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Saturn Engine Problems

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Saturn • Aura • Vue --- • Engine problems • Transmission problems • Airbags • Ignition interlock • Oozing goo • Miscellaneous woes • The Shamrock Saturn --- Recalls/News • Penske Scraps Plan to Buy Saturn; Brand Likely to Die • Penske Hopes to Drive Saturn Off GM's Lot • Saturn Climbing the Roadway to Heaven • Saturn Aura Gets a 5,000-Mile Road Test • NHTSA Probes Timing Chain Again • NHTSA Recalls Saturn L Series • NHTSA Probes Saturn Timing Chain Failures • Saturn Astra Named Safest Car Under $25,000 • Saturn Outlook Gets Top Marks from Consumer Reports • Saturn Targets Toyota, Honda for Side-by-Side Tests • Saturn Sky Prices Go Sky High • Saturn VUE Recalled • L-Series Cars Recalled

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 February 20, 2008

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 February 19, 2008

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 February 18, 2008

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 February 12, 2008

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 February 9, 2008

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