2002 Saturn LS complaints

ON DEC. 23 OR 24TH, 2005, I STOPPED BY THE SATURN OF GRESHAM DEALERSHIP BECAUSE MY CAR WAS MAKING A VERY ODD NOISE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AND TECHNICIAN LISTENED TO THE CAR AND LOOKED AT THE ENGINE. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE A AN EXHAUST PROBLEM BUT THE CAR WOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL I COULD MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AFTER CHRISTMAS. I MADE THE APPT. FOR THE WED. FOLLOWING CHRISTMAS, I BELIEVE. ON CHRISTMAS, WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL, MY CAR BEGAN JERKING AND LOST POWER. I WAS NOT DISABLED BUT MY CAR COULD BARELY MAKE IT UP THE HILL. I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF OF THE FREEWAY AND GET HELP FROM FAMILY. I HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO SATURN OF BEAVERTON. THEY WERE ABLE TO LOOK AT THE CAR ON DEC. 26 OR 27TH AND DETERMINED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALERSHIP DID MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS UNDER THE WARRANTY. *NM

ON 7/1/6 WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH MY SATURN SUDDENLY QUIT RUNNING. MY CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING NORMALLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING MY CAR LOST ALL POWER. IT WAS 104`& 20 MILES FROM CIVILIZATION. I WALKED 1 MILE AND THERE WAS A CAMPER ALSO DISABLED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE PEOPLE CONTACTED A TOW COMPANY IN THE NEAREST CITY. MY CAR WAS TOWED 120 MILES. ON 7/3, THE DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED ME THAT MY TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN WITH SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE($4000.00). THE SM STATED THAT HE DID NOT RECOMMEND USING ANY USED PARTS TO FIX THE ENGINE. HE ACTED CONCERNED AS TO WHY THE TIMING CHAIN WOULD HAVE BROKEN IN MY CAR. HE MENTIONED THAT THE L SERIES CARS HAVE HAD SOME PROBLEMS. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE DEALERSHIP BEING WORKED ON. ON 7/5, I SPOKE TO THE AREA MANAGER FOR THE SATURN CORPORATION. SHE SAID SHE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT NHTSA AND DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF FAILURES WITH OTHER SATURNS. SHE STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO "A POOR MAINTENANCE RECORD". I INFORMED HER THAT SHE WAS SADLY MISTAKEN AS THE SATURN DEALERSHIP MY CAR IS AT WAS NOT THE ONLY DEALERSHIP OR AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS THAT I HAVE HAD WORK DONE ON MY CAR. I INFORMED HER THAT ON 12/ 25/05, MY CAR LOST POWER GOING UP A HILL AND I HAD WORK DONE ON THE CAR AT A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP. AT THAT TIME, I HAD TO HAVE THE EMISSION CONVERTER REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAD FAILED. ALSO, I HAVE ROUTINE OIL CHANGES DONE EVERY 3000 OR SO MILES. HER RESPONSE WAS "I AM SORRY IF THE INFORMATION FROM THE DEALERSHIP WAS INCORRECT BUT WE STIL

SEVERAL TIMES WHEN TRANSITIONING FROM DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS TO NORMAL HEADLIGHTS USING THE AUTO HEADLIGHT FUNCTION. THE LIGHTS COME ON HIGH BEAM AND WILL NOT DIM. THE ONLY ACTION THAT WILL CLEAR THE PROBLEM IS TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND WAIT A FEW SECONDS. THE DIMMER SWITCH THEN ACTS NORMALLY. *NM

THE TIMING CHAIN ON MY CAR BROKE, RESULTING IN ENGINE DAMAGE WHICH -- THE DEALER TELLS ME -- WILL REQUIRE A TOTAL ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, GOING THROUGH CONSTRUCTION. SUDDENLY, THERE WAS NO POWER AND THE CAR SLOWED DOWN. I COULD NOT GET POWER, SO I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND GET THE CAR TOWED. *JB

