2001 SATURN LS Electrical System Problems

82 complaints about Electrical System

82
Complaints
2
Crashes
12
Fires
2
Deaths

High Severity Issue

This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.

This Problem Across All Years

All Electrical System Complaints (82)

Oct 20, 2017

WELL FIRST MY ENGINE CONTROL MONITOR IS SENDING A BUNCH OF RANDOM OFF CODES FROM MA'S AIR SENSOR VOL LOW TO CRANKSHAFT SENSOR VOLUME LOW TO O2 SENSORS TO TRANSMISSION CODES, MY SIDE AIRBAG ON DRIVER SIDE BLUE UP OUT OF NO WERE MY KEY FOB STOPPED READING AND NOW MY CAR WON'T START I KNOW ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'S SENDING OFF CODES FOR CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND O2 SENSORS I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE ECM IT'S A VERY EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT THAT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON FAILURE IT'S DANGERS AND DEFECTIVE.MY CAR LOCKED UP IN MIDDLE OF I BUSY INTERSECTION DO TO THESE CODES AND LOW VOLTAGE READINGS MY NAME IS [XXX] I LIVE AT [XXX] MY #[XXX] ACCIDENT DATE 10/17/2017 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 176,000

Jul 29, 2017

THE SATURN L SERIES WHEN FILLED WITH GASOLINE WILL STALL CAUSING IMMINENT HARM TO THE DRIVER, PASSENGERS, AND ANY OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD. IN ADDITION, THE DASHBOARD AT NIGHT IS SO DIM THAT IT CANNOT BE SEEN BY THE DRIVER. THERE ARE SEVERAL ELECTRICAL FAILURES INVOLVING THIS VEHICLE.

Sep 26, 2016

IGNITION PROBLEMS WITH ONLY 88,000 MILESDOES MY CAR FIT THE GM RECALL.

Mileage: 88,000

Jul 11, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L100 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS STUCK IN THE ACCESSORY MODE AND WOULD NOT SHIFT TO THE LOCKED POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, BUT THE ACCESSORY MODE WAS STILL ENGAGED. AS A RESULT, THE DOORS ON THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. ...UPDATED 08/15/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. UPDATED 08/17/16.*JB

Mileage: 92,000

Nov 4, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE IGNITION KEY DISENGAGED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

Mileage: 147,000

Jun 25, 2014 Crash Fire

MY DAUGHTER [XXX] WAS THE PASSENGER AND [XXX] WAS DRIVER. THE KIDS WENT FOR DRIVE AND WERE FOUND THE NEXT EARLY MORNING AROUND 6AM. THE CAR WAS SO BURNED AND DESTROYED THE KIDS COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED, AND ALL WHO WERE THERE QUESTIONED THE STRAIGHT TIRE TRACKS WITHOUT ANY CORRECTION OR OVER CORRECTION IN THE STEERING OF TIRE TRACKS, NO BRAKING IN THE COUNTY ROAD TRACKS, AND WITH FRACTURE AND DAMAGE OF THE SKULL AREA WE LATER WERE TOLD THAT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED! THE TRACKS WERE APPROX 150 YRDS LONG AND WENT AT AN ANGLE OF PERFECTION GRADUALLY POINTING TOWARDS A RAVINE THAT WOULD END BOTH OF THE KIDS LIVES. WE SENT A FORENSIC SPECIALIST TO LOOK AT CAR 2 MONTHS LATER AND WAS TOLD TO SAVE OUR MONEY ON FULL REPORT BECAUSE THE SPECIALIST SAID THE CAR WAS SO DESTROYED HE COULDN'T MAKE HEADS OR TAILS AS TO A CASE AGAINST GM. WITH NEW EVIDENCE ON GM THERE IS NO DOUBT TO ANYONE AT CRASH SITE AS TO WHAT HAPPENED! THE IGNITION SWITCH TESTIMONIALS WE HAVE SEEN AND READ BY SURVIVORS SPELL OUT WHAT HAPPENED IN THE 01CAR SATURN THAT DAY THAT CLAIMED MY DAUGHTER [XXX] LIFE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 30,000

Jun 16, 2014 Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN LS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE CRUISE CONTROL INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE; HOWEVER, THE FOLLOWING DAY WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

May 12, 2014 Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN LS200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE SWITCH THEN BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE AND SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 221,744.

Mileage: 221,744

Apr 11, 2014

I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS RECALL ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VEHICLE, MOST OF THESE ISSUES ARE SAFETY RELATED. THIS AUTO IS MY SOLE MEANS OF TRANSPORT. I HAVE A 2 MONTH OLD GRANDSON WHO LIVES WITH ME, AND I HAVE NO CLUE IF ANY OF THESE RECALL ISSUES HAVE BEEN RECTIFIED, ASIDE FROM THE "BRAKE LAMPS ADAPTER" WHICH HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. I HAVE NO BRAKE LIGHTS EXCEPT FOR THE ROOFLINE ANTI-COLLISION LAMPS. REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO GET A HARD COPY OF RECALL ITEMS AS BEING FIXED, HAVE BEEN MET WITH NO RESPONSE. I SPOKE TO A GM REP, WHO TOLD ME THE ISSUES WERE OVER 10 YEARS AND TO FILE A SUIT IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT. I HAVE NO MONEY TO DO THE WORK ORDERED BY THE FED, VIA NHTSA. THE TAILLAMPS ARE DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR (AS THE INSERT WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THIS VEHICLE) THE AIRBAGS, HAVE EITHER TWO TIMES THE "GENERANT" OR NO GENERANT AT ALL. I REPLACED THE ORIGINAL IGNITION COIL, OUT OF POCKET $165.00. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW GM CAN BE ALLOWED TO SKIRT/IGNORE RECALL ISSUES, AND THIS ONGOING BS, IS TAKING AWAY TIME THAT COULD BE BETTER SPENT. GOD HELP SOMEONE AT GM, IF I AM INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND MY GRANDSON IS IN ANY WAY HURT, AS A RESULT OF GM'S "[XXX]" ATTITUDE. I AM A DISABLED VIETNAM VETERAN (USARMY 101ST ABN DVN) AND MY PATIENCE IS FAST WANING! I WRITE TO YOU IN HOPES OF GETTING THESE ISSUES RESOLVED, OR AM I WASTING MY TIME, AS I'M BEGINNING TO BELIEVE. A WRITTEN RESPONSE WOULD BE OF SOME COMFORT, AS I'LL KNOW THAT SOMEONE BOTHERED TO READ MY RUNNING DIATRIBE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATED 9/25/2014 *JS

