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Lynn of Manassas VA (04/30/08)
I brought my car in for a noise. I was told my timing chain was bad and I should bring to the Saturn dealership. The car is 8 years old but only has 45,000 miles on it. To start with Saturn told me there would be a $560 teardown fee that they would have to perform to find out what is wrong with it. Because I had no choice I authorized the tear down.
They determined it was the timing chain tensioner. They said there were lots of loose metal shards that had to be removevd. They also said it was lucky I got it in when I did because the damage could have been much worse. My original mechanic also told me a valve cap had been damaged. The bill for this is $1,845. Saturn offered a 10% discount for the work. Their reasoning is even though the car has such low milage, the car is 8 years old. I understand there have been recalls for timing chain problems but, according to Saturn, my car does not fit into this recall. This is the second time I have had an expensive problem with my Saturn that was under a recall but my vin number did not fall into the recall.
Latasha of El Sobrante CA (04/26/08)
I took my car 2002 Sl2 into the dealership because the engine light was on. I was aware of a small leak in the transmission (extremely small) and decided at that time to have it repaired. The mechanic told me that in order to repair the leak, rebuild the clutch and have a 90k mile service done would cost 2700+. I was willing and did pay for these fees. At the time I asked the mechanic that if I had these repairs done would it take care of everything for my car. He assured me that it would (my windshield wiper fluid was empty) and that they would also conduct a 21point inspection on the vehicle. After having my car for only 3 days the engine light came back on! Then when I went to check my wiper fluid it was still completely empty!! Called the dealership and left a message with the Service Manager stating my concern since the engine light was coming on. Especially since my car had just had major services done on it. After two days I still had not received a call back. On the 6th day after my car had been serviced by the Saturn of Concord my car stopped on the freeway!!!! Called Saturn to speak to the Service Manager once again (while sitting on the side of the freeway) and I got sent to voicemail three times before I finally had the operator go get him. Saturn did have my car towed back to their dealership. After waiting hours to hear back from them I finally called them myself and was informed that my fuel pump was the problem and it needed to be replaced. They also lied and said the fuel pump was inaccessible by the mechanic because I told them I felt they had tampered with my vehicle. And, I responded by saying if its inaccessible to the mechanic then how is it going to be repaired. My reason for feeling that it was due to dishonest business was because I had personally had one of their mechanics at the same location lie to me regarding work needing to be done to my car. I took my car in for its normal service and was told by the mechanic that I need all new brakes. Of course they were willing to perform this service right away. However I waited and took my car to another mechanic to inspect my brakes and was told by this mechanic (who also could have made a profit from me) that my front brakes were a 50% and my back brakes were still brand new!! He even recommended I wait to change my brakes. So if they were dishonest once what would stop them from being dishonest again? I have called Saturn Corporation to make a complaint and was offered two free oil changes. How infuriating!! After being stranded on the side of the road and Saturn of Concord refusing to take responsibility for my car I called the corporate office again and was assured that they would help me to resolve this issue, since customer service is so important to them. Someone did call me back; however, they offered to have my car inspected by another Saturn mechanic at a different location to see if what I was saying was true. I was also informed that they would not pay for another mechanic to inspect my vehicle unless it was a Saturn dealership. Why would I want another Saturn dealership to inspect my vehicle, doesn't that seem like a conflict of interest for Saturn? They (Saturn of Concord and Saturn Corporation) refuse to even take ownership that I paid all that money for repair and maintenance and the simplest thing such as refilling my wiper fluids was not done. They ignore the fact that when I had another mechanic inspects my brakes only to find them not in need of replacement Saturn's mechanic had been dishonest and lied to me saying I needed new brakes. So now, I'm out of over 2500+ dollars still without a working vehicle that in need of several hundred dollars worth of parts and labor.
Michael of Derby KS (04/22/08)
1995 SC2, DOHC, one owner. Oil changes done every 3K with 5W30 per manual. High oil consumption began at about 75,000 miles (over 1 qt per 1,000 miles). At 104,000 miles now burns 1 qt in 600 miles. Cost of engine replacement is about $3800 thru Saturn. Having it done by an outside company gives a longer warranty. Highly unlikely to recommend Saturn for longevity.
John of Braodrun VA (04/08/08)
I have a '97 SC-2 with 202,900 original miles on the engine! Not without a problem though. Approximately 166,000 miles, #1 cyl. intake valve spring broke in half. Saturn would not repair the engine but would gladly sell me a new engine ( go figure). I finally wound up repairing the engine myself. Not a very difficult job but needs to be researched first before you try it! I had to make my own valve compressing tool from hardware store parts. Total cost about $200 & 10 hrs. Car runs great!
Christen of Holland MI (04/01/08)
On January 28, 2008 I brought in my 2003 Saturn Ion (with 43,000 miles) because my 'coolant light' was on. The mechanics and the Saturn rep. commented on how unusually low my coolant was... and said: wow, there must be a leak. After doing a pressure test, they couldn't find a leak - so then they topped off my coolant and said I was okay to drive it. I said: Are you sure? They said: Yes, you will be fine to drive it. They gave me no indication that I should keep an eye on it or bring it back in the next week. 4 weeks later, I noticed smoke coming out of my hood and a burning smell coming from my car. On March 21, 2008 - I brought it back in at which point they said that they think I need a new engine due to a crack in the cylinder head. I know that coolant fluid keeps an engine from overheating, and when an engine overheats it causes the cylinder head to warp or crack... They denied that the coolant issue I had brought it in for had anything to do with it. They blamed Saturn Inc for the engine being faulty from the start and denied having any responsibility in the issue. I
Cynthia of Lake Forest CA (03/15/08)
I purchased a Saturn SL1 new in 2002. About 2 yrs. later, I noticed the car would make a clunking noise and jerk on occasion when I put it in reverse. I took it to the Saturn Dealership in Bakersfield,CA and was told they couldn't duplicate the problem. I however, kept noticing it, so I took it back to them and was told the same thing. Now, today, the car started jerking as I accelerated into the different gears(my car is an automatic). This time, I took it to an independent auto repair shop and was told the valve body is messed up. It will cost approx. $600 to fix. I have read all the other similar complaints and am very disappointed that Saturn has done this to so many people. I'm angry that I was lied to and taken advantage of. We have 2 Saturns and both have had similar problems. I will never buy another Saturn again. I would be very interested in being part of any legal class action suit.
Natalie of Brighton TN (03/11/08)
In January 2008 i had a major problem wit my 2000 Saturn LS, the timing belt broke causing extensive damage. It had cost me in total, 3000.00 to repair my car. I had no idea there was a recall on it.
William of Colorado Springs CO (03/02/08)
Feb 27, 2008 WHAT HAPPENED? My wife was driving our 2001 Saturn L200 with the 2.2 liter DOHC engine with automatic transmission. This vehicle was purchased by us used with 27,309 miles on the odometer. My wife had driven approx 10 miles and had just pulled into the driveway at her workplace, The Navigators, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. As she was driving, the vehicle died and the applicable dash warning lights were illuminated. She called me and I drove to the location to attempt to diagnose the problem and see if I could get it started. Unfortunately, the vehicle died in the travel lane of the street and was at risk of being hit by another vehicle. When I arrived, I parked my Ford Explorer approx 30 feet to the rear of the Saturn and activated my emergency flashers. After checking the vehicle, I was unable to diagnose nor fix the problem.
