2002 Saturn LS complaints

CATASTROPHIC TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. *TR

ARE YOU GUYS EVEN HEARING US??? WHAT HAPPENED TO ME WAS JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO. I WAS GOING TO FIX MY PROBLEM AND THAT WAS IT.....BUT MY PROBLEM ENDED UP BIGGER THAT I THOUGHT AND WAS COSTLY!!!!! I READ ALMOST ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS AND THEY ARE SAYING ONE THING,,, TIMING CHAINS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BREAK!!!!! ASK A SATURN MECHANIC WHEN ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO CHANGED A TIMING CHAIN? IT'S NEVER!!!! ASK,,PLEASE!!!! ANOTHER THING IS THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IN THE 2001 WAS RECALLED,, RIGHT??? LISTEN CLOSELY,,,, THAT SAME CHAIN WAS ALSO USED IN THE 2002!!!!!! BUT WASN'T RECALLED???? WHY?? HOW MANY MORE STORIES DO YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE A PROBLEM.... GOTO ODI 10265182, 10255749, 1025270, 10234562, 10209272, 10186650 READ THEM, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CHAIN OILER.... IT WOULDN'T LET ENOUGH OIL PASS THROUGH TO LUBRICATE THE TIMING CHAIN... AKA BRASS INSERT.... YOU WOULDN'T KNOW BECAUSE YOU TOOK IT TO A SATURN SHOP OR YOUR OWN. MY UNCLE FIND MINE, ONLY BECAUSE AFTER READING ALL OF THE PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET. I HAVE 2002 L200 2.2 SEDAN AND YES THAT BRASS INSERT IN THE CHAIN OILER WAS IN MINE AND I CAN PROVE IT..... SO I BELIEVE ALL YOU HAD THE SAME THING........I DO KNOW WE ALL HAD THE SAME CHAIN, WHICH HAD A WEAK LINK IN IT...... IT WAS RECALLED??? BUT NOT THE 2002??? *TR

SIX DAYS AGO I WAS ON MY TO WORK IN MY 2002 L-SERIES200 2.2 LITER THAT ONLY HAS 77,000 MILES ON IT WHEN IT JUST DIED ON ME. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY ANOTHER CAR CAUSE I COULDN'T GET OUT OF TRAFFIC, SO I HAD TO PULL INTO A DITCH. THAT DAY MY UNCLE HELPED ME TOWED IT BACK TO HIS PERSONAL WORK SHOP CAUSE HE KNOWS HOW TO WORK ON VEHICLES. HE TRIED EVERYTHING TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH WITHOUT GETTING INSIDE THE ENGINE, WELL IT CAME TO THAT. THE TIMING CHAIN IS BROKE AND HE SHOWED IT TO ME AND SAID HE SAID IT LOOKS LIKE THIS LINK WAS WEAK.. YOU CAN SEE HOW IT WAS STRETCHED, JUST THAT ONE.. AND BECAUSE OF THE CHAIN BREAKING THE CHAIN OILER IS BROKEN ALSO, THE BOLT HOLDING IT UP WAS COMPLETELY BENT, SO WE THINK THE CHAIN HIT IT.. BECAUSE OF THE WARRANTY WAS ALREADY OUT WE WERE GOING TO FIX IT OURSELVES. I WENT TO GO GET A TIMING CHAIN AND THE CHAIN OILER, BUT THE CLERK ASK ME IF SATURN HAD REPLACED YOUR CHAIN OILER? I TOLD HIM NO, AND HE ASKED ME IF MY VALVES WERE BENT BECAUSE WHEN THE CHAIN BREAKS THAT USUALLY HAPPENS. SO I ASKED MY UNCLE AND HE WENT AHEAD TO CHECK AND YES THEY WERE. SO I WENT BACK TO THE CAR PARTS STORE AND TOLD THEM YES THAT THE VALVES WERE BENT.. I COME TO FIND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE OILER BECAUSE OF A BRASS INSERT THAT IN THE OILER. BUT HE SAID IT WAS ONLY FOR THE 2001 NOT 2002. MY UNCLE SEARCH AROUND IN THE OIL PAN AND HE FOUND PIECES OF THE OILER ALONG WITH A BRASS INSERT, SO I THINK MY CAR WAS ALSO INSTALLED WITH PART. SO THAT'S WHEN I WENT HOME

