 MILES ON THE TIRES. LOUD NOISES WERE COMING FROM THE TIRES AT 12964 MILEAGE. MY SATURN SERVICE DEPT. RESET THE FEA TO NEW SPECS AND INSTALLED A CAMBER CASTER KIT AND 4 NEW TIRES. THIS WAS THE 2ND SET OF TIRES FOR MY 2001 SATURN L300. AT 17224 MILEAGE THE RUBBING ON THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS BACK. THIS TIME THE SERVICE DEPT. RE-SECURED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HOUSE. THEN ON NOV 24, 2003 (25277 MILEAGE) THE LOUD NOISE WAS BACK. AT THIS TIME THE TECH FOUND THE TIRES STARTING TO SLIGHTLY CUP. HE RE-INSPECTED AND FOUND ALL 4 TIRES OUT OF SPECS AND IT WAS NECESSARY TO REALIGN ALL. I TOOK THE CAR (27115 MILEAGE) BACK IN ON JAN 16, 2004 AND THE TIRES WERE MAKING LOUD NOISES. THIS TIME THE TECH CONFIRMED THAT THE TIRES WERE CUPPING AND OUT OF ROUND. THEY REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES AND RESET TO NEW FACTORY SPECS. ALSO, DID A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THIS WAS THE 3ND SET OF TIRES. ON DEC 20, 2004 I HAD A RATTLE ON THE RIGHT FRONT. AT THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT LINK BAR(38871 MILEAGE). MARCH 29, 2005 THE CAR WAS BACK IN THE SERVICE DEPT. WITH LOUD TIRE NOISE(42667 MILEAGE). THE TIRES HAD HIGH AND LOW SPOTS. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TIRES AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR BACK IN FOR NEW TIRES ON JUNE 22, 2005. AT THIS TIME AFTER CALLING SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE DEALER MANAGER, I AGREED TO BUY 2 TIRES AND

DURING THE MONTH OF JULY 2005, WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 SATURN L300, I NOTICED STRONG GASOLINE FUMES ENTERING THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AND ALSO ON THE EXTERIOR. THE MILEAGE HAD DROPPED DRASTICALLY AND I WAS USING HALF TANK OF FUEL TO DRIVE 120 MILES. THINKING IT COULD BE A TORN OR LOOSE FUEL LINE, I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC OF TRUST FOR AN INSPECTION. HE FOUND THE FUEL TANK LEAKING AND ADVISED ME TO REPLACE IT. I CONSENTED BECAUSE I NEEDED THE CAR TO COMMUTE TO WORK IN TAMPA ON A DAILY BASIS. HE REMOVED THE TANK AND FOUND THE FUEL PUMP MODULE CRACKED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. AGAIN I CONSENTED TO REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. MY WIFE CALLED MITSUBISHI MOTORS OF HERNANDO, WHERE I HAD PURCHASE THE VEHICLE AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. SHE WAS TOLD THAT WE NEEDED TO CONTACT SATURN OF PORT RICHEY DEALER. I CALLED THAT DEALER AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM AND WAS REFERRED TO GM SATURN (1-800-553-6000) AND SPOKE TO MARY FROM CUSTOMER SERVICE. I TOLD HER THAT I HAD INFORMATION ON A RECALL FOR THE SATURN FOR THAT PARTICULAR PROBLEM. I EVEN READ HER THE CAMPAIGN NUMBER AND THE DATE (00V309000 - 2000 OCT 12). SHE PUT ME ON HOLD AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE COULD NOT FIND ANY RECALL FOR THAT MODEL BUT SHE WOULD CHECK AND CALL ME BACK WHEN SHE DID FIND IT. SHE HAS NOT DONE SO TO THIS DATE. THE REPAIRS (REPLACEMENTS, PARTS, AND LABOR TOTALED $1,010.71. I AM SENDING THE NHTSA COPIES OF THE RECALLS AND THE REPAIR ESTIMATES. I WOULD LIKE FOR GM SATURN TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE UNNECESSARY EXPENSES IN

