Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
All 1 campaign on file, newest first.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 4, 2023NC
A car hit me it the front passenger side the hood of my car bent up the passenger side of my windshield cracked and my car went spinning not one air bag came out
Electrical System
Filed Sep 25, 202057,000 milesGA
IGNITION REQUIRES KEY JIGGLE IN ORDER TO START. ELECTRICAL ISSUES SUCH AS CONSTANT SHORTS, MAJOR FAILURE IN SUPPORTING SYSTEMS.
Electrical System
Filed Dec 19, 2018141,244 milesIL
I OWN A 2002 SATURN SL VEHICLE PURCHASED IN 7/2016. I'M HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING MY VEHICLE. BOTH STARTER AND BATTERY HAVE BOTH BEEN CHECKED OUT OK. ALL SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED ON 10/31/18. AFTER THESE REPAIRS, WHEN STARTED IT STILL MADE VERY NOISY SOUNDS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. NOW I CAN'T GET IT TO START AT ALL. I TRIED TO GET HELP ABOUT A RECALL RELATING TO MY VEHICLE'S STARTING PROBLEMS. I CONTACTED SATURN COMPANY 1(800)533-6000 AND GM RECALL CENTER 1(866)694-6546. NEITHER WERE WILLING TO HELP. I FOUND INFO ON THE KELLEY BLUE BOOK WEBSITE. I ENTERED MY VIN NUMBER AND FOLLOWING WAS DISPLAYED: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 03V231; REPORT DATE: INFO UNAVAILABLE; VEHICLES AFFECTED: 239,993; CONSEQUENCE: INFO UNAVAILABLE; WHAT YOU SHOULD DO: DEALERS WILL (1) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE, (2) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE AND SPARK PLUGS, OR (3) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE, SPARK PLUGS, AND UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE. WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO CONTACT THEIR DEALERS FOR APPOINTMENTS TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLE REPAIRED. PARTS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE DURING SEPTEMBER 2003. SUMMARY: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L L4 (L61) ENGINES, A FAILURE OF THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE MAY CAUSE DETERIORATION IN IDLE QUALITY, REDUCTION IN OVERALL ENGINE POWER, AND THE VEHICLE MAY BE HARD TO START. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AFTER SUCH AN IGNITION MODULE FAILURE WILL RESULT IN THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT FLASHING, AND MAY LEAD
SeatsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 31, 2018252,000 milesME
THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, WAS INVOLVED IN A 3 CAR COLLISION. THE VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY A 1985 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD TRAVELING AT AT LEAST A MODERATE RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO A 2002 AUDI (I BELIEVE IT WAS) SUV. DURING THE COLLISION THE DRIVERS SEAT BACK FAILED AND COLLAPSED INTO THE BACK SEAT. I BELIEVE IT WAS THE SEAT ADJUSTER THAT FAILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION DUE TO THE COLLISION AND THE SEAT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ON A STATE ROAD, AND WAS STATIONARY.
Engine
Filed May 21, 201840,400 milesPA
RPMS GO UP TO 5 AND THEN DROP TO 0 - ENGINE STALLS AND WILL START BUT WILL CONTINUE AT HIGH RPMS AND KEEP STALLING. AS I WAS TRAVELING AT 50 MPH, THE RPMS WENT UP TO 5, AND THEN QUICKLY DROPPED TO 0. THE ENGINE STALLED AND I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WOULD START BUT WHEN REACHING 35 MPH, WOULD DO SAME THING (HIGH RPMS AND THEN DROP AND STALL). I HAD TO KEEP SITTING AND RE STARTING TO GET THE REMAINDER OF 6 MILES TO MY HOME. GARAGE RAN DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THE CAR CONTINUES TO DO THIS AT LEAST 2 TIMES PER WEEK, CURRENTLY SITTING IN OUR GARAGE BECAUSE I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AND GET STRANDED AGAIN. THIS OCCURS ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.