2002 SATURN L-100 SEDAN. FRONT SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY RUSTED TO THE POINT OF TOTAL FAILURE ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE WHERE LOWER CONTROL ARM CONNECTS. FAILURE HAPPENED IN PARKING LOT SO THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY OR CRASH. FAILURE TOOK OUT RIGHT INNER CV JOINT AND DRIVE SHAFT. WHEEL WELL LINER AND FENDER ALSO DAMAGED. FRONT SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH NEW PART. NEW CV JOINT AND DRIVE SHAFT INSTALLED. *TR

PLEASE SEE #DP08002 THIS IS THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I HAVE. ESSENTIALLY, THE TIMING CHAIN COMPONENTS ARE POORLY DESIGNED AND CREATE THE NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINEER WHEN THE TIMING BELT COMPONENTS FAIL. *TR

I HAD NO PRE-INDICATION OF THIS. 2002 SATURN L200. PURCHASED 6-2002. ~78,500 MILES. DATE OF INCIDENT: 3-9-09 @ 10:00AM. MY TIMING CHAIN FELL APART. IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS TURNING A CORNER AND THE STEARING WHEEL LOCKED. (THE ENGINE IS QUIET ENOUGH I COULDN'T HEAR IT SHUT OFF). I MANAGED TO GET TO THE SIDE. SAW THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT ON & SHUT THE CAR OFF. IT THEN WOULDN'T START UP & WAS TOWED HOME. MY BOYFRIEND IS A MECHANIC & HAS BEEN WORKING ON IT. IT WAS HARD TO FIND THE PROBLEM, SINCE THE CAR WAS ON AT THE TIME THE VALVES STAYED OPEN, HE THOUGHT IT WAS THE STARTER (-$200). THE CHAIN'S PIN FELL OUT AND HAS LITERALLY FALLEN APART. WE HAVE KEPT THE CHAIN THUS FAR AND WILL INVESTIGATE IF I AM ALLOWED ANY REFUND FOR THE TIME, MONEY AND/OR HASSEL OF THIS. WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT PIECES GETTING UP INTO THE ENGINE AND CREATING MORE PROBLEMS WITH THAT, AND LOOKING INTO A NEW VEHICLE POSSIBLY. (HAVING FEEDBACK ON WHAT TO DO NOW WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. DO WE STOP WORK AND TAKE IT TO A SHOP OR CONTINUE TO FIX IT? I NEED A CAR SOON. ARE THERE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR? DO YOU KNOW OF HOW I CAN GET REIMBURSED? DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE CHANCES ARE OF PIECES REACHING THE ENGINE). *TR

THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE. THE CAR WAS PROPERLY CARED FOR AND MAINTAINED, RECEIVING OIL CHANGES AND OTHER PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE AT THE APPROPRIATE TIMES. *TR

I'LL KEEP THIS QUICK. NO CRASH, NO DEATHS, JUST FAULTY EQUIPMENT. I'M GOING TO REFERENCE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V231000 , SATURN RECALL 03-C-06. I HAVE AN 2002 L300 V6 ENGINE THAT IS NOT THE ENGINE IN THIS RECALL, BUT, I KID YOU NOT, WORD FOR WORD SUMMARY YOU WROTE FOR THE ABOVE FITS MY CAR COMPLETELY. I HAVE REPORTED TO SATURN AND THEY'RE SEEING WHAT THEY CAN DO, BUT SINCE MY ENGINE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT, IT'S NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. I'M NOW FACING UPWARDS 3K BILL TO FIX ALL THE DAMAGE THAT I BELIEVE TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THIS SIMILAR PROBLEM. *TR

ON JANUARY 13, 2009 I TOOK MY CARE TO SATURN TO HAVE A COUPLE ISSUES ASSESSED IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL LIGHTS THAT WERE ON STEADY OR BLINKING ON AND OFF ON THE DASH. I DROPPED MY CAR OFF THE NIGHT BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT. THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED NY INSPECTION STICKER WAS ABOUT TO EXPIRE AND ASKED IF THEY WOULD BE TAKING CARE OF THAT THIS VISIT. I TOLD HIM NO I WAS MORE INTERESTED IN WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THE LIGHTS AT THE PRESENT TIME. ON THE FOLLOWING MORNING THE TECHNICIAN CALLED ME AND TOLD ME WHAT THEY FOUND WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS WERE NEEDED: BODY CONTROL MODULE (SHORTED), THERMOSTAT - ENGINE OIL COOLER (LEAKING), OIL PRESSURE SWITCH (LEAKING) AND DRIVER'S FRONT AXLE SEAL (LEAKING). I WAS QUOTED A PRICE IN EXCESS OF $2,000 FOR THE REPAIRS. I HAVE KEPT MY CAR, PURCHASED BRAND NEW, WELL MAINTAINED AND DON'T SEE HOW MY CAR WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES SHOULD NEED THIS KIND WORK AT ONE TIME. NONE OF THESE ISSUES ARE NORMAL WEAR ON A CAR. SOMETHING MUST BE AWRY SOMEWHERE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR

TIMING CHAIN BROKE AT 93,000 MILES. THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER, LUCKILY WE WERE ON A COUNTRY ROAD TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR. WILL COST NEARLY $2000 TO REPAIR. *TR

2002 SATURN L200 HIT ON DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AND REAR BY A LARGE 4 DOOR TRUCK AND SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY . DRIVER HIT HEAD ON DRIVER WINDOW , 2 PASSENGERS HURT NECKS . *TR

CAR WAS PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER OF 2004 USED FROM SATURN OF FAYETTEVILLE NC. IN FEBRUARY OF 2006 WHILE ENTERING HIGHWAY MY CAR SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO FIND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS THE PROBLEM. I HAD A USED ENGINE PUT IN MY VEHICLE WHICH ONLY LASTED ME JUST OVER A YEAR AND COST ME OVER 1,800.00. IN OCTOBER OF 2008 I WENT OUTSIDE TO START MY VEHICLE TO FIND IT WOULD NOT START, THINKING THAT THE BATTERY WAS BAD I REPLACED IT, IT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM THINKING IT MIGHT BE THE SPARK PLUGS THEY WERE REPLACED AS WELL. FRUSTRATED I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE PLACE THAT REPLACED THE FIRST ENGINE AND AGAIN TO MY SURPRISE GUESS WHAT BAD TIMING CHAIN. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR ONLY 4 YEARS STILL OWING ON THIS VEHICLE I AM VERY FRUSTRATED. I HAVE CALLED SATURN AND I WAS INFORMED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. I HAVE BEEN ONLINE TO DISCOVER THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS HORRIBLE PROBLEM. *TR

MY UPPER BRAKE LIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT. I REPLACED 5 OF THESE LIGHTS TO GET MY INSPECTION STICKER. RIGHT NOW ONLY 2 ARE WORKING. YOU CAN ONLY GET THESE BULBS AT A SATURN DEALER AT A COST OF $7.00 EACH. I CALLED THE SATURN DEALER AND THEY SAY THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS. THIS IS PART OF THE BRAKE LIGHT SYSTEM AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP SPENDING $7.00 EACH TO REPLACE THEM. I HAVE ALSO CHECKED ON THE SATURNFANS.COM WEB SITE AND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS THIS PROBLEM. I BOUGHT THE CAR AT SATURN OF NORWOOD,MA. I THINK THAT IT MAYBE A SHORT SOMEWHERE. *TR

2002 SATURN L200 LEAKING GAS DUE TO FAULTY FUEL PUMP. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL REPORTED INCIDENTS AND I CAN IMAGINE THE NUMBER OF OWNERS THAT DID NOT COMPLAIN. SATURN HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IT CONTINUED ON TO THE 2003 MODELS. SATURN SAID YOUR ORGANIZATIONS IS THE ONLY AUTHORITY TO ISSUE RECALLS. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE FOR A RECALL TO BE MANDATED, OR DOES IT TAKE A FATALITY FOR THIS TO OCCUR. *TR

FUEL SMELL AND SMALL LEAK. DEALER SAYS FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AT SEAM OF VENT COVER PLATE OF FUEL TANK. ALSO, FUEL PUMP OUTPUT FITTINGS ARE PLASTIC AND "BECOME BRITTLE" AND ARE LEAKING. "BECOME BRITTLE" IS THE DEALER SERVICE WRITER'S WORDS. I GOOGLED THIS AND FOUND AT LEAST TWO MORE INSTANCES IN A 5 MINUTE SEARCH. OTHER INSTANCES FROM GOOGLE WERE VERY RECENT ALSO! NOVEMBER 2008. THIS MIGHT BE A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. PLEASE CATCH IT EARLY! *TR