Lonnie of Groton NY (02/20/08)
My daughter has a 2000 Saturn LS1 with the 2.2. She went to start it, but it would not run. Come to find out it was the timing chain. It did not break, but timing slipped. The chain stretched further than I have ever seen a chain stretch before. Fortunately she was not on the highway because it would have stalled possibly causing an accident or takig a life. After further investigation the head is cracked, and valves are bent. Saturn would not recognize that this is an issue, but they said there was a recall on some 2001 LS1 models with the same engine. Iam really disappointed that Saturn does not admit to there manufactoring flaw. My daughters car only has 60,000 miles on it, and other than the engine issue the car is all right. I feel that Saturn should be held responsible for the faulty timing chain oiling system, which appears from reading the comments, something that happens regardless of how many miles are accrued. I have been a mechanic for years, and I have never seen such a widespread issue since the Ford Escort head gasket issue, which Ford did a recall on.
Jerry of Pacific Grove CA (02/19/08)
We bought our 2002 L200 back in 2006 and it was a good car. We've had it just over a year and a half, maybe, and the head cracked (due to faulty casting) which causes water to shoot into the pistons, melted the coil, caused the spark plugs to fail, and has cost us (thanks to the NEX garage being so good on helping us) $2100 plus the cost of a rental car for three weeks. It's almost impossible to find a 2002 engine head that isn't damaged, my garage had to call all the way to Canada from California to find one. We're a military family with only one real income (my military disability doesn't really cover anything), so we can't afford this. We wanted to support an American brand, but after this I don't think I'll be buying another domestic car for a long time. Thanks Saturn, you've turned two more servicemembers against products from their own country.
Joseph of Cortland NY (02/18/08)
We purchased a 2004 Ion for our daughter in college. She's had it a month and she reported to us today that when she went to turn the engine OFF, It would not shut off. Sounds like that she is experiencing the same problems everyone else has had with this car. Where is the government on these problems?
M of Philadelphia PA (02/12/08)
I purchased a 2000 Saturn LS2 in August of 2007 and here it is February, 2008 and the car is sitting in the shop for a repair that I can not afford. While driving from work the car made a strange sound ... I pulled over immediately and called for a tow. Once the car was at the Saturn for service I was informed that the timing belt went and damage some valve. The cost for repair would be around 3600. If that wasn't bad enough... I was first told that it should only take about two hours to see what was wrong with the care at a tune of $94 an hour. When it was said and done the total charge for checking the car was almost $400. I was also offer the option of having a used engine installed with no warranty.
Selene of Staten Island NY (02/09/08)
As the original owner of a 1996 Saturn SC1 with 68,000 miles, this car has had four head gaskets replaced originating when this car was under a year old. In addition to these repeated catastrophic engine failures multiple replacements of alarm systems, radio, electrical issues and a defective front seat. This is what I purchased from Saturn. The most recent head gasket failure occurred in November 06. As I was exasperated by Saturn and this vehicle I was sold, I sued the Saturn Corporation in the Richmond County Small Claims Division for the cost of the fourth head gasket. Saturns representation was a no show?. After explaining my case to an Arbitrator, I was encouraged to seek the Lemon Law? and after I explained why that was no longer possible, I won on default. After receiving the judgment, Saturns representation filed an appeal. On the evening of the Appeal, your Counsel was unprepared! The Justice heard my case and reassigned a new court date because I had a good case?. He also wanted to know why I did not file a Lemon Law? case. This question was also asked on the third evening by the judge that awarded me a partial judgment. I never pursued the Lemon Law? because I believed in the integrity of the Customer Relations Area of Saturn. After each head gasket failure, I was assured that the problem was no big deal? and they would handle it. What in fact transpires and always transpired is that the Saturn people have a script? that they follow. The farther away they are from lawsuits, lemon laws etc, and the more discourteous the script.
William of Ponca City OK (02/07/08)
My 2006 Saturn Ion Redline with 46,000 miles suddenly stopped running. There is no Saturn dealer in Ponca City so I had it towed to the local Chevrolet dealer. They diagnosed the problem as a failed oil pump causing the engine to lock up. Anyone who knows about engines knows there is nothing a driver can do to cause oil pump failure it is always a defect. I contacted Saturn (what they call customer service) and was given the party line. I must pay to have my car towed to the Saturn dealer 90 miles away before they will tell me anything. I have since found out that paying for good surveys is rampant at Saturn. Do not believe any survey results they produce. Dear Saturn if this is not true then sue me. Please sue me. Needless to say I will be trading this in on another non-saturn car. P.S. this engine the ecotech is produced by GM and used by Chevy.
Robert of Murrieta CA (02/06/08)
I have a 2000 Saturn ls and as I was driving my timing chain broke.
Antonio of Houston TX (02/04/08)
I have 2002 Saturn L200 that has (100,000)a little over one hundred thousand miles on it. One day while driving it just stopped working. I took it to the dealership and they said that the timing chain just broke and I would need a new engine. They haven't told me anything about it being a problem with many of the cars. I was wondering if there is anything I can do to make them repair the problem now that I discovered that they are having this issue with many of their cars?
Deborah of St Charles IL (01/24/08)
I purchased my Saturn Vue brand new in 2003. I have had the security chip in the computer malfunction, the main pipe welded to the catalytic converter snap off while slowly crossing a set of railroad tracks that were rough. The car was rocking back and forth due to the road surface. In getting the pipe welded back on it was discovered that my transmission supports were all loose with no boots. I had driven the car for approximately 21/2 years with that problem. Now the crowning glory, with 79,000 miles my timing chain broke. This is the very first brand new car I have ever owned and in any of my previous cars I have never had this problem. I have been told that the engine is destroyed. The transmission is not shifting correctly and to make this a totally enjoyable nightmare my warranty expired 75000 miles. I researched buying this car for 1/1/2 years before finally purchasing. I wanted to support the American product. Not anymore. Saturn states their products are dependable, reliable, etc. WHO are they kidding. As far as I am concern this is a new way of spelling Vega.
Arnisha of Antioch TN (01/24/08)
I'm currently a college student who could've lost her life while driving her 2001 Saturn L200 while driving on the highway at a speed of 60mph. My car suddenly slowed down and I had to cut a car off to get to the shoulder lane and almost had a sixteen wheeler hit me from behind because of a failing timing chain. I went to a mechanic and they stated my timing chain failed and bent my valves. Total cost to repair 3000-4000. Realistically when your in college your broke. How would I ever be able to afford a repair like that. For about ten months my car has been sitting in a garage. I'm still paying on the car and it doesn't start. This is very frustrating to have a car and you can't drive it.
John of Harpers Ferry WV (01/15/08)
While driving home from Maryland, without warning engine stopped on the highway. I had to have it towed to Saturn dealership where they told me my timing chain broke and it would cost me over $3,000. It now sits in my garage waiting to be repaired. By the way that has been a year and half ago. (it is hard to find a 2002 Saturn engine not broken).
John of Harpers Ferry WV (01/13/08)
While driving home from Maryland, without warning engine stopped on the highway. I had to have it towed to Saturn dealership where they told me my timing chain broke and it would cost me over $3,000. It now sits in my garage waiting to be repaired. By the way that has been a year and half ago. (it is hard to find a 2002 Saturn engine not broken).
Justin of Parker KS (01/01/08)
bought a brand new 2002 Saturn SL2. Regular maintenance. Timing belt broke at 100,000 miles. Engine is destroyed. Thanks a lot Saturn for not telling me it needed replaced before it broke. How many millions of timing belts have to break before you get the hint???