THIS IS IN REGARDS TO MY 2002 L200 SATURN 4-DOOR SEDAN, VIN NO- [XXX] ENGINE: 2.2 L DOHC 16 VALVE L4 ENGINE LL0 1.9LL4 (THIS IS ON ONE OF THE SATURN SERVICE PAPERS ABOUT THE ENGINE) MY COMPLAINT IS VERY LONG AND EXCEEDS THE 2,000 CHARACTER MARK, I WILL BE MAILING YOU ALL OF THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION. I WAS TOLD THAT A CLAIM NUMBER WAS NEEDED IN ORDER TO DO THIS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE OHIO ATTORNEY GENERAL AS WELL. THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED IN MY SATURN. *JB THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT A NEW TIMING CHAIN AND BALANCE CHAIN WOULD PROBABLY FIX THE PROBLEM, THEREFORE THE CONSUMER AGREED TO THE REPAIR. REPLACING THE CHAINS DIDNT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE CONSUMER HADN'T PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TIMING CHAIN PREMATURELY FAILED AND RUINED MY ENGINE. I AM JUST THANKFUL THAT I WAS NOT TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I AM INCENSED AT THE SUGGESTION OF THE SATURN DEALERSHIP THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN AN INCORRECT OIL CHANGE BY A NON-DEALERSHIP GARAGE. IN CHECKING ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS TO BE A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH L200 SATURNS. WHY HAS THE NHTSA NOT TAKEN ACTION TO REQUIRE SATURN TO RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM? HOW MANY DEATHS WILL IT TAKE TO WARRANT A RECALL? *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED RECALL LETTER #05V245000 CONCERNING THE BRAKE LIGHTS WAS RECEIVED IN DECEMBER 2005. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXPERIENCING ANY PROBLEMS AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR IMMEDIATE REPAIR. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE DEALER INSTALLED TWO TAIL LIGHTS, REINFORCED SOCKET ADAPTERS AND SOCKETS UNDER THE RECALL. ALSO, THE DEALER DETERMINED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THIS WORK HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FROM THE DEALER, THE CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER WORKED, THE GEAR SHIFT BECAME DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE, AND THE PARKING LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS NO LONGER WORKED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THESE ITEMS FAILED AS A RESULT OF THE NEED TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. UPDATED 05/30/06. *AK

I SEE THAT THE NHTSA ALREADY HAS AN OPEN COMPLAINT REGARDING THE TIMING CHAIN ON VARIOUS SATURNS 2.2. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE TIMING CHAIN OILER. I HAVE A 2002 SATURN L200, 42,000 MILES, WHICH THE TIMING CHAIN JUST WENT OUT ON. I WAS TURNING AT A LIGHT AND ALMOST GOT HIT SINCE THE CAR LOST POWER. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. SATURN IS UNWILLING TO HELP ME. THANKS IN ADVANCE. *NM

MY 2002 SATURN L300 DIED WITHOUT WARNING OR INDICATION IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY TRAFFIC INTERSECTION AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR FLATBED TOWED TO MY SERVICE CENTER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A DEFECTIVE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. THE DEALER, SATURN OF COOL SPRINGS, ACKNOWLEDGED THEY HAVE SEEN AN INCREASING NUMBER OF BAD ENGINE CONTROL MODULES ON THE L SERIES. THEY DID NOT OFFER TO MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENT FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. AFTER MY INDEPENDENT SERVICE CENTER INSTALLED THE NEW ENGINE CONTROL MODULE, THE CAR WAS STILL INOPERABLE AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO SATURN OF COOL SPRING SO THEY COULD PROGRAM THE NEW ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. I AM CONCERNED THAT WITHOUT ANY PRIOR INDICATION OF A PROBLEM THE CAR COULD HAVE DIED ON RAILROAD TRACKS OR IN SOME OTHER MORE DANGEROUS SITUATION. *JB

TIMING CHAIN ON MY SATURN L200 BROKE WITH NO WARNING. THE CAR HAS ONLY 38,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED. I WAS VERY LUCKY IT BROKE WHILE STARTING UP THE CAR, INSTEAD OF DRIVING, BECAUSE THE REPAIRS WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTENSIVE. MY LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP ONLY CHARGED ME LABOR, THEY COVERED PARTS. *NM

I HAD JUST LEFT MY HOUSE FOR WORK AND THE CAR JUST DIED - LUCKILY I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN. HE SAID I SHOULD CONTACT SATURN BECAUSE THE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN. MY CAR HAS ONLY 49,000 MILES ON IT. I CALLED SATURN AND THEY TOLD ME TO HAVE IT EVALUATED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE SATURN DEALERSHIP. HE SAID IT WOULD COST $950.00 TO REPAIR AND DIDN'T KNOW IF THERE WAS ANY OTHER DAMAGE. SATURN CUSTOMER RELATIONS SAID THEY WOULD ARRANGE TO PAY FOR HALF OF THE COST AND SUPPLY ME WITH A RENTAL CAR. I HAD NOT HAD THE CAR SERVICED BY SATURN SINCE JUNE 2004 AND HAD NOT PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. ON FURTHER EXAMINATION THE VALVES WERE BEND ON THE ENGINE DUE TO THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. SATURN SAID THEY WOULD COVER HALF OF THAT COST ALSO. THE TOTAL REPAIR IS $900. I STILL DON'T HAVE MY CAR BACK. *JB

