2002 SATURN LS Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND MY 2002 L200 STALLED AFTER A RATTLING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP IN MARIETTA, GEORGIA. THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD SLIPPED/BROKE AND HAD DAMAGED THE ENGINE. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND THE TIMING BELT ON THESE CARS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. I HAD SATURN PERFORM THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT END OF OCTOBER, BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER 2008 FOR APPROXIMATELY $5000. I'VE SINCE COME TO REALIZE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON SATURN L200S FROM THE SAME TIME PERIOD FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THEY'VE CLAIMED THAT MY VIN DOESN'T FALL UNDER THE RECALL. I FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT BASED ON THE DEFECTIVE PART BEING A KNOWN ISSUE AND MY CAR EXHIBITING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE THAT A RECALL WAS SUBMITTED. UPDATED 09/10/14

Mileage: 130,000

THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED WITH REGULAR OIL CHANGES. WHILE TURNING ONTO A MAIN STREET THE ENGINE JUST QUIT, LEAVING ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I WAS FORTUNATE I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AS I WOULD HAVE HAD NO MEANS TO REMOVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE HIGHWAY CAUSING EXTREME DANGER TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR. AUTHORIZED SATURN DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN, CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE VALVES AND POSSIBLY THE PISTONS IN THE ENGINE. $3000 REPAIR BILL. THERE HAD BEEN A PRIOR RECALL #07V519000 ON THE SATURN L200 2001 VERSION FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND IT APPEARS IT WAS NOT RESOLVED IN THE 2002 MODEL. VEHICLE WAS BUILT IN 09/01. *TR

Mileage: 78,000

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC AND A FAULTY THERMOSTAT WAS DIAGNOSED; ENGINE RUNNING TOO COLD. THERMOSTAT IS LOCATED BENEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THEREFORE DIFFICULT AND TIME-CONSUMING TO ACCESS. COST TO REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT WAS APPROXIMATELY $450. *TT

Mileage: 61,648

DRIVING ON US HWY 290 AT APPROX 70 MPH, VEHICLE TOTALLY LOST POWER. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDER, BUT WE WERE NEARLY 50 MILES OUTSIDE OF HOUSTON. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. AFTER $350 OF TOWING AND DIAGNOSIS FEES, INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAS FAILED, CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE TO THE ENGINE. NOW I FIND OUT THAT THERE WERE RECALLS ISSUED ON THIS SAME ENGINE FOR 2001 SATURNS, AND ONLY A TSB ON THE 2002 MODELS INDICATING A NEED FOR A NEW OILER FOR THE TIMING CHAIN. *JS

Mileage: 85,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIR TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

Mileage: 97,000

MY WIFE HAD DRIVEN TO WORK THIS DAY AND ALL WAS WELL. SHE WENT ABOUT HER WORK DAY AND LEFT FOR HER LUNCH BREAK AT 12:30 IN THE AFTERNOON. SHE DROVE THE CAR AND GOT HER FOOD AND CAME BACK FROM LUNCH. LATER ON THAT EVENING SHE PUNCHED OUT AT 5:00 PM TO LEAVE. WHEN SHE WENT TO START THE CAR THE MOTOR TURNED OVER AT A MUCH FASTER THAN USUAL RATE BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I KNEW WHEN I GOT THERE THE CAR HAD NO COMPRESSION WHEN I TURNED IT OVER. I HAD AAA TOW IT TO THE GARAGE (WORTH THE PEACE OF MIND TO HAVE) AND THEY TOLD ME SURE AS ANYTHING THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN. FORTUNATELY SHE WAS NOT MOVING WHEN IT HAPPENED, MUST HAVE LET GO AS SHE PARKED THE CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND MOTOR WE PUT IN THIS CAR. STILL WAITING ON THE REPAIR ESTIMATE. CHAIN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE CRANKSHAFT GEARS BECAUSE A COUPLE OF TEETH GOT RIPPED OFF IN THE PROCESS. NICE.... THANKS SATURN AND MERRY CHRISTMAS. *TR

Mileage: 68,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE TIMING CHAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS 85,415 UPDATED 12/12/11*LJ UPDATED 12/14/11

Mileage: 85,415

TIMING CHAIN SEPERATED ON MY 2002 SATURN L200 AT 15 MPH 2 MONTHS AGO. IT COST ME $2700 TO REPLACE ENGINE AND THEN I FOUND THE LINKS ABOUT A POSSIBLE RECALL ON THIS VERY ISSUE BUT WAS TOLD BY SATURN THAT IT DIDN'T COVER MY CAR. I AM HIGHLY UPSET ABOUT THIS AS MY ENGINE DID EXACTLY WHAT ALL THE OTHER SATURNS IN THE RECALL DID SO WHY IS MINE EXCLUDED?? I WANT MY YEAR COVERED IN THE RECALL. *TT

Mileage: 140,000

MY CAR SHOWED NO WARNING OF ANY PROBLEM. STARTED TO WORK LOST POWER. COASTED TO A SAFE PLACE AT A BUSINESS. WAS TOLD TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN AND I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. IT WILL COST $2600.00 TO REPAIR. ALSO THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH HEADLINERS SAGGING. *TR

