2002 Saturn LS complaints

THE OIL AND ANTIFREEZE HAVE A COMMON WALL IN THE RADIATOR. THE ANTIFREEZE IS CORROSIVE AND ATE THRU ALLOWING THE OIL AND ANTIFREEZE TO MIX IN THE ENGINE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT WITH MOST PARTS REPLACED. THE TEMP GAUGE HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES AS THE ENGINE RUNS COOL AND WILL FAIL INSPECTION AND DESTROY THE O2 SENSORS. THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAS GONE OUT 2 TIMES AS WELL AS THE AC COMPRESSOR. THE REAR LIGHTS ON THE DRIVER SIDE ARE ALWAYS GETTING HOT AND BURNING OUT. THE TAILLIGHT FITTINGS FOR THE STOP LIGHT HAVE GOTTEN SO HOT THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES. DASH LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY FLICKERING WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKE OR (WHEN IT IS RUNNING) TURN ON THE AC UNIT OR THE HEATING SYSTEM. THE SAFETY LATCH ON THE FRONT DOORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES AS THEY WERE CRACKING. I PAID FOR ALL OF THE REPAIRS AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BASED ON THE ANTIFREEZE THAT GM USED AS IT WAS CORROSIVE AND AFFECTED MANY MODELS OF GM CARS. I FILLED IN ALL OF THE FORMS FOR THE CLASS ACTION SUIT AND AT THE END I WAS TOLD THAT THE SATURNS WERE NOT COVERED - THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALLOWED THIS CLASS TO BE REMOVED FROM THE GM CLAIM. THIS WAS NOT FAIR AS IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM CAUSED BY THE CORROSIVE ANTIFREEZE USED BY GM AND THE POOR DESIGN OF USING A COMMON THIN WALL TO SEPARATE THE OIL AND THE ANTIFREEZE. *TR

2002 SATURN L300 V6 EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR AND ENGINE PROBLEMS THE OIL DRAINED INTO THE RADIATOR AND THE WHOLE ENGINE HAD TO BE REWORKED ALL HOSES SENSORS AND RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED THE VALVES AND LOTS OF OTHER HEAD WORK HAD TO BE DONE. WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT ALIGNED 3 TIMES IN 18,000MILES AND 60,000 MILE TIRES LAST ABOUT 12-18,000 MILES BEFORE BEING TOLD THEY ARE HAZARDOUS AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE NEW OIL SENSOR REPLACED WITH THE ENGINE REBUILD NOW IS LEAKING AGAIN AND WE HAVE TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. REAR BRAKE LAMPS BLOW OUT CONSTANTLY AND EVEN BURNED THE WIRING AND PLASTIC FRAME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN UNUSUALLY OVERPOWERING GASOLINE FUEL SMELL. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REASON AS TO WHY THE GASOLINE ODOR WAS EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT A DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 98,000.

2002 SATURN LW200 2.2L ENGINE. I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN AND RUINED THE ENGINE. I HAVE READ THAT THE 2001 MODEL HAS A RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM.