WHILE TRAVELING AT A STEADY SPEED OF 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT, MY 2002 SATURN LW200 STATION WAGON SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND COASTED TO A STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. I WAS STRANDED ON THE SHOULDER UNTIL I WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE GARAGE AND BY A SATURN DEALER AS A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN RESULTING IN LOSS OF COMPRESSION DUE TO BENT OR BROKEN VALVES. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE AND APPARENTLY REQUIRES AN NEW ENGINE OR OVERHAUL. TO DATE, THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. THE SATURN CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER STATED THAT SATURN IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO CORRECT THE DAMAGE RESULTING FROM THE FAILED TIMING CHAIN. SATURN ALSO CLAIMED THAT MY VEHICLE DID NOT FALL INTO THE VIN RANGE ASSOCIATED WITH THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURES ADDRESSED IN THEIR REDESIGN OF THE TIMING CHAIN. CURRENTLY, THE ENGINE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND IS AVAILABLE FOR EXAMINATION. *NM

ON 3/9/06 MY SATURN L200 2002 WOULD NOT START, I SPOKE TO VARIOUS PEOPLE AT SATURN AND RECEIVED 4 DIFFERENT PROBLEMS, (TRANSMISSION, TIMING CHAIN BROKE,NEED A NEW ENGINE AND NOW THE TIMING CHAIN IS STRETCHED) I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY SERVICE WHAT SO EVER, THEY ARE NOW SAYING IT IS LACK OF MAINTENANCE, WHEN I ASKED FOR A EXPLANATION THE REGIONAL AREA MANAGER HUNG THE PHONE UP ON ME!!! HE SAID HE HAD NO IDEA THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE OILER VALVE WHICH NOW I KNOW THERE IS. I HAVE BEEN PROMISE CALL BACKS AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ONE. I ALSO EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT I HAVE PURCHASED 4 VEHICLES AND HAD RECALLS, MAINT., ETC. DONE WHICH HE DID NOT CARE, HIS RESPONSE WAS WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TELL YOU!!!THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V245000 CONCERNING THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING THAT WAS PERFORMED HOWEVER; NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS EVOLVED SINCE THE REPAIR. THE DASH PANEL LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. ALTHOUGH THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHICH RESULTED IN A BATTERY FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER AND THE HEADLIGHT HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER WHICH DETERMINED THERE WAS A FAILURE OF THE DRIVE SHAFT AND THIS WAS REPLACED. THE ONGOING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO AWAIT FURTHER INSPECTION.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THERE HAD BEEN NO PRIOR PROBLEMS AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 04/06/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE A BROKEN TIMING BELT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIMING BELT AND THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED.

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 SATURN L200 HOME FROM BOSTON ON 3-12-06 APPROX. 6:00 PM WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME AND CONTACTED SATURN. AFTER THEY EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, THEY CAME UP WITH THE DIAGNOSIS OF A FAILED TIMING CHAIN AND ENGINE FAILURE. I ASKED THE TECHNICIAN IF THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WASN'T. I GOOGLED COMMON PROBLEMS FOR THE SATURN L200 AND BROKEN TIMING CHAINS ARE VERY COMMON WITH MANY SATURNS. GMAC EVEN WENT AS FAR AS TO ISSUE TECH. BULLETINS ABOUT TIMING CHAIN ISSUES. GMAC KNOWS ABOUT THE HIGH FAILURE RATE OF THESE TIMING CHAINS AND HAS NOT TAKEN APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION AND ARE TRYING TO PASS THE COST OF REPAIRING THIS DEFECT ON TO THEIR CONSUMERS.*JB