Mileage: 106,000

Mar 26, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN LW300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

Mileage: 145,000

Mar 15, 2014 Fire

I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, A FIRE IN THE RESONATOR AND 4 OR 5 TIMES WHERE THE CAR JUST STOPS RUNNING AND I'M NOT ABLE TO GET IT TO START AGAIN FOR A WHILE. THE CAR HAS ACCELERATED WHEN MY FOOT WAS NOT EVEN ON THE PEDDLE MAKING ME GO 65 IN 30 WITH NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO HAD TIMES WHERE THE GAS PEDDLE WAS STUCK AND I WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DOWN EVEN WHEN SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES. AT STOP LIGHTS THE WHEELS KEEP SPINNING WHEN MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR MOVES INTO THE INTERSECTION. *TR

Feb 7, 2014

2ND OWNER OF VEHICLE, TAIL LAMPS HAD OVER HEATING ISSUE, NHTSA ISSUED RECALL ON 2 JUNE 2005, SATURN REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, SAYING AUTO IS TO OLD. DATE FOR FIXING ISSUE IS 10 YEARS FROM DATE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED. WAS TOLD BY A SATURN "CUSTOMER CARE REP." THAT ADAPTERS WERE INSTALLED IN FEB 2009. AUTO WASN'T REGISTERED IN 2009, AND NO ADAPTERS HAVE EVER BEEN INSTALLED. I AM A DISABLED VIETNAM VETERAN LIVING ON A VERY MEAGER MONTHLY INCOME AND CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE THESE LAMPS. I AM DRIVING THIS AUTO WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS, ASIDE FROM ANTI-COLLISION LAMP AT TOP OF REAR WINDSHIELD. I HOPE THIS LETTER HAS MORE IMPACT THAN I'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE, AS OF TODAY. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

May 18, 2013

THE SECURITY SYSTEM IN MY 2001 SATURN L100 IS DEFECTIVE, AS MANY OTHER VEHICLES OF THIS MODEL AND YEAR ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER CONSULTING WITH "CUSTOMER SERVICE REP" (HA!HA!) TOLD TO TAKE THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP & TECHNICIANS WILL RESET THE SECURITY SYSTEM. THIS IS A CRAFTSMANSHIP ISSUE CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE ITEM. GENERAL MOTORS HAS LOST A LONGTIME "BE AMERICAN~ BUY AMERICAN" CAR BUYER. THIS IS THEFT PLAIN AND SIMPLE! *TR

Mileage: 158,000

Aug 29, 2012 Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000. ..UPDATED 09-26-12 *BF UPDATED 10/01/2012 *JS

Mileage: 109,000

Jul 26, 2012

THE SECURITY LIGHT BLINKS CONSTANTLY ALL NIGHT LONG RUNNING DOWN MY BATTERY IN TURN THE CAR WONT START , I HAVE HAD THE BCM REPLACED WHICH THE DEALER SAID WAS BAD , HAVE HAD BATTERY REPLACED AND STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ONE TECH. SAYS THE LIGHT IS SUPPOSE TO BLINK ALL NIGHT ANOTHER ELECTRICAL TECH SAYS IT NOT THE MANUAL SAY IT WILL BLINK TWICE TO LET YOU KNOW IT IS ARMED. IT HAS COST ME A THOUSAND DOLLARS ALREADY AND THE CAR IS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 173,000

Jun 3, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS FRACTURED AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

Jan 10, 2011

THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT (LITERALLY) THE DAY I TOOK IT HOME I MADE IT HALF WAY THERE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON !! IT WAS RAINING. SO I TOOK IT BACK AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG RESET THE LIGHT AND SENT MEN HOME. IT DROVE OKAY FOR ANOTHER TWO DAYS (NOT RAINING OUTSIDE) UNTIL THE THIRD DAY (AGAIN RAINING) I STARTED IT UP AND DROVE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND IT RAN REALLY ROUGH, SO AGAIN I GO BACK TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG AND AGAIN RESET THE LIGHT AND SAID HAVE A NICE DAY. I THEN PROCEEDED TO MY NEAREST AUTO PARTS STORE AND PICKED UP MY OWN SCANNER AND CHECKED IT MYSELF AND FOUND IT TO BE THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT THEY COULD FIX IT OR KEEP IT AS I WASN'T GOING TO LIVE WITH THIS LIGHT IN MY DASH. THEY DID FIX IT AFTER A HEATED ARGUMENT AND A CALL TO GENERAL MOTORS CANADA. WAY TO GO GUYS !! NO WONDER YOU WENT BANKRUPT. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

Jan 10, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L 200. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH UPHILL WHEN THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ABNORMAL REDUCTION OF ENGINE POWER. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE EXHAUST BECAME ABNORMALLY LOUD. THE CONTACT INQUIRED WITH THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V231000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE) BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

Aug 18, 2010

MY BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE AGAIN GONE OUT AT THE SAME TIME. LAST TIME THE MECHANIC STATED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 88,000