THE TIMING CHAIN ON MY WIFE'S 2001 SATURN L-200 UNEXPECTEDLY BROKE, CAUSING PERMANENT ENGINE DAMAGE, REQUIRING (ACCORDING TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEP'T) A REBUILT ENGINE. DRIVING CONDITIONS WERE NORMAL (FLAT SURFACE, IN-TOWN DRIVING, BROKE ABOUT 3 BLOCKS FROM HOME), AND NO PREVIOUS WARNING SIGNS WERE AVAILABLE (SPUTTERING, LOSS OF POWER, ETC.). THIS PART IS LABELED AS NOT NEEDING SERVICING/REPLACING UNTIL 100,000 MILES. MY WIFE'S CHAIN BROKE AT APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MILES. THE DEALER REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS HAD ITS REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE VISITS. $3000 FOR A REBUILT ENGINE TO REPAIR DAMAGED CAUSED BY AN ADVERTISED "MAINTENANCE-FREE" PART IS RIDICULOUS.*JB

THE TIMING CHAIN ON MY 2001 SATURN L200 SNAPPED AT 45,000 MILES. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED, FIRST TO MY MECHANIC AND THEN TO A SATURN DEALER. THE TIMING CHAIN DAMAGED PARTS OF MY ENGINE AND IT COST ME $2200 TO REPAIR. THERE HAD BEEN A TSB TO UPGRADE THE TIMING CHAIN FOR THIS VEHICLE, BUT OWNERS WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF IT. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WILL NOT USE THE OLD TIMING CHAIN KIT AS REPLACEMENTS BECAUSE OF THE UPGRADE. SATURN HAS REFUSED ANY MONETARY HELP WITH THIS ISSUE.

DT: THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE FOR THIS VEHICLE. SHE HAS FOUND OTHER INFORMATION THAT STATES THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IS TOO LIGHT FOR THIS VEHICLE. SOME OF THE INFORMATION THAT SHE FOUND WAS ACTUALLY FROM SOME OF THE SATURN TECHNICIANS

STARTED VEHICLE AND LEFT GAS STATION WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND DID NOT GIVE ANY DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION ON THE DASH DISPLAY. EVERYTHING LOOKED NORMAL. AFTER SEEING A MECHANIC FOUND OUT THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IS BROKE AND WILL COST ME $3600 TO REPLACE ACCORDING TO THE SATURN DEALER. AFTER LOOKING AROUND ON THE INTERNET THIS IS A VERY BIG PROBLEM AND IS OCCURING VERY OFTEN. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO THE SATURN DEALERS, ACCORDING TO A ARTICLE I READ, THAT STATES THAT THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE OIL SENDING UNIT THAT LUBRICATES THE TIMING CHAIN. THE OIL SENDING UNIT DOES NOT SUPPLY ENOUGH OIL TO THE TIMING CHAIN CAUSING THE FAILURE. SATURN NEEDS TO RECALL THIS ENGINE SO PEOPLE LIKE ME WITH A DAUGHTER IN COLLEGE DOES NOT HAVE TO OCCUR THIS KIND OF EXPENSE WITH A CAR THAT ONLY HAS 52,000 MILES ON IT.

THE TAIL/BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY 2001 SATURN L200 WORK ON AND OFF, MORE OFTEN OFF THAN ON. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM BUT SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS THAT I WOULD BE CHARGED AT LEAST $350.00 TO MAKE ANY NECESSARY REPAIRS. ONE OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES TOLD ME THAT THE TAIL/BRAKE LAMPS WERE DEFECTIVE SO I'M WONDERING WHY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS OR ACCIDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A PRODUCT RECALLED. FOR OVER A YEAR I WAS BUYING REPLACEMENT BULBS AND THINKING THAT I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WAS DOING INSTALLING THEM WHEN IN ACTUALITY IT'S NOT THE BULB AT ALL, I'M WONDERING HOW MANY OTHERS HAVE MADE MY MISTAKE.

REAR BRAKES FAILED AND ENTIRE UNITS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGER REAR DISK BRAKES INOPERABLE

I HAVE HAD CONSTANT VIBRATION THRU THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO MY SATURN DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AND IS STILL AN ISSUE. THIS MAKES THE CAR DIFFICULT TO HANDLE OR MANUVER ON THE HIGHWAY.

POWER STEERING LEAK...CAUSES WHINING WHEN TURNING.