ON THE 22ND OF FEBRUARY OF 2006, MY 2002 SATURN L-200 ENGINE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, DIED. THE CAR, LUCKILY, WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. IT WAS TOWED TO A REPUTABLE REPAIR SHOP AND DIAGNOSED WITH TIMING CHAIN FAILURE WITH POSSIBLE REPAIR COSTS STARTING AT $ 2,800.00. MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED SO I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A SATURN DEALER TO SEE IF ANYTHING COULD BE DONE TO HELP SAVE MONEY. THE SATURN DEALER RECOMMENDED A FULL ENGINE REPLACEMENT FOR $2,130.00. I CONTACTED CORPORATE SATURN TO SEE IF MORE COULD BE DONE TO HELP WITH COSTS AT WHICH TIME I QUOTED TO THEM THE INFORMATION I HAD FOUND ONLINE ABOUT THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION GOING ON REGARDING THE L-SERIES AND THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT SHE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE INVESTIGATION. THEY DECLINE TO ASSIST ME AT THAT TIME. THE CAR IS NOW GETTING A NEW USED ENGINE THE 580,000 MILES ON IT WITH A 12 MONTH/12,000 MILE WARRANTY. *JB

2002 SATURN LW300 WITH APPROXIMATELY 40K MILES (BOUGHT NEW). POSITIVE TERMINAL OF AC DELCO BATTERY FOUND LEAKING. I REPLACED IT WITH A SEARS DIEHARD. AFTERWARDS CAR WOULD NOT START AND WAS LOCKED IN PARK GEAR. DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY ACTIVATED THE ANTI-THIEF SYSTEM WHICH I COULD NOT RESET PER OWNERS MANUAL. DEALER SAID IT MUST COME IN FOR REPROGRAMMING. AT DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT THE BCM UNIT WAS BAD AND WOULD COST $600 TO REPLACE. I DID NOTHING WRONG WHEN CHANGING THE BATTERY, AND THE CAR WAS FINE BEFORE. AC DELCO 78-6YR (FALSE LABELING) IS OWNED BY GM AND THEIR LEAKY SIDE-TERMINAL BATTERIES ARE A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THESE BATTERIES AND SATURN'S BCM UNITS ARE DESIGNED TO FAIL AND GENERATE PROFIT. AS AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER, I CAN'T UNDERSTAND HOW CHANGING A BATTERY CAN KILL A MODULE LIKE THIS. I AM 56 AND HAVE REPLACED MANY BATTERIES, ALL CORRECTLY. I HAVE FOUND MANY CASES LIKE THIS ON THE INTERNET. IN SOME CASES THE CARS STOP DEAD IN THEIR TRACKS DUE TO AC DELCO SIDE-TERMINAL BATTERIES. I AM AMAZED AT HOW MANY DEALER TRY TO IMMEDIATELY BLAME THE CUSTOMER FOR DOING SOMETHING WRONG (AS I WAS BY SATURN). *NM

HEADLIGHTS FLICKER WHEN BREAK AND CLUTCH ARE APPLIED. THEY ALSO FLICKER WHEN JUST NORMAL DRIVING. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *NM

DEFECTIVE AIR BAG SENSOR MODULE. I WAS LUCKY THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED THIS. SHOULD BE COVERED FOR MORE THAN 3 THREE YEARS. *JB

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ON MY 2002 SATURN L200 HAS FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. I NOTICED THAT A SIMILAR RECALL HAD BEEN PLACED ON THE 2003 MODELS AND THOUGHT IT MAY BE RELATED. *JB

THE REAR OF MY SATURN LW200 WAGON IS MAKING MY TIRES WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. IT'S CAUSING THE INSIDE TREAD EDGE TO WEAR OUT BEFORE THE REST. SATURN WANTS TO CHARGE ME 235 TO DO AN ALIGNMENT AND PUT IN A SPACER KIT WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS A FACTORY DEFECT FROM THE BEGINNING. SATURN SHOULD PAY FOR THIS AND MY TIRES. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE E DIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP INDICATED THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND DAMAGED THE PISTONS AND VALVES ON THE ENGINE. THE REPAIR SHOP RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE ENGINE. *AK

WITHOUT WARNING, HEADLIGHTS FLASH IN A STROBE-LIKE FASHION. IN ADDITION TO THE MOMENTARY LACK OF LIGHT, ONE OBVIOUS HIGHWAY DANGER IS THAT VEHICLES COULD BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE BEING SIGNALED THAT IS OK TO PULL INTO YOUR LANE. I GUARANTEE THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT OR KILLED BY THIS DEFECT. *JB

2002 SATURN L200 STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. *TS THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TO TOWED A SERVICE STATION. THE NEXT THE DAY, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM STEMMED FROM A BROKEN TENSIONER, WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE TIMING CHAIN TO FAIL. *JB