Structure › Body
Filed Feb 27, 2018142,000 milesPA
AFTER OPENING ANY DOOR, THE HANDLES STICK IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION, WON'T RELEASE AND THE DOOR MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED.
Electrical System
Filed Sep 15, 2017988,000 milesCA
IGNITION CYLINDER IS WORE OUT, WHEN PUTTING IN THE KEY, YOU HAVE TO JIGGLE THE KEY, SOMETIMES TAKES UP TO 10 MINUTES FOR THE KEY TO TURN AND START. SOMETIMES IT WORKS FINE. THIS IS AN OFF AND ON PROBLEM. THIS MONTH (SEPT 2017) IT HAS BEEN REAL BAD. I AM AFRAID TO GO ANYWHERE, FEARING I WILL BE STRANDED.
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 10, 201734,000 milesNJ
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY RT. 80, WHEN A CAR SWERVED INTO RIGHT LANE IN FRONT OF ME FROM ENTRANCE RAMP. I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX. 45 MILES AN HOUR. AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A FRONT END COLLISION, CAUSING LIFE ALTERING INJURY. LEFT TEMPORAL BRAIN DAMAGE, POST CONCUSSION SYNDROME AND EPILEPSY, ALSO OTHER INJURIES TO NECK, SHOULDER AND TO LOWER BACK. *TR
Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 9, 2016AZ
THE COOLANT SYSTEM BREAKS FREQUENTLY. THE RADIATOR BREAKS ABOUT EVERY YEAR. THERE ALSO SEEMS TO BE A STICKING ACCELERATOR. IF YOU HAVE TO ACCELERATE VERY QUICKLY. THE CAR WILL IDLE ABNORMALLY HIGH FOR WEEKS BEFORE RETURNING TO NORMAL. THE IGNITION KEY COMES OUT WITHOUT TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF.
Electrical System
Filed Aug 28, 201578,000 milesFL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND RETURNING TWENTY MINUTES LATER, THE IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Electrical System
Filed Jul 20, 2015211,795 milesFL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,795. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL EACH TIME. UPDATED 08/19/15*JB ALSO, THE STARTER WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 11/19/15.*JB
Steering
Filed Jul 3, 2015NJ
THIS VEHICLE IS A DEATH TRAP THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, CAN NOT START, WHOLE STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE, KEY COMES OUT DURING DRIVING. ...UPDATED 09/22/15 *BF
Electrical System
Filed Mar 2, 201577,000 milesOH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE KEY EJECTED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN IN THE ON POSITION WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
Engine
Filed Oct 10, 201444,330 milesFL
SATURN IS AN L200 SERIES/THERE WAS ONLY THE LS ON YOUR LIST.NUMEROUS OCCASIONS OF ENGINE STALL WHILE TRAVELING AT ALL SPEEDS. CALLED SATURN/SAID VIN NOT ACCEPTED? LIVE IN FLORIDA KEYS/HAD TO GO TO MIAMI & GET TAIL LAMP FIXED/ONLY LASTED TWO WEEKS (THIS WAS BEFORE ENGINE STALL) & CALL TO SATURN. AM 69YR OLD FEMALE/AFRAID TO USE CAR/PAID FOR ALL SORTS OF REPAIRS/MODULES/SENSORS???AND MORE. NO ONE IN KEYS TO REPAIR VIA GM - SATURN SAID MIAMI ONLY. ROUNDTRIP OVER 200 MILES. AFRAID TO DRIVE/CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER CAR/MUST JUNK AND, OFCOURSE, SATURN SAID VIN # NOT UNDER RECALL FOR ENGINE OR ELECTRICAL. IS THERE ANY WAY TO RECOUP DOLLARS I PAID FOR ANY REPAIRS ON THIS CAR??? SO MUCH MORE THAN I AM LISTING HERE......THANK YOU NHTSA. *TR
Air Bags
Filed Oct 6, 2014CA