DURING NORMAL DRIVING ON I-35 IN DALLAS, VEHICLE DIED, DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD. AFTER TOWING VEHICLE, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT TIMING CHAIN HAD SNAPPED. AFTER DETERMINING ENGINE WAS INTERFERENCE MODEL & VIEWING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V519000 I CALLED SATURN TO DETERMINE IF THE 2002 WAS COVERED UNDER THIS. SATURN REPLIED IT WAS NOT. NOT REPAIRED YET BUT AWAITING FURTHER INSPECTION TO DETERMINE IF ENTIRE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED OF IF DAMAGED HEAD CAN BE REBUILT. LOWER END WILL ALSO HAVE TO BE INSPECTED AND POSSIBLY REPAIRED IF HEAD IS REBUILT. *TT

Mileage: 156,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L-200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATING BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. A MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATING TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

Mileage: 124,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE TIMING CHAIN FRACTURED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE TIMING CHAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Mileage: 65,000

2002 SATURN L100. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL REPAIRS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION MODULE PROBLEM FIRST SURFACED IN NOVEMBER 2010 WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE, JUST A FUSE LIGHT. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, SHE WAS INFORMED IT WAS SIMPLY A GLITCH AND IT WOULD GO OUT BY ITSELF. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE CONSUMER WENT TO TWO OTHER MECHANICS AND WAS INFORMED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS BAD. UPDATED 09/06/11

WHEN TURNING ONTO MORGANTON ROAD IN FAYETTEVILLE NC (HIGH TRAFFIC AREA DUE TO PROXIMITY OF THE MALL) AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, WITH TRAFFIC SPEED AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THERE WAS A POP FOLLOWED BY THE CAR LOSING POWER. WITH NO POWER IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET THE CAR OFF OF THE MAIN ROAD AND INTO THE BANK PARKING LOT. ONCE THE CAR WAS TOWED HOME A MECHANIC CHECKED OUT THE CAR AND ADVISED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS THE PROBLEM. THE CAR IS STILL SITTING IN THE YARD WAITING TO BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. AFTER RESEARCHING I BELIEVE THIS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM AS OTHER SATURN OWNERS. THE MAY 2002 L-SERIES ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME FAULTY TIMING CHAIN EQUIPMENT AS THOSE VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

WHILE DRIVING 60MPH IN MY 2002 SATURN L200 LOST ALL POWER ON THE I-5 FREEWAY. I WAS SOMEHOW ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER. I THEN HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP. THEY SAID THAT THE ENGINE HAD A TIMING CHAIN FAILURE, AND THEY MAY ALSO NEED TO REPLACE THE CYLINDER HEAD AND PISTONS. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. LUCKY IT HAPPENED TO ME AND NOT MY YOUNGER SISTER WHO IS INEXPERIENCED WITH SITUATIONS AS ABOVE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2001 SATURN L200 WITH THE SAME 2.2L ENGINE FOR TIMING CHAIN PROBLEMS. I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY DIDN'T INCLUDE THE 2002-2003 YEARS AS THEY ALL USE THE SAME DEFECTIVE PARTS FROM THE FACTORY. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL. WE DO NOT NEED ANYMORE CLOSE CALLS AS THIS ONE. I HAVE SERVICED THE ENGINE OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES SINCE NEW. I EVEN HAVE RECEIPTS FOR PROOF. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

WHILE DRIVING 60MPH IN MY 2002 SATURN L200 LOST ALL POWER ON THE I-5 FREEWAY. I WAS SOMEHOW ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER. I THEN HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP. THEY SAID THAT THE ENGINE HAD A TIMING CHAIN FAILURE, AND THEY MAY ALSO NEED TO REPLACE THE CYLINDER HEAD AND PISTONS. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. LUCKY IT HAPPENED TO ME AND NOT MY YOUNGER SISTER WHO IS INEXPERIENCED WITH SITUATIONS AS ABOVE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2001 SATURN L200 WITH THE SAME 2.2L ENGINE FOR TIMING CHAIN PROBLEMS. I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY DIDN'T INCLUDE THE 2002-2003 YEARS AS THEY ALL USE THE SAME DEFECTIVE PARTS FROM THE FACTORY. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL. WE DO NOT NEED ANYMORE CLOSE CALLS AS THIS ONE. I HAVE SERVICED THE ENGINE OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES SINCE NEW. I EVEN HAVE RECEIPTS FOR PROOF. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

1. TIMING CHAIN BREAK/FAILURE AT 30 MPH ON A SATURN 2002 L-200. 2. VEHICLE'S ENGINE STOPS RUNNING IMMEDIATELY. POSSIBLE SERIOUS/LETHAL IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. 3. MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. BENT VALVES ETC. ENGINE HEAD DAMAGED. 4. ENGINE REPAIR ESTIMATES $2500-$2800. ENGINE REPAIRED BY OWNER FOR $1700. 5. GM DESIGN DEFECT. CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AND HE STATED TIMING CHAIN FAILURE IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.EVEN THOUGH THE SATURN 2001 L200 WAS UNDER A RECALL FOR TIMING CHAIN FAILURES. GM DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM IN THE 2002 L200'S AND NO RECALL WAS MADE. IN MY OPINION GM DID NOT STAND BEHIND THIS PRODUCT. *TR

Mileage: 75,210

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND POSSIBLY THE ENGINE AS WELL. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PREVIOUS RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

Mileage: 142,000

TL-THE DRIVER OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE DRIVER WAS TOLD THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 56,000. SM.