Jul 19, 2010

I HAVE A 2001 SATURN L300 I BOUGHT THE CAR 5 MONTHS AGO 2 WEEKS AFTER THE PURCHASE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC WHICH IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH SATURN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOTHING (I THINK PARTIALLY IN PART BECAUSE I AM A FEMALE) BY THE WAY I WAS GIVEN A 2 WEEK WARRANTY LOL! ABOUT A MONTH OR TWO AGO I NOTICED THAT I WOULD GO TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD BE DEAD. LATER I REALIZED MY LIGHTS WERE STAYING ON AFTER I TURNED THEM OFF. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT RETURNS SO I TAKE IT TO AUTOZONE TO BE DIAGNOSED ONLY TO FIND OUT I HAD 18 CODES! FOR A LITTLE OVER A MONTH NOW I HAVE HAD TO JUMP MY CAR WITH EACH START FEARING I WILL CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW LAST NIGHT I JUMP MY CAR AND KNOW THE BATTERY AND ABC BREAK LIGHT APPEARS CAUSING MY CAR TO LOSE POWER WHILE IN TRAFFIC AND FOR THE LIGHTS THAT DO NOT WANT TO CEASE TO FLASH ON AND OFF AT INCOMING MOTORISTS WITH MY BRIGHTS I REALLY DON'T WANT TO CAUSE SOMEONE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO SATURN FAULTY CARS AND ITS SYSTEM. NUMEROUS WEBSITES I'VE VISITED CONSULTING THIS ISSUE HAVE MANY OTHER PURCHASERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND MUTUAL COMPLAINT WITH THE TARDINESS OF SATURNS ACTION TO RESPOND PROMPTLY AND EFFECTIVELY. I AM TRULY OUTRAGEOUS AT THIS MATTER AND TO CONTINUE TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON THIS POORLY STRUCTURED VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

May 9, 2010

MY 2001 L200 SATURN HAD A PROBLEM WITH DASH LIGHTS/AND GAUGES DIMMING AND AT TIMES I HAD NO INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS....IT ENDED UP BEING A MAIN MODULE WHICH COST ME $595. SEEMS LIKE READING ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE THEY HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. I THINK THIS IS A SATURN PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THIS FOR FREE. I HAVE REPLACED THE STEERING BOX, STRUTS FRONT/REAR...STABILIZER REAR BAR, CATALYTIC CONVERTER TWICE.....I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS CAR. I HAVE PUT MORE MONEY IN THIS THAN MY OTHER TWO SATURN'S WHICH I HAD ONLY NORMAL THINGS; TIRES, BRAKES, ETC. I WISH I HAD NEVER BOUGHT THIS 3RD ONE. *TR

Apr 23, 2010

CRACKED BATTERY CASE THUS CAUSING ACID LEAKAGE WHICH CAUSED A BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE BOLT TO CORRODE. THUS SHORTING OUT THE ODOMETER. DO A WEB SEARCH AND YOU WILL FIND OTHER SATURN OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. SEEING THEM MADE ME ENTER THIS COMPLAINT. *TR

Mileage: 51,300

Mar 15, 2010

I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASED THIS USED 2001 SATURN IN 2001. I HAVE PUT 2 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, STEERING RACK, STABILIZER BAR, FRONT STRUTS, HAD A HEAD GASKET MAJOR PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED TWO OTHER NEW SATURN'S WITH NO PROBLEMS...I AM ROUGHLY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS CAR. ALSO MY DASH LIGHTS DIMMED WHEN SECURITY LIGHT FLASHED ON AND WHEN THAT HAPPENED ALSO MY TEMP GAUGE AND GAS GAUGE WOULD GO FROM RIGHT TO LEFT AND THEN BACK QUICKLY. I HAD TO HAVE A MODULAR REPLACED. AGAIN, I AM SOOOOO DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS CAR. WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNING THIS I HAD TWO INLINE FUEL FILTERS AS THE CAR JUST STOPPED WHILE DRIVING...SPEED WENT DOWN AND DOWN AND NOTHING. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS *TR

Dec 21, 2009

I REPLACED THE HEATER CONTROL SWITCH, BLOWER MOTOR, AND RESISTOR DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE HEATER BLOWER WOULD NOT WORK. AFTER DOING ALL THE ABOVE, THE HEATER STILL DID NOT WORK. IT APPEARS THAT THE WIRING HARNESS BEHIND THE HEATER CONTROL WAS THE PROBLEM. TWO OF THE PRONGS IN THE WHITE PLUG WERE BURNT AND DID NOT ALLOW THE DC ELECTRIC CURRENT TO GO INTO THE HEATER CONTROL UNIT. IT IS LUCKY THAT THE FAN WENT OUT BEFORE IT HAD CAUGHT FIRE. THERE ARE TWO CHILDREN WHO RIDE IN THE CAR, ONE 5 YEARS OLD AND ONE 9 YEARS OLD. I WAS SURPRISED THAT THE 40 AMP FUSE DID NOT BLOW EVEN THOUGH THE CIRCUIT KEPT COMING ON AND OFF. WE HAD ALREADY CHANGED THE ENGINE 3-4 YEARS AGO BECAUSE THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND SATURN WOULD NOT FIX. *TR

Nov 17, 2009

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEATER CONTROL SWITCH TWO TIMES OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS. THERE APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS OVERHEATING AT THE WHITE CLIP (WHERE IT PLUGS INTO THE HEATER CONTROL UNIT. IF LEFT UNDETECTED, IT MELTS THE PLASTIC OF THE SWITCH MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SWITCH FROM HI TO LOW. RESEARCH ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL DOES NOT INDICATE A RECALL, HOWEVER, I FOUND AN INDICATION THAT SATURN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS MADE REPAIRS TO CORRECT THE SITUATION. I AM CONCERNED THIS MAY EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE HAZARD, IF NOT THAT THEN A COSTLY REPAIR. I HAVE REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR, BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR AND HEATER CONTROL UNIT. COULD COST NEARLY $1000.00 BASED ON ESTIMATES THROUGH DEALERSHIP. *TR