TIMING CHAIN FAILED ON 2002 L200 WITH 111K MILES ON IT. CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED WITH NO MAJOR DEFECTS OR COMPLAINTS. THIS WAS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION AS THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER INTO A PARKING LOT SAFELY WITHOUT INVOLVING ANY OTHER VEHICLES OR PEDESTRIANS. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR AND IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT NOT ONLY DID THE TIMING CHAIN FAIL BUT THE HYDRAULIC TENSIONER HAS COMPLETELY COME LOOSE AND ENDED UP IN THE OIL PAN. SO FAR THE REPAIR, INCLUDING THE LABOR AND CHAIN KIT, WILL RUN AROUND $1500 IF THERE IS NO OTHER DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE FAILURE. I AM HAVING MECHANIC KEEP OLD PARTS SINCE THERE IS CURRENTLY A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION UNDERWAY. I WANT MY PARTS AVAILABLE SHOULD THEY BE NEEDED. SINCE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2001 MODEL WITH THE SAME ENGINE AND TIMING CHAIN COMPONENT I FEEL THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ONE ON ALL MODELS WITH THIS SAME ENGINE/CHAIN COMBINATION! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L SERIES. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED FUEL SPILLAGE ON THE GROUND. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND CRACKED FUEL LINE WAS DISCOVERED. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL PUMP EXHIBITED CRACKS THAT WOULD EVENTUALLY FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,140.

1. EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE, NONE 2. THE FAILURE, TIMING CHAIN LINK SEPARATES WHILE CAR RUNNING, AND WILL NOT RESTART. 3. HAVE TO REPLACE TIMING CHAIN. *TR

SATURN WAGON LW200 HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, I.E., ITS TIMING CHAIN FAILED WHILE BEING DRIVEN ON 9/20/08 WHICH DESTROYED THE ENGINE AND PUT MY SPOUSE AT RISK OF HARM AS THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN FULLY INSPECTED AND SERVICED ON 9/13/08 AT A LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP WHERE IT HAD BEEN FAITHFULLY SERVICED SINCE ITS PURCHASE. THE TIMING CHAINS ON THIS MODEL OF VEHICLE WERE RECALLED FOR MODEL YEARS 2000 AND 2001 AND THE MECHANIC AT HASLETT MARATHON WHERE IT WAS TOWED FOR INSPECTION REPORTED THIS WAS THE SAME PART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SALVAGEABLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L100. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL PUMP CRACKED IN THE GAS TANK AND CAUSED FUEL TO POUR OUT OF THE VEHICLE. HE SMELLED FUEL AND NOTICED IT "DUMPING" OUT OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH ALERTED HIM TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FUEL PUMP AS THE ORIGIN OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER COVERED $300 OF THE $650 REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE FAILURE WAS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,394 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,100.

MY SATURN L200 STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE TIMING CHAIN WAS BROKEN AND SATURN HAD ADDED A PART TO THE ENGINE TO GET MORE OIL OR LUBRICANT TO THIS CHAIN SO IT WOULDN'T BRAKE. I HAVE HAD MY CAR AT SATURN DEALERSHIPS AND THEY HAVE NEVER MENTIONED THIS PART THAT SHOULD BE ADDED. I CALLED THE LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY ARE REPLACING THE ENGINE IN L100 MODELS WHEN THE TIMING CHAIN BREAKS, BUT NOT THE L200'S. THE L100 AND L200 HAVE THE SAME ENGINE. *TR

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. *TR

RE. 2002 SATURN L200 MODEL W/2.2 4CYL. ENGINE...VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED AND WOULD NOT RESTART....I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED IN TO A LOCAL GARAGE WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN.....I HAVE 69,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND HAVE MAINTAINED THE CORRECT MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES.....SATURN HAS BEEN ISSUED A TSB IN 2003 REGARDING A REPLACEMENT OIL NOZZLE TO FACILITATE THE OILING OF THE TIMING CHAIN....I PLAN ON CONTACTING MY LOCAL SATURN DEALER REGARDING THIS MANNER AND PLAN ON GOING HIGHER UP WITH THE COMPLAINT IF NECESSARY....I AM NOT A HAPPY CAMPER OVER THIS AND HOLD SATURN ENTIRELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. SINCERELY, BONNIE L. KRUEGER *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, HE NOTICED A SUDDEN JOLT. HE ALSO EXPERIENCED LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND THE STEERING COLUMN FAILURE CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK. HE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THERE WHERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, INSPECTED AND ADVISED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR COST WOULD BE $2,500.00. THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN PERFORMED. THE CONTACT WILL NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 152,000.