2002 L200 SATURN: TIMING CHAIN FAILURE, SATURN BULLETIN N O. 03-06-01-017, RECOGNIZES PROBLEM BUT ATTRIBUTES FAILURE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE BY OWNER. MY MAINTENANCE WAS AS PER MFR. RECCOMENDATIONS AND PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. FAILURE OCCURRED AT 58,000 MI. VEHICLE LOST BRAKES, POWER STEERING AND STRANDED IN HWY TRAFFIC. INVESTIGATING TIMING CHAIN FAILURES ON WEB, DISCOVERED THERE'S MANY SUCH FAILURES AND COMPLAINTS. *NM

2002 SATURN L100 MADE CLANKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING SHAFT AND THERE WAS WEAR IN THE CRADLE BUSHINGS AND EVENTUALLY THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *JB

ODOMETER READS 694978 AND THAT IS NOT CORRECT. ACTUAL MILEAGE ON THE ODOMETER SHOULD BE LESS THAN 20000. THE TRIP-METER DOESN'T NOT MOVE FROM ZERO AND THE 694978 DOESN'T CHANGE. I AM DRIVING IT BUT THE MILEAGE ISN'T ADDING UP. HOW DO I DETERMINE WHEN II REQUIRE SERVICE?? *NM

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HER HEAD A ROARING IN THE FRONT END. DRIVE SHIFT CAUSED CONSUMER TO WRECK 2002 SATURN. *TS THE CONSUMER NOTICED NOISE/VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END. THE CONSUMER HAS REPLACED SEVERAL TIRES. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT. AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED CORRECTING THE REAR CAM AND SETTING THE FRONT AND REAR TOE. A COLLAPSED MOTOR MOUNT CAUSED ROUGH IDLE. THE ROTORS AND PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE REAR HUB ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. LEFT REAR HUB BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DRIVE AXLE ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NM

CONSUMER TIRES MAKE NOISE AT 33898 MILES. *TS UPDATED 11/7/2005 - THE ORIGINAL TIRES WERE REPLACED AT 15968 MILES. THE CONSUMER HAD THE TIRE ROTATED REGULARLY. AT 30545 MILE THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE TIRES HAD BEGUN CUPPING DUE TO LACK OF ROTATION. THE CONSUMER DIDN'T NOTICE ANY CUPPING. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT THE MANUFACTURER REIMBURSE HIM FOR THE COST OF THE NEW TIRES SO HE COULD PURCHASED ANOTHER BRAND. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THE CONSUMER REQUESTED AND INSTALL THE SAME BRAND TIRES AS THE ORIGINAL. *NM UPDATED 11/02/05. *JB

FAILURE OF BODY CONTROL MODULE CAUSING RANDOM INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING DISPLAYS, POSSIBLY CAUSING INABILITY TO START VEHICLE, OR POSSIBLE VEHICLE DRIVABILITY ISSUES. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT HEARD ABOUT A NHTSA RECALL 05V245000 CONCERNING THE BRAKE LIGHTS. THE CONTACT'S HAS NOT EXPERIENCED THE SYMPTOMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT WAS INTERESTED TO FIND OUT IF HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HE HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER. HE CONTACTED SATURN, AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. HE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, AND NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/16/05. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE TWO YEARS AGO, AND THE SECOND DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A ROARING NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT TIRES ,AND THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH TIRES. ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER THE NOISE RETURNED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR NUMEROUS REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK TO THE RIGHT WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO HIT A CURB. THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE REPAIRS TO THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND JOINTS WHICH HAVE NOT CORRECTED THIS PROBLEM. ALSO THE MOTOR MOUNTS AND AXLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN HOPES OF CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO ACCURATELY REPAIR THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY THERE IS A NEED FOR NEW ROTORS AND MORE TIRES. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO HAVE A ROARING SOUND LIKE A LOCOMOTIVE AS NOTED BY THE CONTACT. *AK UPDATE 1/11/2006 - *NM

DT: CONTACT WAS IN A MOTOR HOME AND IT WAS TOWING SATURN VEHICLE. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT QUARTER PANEL, FENDER, WHEEL WELL, AND PUSHED OUT THE BUMPER. ALSO CAUSED TIE ROD DAMAGE. IN ADDITION,THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE HUB AND HUB CAP. WOULD NEED A NEW WHEEL ALIGNMENT. CALLED AAA, AND THEY PUT ON A SPARE TIRE. DROVE TO A WALMART IN FLORIDA WHERE THE TIRE WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED, AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID NOT WHY THIS HAPPENED. THEY REPLACED THE TIRE, TOOK PICTURES, AND SENT TIRE OFF TO GOODYEAR. WALMART REPLACED TIRE BUT GOODYEAR REFUSED TO PAY FOR OTHER DAMAGES. GOODYEAR CONTACTED CONSUMER, AND SAID LACK OF AIR IN THE TIRE WAS THE CAUSE OF TIRE BLOWOUT. THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR DAMAGES. GOODYEAR, DOUGLAS TOURING, SIZE P195/65R15 . *AK *JB