Aug 15, 2009

I OWN A 2001 SATURN L200 SERIES TIMING CHAIN BROKE FOR NO REASON OR WARNING GOING 50 MPH ALMOST HIT SATURN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE TIMING CHAIN. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

Mar 12, 2009

I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 SATURN AND IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS RUNNING OKAY. I STOPPED AT MY DAUGHTERS HOUSE TO PICK HER UP FOR AN APPOINTMENT AND WHEN I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR IT WOULD NOT START. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID THE TIMING CHAIN WAS BAD. MY CAR HAS ABOUT 60,000 MILES ON IT. I CANNOT GIVE THE EXACT AMOUNT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THE CAR IS SITTING AT SATURN OF BOISE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP, BECAUSE I READ ABOUT THE RECALL OF 2001 SATURN'S FOR TIMING CHAIN ISSUES AND THEY SAID THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP ME. WELL, THEY SAID IT WAS MY FAULT THE TIMING CHAIN WENT OUT OF IT, BECAUSE THE OIL HAD NOT BEEN CHANGED OFTEN ENOUGH. THAT IS UNTRUE, BUT MY HUSBAND CHANGES THE OIL EVERY 6000 MILES OR LESS, BUT I DO NOT HAVE ANY "RECORDS" SHOWING THIS BECAUSE HE IS THE ONE TO CHANGE THE OIL. THEY SAID THAT IT HAD PROBABLY SLAPPED THE VALVES, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS NOT BROKEN SO I HAD TO GET THE ENGINE REPLACED AND THEY COULD DO IT FOR ONLY $3100. I AM HAVING THE CAR TOWED HOME AND WILL HAVE A LOCAL MECHANIC CHANGE THE TIMING CHAIN. I AM GLAD THAT I WAS STOPPED WHEN IT QUIT WORKING, BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. MY LOCAL MECHANICS SAID THAT THE CHAIN SHOULD NOT HAVE GIVEN OUT SO SOON AS I ONLY DRIVE THIS CAR 8 OR SO MILES PER WORKDAY. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

Feb 5, 2009

IGNITION MODULE WILL NOT RELEASE THE KEY. IT REMOVES PART WAY BUT APPEARS TO BE STUCK. TRIED OBVIOUS REMEDIES LIKE LUBRICATION WITH NO POSITIVE RESULT. CURRENTLY I CANNOT REMOVE THE KEY. *TR

Mileage: 61,281

Feb 4, 2009

ELECTRICAL ISSUES - ISSUES BEGAN WITH DIMMING DASHBOARD AND CONTINUED TO WORSEN. USING POWER WINDOW ONE MORNING EVERYTHING BEGAN FLICKERING ON THE DASH BOARD INCLUDING ALL MSG LIGHTS AND BACK OFF AGAIN. THE CAR SEEMED TO RUN FINE AND THE RADIO DIDN'T DIE. INITIAL THOUGHT WAS ALTERNATOR WAS TELLING ME THAT I WAS ABOUT TO BE STRANDED 175 MILES FROM HOME. DRIVING FURTHER ANY BLINKER I HIT WOULD CREATE SAME REACTION, THE LAST TIME THE CAR SEEMED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE WHILE TRAVELING AT 65MPH. PARKED CAR AT MY ENDING DESTINATION AND TOOK TWO TIMES TO START BACK UP. BCM SEEMS TO BE THE CULPRIT AS I'VE SEEN ABOUT 1000 POSTS FROM L200 OWNERS WITH SAME ISSUE AND COSTING 400-600. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH SATURN WOULD NOT OR SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CHARGE FOR THIS ISSUE IF THIS IS ONE OF THE MANY ON THE LIST OF PROBLEMS. THIS IS NOT ETHICAL AND IN THIS TIME, VERY UNFORTUNATE THEY WOULD TREAT CUSTOMERS LIKE THIS AND GENERATE REVENUE FROM A FAULTY CAR TO BEGIN WITH. *TR

Mileage: 89,337

Jan 6, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND DROVE INTO A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE, BUT THEY WERE UNSURE IF IT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATES, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V231000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION MODULE) ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2003. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

Nov 8, 2008

THE HORN HAS STOPPED TO SOUND, THE FUSE WAS REPLACED AND THE HORN WAS PRESSED AND THE FUSE BLEW AGAIN. THERE IS NO HORN ON THE VEHICLE NOW CAUSING IT TO BE VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS DEER HAVE RUN OUR IN FRONT OF ME WHILE DRIVING AND HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT BY A CAR THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS WHICH COULD BE PREVENTED OR NOTICED WITH A HORN. *TR

Mileage: 141,000

Sep 4, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE LEFT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE, REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN A HILL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 10/03/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE KEY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE REMOVED WITH THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE. UPDATED 10/07/08. *JB

Mileage: 67,000

May 28, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT DIM. IN 2007, SHE HAD HER AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM SERVICED, BUT IT CONTINUED TO FAIL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE FAILURE WAS FINALLY CORRECTED. MOST RECENTLY, AS THE TEMPERATURE BECAME HOTTER IN HER STATE, THE AIR CONDITIONING FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE IN THE AIR CONDITIONING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER REGARDING A TIMING BELT RECALL. AFTER DISCUSSING THE FAILURES WITH THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY REPAIR THE AIR BAG FAILURE IF SHE REPAIRED THE ISSUE WITH THE ALTERNATOR. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,857 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,757.