1.) LEFT BAKE LIGHT HAS GONE OUT 3 TIMES IN LAST 6 MONTHS. BROUGHT IT IN TO A SATURN DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A CIRCUIT PROBLEM ON THE TAIL LAMP CURCUIT BOARD. 2.) NOTHING YET, UNTIL I WOULD GET PULLED OVER FOR A TAIL LIGHT OUT 3.) I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS 3 TIMES, THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. SATURN DEALER SAID THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT IS TO HAVE THE CURCUIT BOARD REPLACED, WICH WOULD ROUGHLY BE $140

TAIL LIGHTS DO NOT WORK AFTER REPEATED REPLACEMENT. NOTICED SAME MODELS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM

VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP WITH CONCERNS THAT IT WOULD SOMETIMES ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING WHILE USING CRUISE CONTROL AND THEN WOULD CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE WITH APPLICATION OF THE SERVICE BRAKE. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOUND THE POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEM WAS CLOGGED. SYSTEM CLEANED AND PROBLEM NEVER RESURFACED.

UPPER PORTION OF STEERING WHEEL SNAPPED OFF COMPLETELY UNDER SLIGHT PRESSURE JUST ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL SPOKES. VEHICLE HAS NEVER SUFFERED ANY COLLISION DAMAGE.

LEAVING WORK I WAS GOING DOWN THE ALLEY WHEN I HIT A DIP AT THE END OF THE ALLEY CAUSING BOTH MY DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO FRONT END COLLISION JUST A DIP IN THE ROAD. I SUSTAINED A BURN TO MY RIGHT HAND AND BURNS AND BRUISING TO MY LEFT FOREARM. MY OPINION IS THAT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH IMPACT OF ANY KIND TO DEPLOY MY AIRBAG. I HAVE FILED A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY.

TOOK 2001 SATURN L-200 IN FOR CATALITIC CONVERTOR REPAIR AND WHEN I WENT TO PICK THE VEHICLE UP I COULD NOT LEAVE IN IT AS THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD LOCKED UP WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND I COULD NOT PICK UP UNTIL THEY INSTALLED A NEW IGNITION SWITCH AT THE COST OF $300.00. THE PEOPLE AT THE DEALERSHIP WERE AS PERPLEXED AS I OVER THE PROBLEM.

THE RACK GEAR ON POWER STEERING AND RACK AND PINION STEERING BECOMES FAULTY AND MAKES FOR A BIG POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK AND ALSO MAKES FOR HARD STEERING. NO INJURIES DUE TO FAILURE, HOWEVER THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. *AK

LEFT TAIL LIGHT HAS FAILED 3 TIMES IN LESS THAN 12 MONTHS. NOW BOTH TAIL LIGHTS AND THE DASH (CONTROL PANEL) LIGHTS HAVE FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY. FUSES CHECKED & REPLACED BUT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. ALSO NOTICED THAT ALL GEAR INDICATOR LIGHTS (EXCEPT PARK) ARE LIT UP SIMULTANEOUSLY. I CAN'T AFFORD ANY MORE TRAFFIC TICKETS FOR INOPERABLE TAIL LIGHTS!*AK

POWER STEERING SYSTEM. AT HIGH SPEEDS (I.E. FREEWAY SPEEDS OF 65-75) BECOMES VERY INOPERABLE AND HARD TO CONTROL. POWER STEERING PUMP AND RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME. LEAKS PREVENT FURTHER USE OF POWER STEERING. *AK

TIE ROD END- DRIVERS SIDE. LSO HAVE PROBLEM WITH LEFT BRAKE LIGHT- REPLACED BULB AND KEEPS GOING OUT IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP NOW ENGINE AND COIL PACK BLOWN-- ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON TO ALERT OF IMPENDING PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED HEADLIGHTS WERE DIM. THIS MADE IT HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO SEE CLEARLY DURING NIGHTTIME. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT SEE A PROBLEM. *AK

TAIL LIGHTS HAVE BEEN FAILING INTERMITTENTLY SINCE JAN 2002. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ENGINE FAILED DUE TO TIMING CHAIN WHICH CAUSED THE VALVES IN THE ENGINE TO BEND. HAD A LOCAL MECHANIC CHECK ENGINE AND WAS TOLD CONSUMER NEEDED A NEW ENGINE.*AK