MY SATURN LW300 HAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000 MILES. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED DUE TO CUPPING ON 11/20/03 OR 21,875 MILES. A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS PUT OUT FOR THE SHIM KIT. ON 12/31/04 OR 37,199 I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND QUESTIONED THE WEAR AND TEAR OF MY SECOND SET OF TIRES. I HAD ONLY HAD THIS SET OF TIRES ON FOR 15,000 MILES. THEY OFFERED TO REPLACE THE TIRES AT DEALER PRICE. I REFUSED THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FACT THAT THE TIRES ON MY "TIRE EATING VEHICLE" ONLY SEEM TO LAST FOR A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. I AM NOW NEEDING TO REPLACE THE TIRES AGAIN AND THIS WILL BE THE THIRD SET IN 42,000 MILES. THAT'S ONLY AN AVERAGE OF 14,000 MILES. MY TIRES ARE NOW DOWN TO THE "UNSAFE" AREA OF THE TIRES AND I MUST REPLACE THEM FOR THE THIRD TIME. AFTER CONTACTING THE SATURN CORPORATION THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED NEW ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATION AND WOULD ONLY PAY FOR ONE SET OF TIRES. IF THE SHIM KIT WAS INSTALLED PROPERLY I WOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACING THE TIRES FOR THE THIRD TIME. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200 THAT HAD COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH , AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE WERE NO BRAKES. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES ABOUT 4 TIMES BEFORE HAD ANY BRAKING CAPABILITY. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE 40 MILES EXPERIENCED NO PROBLEMS SINCE THIS INCIDENT. THE SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE DEALER EXAMINED THE BRAKE PADS/ROTORS/ CALIPERS, BUT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE ONLY CLUE THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES WAS APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS AGO,THERE WAS A HIGH PITCH RINGING IN THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS AND THE NOISE WOULD STOP WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE REAR WHEELS, BUT DID NOT FIND ANYTHING AND THE NOISE STOPPED FOR A FEW DAYS. THE NOISE STARTED AGAIN RIGHT BEFORE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HAD BRAKE FAILURE. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND INSPECTED. THEY CLAIMED THAT EVERYTHING LOOKED NORMAL AND THAT THERE WAS NO LOSS OF FLUID. *NM

2002 SATURN L200 WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT THE LIGHTS FLICKER AS WELL AS THE VEHICLE ENGINE STALLED OUT ON EXPRESSWAY AND THE AIR CONDITIONER BECAME INOPERATIVE. *MR SATURN SUGGESTED THAT THE FLICKERING WAS NORMAL. IN VERY HOT/HUMID WEATHER, THE ENGINE WOULD RUN HOT AD THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD STOP RUNNING. ON TWO OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE REFUSED TO START. THE SERVICE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS PLUGGED AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE STALLING. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED BECAUSE OF AN ALIGNMENT, TOE AND CAMBER PROBLEM. *SC

WE PURCHASED A 2002 L-300 SATURN NEW IN FEBRUARY 2002. THE LEFT BRAKE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING RECENTLY, AND THE DEALERSHIP IN FORT COLLINS, CO REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY UNDER WARRANTY, AND INFORMED US THAT THERE WAS AN UPCOMING RECALL ON THIS ASSEMBLY. *JB