MY CAR STALLED ON HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT START. HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL SATURN DEALER AND THEY CHARGED ME $85 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. IT IS A DEFECTED TIMING CHAIN THAT DESTROYED MY ENGINE. THE COST OF REPAIR WILL BE OVER $3,000. MY CAR IS A 2002 SERIES AND DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL FOR TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE MAIN SATURN HEADQUARTERS IN DETROIT TO VOICE OUR COMPLAINT AND WAITING TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH THIS CAR DEFECT. *TR

11-2006 FAILURE #1 NORMAL DRIVING. CAR SLOWED AND BECAME UNDRIVABLE AS IF OUT-OF-GAS. WOULD NOT RE-START. TOWED BACK TO DEALER. REMEDY REPLACE TIMING CHAIN. NO OLD PART. 11-29-2008 FAILURE #2 ENGINE OIL WARNING LIGHT AND BELL ON TEMPORARILY (MEANING NO SERIOUS EVENT, ACCORDING TO SATURN VEHICLE MANUAL) AFTER 20-30 MINUTES OF OPERATION BEFORE PARKING CAR. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES OVER TWO DAYS. ON FINAL THIRD DAY AFTER 15 MINUTES OF OPERATION GRINDING RUMBLE BECAME INCREASINGLY LOUDER. AT TRAFFIC LIGHT ENGINE STALL. CAR RESTARTED. KEPT RPMS ABOVE STALL THRESHOLD. FOR FIVE MORE MINUTES BEFORE PARKING. ENGINE CRANKCASE VOID OF OIL. ADDED TWO QUARTS. UPON STARTING ENGINE. FRESH OIL WAS SEEN EXITING UPPER REAR OF ENGINE. DROVE TO DEALER. TEAR DOWN HALTED WHEN METAL SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN OIL PAN. CAR CURRENTLY PARKED AT DEALER. RECOMMENDATION FULL ENGINE REPLACEMENT. *TR

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE QUIT (STOPPED RUNNING AND DECELERATED). I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AND BEEN TOLD THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND THE PRESSURES INSIDE THE ENGINE ARE BAD. SPOKE WITH SATURN AND WAS TOLD IF I REPAIRED IT AND THERE WAS A SUBSEQUENT RECALL LIKE THE OCT. 2008 COMPLAINT, I WOULD BE REIMBURSED. *TR

THE TIMING CHAIN ON MY 02 SATURN L100 BROKE CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO START. AFTER READING SOME OF THE BLOGS, I FEEL FORTUNATE THAT I WAS PARKED WHEN ITS FAILURE REVEALED ITSELF. *TR

MY WIFE'S CAR QUIT RUNNING SUDDENLY. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPORTED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN AND REPAIRS WOULD COST $3200, INDICATING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE BESIDES THE BROKEN CHAIN. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, NOR WERE THERE ANY INJURIES. WE PURCHASED THE CAR NEW FROM THE DEALER AND HAVE HAD ALL RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. THE CAR HAS ~97000 MILES ON THE ORIGINAL ENGINE. *TR

I WAS ABLE TO SMELL GASOLINE WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO AAA AUTO CARE TO HAVE IT CHECKED. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. AS IT WAS BEING REPLACED, THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REMOVED. ACCORDING TO THE TECH, THE PUMP BROKE IN PIECES. IT TOO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT +/- 18:50, ON NOVEMBER 18TH 2008 WITH MY 2002 SATURN L200 WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED OR CUT OUT. I HAD TO QUICKLY TRY AND SWITCH LANES TO GET TO THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WHILE THE CAR WAS LOSING SPEED. WHEN THE CAR STOPPED I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN BUT TO NO AVAIL. I CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST SATURN DEALERSHIP I.E. SATURN OF PLANO. THE NEXT MORNING I PHONED THE DEALERSHIP TO CONFIRM THAT MY CAR WAS THERE AND THAT I WOULD LIKE THEM TO INVESTIGATE WHAT IS WRONG. THEY PHONED BACK EXPLAINING THAT MY TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE AND THAT IT THERE IS A VERY GOOD CHANCE THAT MY VALVES WHERE DAMAGED AND A 50/50 CHANCE THAT MY PISTONS WERE DAMAGED AS WELL. THEY CAN'T TELL EXACTLY WHAT MIGHT BE DAMAGED UNTIL THEY OPEN THE ENGINE WHICH IS GOING TO COST ME $800 (ON TOP OF THE INVESTIGATION CHARGES ETC). THEY SAID I HAVE 2 OPTIONS: 1) LET THEM OPEN THE ENGINE AND DETERMINE TO SEE WHAT IS DAMAGED OF WHICH THE OUTCOME MIGHT BE: A. VALVES ARE DAMAGED - REPLACE ENGINE HEAD FOR AT LEAST $2491 B. PISTONS ARE DAMAGED - REPLACE ENGINE WITH SECOND HAND FOR AT LEAST $3800 OR 2) REPLACE THE ENGINE FROM THE BEGINNING THEN I WON'T HAVE TO FORK OUT THE INITIAL $800 AND IT WOULD ONLY COST ME AT LEAST $3800 WHEN I ASKED WHAT I COULD HAVE DONE TO PREVENTED THIS THE ANSWER WAS: "NOTHING" AND THAT THE CHAINS NORMALLY LAST LONGER THAN 100,000 (I THINK MY MILEAGE ON THE CAR NOW STANDS AT ABOUT 104,000). I SERVICED MY CAR AT L