Mileage: 56,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L SERIES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE JOLTED ABNORMALLY AND THEN STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

DRIVING ALONG HIGHWAY 610 IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, VA AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH BEFORE A LARGE, SWEEPING TURN, MY 2002 SATURN L200 LOST POWER. POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WERE LOST AND THE CAR HEADED TOWARDS A GUARDRAIL. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE PARKING BRAKE AND SKID TO A STOP JUST OUTSIDE OF THE DITCH. THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE, AT 83,000 MILES, CATASTROPHICALLY. A RECALL ON THE SAME ENGINE AND TIMING CHAIN CONFIGURATION WAS ISSUED ON 2001 SATURN L200S, BUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON NOT ON THE 2002 SATURN. COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER UNEXPECTEDLY WITH ROUTINE OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CAUSED ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 83,000

2002 SATURN DIED WHILE DRIVING AND ALMOST CRASHED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 2001 GM 06074 THAT USES THE SAME PARTS. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

AS I DROVE, UP HILL, WHILE USING THE SPEED CONTROL FEATURE, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV HIGH RPMS. IT THEN JERKED AND BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. I WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY DRIVE IT TO A SAFE LOCATION AND THEN HAVE IT TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. AT THE REPAIR FACILITY I WAS TOLD IT WAS A TIMING CHAIN ISSUE. I BEGAN RESEARCHING THE ISSUE AND FOUND A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THAT ISSUE FOR THE 2001 SATURN L200. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 07V519000 GM RECALL NUMBER:06074 I THEN READ THAT THE NORTH CAROLINA CONSUMER COUNCIL PETITIONED (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : DP08002) TO HAVE THE RECALL EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL 1999 TO 2003 SATURN VEHICLES THAT USED THE SAME TIMING CHAIN. *TR

Mileage: 141,000

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. FORTUNATELY THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AT THE END OF A FREEWAY ENTRANCE RAMP WHERE A WIDE SHOULDER WAS AVAILABLE TO PULL OVER AND STOP. *TR

Mileage: 105,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

Mileage: 102,000

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, HAD TO BE PUSHED HOME. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO FORMER SATURN OF NAPERVILLE DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD TIMING CHAIN WAS BROKE, COST TO REPAIR WOULD BE $4700.00 TO $4900.00. HAD VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO HOME GARAGE. *TR

Mileage: 139,000

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK 3.5 MILES THE VEHICLE STOPPED. INSPECTION CONFIRMED A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN. *TR

Mileage: 75,122

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING AND STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD FRACTURED AND THE VALVES WERE BENT ABNORMALLY. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE AFTER CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

Mileage: 88,000

THE TIMING CHAIN ON MY 2002 L200 WITH 75,000 MILES SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING LOST CONTROL, BUT WAS ABLE TO GUIDE THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WITH OUT BEING HIT THANKFULLY. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2001 MODEL BUT THE 2002 WAS NEVER ISSUED. *TR

Mileage: 74,958

DRIVING TO SCHOOL. TIMING CHAIN BROKE ON 2002 SATURN L100. MECHANIC COST $1,900 TO FIX. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 SATURN L100 2.2L 4-CYLINDER VEHICLE ON 9/13/2010 THE ENGINE'S TIMING CHAIN SEPARATED WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING , THE ENGINE STALLED , THE VEHICLE LOST ALL MOTIVE POWER AND WOULD NOT RESTART AND CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO TWO OF THE ENGINE'S VALVES. *TR

Mileage: 105,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200 SEDAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED JUST BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED HER THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

I WAS LEAVING WORK AND PULL ONTO A 2 LANE HIGHWAY WHEN GAINING SPEED AND AT APPROXIMATELY 45MPH I HEARD A THUMP IN THE ENGINE AND THE CAR STALLED AND COASTED LONG ENOUGH FOR ME TO GET IT HALFWAY OF THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS THEN TOWED TO A NEARBY CONVENIENCE STORE TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD AND THEN TOWED HOME FOR REPAIR. UPON INVESTIGATION, CHECKING COMPRESSION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD IN FACT BROKE DURING OPERATION ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS INTERN HAS CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE INTERNAL ENGINE AND NO FAULT OF MY OWN. *TR

Mileage: 122,000

MY 2002 SATURN L100 TIMING CHAIN BROKE. LOOKING INTO THE REPAIR I FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER SATURN OWNERS. I HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE CAR AS OF YET DUE TO THE COST. I THINK THIS BEING A COMMON FAILURE SATURN SHOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING ABOUT IT. *TR

Mileage: 101,000

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 70 MPH. THE CAR'S ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED, AND THE CAR DECELERATED. THERE WAS NO NOISE OR WARNING LEADING UP TO THE ENGINE DYING. AFTER PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE, I TRIED RESTARTING THE CAR. THE ENGINE TRIED TO TURN OVER, BUT IT WOULDN'T START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO SHOP. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE (CYLINDER HEAD SPECIFICALLY). NO REASON FOR THE BREAKAGE COULD BE FOUND. IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT A NEW ENGINE WOULD BE NEEDED. *TR