Larry of North Las Vegas NV (01/01/08)
My 2001 L200 Saturn had a timing chair failure at only 31K miles with resulting upper engine failure. Cost to repair was $3600. No help from Saturn. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Never again!
Allen of Lenexa KS (12/07/07)
I have a 2003 Saturn Ion for over a year now. Just recently the timing chain broke on it. I went to start my car a week ago and it wouldn't start. I had to have it towed to a Goodyear because that was the only thing open at the time. They couldn't fix it but recommended a mechanic. The mechanic has looked at it and indeed the timing belt is broken. When the timing belt broke it bent the valves. Now not only am I having to pay for the labor and timing chain now I have to pay for new valves, head gasket, fuel pump and thermostat. I have called Saturn and they were no help. I am really frustrated about this situation and I will NEVER buy a Saturn again.
Dixie of Massillon OH (12/06/07)
Add me to the list. A Saturn 2001 wagon is being towed from my driveway as I write this. No help from the dealer. They act as tho this has never happened before. When I happened upon this sight, I realized how serious this problem must be, and I guess the answer must be...no more Saturn's for us. My husband & I each are driving one...but no longer after reading all of these reports and without any assistance from the dealer.
Stephanie of Ladson SC (12/05/07)
Well, i'm sadly disappointed in Saturn now that I see all these complaints. I bought my 1992 Saturn SL-1 in 2003, it was all the money I had at the time as a single mom to get it, it cost me $1750.00 to buy and $1300 in repairs I thought would give the car a longer life, which I Needed ! I have had Various problems with the car, from small things like the Seasonal windshield wipers, they only work in summer and only on the highest setting, and ever so often they turn on by themselves. Other problems include burning an insane amount of oil, roughly 4quarts every week, and the engine idling at 1k RPM then suddenly shoots up to 3k RPMs without anyone in the car! The most recent was this morning I was driving my son to school and it started revving up off and on, the lights were flickering on and off, and a tapping was coming from underneath about where the emergency brake is near the center console. I managed to get it back to my house, almost causing me to wreck as it kept leaping forward in large jumps I barely had any control over my speed, and all this with a 1 year old in the back seat. I am Not Happy. My family has been a Saturn family for years, My grandparents own nothing but Saturns, my aunts..uncles.. my sister has Two of her own, a 96' SC coupe that screwed up with the same problem, and a new Saturn Vue with a newly developed oil leak. As far as i've seen, this is a known and common problem with Saturn cars, and they should take thier responsibility with EACH customer. I may not have bought it fresh from the factory, but no car should act like this with no warning. This put both of my kids at risk, myself, and other drivers. I am calling Saturn right now.
Jessica of Brier Creek NC (12/04/07)
I purchased a Saturn SL1, 1994 about a month ago. When I purchased the car, Joe the man who did my paper work told me that if the car had a major problem, if I was a good paying customer he would work with me and either fix it or trade it in. A week later after purchasing the car I got a tune-up. And every two weeks after that I had to put 2-3 quarts of oil in the car. I took the car to the mechanic to see if the car could be fixed. He said it wasn't worth because the car has a serious engine problem. I explained this to Joe at Young's Auto Sales and they said I could trade it in even though the owner really didn't do that. But because I was a good customer who paid on time he was willing to do it. On Saturday, Dec 1, I went to their sister lot because I told I could and saw a Honda Civic I was willing to get and put more money down if needed. I got in the Civic and drove it to Young's Auto Sales to do the exchange. But when I got there Joe the man behind the desk told me a different story. He couldn't do the exchange now because supposedly I can only change the car for something on his lot. I got aggravated and started to look for another car. I finally decided on a Honda Accord and wanted to take to car for a test drive and the man told I could not take the car because it was too late in the day. Now I think that's not fair because if he would told me in the beginning I would have never wasted my time at the sister lot. I felt like I was being taken for a fool. So I tried to explain to Joe why that wasn't fair and he basically said there was nothing he could now but wait until Monday. So I decided to wait until Monday to come back and when Monday came the man told me I couldn't change the car because of my attitude. So I now I am stuck with a lemon. Please take note this a buy here pay here and the reason I am mad is because they made me waste time and gas and had no reason not to trade in the car. So now I am stuck with a car that needs major engine work. I have two jobs and was willing to do what ever it took to keep them and myself happy. Is there anything I can do?
Nicholas of Cloverdale CA (12/02/07)
My girlfriend had purchased this car with 35k on it as a used car with no warrenty. Now lets get some things straight. I know I have no warrenty, and I know saturn did no work on it, but how can you blame the possibility of dirty oil on a intake leake? The leak throws a ecm code, it is unsmoggable. I talked to saturn and asked them about the other problem with the car using 1 qt of oil in 600 miles? They said the rings are worn becasue it had dirty oil in it. Well I hold a cert in the mechanic field and I know that the oil was the best, changed on time and intakes do not fail unless there is a surface problem or a fault with the gasket. So I looked up the replacement gasket and it is a upgraded one. Saturn told me that there is no problem with the gasket failing. I asked them , sincce they have proven that they are not in the business of helping why would they just make a new gasket? If I am an isolated case why are the oil consumption and intake problems all over the internet? They hung up!!!!
Terry of Seymour IN (11/20/07)
2001 Saturn L200 - timing chain failure. Bent valves; cost to repair = $1200.00.
Susie of Arlington TX (11/19/07)
My Saturn Vue began making a slight tapping sound which became increasingly louder within a range of about 15 miles before the engine died and would no longer start. I took the car in to determine the cause of the problem and found out that the timing chain tentioner screws had backed themselves out and caused the valves to bend in the motor. This car had a lower end motor replaced 2 months prior to my purchasing the vehicle and without any subsequent disclosure to me. I had the car for 1 day and found that the engine was slipping and took it in for service. At that time the transmission was repaired extensively. Now 30,000 miles later, I have a blown up motor. I have tried to get Saturn's customer service dept to help me with this however they are unwilling to fully replace what I feel is a lemon motor. Every mechanic that I have talked to concerning this matter has assured me, that this should not have happened. Even Saturn technicians themselves!!
Jack of Elkhart IN (11/19/07)
Cranks but won't start. Removed front cover and found timing chain was not broken but had slipped. Performed compression test and found 0 psi on all cylinders. Most likely the valves are bent due to chain slippage. Replaced cylinder head. Date of repair: 12/13/2005. Milage: 57659. Cost to owner: $3194.53
S. of Cheektowaga NY (11/07/07)
Add me to the long list of Saturn owners w/ this problem ! I bought a used 2000 L series w/ just under 60,000 miles.(august 2006) Last fri. 11/02/07, with no warning, the timing chain broke !!!!!! Sound familiar ,anyone ? ! What's UP Saturn ?!!!! Many of us who thought we had found a good buy, are weeping tears of regret !!!
Kristi of Windsor CO (11/04/07)
My daughter's 2002 Saturn with 55000 miles made a loud noise and quit. We had it towed. The garage said it needed a new timing belt. After $3400 they said the engine was no good and would replace it for another $3500. This looks like this same thing has happened to other saturns. Any suggestions?
The belt snapping ruined the oil pump and heads.