SATURN L200, 2002, I PURCHASED FEB. 6, 2007. SUMMER I NOTICED THE AIR CONDITIONING NOT WORKING. I TOOK IN BACK TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT. THEY FIXED THE AIR CONDITIONING, BUT IN WINTER THE HEATING WAS NOT WORKING. NEW BLOWER MOTOR INSTALLED DEC 5, 2008. THE CAR DID NOT HEAT UP, DID NOT HAVE TIME TO RE-EXAMINE THE HEATING SYSTEM AND I HAD TO WAIT FOUR MORE DAYS FOR AN APPOINTMENT TIME WITH THEM. WHEN I ARRIVED ON MY APPOINTMENT TIME EARLY IN THE MORNING THEY SAID, LONG RIDE TO DEALERSHIP SO NOW CAR IS WARM, CAN YOU LEAVE IT, BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE TIME TO LOOK AT IT. I ASKED THEM WHY IS THERE NO TIME TO RE-EXAMINE THE HEATING SYSTEM WHEN I HAD AN APPOINTMENT. WE HAVE NO TIME, NO COURTESY CAR. I DROVE MY CAR HOME.THEY ALSO DID NOT BOOK ME FOR ANOTHER APPOINTMENT. THOUGH I ASKED FOR ONE. THEY SAID, THEY WERE BOOKED UP. I WAS DRIVING NORTH HEADING FOR THE LINK. I NOTICED THE WINDOW FOGGING A LITTLE AND TURNED ON THE DEFOGGER. THE WINDOW IN THE FRONT COMPLETELY FOGGED OVER AND DID THE DRIVERS WINDOW AND THE PASSENGER WINDOW BESIDE THE DRIVERS WINDOW FOG OVER. I COULD NOT SEE AHEAD OF ME AND GENTLY APPLIED THE BRAKES NOT KNOWING A SNOW PLOW WAS PARKED IN THE LANE IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT IT. MY CAR AIRBAGS WENT OFF. THE WHOLE ENGINE WAS CRUNCHED, HOOD UP, AND A CAR FIRE WAS STARTING. I PHONED 911 POLICE N FIRE MEN CAME. I WENT TO HOSPITAL IN AMBULANCE. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO POLICE IMPOUND. INSURANCE NOT PAID ENOUGH. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS MY DRIVING. HIRED MECHANIC $

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED CLICKING NOISES FROM THE ENGINE AREA AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE VALVE, PISTON AND TIMING CHAIN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 154,500.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER ACCORDING TO RECALL 03V231000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE). THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE AND THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED WITHOUT WARNING ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE CONTACT PAID HALF OF THE REPAIR COST. MOST RECENTLY, THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND BODY CONTROL MODULE SUDDENLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.

TIMING CHAIN BROKE ON MY 2002 L200 SATURN AT HIGHWAY SPEED. LOST POWER AND STEERING. WAS NEAR AN EXIT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR THE HIGHWAY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT 80,000 MILES, WHICH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ORIGINAL ENGINE WITH A USED ONE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

THIS CAN CAUSE (1) AN INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB OR (2) A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT OPENS A FUSE CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMPS (INCLUDING THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP) OR TAIL LAMPS. A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V245000 THIS ITEM HAD BEEN REPLACED YET THE REPLACED ITEM HAS THE SAME FAULT 40,000 MILES AFTER THE RECALL WARRENT.

I HAVE A 2002 L200 SATURN IT HAS THE SAME ENGINE AS THE 2001 THAT HAS A RECALL ON THE TIMING CHAIN. I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OCCUR. SATURN IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE PROBLEM THAT OBVIOUSLY IS STILL THERE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A INVESTIGATION ON THIS PROBLEM. A QUICK SEARCH PULLS UP A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE STARTING THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY. IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE SHOP TO LOOK AT THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM.

2002 SATURN LW300. CONSUMER STATES ELECTRICAL, BODY CONTROL MODULE PROBLEMS WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THE PROBLEM. *TGW

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5MPH AND THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED. THE CONTACT THEN GOT THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE OCCURED AGAIN LESS THEN 15,000 MILES AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WENT OUT TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT DID NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED IT WAS THE TIMING BELT AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE IS NOW AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIRS.THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH MY 2002 SATURN L200 SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. FORTUNATELY TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE COASTED INTO A PARKING LOT. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS THIS IS THE RESULT OF A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A AAA REPAIR SHOP AND I AM SUPPOSED TO GET A 3RD OPINION DIAGNOSIS THIS WEEK. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 SATURN AND HAVE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE 2007. I TOOK IT TO BE SERVICED BY SATURN AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. ARE THERE REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH SATURNS TOO? THE MOST RECENT EPISODE WAS IN NOV.2009. *TR

