I have a saturn L200 2002. Timming chain
broke,engine gone. there are recalls,but they say not on this vin. They are many complaints on this same problem. Gm customer service no help. NHTSA has an investagation along with office of defects investigation. Thru the federal goverment 07v-519
Anna of Columbus, OH June 15, 2009
On Friday night(6-12-09) I was driving home and my car lost all power and would not restart at all just would turn over and over and over but never start. Pull it to Saturn and they tell me that my timing chain is either broken or the teeth are worn down and not grabbing like it should. Well after being online for 2 nights in a row checking on this, I find a recall about the timing chain in the L series Saturn which is what I have. But Saturn is telling me that my car is not involved in the recall and that there is nothing that they can do for me. I have called their corporate offices and have been told yes there is a recall on the timing chain but my 2002 L200 Saturn is not involved in that! Even though by their admission the recall effect thousands and thousands of cars made from 1999-2003 so I am not sure how my car does not fit into that recall since my is a 2002. Now Saturn is waiting to tear my engine down(at my cost) to make sure no internal damage was caused. I am a single mom of 2 kids and can not by any means begin to be able to afford this. So now I am stuck with no car due to a problem Saturn KNEW existed with their timing chains.
Gail of Sarasota, FL June 14, 2009
Not specific to a dealer but to Saturn IONs (2006)
Manual transmission, key stuck in running car, disconnected ground on battery-STILL running. Had to pop clutch to stall engine.
This should be a recall.
kevin of columbus, OH April 27, 2009
Like everyone else, my timing chain broke on freeway. No warning lights etc. The service manager said that the chain is not hooked to the computer warning system,and proceeded to give me the oil change routine and all the other almost talking point excuses.My family had bought 5 Saturns before that. It meant nothing, the staff there not like it was. This company going independent might last 6 months. Treated with unbridled arrogance and was talked down too, even though I did not even raise my voice. 3k, for new head etc,and for the updated timing chain. These people lie through their teeth and basically will be out of business. Saturn not company it used to be.
Engine shot. Bent valves. These people mirrored the treatment and excuses everyone else got. GM deserves to go under.My 15 yrs of repeat business meant nothing
Lisa of Houston, TX March 18, 2009
Took car to shop for Maintenance since car is just over 100,000 miles. And to see why engine light keeps coming on. Its a 2003 L200 I bought it used 9/2003 with about 12,000+ miles.
I will need a new engine because one of the 4 pistons have a hole in it. I took the car to saturn for regular oil changes, fuel injection cleanings. I didn't think that after 6 yrs I would need a new engine since I took it in for maintenance. Cost 3500 From the looks of other complaints I did at least make it to 100,000 miles. Maybe I need to go back to a Dodge.
Teresa of Joplin, MO February 19, 2009
We purchased our 3rd and final Saturn new, it was a 2000 Saturn LS2. It died on me while driving home and would not start again,it only had 58,000 miles on it and was maintained very well. We found out after towing it to the mechanics that Saturn has had problems with the timing belts and engines in this model. Imagine my surprise when I got on consumer affairs web site and read all the complaints from Saturn owners.
We contacted Saturn customer service and of course since it is out of warranty they wouldn't do anything but if we wanted to tow it to Springfield Missouri (the closest dealership) 1 hour and 30mins away they would have a certified saturn mechanic look at it. I think 2500.00 is enought to pay without having it towed so they could charge more to fix it. I will say that Saturn of Springfield has always been a great delearship to work with. Maybe this is one of the reasons Saturn will be dropped by GM.
We paid 2500.00 in repair bills to fix the engine damage caused by the belt breaking and sold it for 5,000.00
David of Mattawan, MI February 10, 2009
Bcm went out, fuel pump, Head gasket, no compression, timing belt have had this car for a year and only have been able to drive it mabe six months.
Needs a new engine quote for an engine with 20,000 2900.00
James W Loney of Marysville, OH November 14, 2008
While driving our 2001 Saturn L200 on State Rt.98 the engine just stopped.We had just crossed a railroad track and were driving about 40 mph.We tried to restart the engine and it cranked over well but it wouldn't start.We then called AAA for a tow and had the automobile taken to our home since it was late in the afternoon.
The next morning I took a look at the engine and determined that I could do nothing with it so I had it taken to MSC Repair here in Marysville Ohio. The mechanic checked it out and found out that the timing chain had broken.The estimate to repair it was around 1500.00.I gave him the go-ahead to repair the car.He had to replace the timing chain which had seperated and ruined the guides and the sprockets.He finally got the parts and got it back together but it had no compression.He called and told me that some valves had probably bent when hit by a piston and it would be 1000.00 to take off the head and check it out.Needing the car I told him to go ahead and fix it.The valves were bent and the head had to be reworked. Its back together and running well.
This cost me 3295.46.This car is taken care of very well.Oil and filter changes every 3000 miles.This engine had a BAD chain used when it was manufactured.You could tell by the way the link had seperated.I have had a lot of experience with roller chain and this was definately a soft link. I worked 51 years in machining so I do have some knowlege. I understand they recalled around 20,000 cars in these model years with this 2.2 liter engine,1999,2000,2001 and 2002 but when checking with Saturn our VIN was not included!
Cheryl of Amherst, NY November 10, 2008
My 2002 Saturn L100 with 77,000 miles had the timing chain break and destroy my engine. Three months earlier, I had a new catalytic converter replaced. According to Saturn, there is no recall on the timing chain.
I will need to have the entire engine replaced at a cost of about 3,800.00. The broken chain caused other valves and pistons to be destroyed
Richard of Milwaukee, WI October 23, 2008
I have a 2001 Saturn Vue V-6. On October 10, 2008 I was driving and my car stopped and no restart. I had it towed to Saturn of Greenfield, where I bought it, 4141 South 108th Street, Greenfield, Wisconsin. I was the timing belt that broke. Now two weeks later it was determined that when the belt broke it damaged some of the engine. Saturn said that it was my fault since I did not change the belt at 75,000 miles. It only has 78,000 on it.
I bought it about 2 years ago. Saturn also said it is not covered under the warranty. I even bought an extended warranty which also does not cover it. I read that there was a recall on the belt.
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