Stacy of Rochester NY (10/22/07)
On August 5, 2007 I was traveling on the highway at about 65 miles per hour with my son in the back seat when the steering column of my car locked in position and my car lost all power. I was lucky enough to pull safely to the side of the road without any incident. I had my car towed to my trusted local mechanic whom my family and I having been dealing with for many years. It took him 2 weeks to fix a serious malfunction on my vehicle. The timing chain snapped causing excessive amounts of damage to my car and the engine. I just bought my Saturn in June 2006 with just over 36,000 miles and when my timing chain snapped I only had 50,000 miles. Saturn basicaly just laughed at me and said b/c I did not bring my car to a Saturn dealership and b/c it was over 36,000 miles there is nothing they can do for me.
Mollie of Carrollton OH (08/28/07)
Timing Chain broke at 75,000 miles, with no warning. Engine shut down at 65 miles per hour on a busy freeway.
Jason of Deforest WI (07/31/07)
As many others have reported, I had the timing chain on my 2002 Sturn L100 break when I was on the highway with my 2 children. I lost all power to the vehicle but was luckly able to get to the side of the road safely. This appears to be a serious problem that needs to be addressed.
Cynthia of Bellflower CA (07/30/07)
Well after reading all of the complaints on this page i am ready to blow my lid. Saturn knows about these engine problems and seems to do nothing about it. I have a 2001 saturn that i bought new. My car has a little over 51,000 miles. My car began to hesitate and of course began to turn off as well. Each time i took it in they said they could not find out what was wrong. Finally they took the oil pan off and said thet had found particles in the oil pan(COST FOR THIS $206.00 7/30/07 AT A DISCOUNT AND ON FRIDAY 7/27/07 $105.00 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST). This lead them to tell me that my engine was slowly breaking off internally and that i would need a NEW ENGINE, that sounds like a word Saturn likes to use. The cost for the new engine is around $3400-$3600. What a joke and let me go in my backyard and check my money tree to see if its grown $3600 to fix my saturn. I have done every maintenance regularly and have my paper work to show this. Something needs to be done because it seems that saturn does not care about correcting its problems.
Steve of Denver CO (07/16/07)
I'll keep this short because I 'm still so angry. I have a 2002 Saturn SL2. I was driving on the Highway when I lost power and the engine rattled. I was told that it was a maintenace problem because the Oil was black. Are you kidding me, I only had 70,000 miles on it. I'm paying 3,500 to replace the Engine.
Paula of Yorktown Heights NY (07/05/07)
On June 8, 2007 I was driving on the highway during a rain storm when my car lost all power, this happened while I was drive at Highway speeds. Luckily, I was able to pull over on the shoulder and did not get hit,since everything felt like it lost power. I was stuck on the side of the road for hours and finally had my car towed out. I brought the car to another garage to avoid the trip to Saturn hoping it was something reasonable to be fixed. The garage said they could not fix the car and I had to pay for a tow again to Saturn in White Plains.
At Saturn of White Plains, they held my car for a few days due to backlog with cars and they called me to tell me that the diagnostics showed my timing chain snapped and it would cost me $ 3600.00 for repairs. I initially asked Saturn while may car was their if they could look at my AC since that failed also with no pressure.
They said I probably should not bother and I agreed since the timing chain would be expensive. I decided not to have the repairs done at Saturn of White Plains and had my car towed to my home Yorktown, NY. I was hoping to see if I could replace the whole engine cheaper or get the car repaired. I had to rent a car while my car was being repaired since I did decide to bring the car (towed) to a garage in Yonkers for service! I paid over $ 500.00 in towing fees, $ 600.00 for rentals fees and another $ 2200.00 for repairs.
This was cheaper than going to Saturn for the work. Now I have had my car back two weeks and my new problem is my security light is suddenly appearing and all lights on my dash. Since I have had this vehicle I purchased used in 2001, I have had the ignition control module repaired three times and numerous other problems. All that were not covered under my warranty. PS - You may have two emails regarding this case sent. I copied and pasted a complaint I sent to another online user while I was going through this issue and it was still linked to the bottom of this email!
Carol of Southfield MI (07/01/07)
My 2001 Saturn L200 just had a timing chain failure. The repair cost is $2900 because of the damage this failure caused to the engine components. I bought this vehicle used from Saturn in 2005, with approximately 37 or 39k miles on it. I understand this timing chain issue is an extremely common complaint with the L Series vehicles made by Saturn/GM, and it is a dangerous one. There was never any consumer awareness bulletin issued or remedy offered to owners of these vehicles. GM has known about this defect for years.
Terry of Wardensville WV (06/26/07)
Timing Chain failed on 2002 Saturn vue with 4 cylinder engine while driving down the highway at 45 miles an hour. Lost power in heavy traffic
Doug of Grover Beach CA (06/25/07)
At 65,000 miles, just 5000 over the warranty, my 2001 Saturn L200's timing chain broke causing well over $3,000.00 of damage to the vehicle. This does not include the towing charges and inconvienounce of not having a car. I am still awaiting for the car to be repaired. When I called the dealer they said it was over warranty and we were on our own.
I am reporting the problem in hopes of getting some kind of settlement if and when any class action suit is won against Saturn. I have been searching and have found many similar timing chain problems of the Saturn L series. I wish Saturn would stand by their product more. Especially since it appears to be more then a few people having these issues. I have been totally in favor for buying American made autos, but now I am forced to evaluate my thinking.
Beryl of Dracut MA (04/25/07)
i purchased a saturn 2002 L series back in 2004. a year later while i was driving the car the time chain broke without any warning, i had it towed to my mechanic and had to have the engine rebuilt because he said the pistins were also gone. It cost me $2000. I tried over and over again to get the dealership to cooperate but they kept blowing me off. My mechanic said Saturns are notourious for blowing timing chains.
Jane of Ottawa, Canada (04/16/07)
I've been experiencing a loss of power and stalling in my 2001 Saturn LS. I only have 84,000 kms on the car. The Saturn dealership where I take my car has advised me that the problem is with the timing chain, specifically the tensioner is sticking and that it will cost me over $1000 to have this fixed. They tried to say that this was because of infrequent oil changes despite the fact that my car is very well maintained and I have always had oil changes every 3 to 4 months.
Debbie of Waipahu HI (04/11/07)
Three weeks ago, my daughter and friends were driving along a very dangerous stretch of road when our 2000 Saturn SL suddenly died while traveling 55mph. Stunned and alarmed, my daughter managed to safely come to a stop fortunately without causing a traffic incident.
Upon inspecting the vehicle, coolant was noticed spewing from the side of the engine. After towing to the shop, my mechanic gave the bad news, the engine was blown and I would need to replace the engine.
At 78,000 miles, I thought this car had lots more life ahead and with the upkeep of regular scheduled maintenance, I really thought I had a winner. Well, I thought wrong!? I ended up being the looser with no car I've been looking for an engine-(used),twin cam, even harder to find! After reading the comments, I'm planning to junk the piece of s_ _ t! Thank goodness this was my weekend car.
Saturn's reputation is forever tarnished in my book... Consumers Beware!!!
Wayne of Bayville NY (04/09/07)
The timing chain on my 2001 Saturn LS broke after 78,000 miles. After researching, found out many of the same exact problems with other Saturn owners. Must now spend over $3000 to get used engine installed and Saturn will not help or acknowledge problem. Defect effects most modey year 200-2003 L Series vehicles with 2.2 L 4 valve engine. The oil nozzle was not made properly to deliver the sufficient amount of oil to the chain at low rpms resulting in chain breakage and engine damage, Saturn is blaming all the owners citing improper oil changes which they know is a false staement. As a result, hundreds of customers are having to shell out thousands of dollars to fix their engines. Saturn knew the problem existed and never issued a recall.