2002 SATURN L200 STALLED AT 55MPH AND DID NOT RESTART. SATURN DIAGNOSED BROKEN TIMING CHAIN WHICH DESTROYED MOTOR. *TR

ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2010, MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN THE CAR STARTED KNOCKING AND THEN JUST CUT OFF. SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART IT AND STRUGGLED TO QUICKLY GUIDE IT TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. SHE THEN CALLED A WRECKER WHO TOWED IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE. THEY RAN AN ANALYSIS AND DISCOVERED THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN. HE SAID , IN HIS OPINION, THAT THIS WAS HIGHLY UNUSUAL WHICH SPURRED US TO SEARCH THE INTERNET TO LEARN IF THIS WAS A DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH OTHER 2002 SATURN L200'S WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES, AND APPARENTLY IT IS. WE CALLED THE ONLY SATURN DEALERSHIP LEFT IN OUR CITY AND WERE TOLD THAT HER VIN NUMBER WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. WITH ALL THAT I HAVE READ IN THE PAST 24 HOURS, I FIND IT VERY HARD TO BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS ONLY LIMITED TO JUST THE 2001 L200 SERIES. SATURN SEEMS NOT TO WANT TO HELP IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM OTHER THAN TO BRING THE CAR IN AND REPLACE THE PARTS AND/OR ENGINE AT OUR EXPENSE! THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR HER OR ANYONE ELSE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS! SHE HAS ALWAYS TAKEN GOOD CARE OF THIS VEHICLE. IF MY DAUGHTER HAD NOT HAD THE PRESENCE OF MIND TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD WHEN SHE DID, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A FAR DIFFERENT OUTCOME! *TR

2002 SATURN L100, 148000 MILES, PRIMARY SAFETY CONCERN IS HEADLIGHTS WILL SHUT OFF SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. OTHER ISSUES INCLUDE SPONTANEOUS/ERRATIC ACTUATION OF WIPERS, DOME LIGHT, AND DOOR LOCKS, AS WELL AS FLASHING OF HIGH BEAMS AND DRL LAMPS. ALSO ERRATIC INSTRUMENTATION ANOMALIES, E.G. "SECURITY" LAMP ILLUMINATES AND SHUTS OFF, "CHANGE OIL SOON" LAMP FLASHES, ALL GAGES FLICK FROM ZERO TO NORMAL, ETC. *CN

I WENT OUTSIDE TO GET IN MY CAR THIS MORNING WHICH STARTED RIGHT AWAY. AFTER SHIFTING INTO FIRST I BEGAN TO TAKE OFF WHEN THE CAR STALLED ONLY GETTING ABOUT 2 FEET FORWARD. PUSH CAR BACK TOWARD THE CURB AND ATTEMPTED TO JUMP THE CAR WITH MY SISTERS. THEN TRIED TO CHARGE THE BATTERY, AFTER ALL OF THIS FAILED, WE CALLED THE LOCAL MECHANIC OVER AND SAID THE TIMING CHAIN HAD SNAPPED.. 3200 REPAIR. I'M NOT READY TO SEARCH FOR A NEW CAR BUT LATELY IT'S BEEN ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER WITH THIS CAR I USED TO LOVE. AT THIS POINT NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED!!!!!!!!! *TR

MY 2002 SATURN L300 REAR TAILLIGHTS ARE MELTING AND FAILING OFTEN. A RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED 4 YEARS AGO AND IT IS INEFFECTIVE. SATURN IS UNWILLING TO RE-EVALUATE THE MATTER. *TR

TODAY, WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH (ON CRUISE CONTROL) ON A BUSY INTERSTATE, MY 2002 SATURN L200 (WITH 75,000 MILES) STARTED LOSING ALL POWER, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE MEDIAN AND WAITED FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS SHOWING OIL AND BATTERY WERE LIT UP BEFORE TURNING THE CAR OFF. NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS WRONG, I TRIED STARTING THE CAR TWICE, BOTH TIMES RESULTING IN THE CAR NOT TURNING OVER. AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ON THE CAR, AAA FOUND OUT THE TIMING CHAIN SNAPPED. AT THIS POINT, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE, AS I AM WAITING ON QUOTES FROM VARIOUS MECHANICS. *TR

TIMING CHAIN OF SATURN L200 FAILED A SECOND TIME WITHIN 35,000 MILES OF FIRST REPAIR LEAVING THE CAR STRANDED ON THE ROADSIDE AGAIN. THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED, BUT THE TIMING CHAIN IN THIS MODEL SEEMS TO BE POORLY DESIGNED LEADING TO FAILURE. *TR