Mileage: 86,757

May 23, 2008

IGNITION SWITCH IN ALL SATURN CARS IF FAULTY AND HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO LOCKING UP WHETHER DRIVING, STARTING OR TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PART. WHERE AS MANY CONSUMERS HAVE PARADED THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. INSTEAD IT IS A $150-$300 REPLACEMENT CHARGE DEPENDING ON LOCATION AND VEHICLE. *TR

Apr 21, 2008 Fire

THE BLINKER / LIGHT HANDLE ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH ALSO CONTROLS THE BRIGHT LIGHTS. WHEN I TURN THE BLINKER ON EITHER TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, THE BRIGHT LIGHTS COME ON, AND CAUSES THE BLINKER ELECTRICAL WIRING TO ARC AND CAUSE A SMALL FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA, WHICH EMITS SMOKE INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE, ALSO AN ODOR OF BURNING WIRES. AT ONE POINT THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE IN THAT AREA, WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO PULL OVER AND BLOW OUT MANUALLY (DO NOT HAVE A PLACE FOR A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN THE VEHICLE). EVER SINCE THAT DAY, IT HAS DONE THIS, ARCING AND CAUSING THE SMOKE IN THE CABIN. ONE TIME ONLY HAS IT FLARED UP WITH VISIBLE FLAMES AND IT DID NOT DESTROY THE VEHICLE, NOR CAUSED ANY OTHER DAMAGE OF ANY SORT. HOWEVER IT STILL DOES CAUSE THE ARCING IN THE WIRING AND CAUSE THE SMOKE TO FILL PART OF CABIN. *TR

Mileage: 114,000

Apr 21, 2008

2001 SATURN L300 WON'T START, AFTER SEVERAL REPAIRS INCLUDING REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP, IT STILL WON'T START. AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED, CAN'T STILL FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 78,714

Nov 26, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L300. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND BOTH THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING BECAUSE THE BATTERY WAS LOSING POWER. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AND THEN THEY WOULD TRY TO ASSIST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63,642. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABOVE STATEMENT IS NOT WHAT SHE SAID. WHILE DRIVING, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER FAILED AT THE SAME TIME. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE HAS HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY WHICH RESULTED IN THE BCM MODULE BEING REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BATTERY DIED 2 DAYS AFTER THE INCIDENT. UPDATED 12/12/07

Mileage: 63,642

Nov 1, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HEARD A PERSISTENT KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FLICKERED WHEN SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 77,535.

Mileage: 77,535

Sep 28, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L300. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SENSOR FAILED AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE RECURRENCE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,435 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

Mileage: 63,000

Jul 16, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L100. WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SATURN DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN, ALTERNATOR, AND BATTERY WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 83,000.

Mileage: 83,000

Jul 16, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L100. WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SATURN DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN, ALTERNATOR, AND BATTERY WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 83,000.

Mileage: 83,000

Jun 6, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN LS2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, A STREAM OF SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FIRST TIME WAS TWO WEEKS AGO AND THE MOST RECENT WAS ON JUNE 5, 2007. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S HIGH BEAMS ILLUMINATE WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED AND THE DAY TIME RUNNING LAMPS AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS FLASH INTERCHANGEABLY. THE PURCHASE DATE, ENGINE SIZE, AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56,979. UPDATED 09/05/07. *JB

Mileage: 56,979

Jun 6, 2007

2001 SATURN L 200 SERIES CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND THEN AFTER GETTING A BOOSTER THE CAR STARTED SMOKING AND SPARKS CAME OUT OF THE IGNITION AREA**CC THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD BURNED OUT DUE TO THE STARTER BEING STUCK. THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE BURNED OUT STARTER, IGNITION SWITCH, IGNITION HOUSING AND IGNITION CYLINDER. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE BATTERY WOULD NOT HOLD A CHARGE, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON, THE DEALER FOUND A CODE AND THE BCM HAD TO BE RECALIBRATED. THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED. THE AIR CONDITION WAS INOPERABLE, THE DEALER STATED THE AC CONTROL HAD SHORTED OUT. *JB

May 10, 2007

2001 SATURN L200 CUSTOMER IS DISAPPOINTED AND CONCERNED ABOUT RECALLED IGNITION CONTROL MODULE THAT FAILED 35,000 MILES AFTER BEING REPLACED**CC THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THE RECALL PART WAS NO BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL PART. THE LEFT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE AND THE REAR GUIDE WAS MIS-ALIGNED. *JB

Mileage: 64,950

Feb 1, 2007

2001 SATURN L300. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. BOTH OXYGEN SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND WHEN IT DOES I NOTICE THAT THE CAR "JUMPS" WHEN ACCELERATING (LIKE THE TRANSMISSION MAKING A NOISE BUT ONLY WHEN THIS LIGHT COMES ON OTHER TIMES IT'S OK. *NM

Mileage: 75,000

Oct 13, 2006

2001 SATURN 200L KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN ENGINE, STEERING SHOOK VIGOROUSLY WHILE DRIVING. *TS WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, ON THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND PULL TO THE RIGHT. THERE WAS ALSO A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONSUMER ASSUMER THE PROBLEM WOULD RESOLVE ITSELF BUT IT DIDN'T. TWO WEEKS LATER THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WA TAKEN TOT HE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WHEEL BALANCING. THE ADJUSTMENT WERE MADE AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TOT HE CONSUMER. ABOUT A MONTH LATER THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER WHO EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY FEATURE. SEVERAL MONTHS WENT BY AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR. SOMEONE SUGGESTED TOT HE CONSUMER THAT SHE NEEDED A NEW STARTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER . ONCE AGAIN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO NOT START. THE DEALER FINALLY REPLACED THE STARTER. THE VEHICLE TIE ROD EVENTUALLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THAT WAS THE NOISE THE CONSUMER HEARD WHEN SHE FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. ON DAY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUDDEN LOST ALL POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN. NONE OF THESE FAILURES WERE COVERED BY THE VEHICLE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED YHE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. *NM

Sep 6, 2006

ODOMETER SUDDENLY BEGAN DISPLAYING ONLY MILEAGE 694978 WITH NO MILES REGISTERED UNDER THE TRIP ODOMETER. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED. (THIS FOLLOWS HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE DUE TO THE FAILED TIMING CHAIN WITH ONLY 48000 MILES ON THE ENGINE.) THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 51300 MILES, SINCE I CANNOT READ THE ACTUAL MILEAGE AT THIS POINT. *NM