Norman of Raritan NJ (03/29/07)
I bought a used Saturn SL1 at least a few years ago from Saturn of green Brook in New Jersey. the car only had the low 30,000 miles on it. It now has 48,000 miles on the engine. My mechanic looked at it a few days ago because of an erratic curb idle and found the the #1 cylinder wasn't firing properly. he further diagnosed that the head gasket as well as the intake manifold gasket were leaking.
I now have to get another engine put in the car for approximately $3,000. The business that is installing the engine told me he doesn'tuse the long life antfreeze that Saturn recommends (dex cool) because he has seen it deteriorating gaskets in many vehicles. After going on your web site and seeing all of the complaints from GM owners of all kinds of vehicles, it is apparent that this long life anti freeze is destrying peoples engines far before their time! If there any class action lawsuits that I can add my name to, please do so.
I will never buy another GM vehicle as a result of me having to pay $3,000 as a result of an apparent defect in them telling everyone that their cars must run on this long life antifreeze when in fact it is killing engines far before their time! Thank You Norman Rackison
Neil of Brooklyn NY (03/15/07)
My timing chain broke while driving, destroying the engine. Car only has about 69000 miles.
Cost for rebuilt engine is about $3,500.
Tim of Riverside CA (03/04/07)
My wife owns a 2001 Saturn SL2 with approximatey 118,000 miles on it. It has never over heated but I took it in to Pep Boys for a new water pump which was leaking. They called me up later saying that they could not replace the water pump because the headgasket was blown.
Being a machinist I know that it the gasket is blown then the head is also warped, how it warped without overheating is a mystery to me, all I know is that the cost of repairs is approximately $2000, probably more than the car is worth. Saturn has to know that there is a flaw in their design.
Even though it is a Saturn it is still a GM product, junk.
Michael Ypsilanti MI (02/11/07)
Last weekend I tried to start my 2000 Saturn LS1 and it would not crank. I had the car towed in and it appears that the chain broke. I have only 72,000 miles on the car and there was no warning that anything was wrong with the engine.
I had a quote to repair the engine for over $3000 and I just do not have the money for this. After reading everyone elses account of the issues with their Saturn, I will not purchase another vehicle from saturn again.
Bob of Dartmouth, Canada (02/10/07)
I bought my second Saturn a few years ago. My first Saturn had a head replaced at approximately 80,000km. I continued to have problems and upgraded to a 2000 SL wagon in 2003. Just recently, with only 125,000km my timing chain went, while highway driving.
I am told that I need eith a new engine, rebuilt ot used on installed. When I spoke to the Saturn mechanic and the sales manager, they said the timing chains rarely go. After checking the internet, I see that the National Highway Traffic safety Administration has openned a preliminary investigation on my very problem. I am assumming that this is more of a problem than what Saturn admitted to.
I am going to bring this to their attention to see what they have to say. I am not expecting any satisfaction, unless a recall occurs.
Margaret of Chicago IL (02/08/07)
I have a L200 Saturn 2002; I just went over my 100,000 miles by 3,000 miles. Just last week I was driving on Lake Shore Drive and the car just shut off. I had the car towed to a mechanic. He told me that the timing chain broke and I need a new engine, because the timing chain caused other things to go wrong with the engine. It's been a week and I am still without my car. He did say that it would cost me about $1900.00. $1900.00!
That I do not have at this time because I am in the midst of having to move out of my apartment because they turned them into condos (which I can't afford to buy). So now I am trying to move and pay for a car that I so desperately need in order to keep my job. Anyway, I called the Saturn dealer ship and explained the problem. They told me that just to replace some of the parts to the engine it would be 2400.00 w/o labor. 7500.00 for a new engine.
I am broke, disgusted, and just plain angry. I have to come up with money to move with, my son's tuition and money to fix a car, which I very much need. Saturn should be held accountable since they know it is a problem. How can they get away with such awful acts? Is this a part of the lemon law? Now I am stuck with paying a car note on a broke down car. I need my car! I need Saturn to own up and fix this problem! I am a part of the working poor and it's just plain said for them to ignore the problem.
Carl of Staten Island NY (02/08/07)
My 2001 saturn L200 with only 40,000 miles died while driving to work.After being towed to repair shop, mech.told me timing chain went and to contact Saturn dealer because this is a design flaw with 4 cyl 2.2L engines.still waiting to get call back from dealer.
Judy of Orlando FL (02/06/07)
I purchased a 1998 Saturn LS1 used, with 41,000 miles on it almost 4 years ago. It now has just under 80,000 miles on it. 5 days ago I went to start it and it wouldn't start. It made a little noise and then went dead. I had it towed to a repair shop and they tell me today that the timing chain broke. He said it needs a new engine, as there was lots of damage to the engine when the timing chain broke. He and I are now looking for a used engine, as I cannot afford to buy another car.
Scotti of Saginaw MI (01/29/07)
Travelling the Ohio Turnpike at 74 mph among/surrounded by 18 wheelers, my 2002 saturn L100 completely lost power. It was as if someone turned off the switch. Has 76,000 miles (not hard. Became stranded due to malfunction/timing belt broke. Repair costs $1,500.00. Within a month of the repairs the serpentine belt snapped causing the alternator to break with an additional $500.00 repair costs.
I
Diane of Highland CA (01/12/07)
I have a 2005 Vue. Several months ago I noticed that it was leaking (a few drops) of oil. I took it to Saturn of Ontario and they added dye to the oil and told me drive it another 500 miles because they couldn't tell where the leak was coming from. I work far from home and was not able to get it back into the shop until December. I took it to Firestone (love them) and they said it was leaking from the head gasket and that I should take it to the dealer. I immediately took it to Saturn of Loma Linda and told them what Firestone told me...this was Friday morning at 9:30 am.
Friday evening Lynn from Saturn called to say they hadn't gotten to it, but hopefully could on Saturday...or Monday. On Saturday morning Lynn called to say it was in fact the head gasket and they would have to order it and it should be in Monday or Tuesday. Tuesday Lynn called to say that when they took the engine apart they discovered that the bearings were also bad and that they would have to order those, but they were going to overnight them. On Wednesday, I called Saturn at 2:30 pm to find out about my car. The parts had not come in...apparently they didn't think I needed to know this. On Thursday Lynn called to say that the bearings had come in, but they were damaged and they had to be re-order.
He offered a 10% discount. On Friday Lynn called again to say that the bearings had arrived undamaged, but only the lower bearings had arrived, not the uppers. They will have to be re-ordered. He offered me a loaner car for the weekend. Saturn has had my car, for a one day repair job, for 8 days. I opened a case with Saturn Corporate because I didn't feel that a car with 52,000 miles on it should need these types of repairs, but they disagreed and offered me $100 in retail store coupons, I declined. This is my second and last Saturn.
Bradley of Cuyahoga Falls OH (12/20/06)
Second instance In 50,000 miles of: Timing Chain 'Slipped' due to lack of lubrication. This is on my 2002 Saturn Vue, 4 cyl. engine - Front wheel drive. Saturn blames me for not keeping up with the every 3000 mile oil change requirement. I have seen a report, on consumeraffairs.com, of an investigation into frequent timing chain failures in this model engine. The report references lack of oil flow to the timing chain when operating at low RPM. (This is the type of driving I do.)