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INVESTIGATED THE FAILURE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND SOME OF ITS COMPONENTS FELL INTO THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 74,000.

TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE DRIVING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L100. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 50 MPH AND ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE; HOWEVER, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 145,000.

TIMING CHAIN ON MY 2002 SATURN SL2 BROKE WHILE PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. LOCAL SATURN DEALER CLAIMS THEY HAD A RECALL ONLY ON 2001 MODELS. LOOKING AT THE NHTSA THERE SEEMS TO BE MULTIPLE INVESTIGATIONS INTO THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE REFERENCE PEP08-061. *TR

THE CAR WAS IDLING REALLY ROUGH EARLIER IN THE DAY. I WAS GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT BUT ONLY GOT A FEW FEET BEFORE THE CAR DIED. IT TRIES TO TURN OVER BUT NO LUCK. A MECHANIC FRIEND SAID IT SEEMS TO BE THE TIMING BELT. AFTER REVIEW ON THIS AND OTHER WEBSITES I TEND TO AGREE. IT'S BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I'M AWAITING MY DIAGNOSIS. IF IT IS IN FACT THE TIMING BELT AND SATURN KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHY DIDN'T THEY FIX IT? A RECALL WOULD BE GREAT BUT IF NOT THAT AT LEAST NOTIFY US OF THE PROBLEM SO WE CAN DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO HAVE IT FIXED. I'M REALLY UPSET THAT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED WITH MY 4 YEAR OLD AND 5 MONTH OLD IN THE CAR WITH ME. DO SOMETHING SATURN!! *TR

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, CAR LOST ALL POWER, IT WILL NOT TURN BACK ON CAR HAS 90,000 MILES. JUST HAD WATER PUMP REPLACED 1 MONT EARLIER FOR LEAKING. 2002 SATURN L100 BELIEVE IT IS THE TIMING CHAIN. *TR

TIMING CHAIN ON 2002 L200 SEDAN WITH 2.2 L ENGINE BROKE WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AND REFUSE TO START. THIS CAR HAD NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE UNEXPECTED BREAK. LUCKILY, IT WAS VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING (6:10 AM) AND TRAFFIC WAS MINIMAL. I DID MANAGE TO GET THE CAR TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD SAFELY. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED AT A BUSIER TIME, MY LIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN DANGER. IN ADDITION TO THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDING REPLACEMENT, ALL VALVES AND THE HEAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR A WEEK AND COST IS ESTIMATED TO BE AT LEAST $ 2,500.00. BLUE BOOK PRICE FOR THIS CAR IS $ 4,165.00. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. SOON AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT BEGAN TO SMELL GAS. APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS LATER, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FUEL PUMP SPRAYED GASOLINE OUT OF THE FUEL TANK AND ONTO THE GROUND. THE FITTING FROM THE PUMP TO THE FUEL LINE HAS DETERIORATED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,900.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE'S TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $3,000. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE HIS MODEL YEAR WAS NOT AFFECTED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), THEY WOULD ONLY ASSUME PARTIAL FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

TIMING CHAIN BROKE ON OUR CAR 2002 L-SERIES SATURN THAT HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND ONLY THE 2001 YEAR MAKE OF MY CAR IS COVERED ON A RECALL, EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS PURCHASED IN 2001. THE DEALER JUST WORKED ON THIS PART 5 MONTHS AGO AND THEY DENY THAT THE TWO PROBLEMS ARE RELATED. *TR

WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 25-30 MPH AND THE ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. CREATED AN IMMEDIATE TRAFFIC HAZARD IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND COULD NOT MOVE OFF CURBED ROADWAY. TOWED TO REPAIR WHERE DIAGNOSIS IS BROKEN TIMING CHAIN. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET FOUND RECALL ON 2001 VERSION OF SAME VEHICLE. NOW I READ THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION AND SAME CONCERNS IN 1999-2003 VERSIONS OF THIS VEHICLE. I ALSO READ THAT SATURN IS CLAIMING THESE WOULD PROBABLY HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK DUE TO HEAVY LOAD ON CHAIN AT THAT TIME. MINE FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH! I ALSO READ THAT IN REOPENING THIS CASE THE NHTSA IS ESPECIALLY INTERESTED IN THE NUMBER OF THESE FAILURES IN YEARS OTHER THAN 2001 IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE ROAD. MINE FITS THIS SITUATION. MY CAR IS BEING REPAIRED BUT I BELIEVE THAT SATURN SHOULD PAY THE BILL AS MY ENGINE IS THE SAME ONE THAT IS RECALLED JUST A YEAR LATER. SATURN DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IN 2002 SO WHY WOULD THEY HAVE MADE A CHANGE IN THE ENGINE? SATURN OBVIOUSLY KNOWS THIS IS THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG AND IS HOPING TO GET BY WITH A ONE-YEAR RECALL WHEN IT SHOULD BE MORE. I HAVE MAINTAINED TIMELY MAINTENANCE OF MY 2002 SATURN WITH ROUTINE WORK (OIL CHANGES, ETC). THE VEHICLE HAS 99,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. EVERY TIME THE SECURITY LIGHTS FLASH, THE VEHICLE WILL TURN OVER, BUT FAIL TO START. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT DOES NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,700 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,650.UPDATED 09/17/08.*LJ UPDATED 09/25/08. *JB

COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. SERVICE REPORT FROM SATURN DEALERSHIP, WHEN TAKEN IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, A FEW WEEKS BEFORE, DID NOT LIST ANY PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING CHAIN. SATURN SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ACTUALLY SAID THIS CAR DOES NOT HAVE A TIMING CHAIN. HAD THE TIMING CHAIN REPLACED BUT ENGINE HAS NO COMPRESSION, ON TWO CYLINDERS. ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR ENGINE DAMAGES, AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE TIMING CHAIN BREAKING, EXCEEDS THE VALUE OF CAR. I HAVE THE OLD CHAIN, ON WHICH, ONE OF THE LINKS FAILED. THE CAR HAS 78K MILES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH UNDER LIGHT TO MODERATE ACCELERATION. *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME ON 7/26/08 SATURDAY NIGHT, AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF. I HAD NO WARNING AND ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT. I PULLED OVER AND HAD TO PUSH THE CAR INTO A PARKING LOT AT 11:00 PM. I DID HEAR A NOISE FROM THE ENGINE RIGHT BEFORE IT STOPPED, BUT I HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS. I HAD MY MECHANIC TOW IT TO HIS SHOP ONLY TO HAVE HIM CALL ME AND TELL ME THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN. IT IS GOING TO COST 2000.00 DOLLARS TO FIX AND I AM A SINGLE MOTHER, AND DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. I GUESS I AM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY SATURN CAN GET AWAY WITH ONLY RECALLING CERTAIN YEAR CARS FOR THIS PROBLEM!!!! MY CAR IS A SATURN L200 SERIES, AND I GOT IT IN 2002. IT ONLY HAS 45000 MILES ON IT, AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS TIMING CHAIN RANDOMLY BROKE!!! THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL THE CARS IN QUESTION NO MATTER WHAT THE COST. I ALMOST MADE MY DAUGHTER MOTHERLESS!!!!!!!!!! *TR

1) EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE: THE CAR WAS BOUGHT WITH 15K AND NOW HAS 56K. REGULAR MAINTENANCE. NOTHING TO SIGNAL A PROBLEM. 2) THE FAILURE: DRIVING 55-60 MPH BREAK PETAL PRESSED TO THE FLOOR WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS. WE DROVE TO A NEAR BY MECHANIC WHICH WASN'T OPEN. TURNED THE CAR OFF, STILL NOT BREAKS. DROVE 15 MILES BACK TO TOWN USING EMERGENCY BRAKE. PULLED THE CAR UP TO A MECHANIC. TURNED CAR OFF. WHEN RESTARTED, BRAKES WORKED FINE. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH BRAKE PADS, NOTHING THAT WOULD LEAD HIM TO BELIEVE THERE WAS A PROBLEM. TOLD US TO TAKE IT TO A SATURN DEALERSHIP. 3) WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE: SATURN SAID THERE WAS NO RECORD OF A SIMILAR PROBLEM. THEY CHECKED EVERYTHING AND SAID THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE BREAK SYSTEM. THEY SAID IT WAS MOST LIKELY BECAUSE WE DID NOT CHANGE THE FLUIDS AT 42K. THEY WOULD NOT GIVE US ANYTHING IN WRITING SAYING THE BRAKES WOULD NOT FAIL AGAIN. *TR