Mileage: 75,200

THE OIL AND ANTIFREEZE HAVE A COMMON WALL IN THE RADIATOR. THE ANTIFREEZE IS CORROSIVE AND ATE THRU ALLOWING THE OIL AND ANTIFREEZE TO MIX IN THE ENGINE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT WITH MOST PARTS REPLACED. THE TEMP GAUGE HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES AS THE ENGINE RUNS COOL AND WILL FAIL INSPECTION AND DESTROY THE O2 SENSORS. THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAS GONE OUT 2 TIMES AS WELL AS THE AC COMPRESSOR. THE REAR LIGHTS ON THE DRIVER SIDE ARE ALWAYS GETTING HOT AND BURNING OUT. THE TAILLIGHT FITTINGS FOR THE STOP LIGHT HAVE GOTTEN SO HOT THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES. DASH LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY FLICKERING WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKE OR (WHEN IT IS RUNNING) TURN ON THE AC UNIT OR THE HEATING SYSTEM. THE SAFETY LATCH ON THE FRONT DOORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES AS THEY WERE CRACKING. I PAID FOR ALL OF THE REPAIRS AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BASED ON THE ANTIFREEZE THAT GM USED AS IT WAS CORROSIVE AND AFFECTED MANY MODELS OF GM CARS. I FILLED IN ALL OF THE FORMS FOR THE CLASS ACTION SUIT AND AT THE END I WAS TOLD THAT THE SATURNS WERE NOT COVERED - THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALLOWED THIS CLASS TO BE REMOVED FROM THE GM CLAIM. THIS WAS NOT FAIR AS IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM CAUSED BY THE CORROSIVE ANTIFREEZE USED BY GM AND THE POOR DESIGN OF USING A COMMON THIN WALL TO SEPARATE THE OIL AND THE ANTIFREEZE. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

2002 SATURN L300 V6 EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR AND ENGINE PROBLEMS THE OIL DRAINED INTO THE RADIATOR AND THE WHOLE ENGINE HAD TO BE REWORKED ALL HOSES SENSORS AND RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED THE VALVES AND LOTS OF OTHER HEAD WORK HAD TO BE DONE. WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT ALIGNED 3 TIMES IN 18,000MILES AND 60,000 MILE TIRES LAST ABOUT 12-18,000 MILES BEFORE BEING TOLD THEY ARE HAZARDOUS AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE NEW OIL SENSOR REPLACED WITH THE ENGINE REBUILD NOW IS LEAKING AGAIN AND WE HAVE TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. REAR BRAKE LAMPS BLOW OUT CONSTANTLY AND EVEN BURNED THE WIRING AND PLASTIC FRAME. *TR

Mileage: 56,000

2002 SATURN LW200 2.2L ENGINE. I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN AND RUINED THE ENGINE. I HAVE READ THAT THE 2001 MODEL HAS A RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM.

Mileage: 45,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED CLICKING NOISES FROM THE ENGINE AREA AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE VALVE, PISTON AND TIMING CHAIN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 154,500.

Mileage: 154,500

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER ACCORDING TO RECALL 03V231000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE). THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE AND THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED WITHOUT WARNING ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE CONTACT PAID HALF OF THE REPAIR COST. MOST RECENTLY, THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND BODY CONTROL MODULE SUDDENLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.

Mileage: 40,000

TIMING CHAIN BROKE ON MY 2002 L200 SATURN AT HIGHWAY SPEED. LOST POWER AND STEERING. WAS NEAR AN EXIT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR THE HIGHWAY. *TR

Mileage: 126,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT 80,000 MILES, WHICH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ORIGINAL ENGINE WITH A USED ONE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

Mileage: 82,000

I HAVE A 2002 L200 SATURN IT HAS THE SAME ENGINE AS THE 2001 THAT HAS A RECALL ON THE TIMING CHAIN. I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OCCUR. SATURN IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE PROBLEM THAT OBVIOUSLY IS STILL THERE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A INVESTIGATION ON THIS PROBLEM. A QUICK SEARCH PULLS UP A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE STARTING THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY. IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE SHOP TO LOOK AT THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 113,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5MPH AND THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED. THE CONTACT THEN GOT THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE OCCURED AGAIN LESS THEN 15,000 MILES AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WENT OUT TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT DID NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED IT WAS THE TIMING BELT AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE IS NOW AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIRS.THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

Mileage: 29,000

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH MY 2002 SATURN L200 SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. FORTUNATELY TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE COASTED INTO A PARKING LOT. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS THIS IS THE RESULT OF A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A AAA REPAIR SHOP AND I AM SUPPOSED TO GET A 3RD OPINION DIAGNOSIS THIS WEEK. *TR

Mileage: 123,000

2002 SATURN L200 STALLED AT 55MPH AND DID NOT RESTART. SATURN DIAGNOSED BROKEN TIMING CHAIN WHICH DESTROYED MOTOR. *TR

Mileage: 170,000

I WENT OUTSIDE TO GET IN MY CAR THIS MORNING WHICH STARTED RIGHT AWAY. AFTER SHIFTING INTO FIRST I BEGAN TO TAKE OFF WHEN THE CAR STALLED ONLY GETTING ABOUT 2 FEET FORWARD. PUSH CAR BACK TOWARD THE CURB AND ATTEMPTED TO JUMP THE CAR WITH MY SISTERS. THEN TRIED TO CHARGE THE BATTERY, AFTER ALL OF THIS FAILED, WE CALLED THE LOCAL MECHANIC OVER AND SAID THE TIMING CHAIN HAD SNAPPED.. 3200 REPAIR. I'M NOT READY TO SEARCH FOR A NEW CAR BUT LATELY IT'S BEEN ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER WITH THIS CAR I USED TO LOVE. AT THIS POINT NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED!!!!!!!!! *TR