TIMING CHAIN SLIPPED AND ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. *TR

2002 SATURN L200 SUDDENLY DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT WAS DARK OUT AND A LOT OF TRAFFIC. DIDN'T FEEL SAFE WAITING IN CAR FOR TOW TRUCK. HAD TO STAND ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE DARK IN 10 DEGREE WEATHER. TIMING CHAIN BROKE, DAMAGED VALVES. GETTING A USED ENGINE = $2,000+. SATURN SAID MY VIN # WASN'T LISTED AS BEING A PART OF THE RECALL ON THE TIMING CHAINS. DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THAT SOME VIN #S WEREN'T INCLUDED WITH THE THOUSANDS THAT WERE RECALLED. *TR

RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V245000. COMPONENT: EXTERIOR LIGHTING BRAKE LIGHTS. I HAD MY RECALL SERVICE DONE ON DEC. 26 2005. ON NOV. 27TH 2009. I GOT PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE. MY REAR RUNNING AND BRAKE LIGHTS WERE OUT. NO TICKET BECAUSE I WAS CLOSE TO HOME. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY TO FIND OUT THAT BOTH LIGHT BULBS WERE BROKE. PLASTIC MELTED DOWN AND HIT THE BULBS. TRIED TO REPLACE BULBS BUT THE MELTED PLASTIC WAS IN THE WAY. I TOOK PICTURES OF THE MELTED PLASTIC. WENT TO SATURN DEALER TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAID THAT A FRONT DRIVER SIDE PARKING LIGHT WAS OUT AND IT HAD CONDENSATION UNDER THE LENS. THEY SAID THAT SHORTED THE REAR LIGHTS. THEY REPLACED THE BULBS BY GRINDING THE MELTED PLASTIC OUT OF THE WAY. THEY SAID THEY DID NOT BUT THERE WAS NO WAY TO GET THE BULB PAST THE MELTED PLASTIC. I TOOK MORE PICTURES. SO THE LIGHTS WORK FOR NOW. BUT IT WON'T BE LONG BEFORE THE PLASTIC MELTS DOWN ONTO THE BULBS AGAIN. I DO BELIEVE THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE RECALL. IT READS-ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND WAGONS, THE PLASTIC HOUSING IN THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME DISTORTED IF THE BRAKE LAMPS REMAIN ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME. NOT A BURNED OUT PARKING LIGHT WITH CONDENSATION UNDER THE LENS. THIS COULD BECOME VERY DANGEROUS. NO TAIL OR BRAKE LIGHTS! TAILGAITERS! I NOW CARRY EXTRA LIGHT BULBS AND WAIT FOR THE NEXT MELT DOWN. SATURN HAS BEEN NO HELP. JUST A BANDAID. *TR

BRAKE LIGHTS IN THE VEHICLE FAIL TO WORK, CHECKED BOTH THE BULBS AND THE FUSES AND BOTH ARE FINE. I BELIEVE IT CAUSED BY THE DISTORTED SOCKETS. *TR

HAVE TICKING COMING FROM TIMING CHAIN AREA ON ENGINE. LUCKILY I HAVE CAUGHT IT BEFORE THE CHAIN BREAKS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SEIZE AND NEED REPLACING. CALLED GM AND THEY SAID MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL LIST. MY TIMING CHAIN DESIGN IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES. A PETITION WAS OPENED FROM NORTH CAROLINA BUT CLOSED DUE TO "FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES." HERE'S THE LINK TO THE RECALL ON YOUR WEBSITE: HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/CARS/PROBLEMS/DEFECT/RESULTS.CFM?ACTION_NUMBER=DP08002&SEARCHTYPE=QUICKSEARCH&SUMMARY=TRUE PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I HAVE ANY RECOURSE? *TR THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, JEFF HARRIS