Mileage: 51,040

Aug 10, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND TURNING A CORNER THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE TIMING CHAIN FRACTURED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO TWO CYLINDER HEADS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN AND CYLINDER HEADS. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 09/13/06.*JB

Mileage: 87,630

May 3, 2006

BREAK LIGHTS IN THE 2001 SATURN L200 BURN OUT FUSES. THERE IS A SHORT THAT AFTER CORRECTING AND BUYING NEW FUSED AND NEW LAMPS KEEPS GOING OUT AGAIN AND BLOWING FUSES. *JB

Mileage: 72,000

Apr 3, 2006

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORTS OUT DURING NORMAL OPERATION, CAUSING TURN SIGNALS NOT TO WORK. OTHER SYMPTOM IS THAT RADIO HAS INTERFERENCE WHEN TURN SIGNAL USED. AFTER FIVE DAYS OF NON-USE, CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL AND TECHNICIAN WHO PROVIDED JUMP START SAID IT APPEARS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT SINCE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WERE BOTH WORKING. THIS CAR HAS ALREADY RECEIVED THE RECALL WORK FROM OCTOBER 2005 BUT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES SINCE THAT WORK WAS DONE. *NM

Mar 29, 2006 Crash

ON MARCH 17, 2006, MY WIFE AND I RETURNED HOME FROM SUPPER AROUND 8:45 PM. AT APPROXIMATELY 9:00 PM, I HEARD A CRASH OUTSIDE. I SOON DISCOVERED THAT OUR SATURN HAD ROLLED OUT OF THE GARAGE AND INTO OUR NEIGHBORS YARD ACROSS THE ROAD. UPON INSPECTION INSIDE THE CAR, I DISCOVERED THE CAR WAS NOT IN PARK, YET THE IGNITION SYSTEM HAD ALLOWED ME TO REMOVE THE KEY. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY FAILURE. NO CAR SHOULD ALLOW A KEY TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WITHOUT THE CAR BEING IN PARK. AS YET, THE FAILURE HASN'T BEEN CORRECTED SINCE THE CAR IS STILL AT THE BODY SHOP.*JB

Mileage: 71,500

Jan 19, 2006

NUMEROUS PROBLEMS SINCE DAY 1 OF OWNERSHIP. TODAY THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME & REMAINED ON, THE GAS GAUGE WOULDN'T MOVE NOR WOULD THE TEMP. GAUGE. THE ODOMETER WENT TO ZERO. WIPED ALL MILEAGE OUT. CAR IS A LEMON AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. SCARED TO DRIVE IT. *JB

Mileage: 67,000

Nov 24, 2005

SATURN LW300 CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILURE (3/05) - REPLACED BODY CONTROL MODULE FAILURE (11/05) - REPLACED MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILURE (11/05) - REPLACED OIL COOLER LEAK (11/05) - RESEALED BATTERY FAILURE (JUST OVER 1 YEAR OLD, 11/05) - REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *JB

Mileage: 74,300

Nov 9, 2005

I BOUGHT A USED 2001 SATURN L300 WITH 34000 MILES ON IT IN GOOD CONDITION. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE FROM DAY ONE. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM THAT I HAVE HAD IS FAILURE TO START. RIGHT NOW MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP AT THE SATURN DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE THE CRANK SENSOR. THEY SAY THIS IS THE REASON WHY IT IS NOT STARTING. LAST TIME THEY FIXED MY CAR IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE SECURITY SYSTEM. I'M TIRED OF ALL THE GAMES. MY CAR HAS HAD A PROBLEM STARTING OFF AND ON THE DAY I BOUGHT IT AND IT SEEMS TO BE A DIFFERENT EXCUSE EVERY TIME. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT NOT JUST I BUT MANY MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME YEAR/MAKE/MODEL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. HOW STRANGE! THERE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL ON THIS OR AT LEAST AN INVESTIGATION, BUT I HAVE YET TO FIND IT ON THE WEB. $200 I MUST NOW PAY TO 'HOPEFULLY' FIX THIS PROBLEM. *NM

Apr 28, 2005

TOOK 2001 SATURN L-200 IN FOR CATALITIC CONVERTOR REPAIR AND WHEN I WENT TO PICK THE VEHICLE UP I COULD NOT LEAVE IN IT AS THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD LOCKED UP WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND I COULD NOT PICK UP UNTIL THEY INSTALLED A NEW IGNITION SWITCH AT THE COST OF $300.00. THE PEOPLE AT THE DEALERSHIP WERE AS PERPLEXED AS I OVER THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 71,140

Apr 5, 2005

TIE ROD END- DRIVERS SIDE. LSO HAVE PROBLEM WITH LEFT BRAKE LIGHT- REPLACED BULB AND KEEPS GOING OUT IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP NOW ENGINE AND COIL PACK BLOWN-- ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON TO ALERT OF IMPENDING PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 70,068

Jan 31, 2005

AFTER INSERTING IGNITION KEY, THE CYLINDER WOULD NOT TURN THEREFORE NOT ALLOWING THE CAR TO START. TRIED THE SPARE KEY, BUT NO DIFFERENCE. ABLE TO REMOVE KEY AND LUBRICATE IGNITION CYLINDER WITH GRAPHITE. WAS ABLE TO START CAR 1 OUT OF 5 TRIES. CALLED DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING FAILURE. IN ORDER TO TEMPORARILY FIX WAS TOLD TO "JIGGLE" THE STEERING WHEEL AND LUBRICATE CYLINDER. IN ORDER TO PROPERLY FIX WOULD NEED TO REPLACE IGNITION WITH NEW KEYS.*AK