The report also references all timing chain service kits now available will include an oiler nozzel, a new design that will increase oil flow to the timing chain under low RPM operating conditions. The first instance was covered under warrantee at around 20,000 miles. The current instance occurred at 54,000 mi. , and is now out of warrantee.
Cindy of Davenport IA (12/17/06)
What a Christmas present. My Saturn has had the check engine light on for a few years now. Everytime I take it in to get a computer read on it, they tell me that it is a bad sensor and that the car is fine.
My car started to drive funny and misfire, so I changed the spark plugs and spark plug wires. Afterwards, the car would no longer start. I am lucky because I have people to work on my car and it broke down in a garage (thankfully I was not driving). We changed the ignition coil after the spark plugs and wires, and it still would not start. I called the mechanic and he told me to have it towed to his house.
He tried to start it and immediately told me that the timeing chain broke and that I needed a new engine (because when the timing chain breaks, there is a piece that also breaks off and bends the valves in the engin. I am in the process of getting an engine from the junk yard, but I have no idea what it will cost me. I just graduated college yesterday, and work to support myself, but live paycheck to paycheck.
Now I find out that Saturn knows about this problem. What a joke. I will never recommend Saturn to anyone!
Oswald of North Port FL (12/14/06)
It is so good to know that I am not alone with This problem I have a Saturn 2000LW while griving on the 75 I heard a clanking noise coming from the engine so I slow down to hear what the noise was since I was just around the corner to my house I kept going by the time I got home the noise was worse and the car was shaking like it was on the last leg so I turn it off and the next day I diceided to take a look at the problem. Removing the Timing Belt cover I discover that the Timing Belt Tensioner was broken with my little knowledge I set out to fix it to my surprise none of the local parts store had this part it is a dealer item only that cost me $412.00 of which I bought you can not just buy the tensioner you have to by the whole kit because now the back plate has to be change because SATURN went and changed the size of the bracket for the tensioner and it will not fit the old plate so I went on and change it come to find out you need a special tool to do the timing on that engine I have done some timing chains already in my life but this one beats the cake the tool to do the timing guest who have it (SATURN) yep that's right but they do not sell it neither dose the parts stores so now I have every thing back together but there is still a knocking in the engine so I said you know what let Saturn deal with it so I call a tow truck which cost me $125.00 to take to the SATURN dealer at the dealer I was told that the timing was ok but because the belt and Tensioner was broken the valve and the piston was broken which will cost me $4300.00 to fix even with the work that is already done> I do believe that something should done seeing all these complain has been made about the same vehicle some thing is wrong that is causing this type of problem and costing the public so much money just to replace the valve and the piston cost $4300.00 please help. Thank YOU
Sam And Sheila of Orange Park FL (10/08/06)
I am so glad we found your web site. We thought the shop was just trying to get all the money out of us it could. On last thursday we put gas in our car and took off. About a block later the car ceased on it's on like we were riding an escalator and it just came to a stop. The battery and the air conditioning worked but we thought it must be that we weren't getting enough juice. We went to our trunks and got our portable charger and it did not work. We then stopped someone to jump us and that didn't work. We hitched a ride to pick up our daughter from childcare (thank God we are alive) we only had twenty minutes to get there and walked with our briefcases and suits and bags all the way home. We figured the bill would be a couple of hundred dollars as we had no problem ever. The shop has just called us and told us our Saturn LS200 needs an engine. The cheapest is $3200. due to the timing chain breaking. We thought they must be kidding until we found this page of others who are just like us. Something should be done for us.
We have to come up with the money now and have to get back and forth from work. We are renting a car which is taking from that, we have to get our child to school. We will have no money with this for mortgage, childcare,Gas, parking and living, food. I can't believe Saturn knew about this.
Fernando of San Jose CA (09/06/06)
I purchased a Saturn SL2, with a extended warranty for 73,000 miles or till 2008. When my car broke down in feb.06, I had it towed to a Quality tune up. I was told in order to determine the problem with car they would need to tear the engine. The engine block was cracked and the pistons needed to be taken to a machine shop. I was told by the mechanic after contacting Saturn with the contract that Saturn would not honored the contract even with 68,000 miles, 5,000 miles less than on the contract. Saturn has told me the contract was and that a letter was sent to me to let me ,and if I had any questions to call them. The terms of the contract were changed without my knowledge, I never recieved a letter of thier intentions to change the contact. I paid out of my pocket over $1,600 to get my car fixed. Saturn will not return my phone calls even though the car is still under contract. I paid $1,500 for that extended contract.
Economically I was broke, emotionally I felt like I was robbed and treated like I was taken fool and embarrassed. I do not make a lot of money and this is affecting me emotionally.
Jim of Hilliard OH (08/14/06)
Our Saturn 2001 L2000 timing chain broke at 55K miles while on the highway. From reading about other similar timing chain problems from other Saturn owners it is obvious this needs to be fixed by a recall. This is a highly dangerous malfunction when you lose power in your car while driving at highway speeds! The cost to repair a timing chain and all of the damage it causes to other parts of the engine is in excess of $2000. We were charged $550 for the service dept at Saturn to take apart the car to determine what else broke when the timing chain broke. Please help us and other Saturn owners to get this fixed to avoid large repair bills and unsafe driving conditions.
Bill of Stoughton WI (08/07/06)
I own a 2000 Saturn LS1 with 80,000 miles and the timing chain broke while traveling 55 mph down the highway. I am finding that this is a common problem that other owners are having that results in the need for engine replacement ($3,000-$4,000). Saturn is refusing to recall the vehicle for this problem.
Karen of Merrillville IN (07/19/06)
I was driving down a very busy tollroad in the Chicagoland area, when with no warning my engine ceased on my 2001 Saturn L200. I contacted a tow driver to haul my car to the closest auto mechanic and he explained to me that the cars timing belt had broken and that the car would now need a new engine. He explained to me that Saturn vehicles of this model had a tendency to do this and that Saturn was well aware of the problem. After further research I found that his statement to be true.
I contacted the customer service 800 number for Saturn and they offered to help me out only if I were to take the vehicle to a Saturn dealership. I called around and located a Saturn dealer approximately 4 miles from the mechanic I had the car originally towed to. However, before I took the car to Saturn I wanted to call them and get estimates on how much they wanted for a replacement engine for the car. The service department quoted me $950 for the labor, and then transferred me to the parts department who then quoted $7000 for the engine, stating they had no rebuilt engines for this car available.
Needless to say, even with any so-called help from Saturn there is NO way that I could possibly rationalize placing a $7000 engine into a car whose Kelly blue book value is approximately $6500. I have authorized the original mechanic to start work on the car immediately.
Lauraine of St Catharines Canada (05/13/06)
While driving along a city highway my 2000 Saturn LS suddenly shut down. It was determined that the timing chain had broken and the pistons went thru the cylinger head resulting in $2300 parts & labour for a used cylinder head. New would have been $4650. Advised dealer of NHTSA probe but they stated they are unaware of these problems. The mileage is only 117000 kms
I paid a lot of money for the Saturn LS, the first yr it was released, a lot more than the regular Saturn & it is very dissapointing that I have to spend so much on a car that is only 6 yrs old and with only 117000 kms. Had this happened the week before on the 407 near Toronto, the consequences could have been greater and could have caused a major accident.