Mileage: 102,104

TODAY, WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH (ON CRUISE CONTROL) ON A BUSY INTERSTATE, MY 2002 SATURN L200 (WITH 75,000 MILES) STARTED LOSING ALL POWER, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE MEDIAN AND WAITED FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS SHOWING OIL AND BATTERY WERE LIT UP BEFORE TURNING THE CAR OFF. NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS WRONG, I TRIED STARTING THE CAR TWICE, BOTH TIMES RESULTING IN THE CAR NOT TURNING OVER. AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ON THE CAR, AAA FOUND OUT THE TIMING CHAIN SNAPPED. AT THIS POINT, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE, AS I AM WAITING ON QUOTES FROM VARIOUS MECHANICS. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

TIMING CHAIN OF SATURN L200 FAILED A SECOND TIME WITHIN 35,000 MILES OF FIRST REPAIR LEAVING THE CAR STRANDED ON THE ROADSIDE AGAIN. THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED, BUT THE TIMING CHAIN IN THIS MODEL SEEMS TO BE POORLY DESIGNED LEADING TO FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 34,700

TIMING CHAIN SLIPPED AND ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. *TR

Mileage: 99,658

2002 SATURN L200 SUDDENLY DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT WAS DARK OUT AND A LOT OF TRAFFIC. DIDN'T FEEL SAFE WAITING IN CAR FOR TOW TRUCK. HAD TO STAND ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE DARK IN 10 DEGREE WEATHER. TIMING CHAIN BROKE, DAMAGED VALVES. GETTING A USED ENGINE = $2,000+. SATURN SAID MY VIN # WASN'T LISTED AS BEING A PART OF THE RECALL ON THE TIMING CHAINS. DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THAT SOME VIN #S WEREN'T INCLUDED WITH THE THOUSANDS THAT WERE RECALLED. *TR

Mileage: 88,000

HAVE TICKING COMING FROM TIMING CHAIN AREA ON ENGINE. LUCKILY I HAVE CAUGHT IT BEFORE THE CHAIN BREAKS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SEIZE AND NEED REPLACING. CALLED GM AND THEY SAID MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL LIST. MY TIMING CHAIN DESIGN IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES. A PETITION WAS OPENED FROM NORTH CAROLINA BUT CLOSED DUE TO "FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES." HERE'S THE LINK TO THE RECALL ON YOUR WEBSITE: HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/CARS/PROBLEMS/DEFECT/RESULTS.CFM?ACTION_NUMBER=DP08002&SEARCHTYPE=QUICKSEARCH&SUMMARY=TRUE PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I HAVE ANY RECOURSE? *TR THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, JEFF HARRIS

Mileage: 92,000

THE TIMING CHAIN ON MY 2002 SATURN L200 STRETCHED AND DESTROYED THE MOTOR. THE CAR HAS ONLY 67,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR WOULD SIMPLY NOT START IN MY DRIVEWAY, HAD IT TOWED, TO A MECHANIC IN MY TOWN, IOWA CITY, IA. I CONTACTED SATURN-- THEY DIDN'T OFFER TO REPAIR-- BUT SUGGESTED THAT I HAVE THE CAR TOWED THE 40 MILES TO A FORMER DEALER TO HAVE IT 'DIAGNOSED' I DECIDED THIS WAS NOT MUCH OF AN OFFER! THE MECHANIC HERE IN MY TOWN HAS LOCATED A USER MOTOR WITH 47,000 MILES AND HAS QUOTED $2,500 TO FIX IT. HOWEVER, NOW I AM CONCERNED THAT THE MOTOR HE HAS ORDERED WILL ALSO HAVE THIS TIMING CHAIN DEFECT. TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN ON THE NEW MOTOR WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL $500. TOTAL> $3,000. GIVEN THAT THE CAR HAS TO BE SAFE FOR ME AND MORE IMPORTANTLY MY CHILDREN, I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO PROACTIVELY FIX THE REPLACEMENT MOTOR. WHAT A MESS! *TR

Mileage: 67,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. A LOCAL MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87000.

Mileage: 87,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200 SEDAN . WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNINGS. HE WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO A NEARBY SERVICE SHOP. A TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED A FRACTURED TIMING CHAIN IN THE VEHICLE. HE THEN ADDED THAT THERE COULD BE MORE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND THE PISTONS AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER CONCLUDED THAT HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL # 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), THEREFORE HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

SATURN L200 TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY - NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS ANY TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH ENGINE. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

I HAVE A SATURN L200 WITH THE 2.2L ENGINE AND 64,100 MILE ON IT. WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON JULY 9 2009, MY TIMING CHAIN BROKE. I HAD JUST CLEARED AN INTERSECTION AND THE CAR FORTUNATELY HAD ENOUGH MOMENTUM FOR ME TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING BEFORE THE CHAIN BROKE. THE ENGINE REQUIRED EXTENSIVE REPAIRS. THE VALVES WERE BENT AND THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS WRECKED. ALL TOLD WITH PARTS AND LABOR, THE BILL CAME TO $2,142.33. *TR