Mileage: 37,000

Jan 25, 2005

PETITION FOR DEFECT INVESTIGATION INTO 2000-2002 SATURN L-SERIES LEFT-HAND TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLIES. *BF THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES. EACH TIME THE CIRCUIT BOARD AT THE LIGHT SOCKET CONTACT HAD STARTED TO MELT/CORRODE, WHICH CREATED A GAP IN THE CONTACT. *JB

Nov 15, 2004

THE HEADLIGHTS, DASHBOARD INSTRUMENTATION, AND DOME LIGHT OF THIS AUTOBILE ARE CONSTANTLY DIMMING AND BRIGHTENING (FLICKERING). THIS IS MAKING NIGHT TIME DRIVING EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. SATURN HAS ISSUED TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN 04-08-42-001 IN FEBRUARY 2004 STATING THAT THIS IS A "NORMAL OPERATING CHARACTERISTIC". I BELIEVE IT IS A PRESENT DANGER AND COULD ALSO BE A SIGN OF A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Mileage: 35,000

Nov 3, 2004 Fire

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE( 03C06) REPLACEMENT IGNITION SWITCH. WHILE DRIVING,THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE DRIVER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE DRIVER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR A APPOINTMENT AND INSPECTION. THE DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED AFTER THE RECALL WAS FIXED. *JB *SC

Oct 27, 2004

NOTICED MY ALARM REMOTE KEY WAS BECOMING ULTRA SENSITIVE AND JUST FIGURED THE SMALL WATCH-LIKE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SHORTLY AFTERWARD ON THE SAME DAY I REALIZED MY INTERIOR DOME LIGHT WAS DIMMING AND MY ENGINE MADE A LOUD WRENCHING NOISE UPON THE INITIAL START. UPON LEAVING MY PLACE OF DESTINATION THE SAME EVENING I WAS UNABLE TO START MY CAR AT ALL. I FIGURED THE BATTERY HAD DIED SO I HAD A FRIEND GIVE ME A JUMP TO NO AVAIL. MY CAR WOULD TURN OVER AND AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF LESS THAN TWO SECONDS LATER. THIS FURTHER VALIDATED THAT I MOST LIKELY DIDN'T HAVE A STARTER ISSUE ON MY HANDS. THE OTHER PECULIAR THING IS THAT I NOTICED MY CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK SO I COULD PUT IT IN NEUTRAL FOR THE INEVITABLE TOW THAT FOLLOWED. THIS LEFT ME CONCERNED, AND MUCH TO MY DISMAY THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT MY BCM (BODY CONTROL MODULE) HAD FAILED COMPLETELY AND THREW MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OFF THE MAP. I'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR A FEW YEARS AND THE COMPUTER CHIP IS FAILING, WHAT GIVES? I HAD JUST RECENTLY DROPPED A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS ON THE PREVENTIVELY MAINTENANCE PACKAGE FOR 35000 THAT SATURN RECOMMENDS. THIS MOST RECENT INCIDENT RESULTED IN $650 MORE. I AM DISGUSTED WITH THE LACK OF RESPONSE THAT I'M GETTING FROM THE MANUFACTURER, AS SEVERAL ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE OVER THE COURSE OF THIS WEEK TO FILE MY CONCERNS WITH THEIR HOME OFFICE.*AK

Oct 20, 2004

AFTER REPAIRS,STEERING WHEEL STARTED SMOKING. *BF THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS TO THE IGNITION MODULE. ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AFTER THE REPAIRS THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE AREA AROUND THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DID THE RECALL REPAIRS, BUT THEY INDICATED THAT THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. *NM

Sep 8, 2004 Fire

WHILE PARKED VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHICH STARTED UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. *AK

Mileage: 45,500

Sep 7, 2004

THE CONSUMER STATES THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. AS A RESULT THE HORN AND THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS BECAME INOPERATIVE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*JB

Mileage: 40,000

Sep 7, 2004

THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL. *JB

Jul 25, 2004

UNEVEN WEAR OF TIRES; (TIRES REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY ONCE); TAIL LIGHT SHORTS (RECEIVED A TICKET) THE BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES (PROBLEM IS FROM FAULTY WIRING...PROBLEMS WITH SHIFT MOVING FROM P TO R & D. MUST TAP ON THE BRAKE SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE GEAR TO MOVE.*AK

Mileage: 37,000

May 11, 2004 Fire

A SHORT CIRCUIT OF SOME SORT IN THE THE HEADLIGHT/TURN SIGNAL SWITCH CAUSED A SMALL ELECTRICAL FIRE. WHILE DRIVING, THE DASHBOARD INDICATORS SHOWED THAT THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND HIGH BEAMS WERE TURNING ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN. WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF, THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS REMAINED ON. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, I BEGAN TO SMELL THE ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING AND SMOKE BEGAN TO COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SMOKE SUBSIDED ONLY AFTER I PULLED THE FUSES ON THE TWO HEADLAMPS. THE FUSES DID NOT BREAK THE CIRCUIT ON THEIR OWN -- THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT GO OUT UNTIL I PULLED THE FUSES. I THEN CALLED THE SATURN ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE HOTLINE AND ASKED THEM HOW TO COMPLETELY TURN OFF THE ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE ENTIRE CAR (TO PREVENT ANYTHING ELSE FROM CATCHING FIRE) BUT THEY WERE OF LITTLE HELP. I WAS LOOKING FOR A MASTER CIRCUIT BREAKER BUT THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHETHER OR NOT THE VEHICLE HAS ONE. THEY SUGGESTED DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY AT THE TERMINALS, BUT I WAS WARY OF DOING THIS FOR FEAR THAT THE AIRBAG MIGHT DEPLOY.