WE HAVE A SATURN SL1 THAT HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT THE CARS ON THE IGNITION RECALL LIST HAVE. THE KEY COMES OUT IN ANY POSITION - THE WHEEL LOCKS UP AND WE CAN'T GET IT TO UNLOCK - WE LIVE IN A RURAL AREA AND OUR ROADS ARE VERY ROUGH. WE FEEL THAT THE KEY MAY MOVE FROM THE RUN POSITION WHILE WE ARE DRIVING THE CAR AND THE ENGINE WILL TURN OFF AND WE WILL BE IN GREAT DANGER. WE HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THEY SAID THAT SINCE THE CAR IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST - THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO....WE WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU COULD INVESTIGATE THIS SITUATION. OUR CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN OUR DRIVEWAY FOR 3 MONTHS, BECAUSE WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME -- AWAITING YOUR EARLIEST RESPONSE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Sep 29, 2014105,619 milesPA
KEYS COME OUT OF IGNITION DURING USE. *TR
Service Brakes
Filed Sep 23, 2014110,000 milesMD
I RECENTLY PURCHASED MY SATURN AND REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS IT WAS FINE THEN AFTER 200 MILES THE BRAKES STARTED GRINDING THEN WOULD STOP. CHECKED THE CALIPERS THEY WERE FINE HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS AGAIN DUE TO THE GRINDING BRAKES WERE FINE. 2 WEEKS LATER SAME THING THEN STOPPED IT STARTS AND STOPS GRINDING WHEN IT WANTS. *TR
SteeringCrash
Filed Sep 8, 2014114,000 milesLA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. WHILE COMING OUT OF A LEFT TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS REQUIRED TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO DRIVE INTO A DITCH, OVER A LEVEE, AND CRASH INTO A PIPE. ONCE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE IGNITION KEY WAS ON THE FLOOR. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
Steering
Filed Sep 6, 2014115,000 milesNY
SPOUSE AND I USE CAR. THE VERY FIRST TIME THE OCCURRENCE HAPPENED, WAS WHEN PARKING CAR INTO DRIVEWAY, I WENT TO TURN OFF CAR IGNITION AND ACCIDENTALLY HIT KEY RING, AND THE KEY FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION, WITH THE CAR IN PARK, YET STILL RUNNING. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE CAR IS STILL RUNNING AND THE KEY EASILY SLIPS OUT OF THE IGNITION. ALSO, ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, WHEN TRYING TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL, THE KEY WILL NOT TURN WHILE IN THE STEERING IGNITION. WE WOULD HAVE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL MANY TIMES WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY TURNING THE KEY MANY TIMES TO UNLOCK THE IGNITION. ONE DAY SOON, IT MIGHT NOT TURN. YES, WE KNOW THE ADVISE IS TO USE ONLY A SINGLE KEY, NOT ONE ON A MULTI-KEY RING. HOWEVER, WE BOTH HAVE USED OTHER CARS FOR MANY YEARS, AND NEVER HAD SUCH DIFFICULTY OR FREQUENCY OF PROBLEMS AS THIS SITUATION. *TR
Electrical System
Filed Sep 5, 201490,000 milesVA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS REMOVED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000...UPDATED 10/06/14 *BF
Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 20, 201465,000 milesIL
KEY COMES OUT FREELY WHILE CAR IS IN DRIVE AND KEY DOES NOT NEED TO BE IN THE IGNITION ONCE CAR IS STARTED. ENGINE WILL RANDOMLY STALL. *TR
Electrical System
Filed Jul 2, 201460,000 milesOH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING IGNITION FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E021000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,500.
Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jul 1, 2014OR
I HAVE REMOVED THE KEY WITH THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND THE CAR CONTINUES TO RUN. THE KEY FALLS OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. ADDITIONALLY, THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED BEFORE BEING TURNED TO THE "OFF" POSITION. THIS CAUSES THE KEY TO BE DIFFICULT TO REINSERT INTO THE IGNITION. *TR
Engine
Filed Jun 27, 2014230,000 milesSC
IGNITION SWITCH IS HARD TO IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN ON AND ONCE THE CAR IS RUNNING THE KEY WILL TURN TO THE OFF POSITION AND WITH THE KEY EXTRACTED FROM THE LOCK THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO RUN. *TR
Electrical System
Filed Jun 16, 2014140,000 milesMI
WHILE CAR IS MOVING KEY COMES OUT OF IGNITION. *TR
Electrical System
Filed Jun 12, 2014MI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL2. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE CONTACT WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OR INFORMED IF HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V231000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jun 9, 2014MA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCKED AND PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM BEING STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical System
Filed May 29, 201445,000 milesSC
WHEN I REMOVED THE KEYS FROM MY CAR IT KEPT RUNNING. THEY KEYS HAVE ONLY FALLEN OUT TWICE, BUT I HAVE SINCE REMOVED ALL THE EXTRAS FROM THE KEY FOB. BUT THE CAR SHOULD NOT CONTINUE TO RUN AFTER IT HAS BEEN PLACED IN PARK AND THE KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. I KNOW IT IS AN OLDER CAR AND CURRENTLY HAS 135,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD DILIGENT MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON IT SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW IN 2002. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN IT HAD 45,000 MILES ON IT AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY GM, BUT I WAS ADVISED IT WAS A COSTLY EXPENSE FOR ME. GM SHOULD REPLACE THE IGNITION AT THEIR COST. *TR
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed May 29, 201460,000 milesNY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VISIBILITY WAS LOW ON THE HIGH BEAMS AND THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V231000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V158000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed May 22, 201475,000 milesIL
IGNITION SWITCH FAILS CAUSES STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK AND OR UNABLE TO TURN ON CAR. *TR
Electrical System
Filed Apr 29, 2014104,000 milesME
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE KEY FAILED TO TURN TO START THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Apr 14, 2014162,000 milesTX
THE KEY COMES OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE RUNNING. THERE IS ALSO TROUBLE TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START IT. SIMILAR TO WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS, SOMETIMES THE KEY WONT TURN. THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND TAKES 20-30 TRIES BEFORE IT FINALLY TURNS OVER. *JS
Electrical System
Filed Apr 11, 201472,000 milesNJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY WAS ABLE TO BE REMOVED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 5/27/14*CN UPDATED 06/02/2014 *JS
Electrical System
Filed Mar 21, 2014155,000 milesMI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN LS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE DRIVER DROVE AT LOW SPEED IN A PARKING LOT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT'S INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
Electrical System
Filed Mar 14, 2014OH