Barry of Billerica MA (04/24/06)
2001 L Series timing chain failure. Improper oil flow in the timing chain lubricating mechanism contributed to the failure. GM has issued a technical service bulletin advising dealers of a timing chain design change for the some Saturn Vues and Ions, but has said nothing as to what happens to the rest of us.
Had to get towed to the dealership $228 and have to have the motor replaced $3,800 with a used motor (59,000 miles on it) from a salvage yard. The replacement motor is right in line to have the same problem. A new motor was more than $6,500.
Sherri of Fort Myers FL (01/30/06)
I have had engine problems since the 1st week I bought Saturn ION. I have had the vehicle in the shop, had more rental cars, had the computer system replace, new catalytic converter pipe replace and much more, all within 3 months of owning the car. The engine lights keep coming, the car jerks and then, the car will no longer move. I keep having the car towed into the dealership and they fix "it" although they keep telling me they don't know what's wrong with "it" because they do not know what "it" is.
I finally looked up the Lemon Law an decided that my car most definitly fits the description - I have even tried to look up the VIN # to see if I can find out where the car orginated from - I purchased the car from Las Vegas but I know live in Florida. I purchased the car just before I left the area because of the good name, reputation for standing behind their cars and the last of service needed on these cars. Boy was I mistaken!! I have been dealing the customer service department at headquarters in TN.
Although my rep has been very nice, polite and pleasant, I have been told that since the maintenance tech. can not duplicate the problem then they do not see where there is a problem. So, I am expected to keep breaking down in the evening being stranded on the road or being stranded in early hours of the morning on my way to work. These seem to be the times of day that I have broken down now approximately 7 times now. I feel as though my luck may be running out. What if I am going 65-75 miles per hour on the free way and my car decided to not want to move anymore. Is it going to take a car accident where I or someone else could get hurt or worse, loose a life.
My car has an electrical or engine problem and Saturn needs to step up to the plate and take care of the situation. I have only had the care 3 1/2 months and should not be having these problems. When you spend 18K for a car it should give you at least a couple of years before things start to happen.
I have sever anxiety when driving my car these days wondering if today or tonight is the time it is going to die again on me. I wonder if all the cars behind me will stop in time so as not to hit me because I can not go any faster than 1-3 miles per hour all the while trying to get to the side of the road. I have not had to put out of of my own money as the car is brand new and I spend $1400 on the extra warranty - so I guess when you really look at it I have put out $1400.
Megan of Three Bridges NJ (01/11/06)
My Saturn kept stalling. I brought it to Saturn to look at. They told me they couldn't find anything the matter with the car. I brought it home and it kept stalling again so I brought it back. This time they kept the car for over a week. Everyday I called they told me they couldn't find anything the matter with it but would continue to look. In the meantime, they would not give me a loaner car which made it very difficult to arrange driving myself and my husband to work along with my 1 yr. old to daycare and doctors appts. b/c he was sick at the time.
Well after a week had past and I was still getting the run around that they were still looking at the car, I told them enough is enough. They then told me that they would put a new gas gauge in the car but they didn't know if that was truly the problem or not. They did not charge me for it but told me that was only b/c they didn't know what the problem with the car was and b/c I was extremely aggravated for not having the car for over a week with no updates to what the problem was and no loaner car in the interim.
Now that I have the car back, it is no longer stalling, but the gas gauge is off. I never know when the car is empty or truly full with gas. The car has broken down on some occasions b/c I have run out of gas, yet the gas gauge says it is only 1/2 empty. Saturn wants to charge me to fix this. I don't feel I should be charged at all b/c they did not properly put the gas gauge in to begin with. I almost feel that they installed in incorrectly so that I would have to come back and now be charged for it.
Brenda of Nashville TN (10/16/05)
Saturn cars engines are a minace. I would like to warn others. I have a 1998 Saturn SL that is useless. We have have the transmission repaired before the warranty ran out, we have had problems with it since we got it. Now there is a rod thrown with 120,000 miles on it. It would cost $4,000.00 to repair the engine, including labor and the car isn't worth that much blue book. I will never own another Saturn and I will warn other consumers if I can. No satisfaction has been received by recall or from the manufacturer and there are reports of the same type engine problem complaints all over the internet. Look for yourself.
Car is scrap metal in my driveway.
Robin of Grand Prairie TX (09/09/05)
I purhased my Saturn SL1 after graduating from college, thinking it would be a good car for the 5 years I hoped to utliize it for transportation, planning to replace it with a Honda after 5 years. How I wish after $4000, 4 years, 2 heads and a block later, I had purchased the Honda first! Having put almost all highway miles , and religiously changing the oil, for which I still have all the receipts, I first started noticing the oil usage at around 50000 miles, soon after the warranty expired. This led to the engine overheating and after a couple days of adding Dexicool, I noticed oil in the water.
We spent many fruitless hours talking with Saturn, but as the warranty had expired and I did not have the maintenence done at their shop, they refused to do anything. So I bit the bullet and had the repairs done elsewhere. Imagine my surprse when at 92000 miles the symptoms re-occurred! So I once again took it in and they diagnosed it as the head again. This time however it was not the head, but the block! After again spending countless, wasted hours trying to work with Saturn, we failed to get any response other than lip service, and as a result I am forced to replace the engine with a used engine (32000 miles).
Back to my original plan, (albiet after investing $5000 more than I expected) I will have an engine has a 1 year warranty, I hope to drive for 11 months and will trade it in for a used Honda at the dealer I purchased it from. I personaly would not resell this car knowing what I know about Saturn and their different kind of car!
Tim of Columbus GA writes (12/8/04):
This is for all the people with oil consumption and power loss problems with Saturn vehicles. My wife and I own a 96 SC2 dohc engine. Lately we've noticed power loss and oil consumption. I started it after a weekend of sitting and it set a missfire code. checked the plugs and found them sooty so I went to the local parts house and they didn't have factory NGK plugs (a GM product) so bought and installed AC Delco platinum plugs. The difference was immediate. The idle went from 600 rpm to 1100 and then settled to 850 which is ideal for a 4 cylinder.
I then took it out and it spun the tires uphill! The power and peppiness returned. So far we have only lost half a quart at 2500 miles. The more efficient, correctly indexed AC plugs increased cylinder pressures during combustion keeping the oil below the top piston ring as it should be. The plugs are still burning clean and gas mileage jumped 9.5 more mpg.
By the way it has 130k miles on it and I don't see any future problems. Try my fix. The $10.00 is worth it!
Patricia of Bath ME (9/15/03):
Cylinder head cracked, Saturn is aware there is a problem but their position is, if it didn't happen in 6 years or 100,000 miles (whichever came first) I'm out of luck. Of course the local dealer will fix it for $1,800. I own a 1994 Saturn SW1 with 94,502 miles. The service bullentin came out in 1999. I believe that they knew it to be a defect in the parts they used and it should be fixed no matter what the age of the car.
Of couse they would like the public to think that after their timeframe the car will never have the problem or by magic it will repair itself. If the only humans worked this way after 6 years all birth defects would just disappear. What a wonderful world it would be. All I have to say is -- dream on, Saturn. I can't wait to get the car fixed and trade it in for another car.
Damage Resulting: Loss of my sanity, cost - priceless new engine $1,800, junk yard version $100, but it will take me a week or so to get the two engines out, never mind the time to figure out how to get it all back together and still have the car run. I have a full-time job and I'm the mother of an eleven-year-old, not much free time here to spare. I just knew I should have taken a shop class in high school, but at 50 I'm not to old to learn. I build Navy DDG's at Bath Iron Works -- fixing a car should not be as complicated LOL.