Mileage: 52,000

Feb 11, 2004

THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS ON MY 2001 SATURN L200 DIM OR FLICKER. THIS IS A DISTRACTION DURING NIGHT TIME DRIVING AND WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. N ONE PARTUCULAR OCCASION I HAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN I NORMALLY WOULDN'T HAVE EXPECTED TO DUE TO THE FURTHER REDUCTION IN VISIBILITY AS THE HEADLIGHTS. DIMMED. THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT OTHER DRIVERS MAY THINK THAT I AM FLASHING THE HEADLIGHTS AT THEM. THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS DIMMED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. SATURN STATES THAT THIS IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE AND THERE IS NO REPAIR. *AK

Nov 12, 2003 Fire

THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT THE CATAYLIC CONVERTOR MELTED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *PH

Mileage: 52,000

Aug 26, 2003

CONSUMER STATES TO SOUND HORN CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO APPLY FORCE AND DEPRESS IN CURRENT LOCATION. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Jun 27, 2003

THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2001 SATURN L200 DIM AND FLICKER WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER AND/OR FRONT WINDOW DEFOGGER ARE ENGAGED. THIS IS A DISTRACTION AT NIGHT AND DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER THAT HAS CAUSED ME TO BRIEFLY LOOSE SIGHT OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING. *JB

Jun 25, 2003

ON A LOG ROAD TRIP, I HAD TO HAVE MY HEADLAMPS ON FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE SWITCH(MULTIFUNCTION LEVER) GOT VERY HOT AND STARTED SMOKING. I KNOW YOU DID A TEST ON THIS; HOWEVER, I FEEL THIS PRESENTS A HAZARD FOR A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT AS YOU HAVE TO TURN OFF THE LIGHTS TO GET HOME, WHEN YOU'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, AS I WAS, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY A FIRE HAZARD. *NLM

Mileage: 11,583

Jun 24, 2003

I OWN A 2001 SATURN L300. WITHIN THE LAST MONTH THE LIGHTING SYSTEM HAS BEGUN TO FLICKER DURING DRIVING. WHILE I AM STOPPED IT GETS WORSE. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ASSURE ME THAT THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION FOR THE CAR AND THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY HAVE NO IDEA ON HOW TO FIX IT. I HAVE GOTTEN NOWHERE WITH THIS AND AM SURE THAT THIS CAN'T BE NORMAL. *JB

May 22, 2003

THE HEADLIGHTS (AND OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES) DIM (LOSE POWER) FOR A MILLISECOND AT RANDOM TIMES. IN MY OPINION, THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR IS NOT REACTING QUICKLY ENOUGH TO RANDOM POWER SURGES (LIKE THE COOLING FAN KICKING ON) AND THEREFORE EVERYTHING DIMS FOR A MOMENT. THIS IS VERY ANNOYING AND UNSAFE. I NOTICE IT WHEN IT IS DARK OUTSIDE, ESPECIALLY ON COUNTRY ROADS (NO STREET LIGHTS). TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS HAVE TRIED TO CONVINCE ME THAT THIS IS NORMAL - BULL! I KNOW A SYSTEM DESIGN PROBLEM WHEN I SEE ONE. I HAVE HAD MOTORISTS ACCUSE ME OF FLASHING MY LIGHTS AT THEM. WHAT'S UP HONESTLY SATURN??!! WHY CAN'T ANYONE ADMIT THAT THEY DON'T KNOW? *NLM

Mileage: 60

Oct 17, 2002

LOWER RADIATOR GASKET HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES AND REINSTALLED 3 TIMES. THE ENGING COOLANT LEAKAGE HAPPENED 2 TIMES WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF PURCHASE. THE LIGHT/TURN INDICATOR BROKE OFF WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. BATTERY ACID WAS LEAKING WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND OVERCHARGING THE BATTERY. AND SOMEHOW THE SERPENTINE BELT IS NOW DAMAGED. THE DEALERSHIP IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE STARTER NOT WANTING TO TURN OFF AND ARE GOING TO REPLACE IT IN HOPES THIS CURES THE PROBLEM. DT

Oct 17, 2002

LOWER RADIATOR GASKET HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES AND REINSTALLED 3 TIMES. THE ENGING COOLANT LEAKAGE HAPPENED 2 TIMES WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF PURCHASE. THE LIGHT/TURN INDICATOR BROKE OFF WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. BATTERY ACID WAS LEAKING WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND OVERCHARGING THE BATTERY. AND SOMEHOW THE SERPENTINE BELT IS NOW DAMAGED. THE DEALERSHIP IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE STARTER NOT WANTING TO TURN OFF AND ARE GOING TO REPLACE IT IN HOPES THIS CURES THE PROBLEM. DT

Aug 4, 2002 Fire

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Nov 28, 2001

ON TWO OCCASIONS, VEHICLE LOST BOTH INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. VEHICLE AT THE DEALER SHOP AT THIS PRESENT TIME. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE COMPUTER HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES DUE TO THE MANY FAILURES INCLUDING INOPERATIVE LOCKS, TRANSMISSION, IGNITION, AND LIGHTS. *JB

Oct 17, 2001

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BLOW HORN, HORN SENSOR IS DIFFICULT TO LOCATE AND VERY HARD TO PRESS. EXTREME FORCE IS NEEDED TO GET HORN TO SOUND. APPARENTLY THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE.*AK

Aug 31, 2001

WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON, THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS DIM FOR NO KNOWN REASON, EITHER WITH OR WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL GETTING THE SAME RESULT. WAS TOLD BY SATURN DEALER THAT THIS WAS COMMON AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I WOULD THINK THAT VOLTAGE REGULATION WOULD BE A SIMPLE THING TO FIX.

Aug 7, 2001

HORN SENSOR IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO LOCATE AND VERY HARD TO DEPRESS IN A EMERGENCY SITUATION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Jun 21, 2001 Fire

AFTER BEING DRIVENVEHICLE STOPPED, AND FLAMES WERE COMING FROM ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALER'S TECHNICIAN DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE.*AK