THE TIMING CHAIN ON MY 2002 SATURN L200 STRETCHED AND DESTROYED THE MOTOR. THE CAR HAS ONLY 67,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR WOULD SIMPLY NOT START IN MY DRIVEWAY, HAD IT TOWED, TO A MECHANIC IN MY TOWN, IOWA CITY, IA. I CONTACTED SATURN-- THEY DIDN'T OFFER TO REPAIR-- BUT SUGGESTED THAT I HAVE THE CAR TOWED THE 40 MILES TO A FORMER DEALER TO HAVE IT 'DIAGNOSED' I DECIDED THIS WAS NOT MUCH OF AN OFFER! THE MECHANIC HERE IN MY TOWN HAS LOCATED A USER MOTOR WITH 47,000 MILES AND HAS QUOTED $2,500 TO FIX IT. HOWEVER, NOW I AM CONCERNED THAT THE MOTOR HE HAS ORDERED WILL ALSO HAVE THIS TIMING CHAIN DEFECT. TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN ON THE NEW MOTOR WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL $500. TOTAL> $3,000. GIVEN THAT THE CAR HAS TO BE SAFE FOR ME AND MORE IMPORTANTLY MY CHILDREN, I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO PROACTIVELY FIX THE REPLACEMENT MOTOR. WHAT A MESS! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. A LOCAL MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200 SEDAN . WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNINGS. HE WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO A NEARBY SERVICE SHOP. A TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED A FRACTURED TIMING CHAIN IN THE VEHICLE. HE THEN ADDED THAT THERE COULD BE MORE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND THE PISTONS AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER CONCLUDED THAT HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL # 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), THEREFORE HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 100,000.

SATURN L200 TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY - NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS ANY TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH ENGINE. *TR

CRACKED FUEL PUMP AND LEAKING EVAC CANNISTER. *TR

I HAVE A SATURN L200 WITH THE 2.2L ENGINE AND 64,100 MILE ON IT. WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON JULY 9 2009, MY TIMING CHAIN BROKE. I HAD JUST CLEARED AN INTERSECTION AND THE CAR FORTUNATELY HAD ENOUGH MOMENTUM FOR ME TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING BEFORE THE CHAIN BROKE. THE ENGINE REQUIRED EXTENSIVE REPAIRS. THE VALVES WERE BENT AND THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS WRECKED. ALL TOLD WITH PARTS AND LABOR, THE BILL CAME TO $2,142.33. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOWED THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO TO A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $3800.00. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000. UPDATED 12/7/09 *CN UPDATED 12/08/09.*JB

I WAS DRIVING ALONG ABOUT 25 MPH AND MY CAR JUST DIED STEERING AND ALL WOULD NOT WORK TOOK IT TO GARAGE TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHICH IN TURN BENT ALL OF THE VALVES IN THIS MOTOR NOW CAR IS SHOT IT IS A 2006 SATURN L200 143000 MILES ON IT I NOTICED THAT THEIR WAS A RECALL ON THE 2001 BUT NOT THE 2002 SO I WENT ONLINE AND SEARCHED THE FORUMS A FOUND OUT THAT ALOT OF 2002 SATURNS WERE PRONE TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L2 WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED INSIDE THE MOTOR. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAD TO PUSHED OFF OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 67,000.

THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT ON THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE A 2002 L200 SERIES SATURN. THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WHILE DRIVING AND IT IS EVEN STRONGER AFTER PARKING. WHEN I HAVE MY OIL CHANGED THEY TELL ME THE GAS DRIPS DOWN ON THE MUFFLER...THIS IS DEFINITELY A FIRE HAZARD. I KNOW THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME PROBLEM. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW MANY OTHERS WERE REPAIRED WITHOUT FIRST MAKING A COMPLAINT. THIS HAS GOT TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. IF YOU CAN RECALL A CHEVY BECAUSE THE LATCH ON THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOESN'T WORK, THEN THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE A TOP PRIORITY. ARE YOU GOING TO WAIT UNTIL A CAR BLOWS UP AND/OR SOMEONE IS KILLED OR INJURED? *TR

