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Saturn

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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

Saturn is a popular car in a low-key sort of way and has a reputation for delivering fairly good value for the money. However, before you rush right out to buy one, be aware that it is also prone to some very expensive, annoying and even dangerous shortcomings, painfully enumerated by our long-suffering readers.

Marilyn of Apollo Beach FL (09/28/06)
I bought a used 1997 Saturn SL1 for my daughter because it is suppose to be reliability, dependability and a very safe car; however, having had the car for a short time, I found out it has a transmission problem. Putting the car in reverse it hesitates and then clunks which I found out through a profession transmission shop that it has a defective body valve. The kit to fix it will be over 600 I think Saturn should be liable to fix all the issues with these transmissions since I am not the only person to have these problems.

Bob of Northglenn, CO August 22, 2006

Bob of Northglenn CO (08/22/06)
Saturn Transmission problem! 2001 SL1 with 61000 miles and just experienced the transmission issues like so many others! Reverse slam and gear change popping. This is my second and last Saturn I will ever buy!!!!

Tricia of Wildomar, CA July 28, 2006

Tricia  of Wildomar CA (07/28/06)
All service lights light up, blinkers do not work while driving, several times. First service, Saturn said nothing was wrong, second service they said a bolt was loose. It has been back at the dealer numerous times. Radio cuts out on a constant basis. The IP cluster, (Saturn's terms) has been replaced twice, the radio 3 times, the DVD player twice. I have claimed lemon law and they still are trying to avoid the real problem. I feel it is all electrical. I do have a lawyer on this case. This is my second Saturn I have owned and it will be my last. I was informed, not by Saturn, that they discontinued this vehicle, unaware if that information is true.

Gail of Durham, NC July 17, 2006

Gail of Durham NC (07/17/06)
On July 14, 2006 I went to dealership to purchase one of 2 Sky models that were available for immediate purchase. The one I chose was a model that had been on the lot since March as a demo with 4711 miles on it. There was no discount in sticker price and no mileage allowance for the miles already incurred. The used car was being sold at new car price with no extension of mfg warranty.

I had previously looked up the value of my 2003 Vue for trade in value. I was offered at least 2000 less than Kelly fair trade in value even though my car is in good condition. Was told by the manager, Mr. Gilmore that they only offer 110% of fair value regardless of condition, then deduct for any reconditioning and repairs that need to be made. When I questioned this I was told perhaps this is not the vehicle for you.

My concern is that they are deceiving the public by stating they are not going up on the sticker price of a car that is in limited production but then turn around and offer much less than fair market value on your trade-in vehicle. This is a deceptive business practice and not at all what I would expect from a company that has built its reputation on honest customer service.

Bob of Lakeside, AZ July 3, 2006

Bob  of Lakeside AZ (07/03/06)
We took our new 2005 Saturn relay to the dealership for an oil change. We live 3 1/2 hours away in a small town in the mountains. On the way home it wouldn't drive any faster than 45 mph. We arrived home late that night. Next day when I backed out of the garage I saw oil on the garage floor. I called Saturn and they advised me to take it to a garage in our town. We did. It had 14 quarts of oil in it. It holds 5. They towed our van to their dealership and kept it a week and a half. When it was retuned we were handed a receipt for the work. One of the listed items was the engine being cleaned. I looked under the hood. It looked exactly as it did when they towed it away, like the seals and gaskets exploded - oil everywhere. I called them and asked if they really did anything. I'm getting nowhere. No-where.

Bryan of Arlington, MA June 5, 2006

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