Mileage: 64,100

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOWED THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO TO A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $3800.00. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000. UPDATED 12/7/09 *CN UPDATED 12/08/09.*JB

Mileage: 130,000

I WAS DRIVING ALONG ABOUT 25 MPH AND MY CAR JUST DIED STEERING AND ALL WOULD NOT WORK TOOK IT TO GARAGE TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHICH IN TURN BENT ALL OF THE VALVES IN THIS MOTOR NOW CAR IS SHOT IT IS A 2006 SATURN L200 143000 MILES ON IT I NOTICED THAT THEIR WAS A RECALL ON THE 2001 BUT NOT THE 2002 SO I WENT ONLINE AND SEARCHED THE FORUMS A FOUND OUT THAT ALOT OF 2002 SATURNS WERE PRONE TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 143,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L2 WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED INSIDE THE MOTOR. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

Mileage: 84,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAD TO PUSHED OFF OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 67,000.

Mileage: 67,000

2002 SATURN L300 . HAVE FOLLOWED ALL MAINT. GUIDELINES. THOUGH IT IS ON IT'S THIRD BATTERY, THIRD SET OF TIRES, POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED, TIMING BELT REPLACED, ECM REPLACED, TWO CATALYTIC CONVERTERS REPLACED, THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. LESS THAN 90,000 MILES. DROVE THE CAR. GOT OUT, PUSHED THE KEYLESS ALARM ( ORIGINAL FACTORY) GOT DINNER, PUSHED THE KEYLESS ENTRY, GOT INTO THE CAR , TURNED THE KEY..AND THE CAR WAS DEAD. CAR DOES NOT START. LOCKED IN PARK, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. TOW TRUCK DRIVER HAD TO USE THE DOLLY LIFTS TO MOVE THE CAR, SO HE COULD POSITION IT TO BE ABLE TO TOW IT. HAD IT TOWED TO A SERVICE GARAGE, THEY FOLLOWED GM'S INSTRUCTIONS ..NO LUCK. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AGAIN , TO A SATURN DEALERSHIP ( THE ONLY ONES WHO HAVE THE CODES) TO RESET THE VEHICLE. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT RESET IT. TOLD ME IT NEEDS A NEW BCM. STATED ECM AND BCM ARE UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE. SO THAT UNTIL THE MODULE IS REPLACED THE CAR IS INOPERABLE. STATED THEY KNEW THE BCM'S GO BAD, STATED THEY HAVE HAD ALOT OF THESE GO BAD ( ALOT)???. THE SERVICE TECH STATED " THEY ARE LIKE A COMPUTER HARD DRIVE ON STEROIDS" . STATED THEY BURN OUT WITH NO WAY TO CHECK THEM OR FIX THEM. HE SAID THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TOFIX THE CAR. BUT THEY DO NOT KEEP ANY BCM IN STOCK. IT WILL BE A WEEK BEFORE THEY CAN GET THE PART. AFTER REPLACING THE BCM I WAS TOLD THE CARS INFORMATION WILL NOT BE ACCURATE. THEY TOLD ME THE ODOMETER GOES BACK TO ZERO. HOW CAN THAT BE THE DEALER JUST TURN BACK THE ODOMETER ISN'T THAT ILLEGAL? I WAS TOLD THAT SOMETIMES THERE MAYBE SOME OTHER ISSUES ALSO AFTER INSTALLING A NEW BCM?? IF THEY KNOW THAT THE BCM IS A PROBLEM, AND THAT WHEN IT GOES BAD, THE CAR IS COMPLETELY USELESS! WHY ISN'T SOMETHING BEING DONE ! YOU ARE AT THE MERCY OF SATURN / GM BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE IS ALLOWED TO FIX THE CAR. I WILL NOW BE WAITING A WEEK FOR MY VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED. ONLY TO HOPE IT RUNS CORRECTLY AFTER IT'S REPAIRED. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BLOW OUT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE, BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN RESOLVED. SHE FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE BECAUSE THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 2001 L200 REGARDING THE TIMING CHAIN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

I HAVE A 2002 SATURN L200. I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY IN THE DALLAS AREA (I635). WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR STALLED WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND THEN IDLED TO ABOUT 5 MPH. I DROVE MY VEHICLE TO THE ACCESS ROAD WHERE IT DIED AND THE ENGINE NO LONGER TURNED. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC I AM TOLD THAT I WAS THE TIMING CHAIN. SINCE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY VALVES AND ENGINE HEADS CRACKED. NOW SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE COST ME $500 IS NOW GOING TO COST ME $1500. I PRACTICALLY HAVE TO GET A NEW ENGINE. *TR

Mileage: 127,321

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH AND MY 2002 L200 SATURN'S ENGINE STOPPED. NO NOISES BEFOREHAND OR WARNING LIGHTS. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE'S CYLINDERS. ESTIMATED COST IS OVER $2,000. THE CAR ONLY HAS 82,000 MILES ON IT. NO CRASH OR INJURIES OCCURRED. *TR