THE GM IGNITION PROBLEMS PROMPTING THE CURRENT RECALL ALSO AFFECTED THE CAR ABOVE. I BOUGHT THE 2002 SATURN NEW IN MARCH OF 2003, AND OWNED IT FOR OVER 10 YEARS, SELLING IT LAST FALL TO A FRIEND. I HAD IT AT THE JAKE SWEENEY (CINCINNATI) DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES FOR STRANGE "ELECTRICAL" PROBLEMS. (CAR DID NOT HAVE AUTO DOOR LOCKS OR WINDOWS - EVERYTHING WAS MANUAL). I WOULD BE DRIVING, WHEN ALL THE DASH GAUGES WOULD GO OUT. IT WOULD REGISTER NO SPEED, NO TEMP, NO GAS, NO RPMS. ODOMETER DIDN'T MOVE. I COULD DRIVE THE CAR, STOP AND START. THEN SUDDENLY IT WOULD "COME TO". THE DEALERSHIP THOUGHT I WAS NUTS, UNTIL FINALLY IN EARLY 2013, I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHILE IT WAS DOING IT. AFTER DAYS OF DIAGNOSTICS, THEY SAID IT WAS THE IGNITION. THEY REPLACED THE WHOLE THING (AT MY EXPENSE) AND THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. THEY SAID "WERE YOU AWARE THAT YOU COULD TAKE THE KEY OUT WHILE THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE?" (I HAD NOT BEEN AWARE). *TR
Electrical System
Filed Mar 10, 2014155,062 milesAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,062. *TR
Power Train
Filed Aug 31, 201389,000 milesGA
I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP SIGN,WENT TO PUT IT FIRST (5SPEED) AND THE SHIFTER BUSHING BROKE. THE SHIFTER WAS JUST FLOPPING AROUND.I COULD HAVE BEEN IN SERIOUS SITUATION IF I WAS IN THE CITY OR TRAVELING.OR PICKING UP A SENIOR CUSTOMER. *JS
Engine
Filed Jan 4, 2013160,000 milesGA
WHILE GOING FROM A PARKED POSITION TO DRIVING. THE CAR SHIFTED GEARS VERY HARD TO THE POINT IT RATTLED THE WHOLE CAR. I STOPPED DRIVING AND CHECKED THE ENGINE AND ALL FLUID LEVELS. EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. AS I PULLED OFF AGAIN IT DID THE SAME THING EACH TIME THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTED GEARS, THIS TIME HARDER. THE MECHANIC AT WORKED TESTED THE COMPUTER AND IT REGISTERED A PROBLEM WITH THE EGR VALVE AND AN UNKNOWN CODE. WHEN I CALLED A CERTIFIED SERVICE CENTER THEY SAID THEY HAVE SEEN THIS A BUNCH OF TIMES AND THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. WITH THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, WHERE IS THE RECALL TO GET IT FIXED. *TR
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Dec 1, 201035,000 milesCT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL2. THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE BULB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE BULB WAS REPLACED, THE BRAKE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed May 27, 2010MI
IGNITION SWITCH-LOCK MECHANISM IS BAD. MECHANIC STATES THIS HAS BEEN AN ON- GOING PROBLEM. REPLACING WHOLE IGNITION SYSTEM, PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE SINCE AROUND 50,000 MILE MARK. PROBLEM OCCURS EVERY TIME CAR IS STARTED. *TR
Fuel System, Other
Filed Oct 20, 2009PA
CAR IDLES HIGH. IF YOU ARE AT A LIGHT OR PARKED IN THE CAR THE CAR WILL IDLE HIGH THEN SHUT OFF. IF YOUARE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND NEED TO PICK UP SPEED THE CAR REVS UP AND THEN RPMS GO REAL HIGH BUT NOT ANY POWER PUT INTO THE CAR TO MOVE. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE WE FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR. AND IS GETTING WORSE. *TR
Electrical SystemCrash
Filed Sep 23, 2009100,414 milesCO
THE STARTER MOTOR ENERGIZED WITHOUT A KEY IN THE IGNITION OR ANYONE IN/NEAR THE CAR. IT WAS IN GEAR WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, AND IT RAN OVER A 12 INCH "STOP" AND INTO A FREEZER WHERE IT CONTINUED TO RUN FOR SOMETIME UNTIL IT BURNED UP. THE FREEZER PREVENTED IT FROM GOING THROUGH THE GARAGE WALL AND INTO THE HOUSE. *TR
Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Feb 10, 2009120,000 milesTX
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. WHENEVER THE CONTACT STARTS THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE FAILS AND THE IGNITION WILL NOT START. SHE HAD NEW KEYS MADE, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE. DURING THE FAILURE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINS ILLUMINATED AND WILL NOT DIM. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR OVER A YEAR. THE CONTACT MUST WIGGLE THE KEYS FOR AT LEAST FIFTEEN TO THIRTY MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL START. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 3/19/09 *CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ENGINE IDLES VERY HIGH. OVER 4000 RPM/ UPDATED 03/25/09.*JB
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 10, 200910,000 milesOH
I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THIS CAR SINCE NEW DELAY AND HARD SHIFTS INTO REVERSE ALWAYS, AND FORWARD GEARS QUITE FREQUENTLY HAD SATURN SERVICE DEPT CHECK AND THEY SHOW NO CODES. *TR
TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2002 SATURN SL MILEAGE: 50+K ONLY 2ND OWNER BOUGHT FROM USED AUTO DEALER. COVERED ON DEALER WARRANTY AND FIXED IN 2005. TRANSMISSION FAILURE AGAIN AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRATION- 2008. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 22, 200886,500 milesTN
ONE EVENING LAST WEEK I NOTICED THAT WHEN I WOULD SHIFT GEARS AFTER BEING PARKED, IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING DROPPED UNDER MY CAR. THE SAME NIGHT, I WOULD BE DRIVING ABOUT 35-40 MILES AND HOUR IN THE 1-2 RPM RANGE, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE GAUGE WOULD QUICKLY JUMP TO 3 RPMS AND THEN DROP BACK DOWN. IT DID THIS CONSISTENTLY EVERY 2-3 MINUTES. I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP THE NEXT MORNING BECAUSE I FELT THAT IT WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. THE BODY VALVE WAS DAMAGED WHICH WAS THE MAIN PROBLEM. THAT WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH A FEW OTHER PARTS. WHEN I WAS PAYING ($2895) THE MAN THAT HAD BEEN HELPING ME INFORMED ME THAT HIS SHOP HAD ENCOUNTERED MANY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH MY MODEL CAR (2002 SATURN SL1) AND THAT THEY CHECKED IN TO ANY KIND OF RECALL OR BULLETINS. HE SAID THAT HE FELT THAT GM WOULD BE ISSUING A BULLETIN RELATIVELY SOON. I DID MY OWN RESEARCH AND FOUND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT SATURN TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, IN PARTICULAR THE BODY VALVE. WHEN MY FATHER ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THE NEW VEHICLE, HE HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SHIFTING OF THE CAR AND GONE TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP TO COMPLAIN A FEW TIMES, AND HE WAS TOLD, "OH, THAT'S JUST THE WAY CAR IS." I FEEL THAT THIS CAR HAD A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IN THE BEGINNING THAT WAS BRUSHED UNDER THE RUG, AND HAS CREATED A ALMOST $3000 PROBLEM. *TR
Tires
Filed Aug 8, 200816,000 milesNY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL1. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65-75 MPH, BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES BLEW OUT. TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURES, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED TO FIND OUT IF IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE LONG DISTANCES. THE VEHICLE PASSED INSPECTION AND THE DEALER WAS UNAWARE OF THE FAULTY VALVE STEMS. AAA INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VALVE STEMS ON THE TIRES WERE FAULTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000.
Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jul 25, 2008MD
I HAVE A SATURN SL2 AND EVERYTIME I TRY TO START THE CAR, THE KEY GETS STUCK AND I HAVE TO JIGGLE AND PUSH AND SHOVE AND SIT IN THE HOT CAR FOR OVER 15 MINUTES IN THE SUMMER HEAT TO START THE CAR. THIS IS AFTER I PAID TO HAVE TWO NEW KEYS MADE THINKING THAT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I DID SOME RESEARCH AFTER BEING TOLD I NEED A NEW IGNITION BARREL AND SAW THAT MANY MANY MANY SATURN VEHICLE OWNERS GO THROUGH THE SAME THING... WHY HASN'T THIS ISSUE BEEN ADDRESSED BY SATURN??? WE MUST WE SPEND SO MUCH MONEY ON A FAULTY ITEM? LIFE AND GAS IS SO EXPENSIVE TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH A FAULTY CAR THAT THIS DEALERSHIP KEEPS SELLING. PLEASE HELP US! *TR
Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jul 11, 200845,000 milesNJ
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, IT WOULD JAM AND NOT TURN TO THE ACCESSORY POSITION. HE DESCRIBED THE IGNITION LOCK AS "FROZEN". AFTER REFERENCING THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THE CONTACT JIGGLED THE STEERING WHEEL AND KEY, BUT STILL WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER (OR TUMBLER) WAS DEFECTIVE ACCORDING TO A MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, WHICH LAPSED ON MAY 30, 2008. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,302 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000. UPDATED 08/04/08. *LJ THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE IGNTION LOCK CYLINDER. UPDATED 08/06/08
Complaints 1-50 of 131, newest first, reproduced as filed.
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Apr 7, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.