I PURCHASED MY '02 SATURN L300 FROM A HIGHLY RECOMMENDED LOCAL USED CAR DEALERSHIP HERE IN FLORIDA MID MAY '05. IT WAS CLOSE TO CLOSING TIME WHEN THE FINAL PAPERS WERE DRAWN SO THE SALESMAN AND I WALKED AROUND THE CAR AND I NOTICED THEN THAT THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LAMP WAS OUT. HE TOLD ME THAT THE PARTS DEPT WAS CLOSED SO TO COME BACK THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY. I CAME BACK THAT MONDAY AND THEY FIXED IT NO PROBLEM. WELL A MONTH OR SO LATER, ON MY WAY TO WORK, I WAS PULLED OVER BY A STATE TROOPER AND WAS TOLD MY LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHT WAS OUT. I INFORMED HER THAT I HAD JUST FIXED IT AT THE DEALERSHIP SO SHE GAVE ME A WARNING AND TOLD ME TO FIX IT AGAIN. I SET UP AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP THAT DAY. WHILE LEAVING WORK, I GLANCED INTO THE WINDOWS REFLECTION AS I WAS BACKING UP AND SAW THAT THE LIGHT WAS WORKING. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER THREE TIMES AND ALL TIMES WAS GIVING WARNINGS. IS THE NEXT COP GOING TO BE SO NICE? IT WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO. I AM ALWAYS QUESTIONING WHETHER OR NOT ITS WORKING. THIS IS A $38 PART. HOW MANY MUST I PURCHASE? I DID NOT KNOW THERE WAS ANY KIND OF RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT NOTIFY ME OF ANY AT TIME OF SALE. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO NOW? ALSO, A FRIEND WHO OWNED A SMALLER VERSION OF THE L-SERIES SAID HE HAD TO REPLACE HIS TIRES CONSTANTLY. ALSO SAYING HE DEALT WITH CONTINUOUS OBNOXIOUS ROAD NOISE. IS THAT A DISCREPANCY? I HAVE HAD MY CURRENT TIRES BALANCED AND ROTATED TWICE SINCE MAY. IS THIS A PROBLEM? THE FRONT TWO DO NOT MATCH THE REAR TWO. T

DT: CONTACT STATED THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL SEPARATED FROM THE BATTERY. HE DID NOT THINK A LOT ABOUT IT; BUT A FRIEND OF HIS HAD A GM TRUCK THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY POST SEPARATING FROM THE BATTERY. THIS HAPPENED ON 7-26-05. HE REPLACED THE BATTERY. IT WAS THE ORIGINAL BATTERY THAT CAME WITH THE CAR WHEN HE PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. *AK

SECURITY SYSTEM IS FAILING. WHILE DRIVING, SECURITY LIGHT WILL FLASH ON AND OFF. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, LOSE HEADLIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS. ALSO CAUSES FUEL GAUGE AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE TO FAIL. HAD AUTO PART STORE ACCESS ON BOARD COMPUTER. NO ERRORS FOUND. PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. WAS UNABLE TO CAR INTO GEAR. HAD TO LET CAR SIT FOR AWHILE. TRIED TO DISABLE ALARM SYSTEM PER HANDBOOK. NO SUCCESS. ANOTHER RESULT OF THIS IS MY ODOMETER RESET TO 000000 MILES AND NOW LOSES MILES WHEN IT DOES WORK.

DT: WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, PEDAL FADED"AND WENT TO THE FLOOR. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUMPED PRESSURE CAME BACK . HOWEVER, FADING WAS STILL NOTICEABLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND ENGINE WAS TURNED ON AND OFF THIS PROBLEM DID NOT EXIST. THIS DID NOT APPEAR TO HAPPEN AT LOW SPEEDS. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER ON 2 DIFFERENT OCASSIONS , AND TODAY WILL BE THE THIRD TIME. DEALER HAS NOTED IN THE PAST THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THERE WAS NO WARNING WHEN THIS OCCURRED, NO CODES IN COMPUTER, NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, AND NO EVIDENCE. THE BRAKES SIMPLY DID NOT EXIST AT TIMES. *OSUMER INSISTED NOTE WERE MADE OF A SIMILAR COMPLAINT THAT HE WISHED TO HAVE NOTED IN HIS COMPLAINT AS WELL. THE EXISTING ODI#10095767.*AK

2002 SATURN L300 TIRES BEGAN TO CUP.*MR

ELECTRONIC CONTROLE COMPUTER SHORTED OUT WORKING SORTLY AFTER WARENTY EXPIERD. ALARM DID NOT WORK, KEY FOB DID NOT WORK, TRANSMISION INTER LOCK WOULD NOT DISEGAGE, FULE GAGE DID NOT WORK, TEMP GAGE DID NOT WORK, RADIO DID NOT WORK, NO INSTRUMENT LIGHTS.