Mileage: 82,000

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BACK UP. HE WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE CALLED A ROADSIDE SERVICE TO GIVE HIM A JUMP WITH NO LUCK. THE SERVICE TECH INFORMED HIM IT WAS PROBABLY THE TIMING CHAIN. IT WAS AFTER HOURS SO WE HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE. WE WERE UNABLE TO FIND SOMEONE TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE SHOP. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IF THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING MOST LIKELY THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS DAMAGED. WE WERE FINALLY ABLE TO GET IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THE TIMING CHAIN WAS OUT AND THE CYLINDER HEAD NEEDED REPLACE ALONG WITH SOME OTHER REPAIRS. THE DEALER INFORMED US THAT OUR VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL ON PREVIOUS MODELS. THE TOTAL COST WOULD BE $2527.84. WE HAVE NOT REPAIRED THIS AS OF YET. I HAVE RESEARCHED ALL OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS AND ALL ARE SIMILAR AND I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

Mileage: 78,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L100. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT FAILED. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT IT SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED AT ONLY SIX YEARS OLD AND WITH LESS THEN 75,000 MILES. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE DEALER BEING INSPECTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 79,003.

Mileage: 79,003

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND FELT A JERK. THE ENGINE DIED AND I HAD TO QUICKLY MOVE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. TURNS OUT THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE. THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THE ENGINE VALVES WERE BENT. TOTAL REPAIR COST WOULD BE AROUND $3,500. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

ON AUGUST 18, 2005 AT 72,863 MILES, I PAID $2360.71 TO HAVE MY TIMING CHAIN REPLACED. NOT REPAIRED BUT REPLACED DUE TO ITS MALFUNCTION. THE CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED AS DICTATED BY SATURN'S MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AND VIA SATURN OF ROSWELL PRIOR TO THIS ISSUE. I HAVE EVERY RECEIPT FROM EACH SERVICE APPOINTMENT SINCE I DROVE THE CAR OFF THE LOT. I COULDN'T BELIEVE SOMETHING THIS MAJOR WENT WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE AT SUCH AN EARLY POINT IN TIME. THE CAR SIMPLY QUIT RUNNING. THE ENGINE DIED AND I COULD GET NO RESPONSE FROM BRAKE PRESSURE OR STEERING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT CAUSING HARM OR INJURY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED BACK TO SATURN OF ROSWELL WHERE THEY TOOK 10 DAYS TO FIND THE ISSUE AND WHEN IT WAS FOUND THEY DECLINED ANY WARRANTY COVERAGE OR THE OPPORTUNITY TO NEGOTIATE THE PRICE OF THE REPAIR THOUGH I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THEM AND HAD MAINTAINED THE CAR WITH THEM. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT MY TIMING CHAIN WENT OUT AT 1:00 AM ON GA-400 WITH NO TRAFFIC AROUND ME. AT THE AVERAGE SPEED OF 70 MPH HAD THIS OCCURRED AT 1:00 PM OR ANY OTHER TIME WITH A GREATER LEVEL OF TRAFFIC I OR SOMEONE ELSE WOULD'VE BEEN DEAD. MY FEAR IS THAT SATURN IS WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO DIE AND ONLY THEN WILL THERE BE A MASS RECALL FOR ALL VEHICLES NOT JUST A RELATIVELY ISOLATED FEW. *TR

Mileage: 72,863

MY 2002 L200 HAS 92,000 MILES. I WAS DRIVING 70 MPH ON A CROWDED 5 LANE INTERSTATE IN THE FAR LEFT LANE WHEN MY ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED. THERE WERE NO STRANGE NOISES OR SMELLS INVOLVED, NOR WAS THERE ANY SMOKE. THE RPM METER WENT DOWN TO ZERO. THANKFULLY, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WORKED FINE AND SO DID THE BRAKES. I PUT ON MY HAZARD BLINKER AND WAS SOMEHOW ABLE TO COAST MY WAY OVER TO THE SHOULDER. IT IS A MIRACLE THAT NO ONE HIT ME. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN AND THAT IT HAD POSSIBLY ALSO DAMAGED THE VALVES, SO I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE COST TO REPAIR WOULD BE ABOUT $3500. THAT IS ABOUT THE SAME AS THE VALUE OF THE CAR, SO I HAD A DIFFICULT TIME DECIDING WHETHER TO DO THE REPAIR OR SELL THE CAR AS IS. THE JUNKYARD OFFERED ME $150 + FREE TOW. I KEPT HEARING FROM DIFFERENT MECHANICS THAT IT IS VERY RARE FOR A TIMING CHAIN TO BREAK. I DID SOME FURTHER RESEARCH LOOKING FOR A REPLACEMENT ENGINE AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T EVEN KEEP THE ENGINE FOR THIS MODEL IN STOCK BECAUSE THE TIMING CHAIN BREAK HAPPENS SO OFTEN. THEN I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2001, BUT NOT 2002, EVEN THOUGH THE 2002 HAS THE SAME DESIGN FLAW. I COULD HARDLY BELIEVE IT. AT A MINIMUM, I FEEL THAT SATURN SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED ME THAT THIS WAS A CONCERN FOR MY MODEL OF CAR, EVEN IF THEY DIDN'T DO A RECALL. FLYING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IS THE WORST TIME TO FIND OUT ABOUT SUCH A DEFECT. HAD I KNOWN, I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HAVE BEEN PROACTIVE. PLEASE EXTEND THE RECALL TO AVOID ANY FUTURE DISASTERS. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