It can be done, all right, but Patricia should buy a junker to drive around in while she has the Saturn spread out all over the garage.
Tim of Hoover, AL (12/17/01):
I own a '95 Saturn SL-1 which I bought new. In January 1999 (only months after the 3-year warranty expired), the cylinder head cracked. I took the car in to get it fixed. The sales rep who sold me the car told me that offically Saturn wouldn't admit fault, but if I made calls, I might get assistance with the repairs. I worked my way up the chain of command at Saturn and eventually they offered to pay for labor if I paid for parts.
Later, when the company bulletin came out explaining a flaw in the mold of the cylinder head (which caused several to crack), they refunded me the remainder of the service bill. I was happy with this.
However, in December 2001 the cylinder head cracked again. After calling customer service, I found that the original crack occurred at 52,700 miles. This new crack occured at 105,000 miles. This is almost exactly the same number of miles it took to crack the first head. When I took my car to Saturn, they noticed immediatly what was wrong with the car and called their area rep for a solution. They called me a day later offering to pay parts if I pay labor.
To me, this was the same problem as before and I felt that Saturn should again be responsible for placing faulty parts in my car. They didn't see it that way stating that the bulletin authorizing replacement of the cylinder head was only good for one replacement. They also made it clear that they were under no obligation to offer the deal they were currently offering.
Saturn stated that "nobody can predict the future". I explained to them that I could given that the pattern of the two heads cracking places the odds of another head crack happening at 150,000 miles VERY likely. Saturn ended our talks by stating that there is nothing more that can be done and that (paraphrasing) I should be happy that I am getting any assistance at all. They make cars whose heads crack twice in 6 years, and I should be happy? I don't think so.
Jason of Ft. Mitchell KY (9/12/03):
I bought a 95 Saturn SC1 with 100,000 miles and also purchased a one-year powertrain warranty to accompany it. After a few weeks of driving, I noticed oil consumption at the rate of about a quart every 400 miles. I took the car to the dealership, explained the situation, and showed them the warranty. After a period of monitoring the situation, I convinced the dealership to replace the motor.
The new motor had 75,000 miles on it. It only took a week to notice the oil consumption - about a quart every 800 miles. Once again, I took the car to the dealership and flashed them the warranty. After another period of monitoring, they replaced the motor. This time the motor had only 50,000 miles on it and the oil consumption was minimal. However, that same motor is now up to about 75,000 miles and is using a quart every 500 miles. This is absurd! What is wrong with Saturn's motors?
Steve of Richmond VA (8/8/03):
My Saturn started burning oil at 72,000 miles. I had extended warranty to 75,000 miles. I noted this on the service ticket at 72,000 miles. The service dept. at Saturn did not offer to do an oil consumption test until the car got to 77,000 miles. Saturn Corp. will not cover the problem under the warranty even though the problem started while the car was still under warranty. I belive that: 1) The Saturn Warranty is not worth the paper it is printed on 2) Saturn does not want to stand behind their product.
To rebuild the engine will cost about $1800.00 - but I have yet to find someone willing to do that type of work to the engine; a new engine will range in price from about $2600.00 - $3200.00 (labor included)
Raquel of McKeesport PA (6/30/03):
I purchased a 2000 Saturn LS1 in December 20001, used with 26,000 miles on it. When it got to 36,000 miles my engine failed. They claim an oil filter caused my engine damage. I had oil changes every 3 months but since it was not done at the Saturn dealer Saturn did not help with replacing my engine. The mechanic at the dealership stated that the timing chain slipped and cracked the cylinder head. Well, they gave me and estimate of $3,000 and that was no guaranteed fix. I spoke to Saturn headquarters and I was treated very rudely because I had bought the car used.
Carole of Waveland MS (5/6/03):
Engine Oil in coolant reservoir. Diagnosis: Crack in engine head. June 1999 letter from Saturn had notified me that this could happen to my engine, and told of "...Special Policy for cylinder head coverage for a period of six years from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first." (My car exceeded the year requirement but only had 90,087 miles.) Company bulletin 99P01 explained a flaw in the cylinder head mold. No matter the years or miles, I don't think I should have to come up with big bucks to fix my car because their cylinder head mold was flawed.
Saturn Customer Service in Tennessee offered $400.00 off the charge for fixing my engine. I told them that I thought the charge of $2700 was exorbitant and the $400 offer was an insult. Saturn of Slidell estimate to replace head and related parts is $2,748.19, covered for 12 mos or 12,000 miles. Estimate to replace with a rebuilt engine is $3,231.38, covered for 3 yrs or 36,000 miles. June 1999 ltr also states that time needed to replace a cylinder head is ten hours.
In 1995 I was working when I bought my Saturn. I retired in 1998 on early, unexpected, disability retirement. I am 60 years old, single, and my income is poverty level. It would be a tremendous hardship for me to cover this cost.
Regina of Blackburn MO (12/4/01):
I bought a 1999 Saturn in April of 1999. On 9-9-00, I complained that it was burning oil. They did an oil consumption test and said it was only 1/2 quart every 1,300 miles and that, "Saturns burned a little oil." On 11-01-00, I returned with the same complaint. Another test was done and this time it burnt 1 quart, "still within normal expectations".
On 1-27-01, I took it to Wal-Mart for an oil change and they told me it was 1 quart low and that it should NOT be burning any oil. Again I spoke to Saturn who said it was normal. On 2-24-01, Wal-Mart changed my oil and had me sign a disclaimer to change it as it was again 1 quart low. On 3-24-01, I had to sign the disclaimer again for the oil change. Wal-Mart suggested I push Saturn a little harder to make the car right. I spoke to Saturn but was told nothing was wrong with the car.
On 5-4-01, I took the car to Saturn complaining that it now burnt 2-3 quarts every 3,000 miles. They continued to say it was normal but replaced a PCV hose. (This made NO difference in the amount of oil it was burning.) On 5-7-01, I contacted Ryan Laughlin of the Saturn plant in Tennessee. He said, "Saturns burn a little oil." I am paying an exorbitant payment for this vehicle and simply want it fixed. It is now out of warranty, knocks, gets poor gas mileage, has no power, and I cannot afford to trade it. Obviously, I keep up on the maintenence of this vehicle so they cannot possibly say it is my neglect or mistreatment.
I am stuck with a car thar will soon blow a rod or crack a block and its value is 1/3 of what I owe. I can not rely on it to provide transportation, and I am so SICK of Saturn blowing me off as if I knew nothing about automobiles! I love the car. I JUST WANT THEM TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND FIX IT AT THEIR EXPENSE, NOT MINE.
Andrea of Poughkeepsie NY (11/6/01):
I bought my mom's Saturn from her in 1999. It is a 1995 Saturn SL 4 door model. It started to "lose" oil about 2 weeks after I bought it. Possibly it happened before that but my mom did not notice it. I brought it into the Saturn dealership multiple times without success. Finally, the last time it was in they informed me that they believed it was bad "o" rings in my engine and the repairs would exceed $2000. I have 3 people now that I know of with the same year/type car and the EXACT same problem.
Last week I was in a car accident with my Saturn. It was a front impact accident that totalled the car and yet my air bags never deployed. I hit my head, although I had my seat belt on and thankfully was ok, no thanks to my faulty airbags.
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