MY BATTERY WENT BAD AFTER I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP TO GET A RECALL COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM WAS PRESENT AFTER A NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED. THE BODY CONTROL MODULE I AM TOLD IS BAD. THERE ARE COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT THE CAR HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH OTHER PEOPLE. MY CAR HAS ONLY 48,000 MILES ON IT. SATURN WILL GIVE ME 10% OFF ON A $1,000.00 REPAIR BILL. THEY SAID BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE ALL MY SERVICE WORK DONE AT A SATURN DEALERSHIP, THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING BETTER. IT IS A SHAME. MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SAME VEHICLE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE AT 65 MPH AT NIGHT. WHEN SUDDENLY I HEARD A NOISE IN THE ENGINE AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTING SLOWING DOWN. I NEARLY WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT WITH TWO TRACTOR TRAILERS TRYING TO MAKE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAD A TIMING BELT BRAKE. I TOOK THE CAR TO SATURN, THEY REPLACED THE HEAD ASM,CORE-HEAD, GASKET AS, CHAIN PGK, SEAL ASM, BOLT ASM, GASKET-EN, BOLT-6, AND BOLT HV. THE TOTAL REPAIR COST WAS $2,780.34. *TR

2002 SATURN L 200 HAD COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE ON ROUTE 197 AND CAR STOPPED IN MIDDLE OF ROAD AND WOULDN'T RESTART. CAR HAS ABOUT 60K MILES ON IT. FORTUNATELY MY DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE WITH DESTRUCTION OF THE ENGINE. SATURN REVIEWED OUR MAINTENANCE RECORD, DEEMED IT "EXCELLENT" AND SAID IT WOULD COST ME ONLY $3500 TO GET A REBUILT ENGINE PUT IN. THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY PROBLEM WITH TIMING CHAIN. I AM RELUCTANTLY GOING FORWARD WITH REPAIR BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD A NEW CAR NOW, BUT I THINK THIS PROBLEM COULD LEAD TO MORE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES FOR OTHER DRIVERS AND TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM IN ALL L200 SHOULD PROMPT RECALL. *TR

MY 2002 SATURN L200, PURCHASED FROM SATURN OF SCHAUMBURG IN DECEMBER OF 2005, NO LONGER RUNS BECAUSE OF A 'SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THE TIMING CHAIN MECHANISM'. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY ABOUT 48,000 MILES ON IT AND THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THIS CAUSED THE VALVES IN THE ENGINE TO BEND. I WAS TOLD BY SATURN OF SCHAUMBURG THAT THIS PROBLEM DID NOT EFFECT MY MAKE OR YEAR, ONLY 2001 VEHICLES. I WAS FURTHER TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM 'HARDLY EVER HAPPENED WITH THE L-SERIES' HOWEVER, UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY USED IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES WAS ALSO USED IN MODEL YEAR 1999 THROUGH 2003 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES WITH 2.2 LITER ENGINES, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE MY VEHICLE. I GOT THIS INFORMATION FROM CONSUMER AFFAIRS. I ALSO FOUND THAT SATURN HAS REPAIRED 2,932 VEHICLES UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES AND THERE ARE ANOTHER 890 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. WHEN I CALLED WITH THIS NEW INFORMATION I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO TOW MY DISABLED VEHICLE TO SATURN FOR THEIR DIAGNOSIS AT ADDITIONAL COST TO MYSELF BEFORE THEY COULD TELL ME IF ANY OF THE COST OF REPAIR (ESTIMATED AT $2,272.00 BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC) WOULD BE COVERED BY SATURN. I ALSO SPOKE TO TIM IN SATURN'S CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER, WHO SAID HE WOULD TRY TO GET THE DIAGNOSIS CHARGED WAIVED, BUT PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO. HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED, IF SATURN DID DECIDE TO COVER SOMETHING IT WAS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT TH