2002 SATURN L 300 6 CYL. SAW SMOKE COMING FROM MY STEERING COLUMN, HAVE REPORTED THIS TO SATURN , AFTER HAVING MY OIL CHANGED. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS DUST BURNING IN THE STEERING COLUMN, AND THAT IT HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE THEN, MY CHILD WITNESSED THE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER AREA ON THE STEERING COLUMN. MY CAR IS NOW AT A SATURN DEALERSHIP, WITH A BAD BCM ( BODY CONTROL MODULE) THIS IS THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS ALL ELECTRICAL DEVICES INSIDE THE CAR. THE LIGHT SWITCH , TURN SIGNAL, WIPERS,INSTRUMENT PANEL, KEYLESS ENTRY, POWER DOORS AND WINDOWS,RADIO, CAR IGNITION, ANTI-THEFT, ETC. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE TECH TODAY. HE STATED THE TWO ARE NOT RELATED, AND THAT THERE WILL BE AN EXTRA CHARGE TO HAVE A TECH. LOOK INTO THE STEERING COLUMN. I TOLD HIM I WOULD PAY THE DIFFERENCE BECAUSE SMOKE SHOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT MOST OF THE THINGS THE BCM CONTROLS RUN THROUGH THE STEERING COLUMN. THEY DO NOT WANT TO LOOK AT MY COMPLAINT, THEY ONLY WANT TO PUT IN A 600 DOLLAR PART. IF THE WIRES ARE BURNT THE BCM STILL WON'T WORK. AND THE CAR STILL WON'T WORK OR ELSE IT MAY BURN OUT A NEW BCM. WHY IS SATURN SO HESITANT TO LISTEN TO A CUSTOMERS COMPLAINT ? *TR

2002 SATURN L300 . HAVE FOLLOWED ALL MAINT. GUIDELINES. THOUGH IT IS ON IT'S THIRD BATTERY, THIRD SET OF TIRES, POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED, TIMING BELT REPLACED, ECM REPLACED, TWO CATALYTIC CONVERTERS REPLACED, THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. LESS THAN 90,000 MILES. DROVE THE CAR. GOT OUT, PUSHED THE KEYLESS ALARM ( ORIGINAL FACTORY) GOT DINNER, PUSHED THE KEYLESS ENTRY, GOT INTO THE CAR , TURNED THE KEY..AND THE CAR WAS DEAD. CAR DOES NOT START. LOCKED IN PARK, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. TOW TRUCK DRIVER HAD TO USE THE DOLLY LIFTS TO MOVE THE CAR, SO HE COULD POSITION IT TO BE ABLE TO TOW IT. HAD IT TOWED TO A SERVICE GARAGE, THEY FOLLOWED GM'S INSTRUCTIONS ..NO LUCK. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AGAIN , TO A SATURN DEALERSHIP ( THE ONLY ONES WHO HAVE THE CODES) TO RESET THE VEHICLE. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT RESET IT. TOLD ME IT NEEDS A NEW BCM. STATED ECM AND BCM ARE UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE. SO THAT UNTIL THE MODULE IS REPLACED THE CAR IS INOPERABLE. STATED THEY KNEW THE BCM'S GO BAD, STATED THEY HAVE HAD ALOT OF THESE GO BAD ( ALOT)???. THE SERVICE TECH STATED " THEY ARE LIKE A COMPUTER HARD DRIVE ON STEROIDS" . STATED THEY BURN OUT WITH NO WAY TO CHECK THEM OR FIX THEM. HE SAID THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TOFIX THE CAR. BUT THEY DO NOT KEEP ANY BCM IN STOCK. IT WILL BE A WEEK BEFORE THEY CAN GET THE PART. AFTER REPLACING THE BCM I WAS TOLD THE CARS INFORMATION WILL NOT BE ACCURATE. THEY TOLD ME THE ODOMETER GOES BACK TO ZERO. HOW CAN THAT BE THE DEALER JUST TURN BACK THE ODOMETER ISN'T THAT IL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BLOW OUT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE, BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN RESOLVED. SHE FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE BECAUSE THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 2001 L200 REGARDING THE TIMING CHAIN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