DRIVING DOWN A 4-LANE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH THE ENGINE JUST QUIT RUNNING. THERE WERE NO UNUSUAL SOUNDS OR WARNING LIGHTS. LUCKILY, WE WERE ABLE TO COAST OVER TO THE BERM OF THE ROAD OUT OF THE PATH OF TRAFFIC WITHOUT BEING HIT. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 1-2 HOURS OF RECEIVING THE CAR, THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE AND DAMAGED SOME VALVES IN THE PROCESS. THE CAR HAS 53,000 AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE TOTAL COST FOR REPAIRS WAS $2,300.00. I INFORMED SATURN THAT I HAVE FOLLOWED BASIC MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES AND THE CAR IS PRIMARILY DRIVEN TO AND FROM HOME AND THE OFFICE. IN ADDITION, I INFORMED THEM THAT THERE ARE OTHER DOCUMENTED CASES OF THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE ON THE INTERNET RANGING FROM 30,000-65,000 MILES. SATURN SAID THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING CHAIN IN THESE VEHICLES AND "THINGS JUST BREAK". THEY DID, HOWEVER, WITHIN 24 HRS. OF RECEIVING MY CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP OFFER TO REIMBURSE ME 50% OF THE REPAIR COST. HOWEVER, WHEN A VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER ON A HIGHWAY IT BECOMES A ROLLING DEATH TRAP AND THE PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING CHAINS NEEDS TO BE RECTIFIED BEFORE THE PROBLEMS RESULTS IN A FATALITY.

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK MY VEHICLE DIED COMPLETELY, UPON HAVING THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED I WAS TOLD THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VALVES. MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT ONLY HAS 51,500 MILES, A TIMING "CHAIN" SHOULD NOT FAIL AT 51,500 MILES. SATURN HAS SO FAR REFUSED TO HELP IN ANYWAY TO COVER THE COSTS, BUT THEY WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH A USED ONE FOR AROUND 4000 DOLLARS

THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE DRIVE SHAFT REPLACED, THE MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED, THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY REPLACED, THE STEERING ASSEMBLY REPLACED AND I TOO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE DASH LIGHTS DIMMING. THE TECHNICIANS AT THE LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP ARE NOTHING BUT RUDE. THEY DONT FIX THE PROBLEMS YOU BRING THE CAR IN FOR AND YOU END UP HAVING TO TAKE IT BACK THE NEXT DAY OR EVEN SOMETIMES THAT SAME EVENING FOR A REPAIR THAT WASNT DONE PROPERLY. I THOUGHT THIS WAS GOING TO BE A GOOD CAR BUT IT HAS BEEN CONSTANT TROUBLE AND IS CONSTANTLY IN THE REPAIR SHOP.

THE TIRES ON MY 2002 L300 HAVE BEEN REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES DUE TO CUPPING CAUSED BY AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS INDICATED THAT THE ALIGNMENT PROBLEM OCCURRED IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS AND THEY CANNOT FIX IT UNLESS A RECALL IS ISSUED. THE CUPPING OF THE TIRES CREATES AN UNEVEN RIDE AND THE TIRES ARE VERY NOISY. WHEN THE TIRES ARE REPLACED, THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED FOR A FEW MONTHS UNTIL THE TIRES BEGIN CUPPING AND THE PROCESS STARTS OVER. NOW THAT I HAVE PASSED THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY, THE TIRES WILL NO LONGER BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT MY TIRES WILL NEED REPLACING ONCE AGAIN BEFORE THE END OF 2005 SO THAT MY CAR WILL PASS A REQUIRED SAFETY INSPECTION.

I HAD A BLOWOUT ON THE REAR, DRIVER-SIDE TIRE. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE TIRE SHOP TO GET A NEW ONE, THE TECHNICIAN HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR TIRES DUE TO WEAR ON THE INSIDE OF BOTH REAR TIRES. THEY ADVISED ME TO GET AN ALIGNMENT. THE ALIGNMENT SHOP FOUND OUT ABOUT A SERVIVE BULLETIN #00-T-72A ISSUED IN JULY 2002 REGARDING A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION. BOTH THE REAR TIRES LEAN IN AT THE TOP. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SATURN DEALER TO GET IT FIXED, BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT A RECALL AND IT WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. I WANT TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A RECALL AND A SERVICE BULLETIN AND WHY A SERVICE BULLETIN IS NOT CONSIDERED A "DEFECT" IN THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES CAUSED, BUT IF THE TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT DURING MY OUT OF TOWN TRIP THE NIGHT BEFORE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN OR EVEN WORSE. THE INSIDE OF BOTH THE REAR TIRES WAS SO WORN THAT BOTH WERE SHOWING THE STEEL BELTS. THANK YOU, LOUISE A. LEADER