I HAVE A 2002 SATURN L200. I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY IN THE DALLAS AREA (I635). WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR STALLED WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND THEN IDLED TO ABOUT 5 MPH. I DROVE MY VEHICLE TO THE ACCESS ROAD WHERE IT DIED AND THE ENGINE NO LONGER TURNED. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC I AM TOLD THAT I WAS THE TIMING CHAIN. SINCE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY VALVES AND ENGINE HEADS CRACKED. NOW SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE COST ME $500 IS NOW GOING TO COST ME $1500. I PRACTICALLY HAVE TO GET A NEW ENGINE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH AND MY 2002 L200 SATURN'S ENGINE STOPPED. NO NOISES BEFOREHAND OR WARNING LIGHTS. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE'S CYLINDERS. ESTIMATED COST IS OVER $2,000. THE CAR ONLY HAS 82,000 MILES ON IT. NO CRASH OR INJURIES OCCURRED. *TR

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BACK UP. HE WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE CALLED A ROADSIDE SERVICE TO GIVE HIM A JUMP WITH NO LUCK. THE SERVICE TECH INFORMED HIM IT WAS PROBABLY THE TIMING CHAIN. IT WAS AFTER HOURS SO WE HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE. WE WERE UNABLE TO FIND SOMEONE TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE SHOP. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IF THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING MOST LIKELY THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS DAMAGED. WE WERE FINALLY ABLE TO GET IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THE TIMING CHAIN WAS OUT AND THE CYLINDER HEAD NEEDED REPLACE ALONG WITH SOME OTHER REPAIRS. THE DEALER INFORMED US THAT OUR VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL ON PREVIOUS MODELS. THE TOTAL COST WOULD BE $2527.84. WE HAVE NOT REPAIRED THIS AS OF YET. I HAVE RESEARCHED ALL OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS AND ALL ARE SIMILAR AND I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L100. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT FAILED. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT IT SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED AT ONLY SIX YEARS OLD AND WITH LESS THEN 75,000 MILES. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE DEALER BEING INSPECTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 79,003.

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND FELT A JERK. THE ENGINE DIED AND I HAD TO QUICKLY MOVE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. TURNS OUT THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE. THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THE ENGINE VALVES WERE BENT. TOTAL REPAIR COST WOULD BE AROUND $3,500. *TR

ON AUGUST 18, 2005 AT 72,863 MILES, I PAID $2360.71 TO HAVE MY TIMING CHAIN REPLACED. NOT REPAIRED BUT REPLACED DUE TO ITS MALFUNCTION. THE CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED AS DICTATED BY SATURN'S MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AND VIA SATURN OF ROSWELL PRIOR TO THIS ISSUE. I HAVE EVERY RECEIPT FROM EACH SERVICE APPOINTMENT SINCE I DROVE THE CAR OFF THE LOT. I COULDN'T BELIEVE SOMETHING THIS MAJOR WENT WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE AT SUCH AN EARLY POINT IN TIME. THE CAR SIMPLY QUIT RUNNING. THE ENGINE DIED AND I COULD GET NO RESPONSE FROM BRAKE PRESSURE OR STEERING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT CAUSING HARM OR INJURY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED BACK TO SATURN OF ROSWELL WHERE THEY TOOK 10 DAYS TO FIND THE ISSUE AND WHEN IT WAS FOUND THEY DECLINED ANY WARRANTY COVERAGE OR THE OPPORTUNITY TO NEGOTIATE THE PRICE OF THE REPAIR THOUGH I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THEM AND HAD MAINTAINED THE CAR WITH THEM. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT MY TIMING CHAIN WENT OUT AT 1:00 AM ON GA-400 WITH NO TRAFFIC AROUND ME. AT THE AVERAGE SPEED OF 70 MPH HAD THIS OCCURRED AT 1:00 PM OR ANY OTHER TIME WITH A GREATER LEVEL OF TRAFFIC I OR SOMEONE ELSE WOULD'VE BEEN DEAD. MY FEAR IS THAT SATURN IS WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO DIE AND ONLY THEN WILL THERE BE A MASS RECALL FOR ALL VEHICLES NOT JUST A RELATIVELY ISOLATED FEW. *TR

HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AT RANDOM TIMES. I AM THE SECOND OWNER PURCHASED THE 2002 MODEL IN 2003. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOR AS LONG AS I HAVE HAD THE CAR. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT IT IS NORMAL / NOT MAJOR AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO FIX IT. IT IS ANNOYING AND STARTLING TO ME, ESPECIALLY WHEN I AM DRIVING ON A DARK ROAD. WHEN IT HAPPENS, I GET AN ADRENALINE RUSH AND AUTOMATICALLY FEAR THERE IS A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND THAT THE CAR MIGHT SHUT DOWN AT ANY MOMENT. I HAVE TO REMIND MYSELF THAT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. I ALSO WORRY THAT OTHER DRIVERS MAY INTERPRET IT AS SOME SORT OF SIGNAL. *TR

MY 2002 L200 HAS 92,000 MILES. I WAS DRIVING 70 MPH ON A CROWDED 5 LANE INTERSTATE IN THE FAR LEFT LANE WHEN MY ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED. THERE WERE NO STRANGE NOISES OR SMELLS INVOLVED, NOR WAS THERE ANY SMOKE. THE RPM METER WENT DOWN TO ZERO. THANKFULLY, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WORKED FINE AND SO DID THE BRAKES. I PUT ON MY HAZARD BLINKER AND WAS SOMEHOW ABLE TO COAST MY WAY OVER TO THE SHOULDER. IT IS A MIRACLE THAT NO ONE HIT ME. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN AND THAT IT HAD POSSIBLY ALSO DAMAGED THE VALVES, SO I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE COST TO REPAIR WOULD BE ABOUT $3500. THAT IS ABOUT THE SAME AS THE VALUE OF THE CAR, SO I HAD A DIFFICULT TIME DECIDING WHETHER TO DO THE REPAIR OR SELL THE CAR AS IS. THE JUNKYARD OFFERED ME $150 + FREE TOW. I KEPT HEARING FROM DIFFERENT MECHANICS THAT IT IS VERY RARE FOR A TIMING CHAIN TO BREAK. I DID SOME FURTHER RESEARCH LOOKING FOR A REPLACEMENT ENGINE AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T EVEN KEEP THE ENGINE FOR THIS MODEL IN STOCK BECAUSE THE TIMING CHAIN BREAK HAPPENS SO OFTEN. THEN I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2001, BUT NOT 2002, EVEN THOUGH THE 2002 HAS THE SAME DESIGN FLAW. I COULD HARDLY BELIEVE IT. AT A MINIMUM, I FEEL THAT SATURN SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED ME THAT THIS WAS A CONCERN FOR MY MODEL OF CAR, EVEN IF THEY DIDN'T DO A RECALL. FLYING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IS THE WORST TIME TO FIND OUT ABOUT SUCH A DEFECT. HAD I KNOWN, I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HAVE BEEN PROACTIVE. PLEASE EXTEND THE REC

I HAVE A 2002 L200 SATURN WHICH HAS 97,000 MILES. THREE DAYS AGO WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON A CITY STREET THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO AN EMPTY PARKING METER SPACE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED A MERE FIVE MINUTES BEFORE, WHEN I WAS ON A TRAFFIC-PACKED INTERSTATE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN VERY SERIOUS TROUBLE. MY SATURN WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEADS. THEY STATED IT WOULD COST ME $2,800 TO FIX THE DAMAGE. THIS MAKES ME EXTREMELY UPSET AS I BOUGHT THIS SATURN BRAND NEW FROM A SATURN DEALERSHIP. I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF THIS CAR AND HAVE PERFORMED ALL THE SATURN REQUIRED MAINTENANCE IN A TIMELY FASHION FROM THE SAME SATURN DEALERSHIP. I FEEL THAT SATURN SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR FIXING THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE PERFORMED SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND THERE ARE MANY OTHER INDIVIDUALS REPORTING TIMING CHAIN OR TIMING BELT PROBLEMS WITH THEIR SATURNS. I KNOW ONE RECALL (FOR THE 2001 YEAR I BELIEVE) IS ALREADY IN PLACE. PLEASE START A RECALL FOR THE OTHER YEARS AS WELL. SATURN NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MANY INDIVIDUALS ARE BEING NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY THESE TIMING CHAIN/BELT PROBLEMS. *TR