I HAVE A 2002 L200 SATURN WHICH HAS 97,000 MILES. THREE DAYS AGO WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON A CITY STREET THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO AN EMPTY PARKING METER SPACE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED A MERE FIVE MINUTES BEFORE, WHEN I WAS ON A TRAFFIC-PACKED INTERSTATE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN VERY SERIOUS TROUBLE. MY SATURN WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEADS. THEY STATED IT WOULD COST ME $2,800 TO FIX THE DAMAGE. THIS MAKES ME EXTREMELY UPSET AS I BOUGHT THIS SATURN BRAND NEW FROM A SATURN DEALERSHIP. I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF THIS CAR AND HAVE PERFORMED ALL THE SATURN REQUIRED MAINTENANCE IN A TIMELY FASHION FROM THE SAME SATURN DEALERSHIP. I FEEL THAT SATURN SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR FIXING THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE PERFORMED SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND THERE ARE MANY OTHER INDIVIDUALS REPORTING TIMING CHAIN OR TIMING BELT PROBLEMS WITH THEIR SATURNS. I KNOW ONE RECALL (FOR THE 2001 YEAR I BELIEVE) IS ALREADY IN PLACE. PLEASE START A RECALL FOR THE OTHER YEARS AS WELL. SATURN NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MANY INDIVIDUALS ARE BEING NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY THESE TIMING CHAIN/BELT PROBLEMS. *TR

Mileage: 97,000

CATASTROPHIC TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 125,000

ARE YOU GUYS EVEN HEARING US??? WHAT HAPPENED TO ME WAS JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO. I WAS GOING TO FIX MY PROBLEM AND THAT WAS IT.....BUT MY PROBLEM ENDED UP BIGGER THAT I THOUGHT AND WAS COSTLY!!!!! I READ ALMOST ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS AND THEY ARE SAYING ONE THING,,, TIMING CHAINS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BREAK!!!!! ASK A SATURN MECHANIC WHEN ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO CHANGED A TIMING CHAIN? IT'S NEVER!!!! ASK,,PLEASE!!!! ANOTHER THING IS THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IN THE 2001 WAS RECALLED,, RIGHT??? LISTEN CLOSELY,,,, THAT SAME CHAIN WAS ALSO USED IN THE 2002!!!!!! BUT WASN'T RECALLED???? WHY?? HOW MANY MORE STORIES DO YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE A PROBLEM.... GOTO ODI 10265182, 10255749, 1025270, 10234562, 10209272, 10186650 READ THEM, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CHAIN OILER.... IT WOULDN'T LET ENOUGH OIL PASS THROUGH TO LUBRICATE THE TIMING CHAIN... AKA BRASS INSERT.... YOU WOULDN'T KNOW BECAUSE YOU TOOK IT TO A SATURN SHOP OR YOUR OWN. MY UNCLE FIND MINE, ONLY BECAUSE AFTER READING ALL OF THE PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET. I HAVE 2002 L200 2.2 SEDAN AND YES THAT BRASS INSERT IN THE CHAIN OILER WAS IN MINE AND I CAN PROVE IT..... SO I BELIEVE ALL YOU HAD THE SAME THING........I DO KNOW WE ALL HAD THE SAME CHAIN, WHICH HAD A WEAK LINK IN IT...... IT WAS RECALLED??? BUT NOT THE 2002??? *TR

Mileage: 77,000

SIX DAYS AGO I WAS ON MY TO WORK IN MY 2002 L-SERIES200 2.2 LITER THAT ONLY HAS 77,000 MILES ON IT WHEN IT JUST DIED ON ME. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY ANOTHER CAR CAUSE I COULDN'T GET OUT OF TRAFFIC, SO I HAD TO PULL INTO A DITCH. THAT DAY MY UNCLE HELPED ME TOWED IT BACK TO HIS PERSONAL WORK SHOP CAUSE HE KNOWS HOW TO WORK ON VEHICLES. HE TRIED EVERYTHING TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH WITHOUT GETTING INSIDE THE ENGINE, WELL IT CAME TO THAT. THE TIMING CHAIN IS BROKE AND HE SHOWED IT TO ME AND SAID HE SAID IT LOOKS LIKE THIS LINK WAS WEAK.. YOU CAN SEE HOW IT WAS STRETCHED, JUST THAT ONE.. AND BECAUSE OF THE CHAIN BREAKING THE CHAIN OILER IS BROKEN ALSO, THE BOLT HOLDING IT UP WAS COMPLETELY BENT, SO WE THINK THE CHAIN HIT IT.. BECAUSE OF THE WARRANTY WAS ALREADY OUT WE WERE GOING TO FIX IT OURSELVES. I WENT TO GO GET A TIMING CHAIN AND THE CHAIN OILER, BUT THE CLERK ASK ME IF SATURN HAD REPLACED YOUR CHAIN OILER? I TOLD HIM NO, AND HE ASKED ME IF MY VALVES WERE BENT BECAUSE WHEN THE CHAIN BREAKS THAT USUALLY HAPPENS. SO I ASKED MY UNCLE AND HE WENT AHEAD TO CHECK AND YES THEY WERE. SO I WENT BACK TO THE CAR PARTS STORE AND TOLD THEM YES THAT THE VALVES WERE BENT.. I COME TO FIND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE OILER BECAUSE OF A BRASS INSERT THAT IN THE OILER. BUT HE SAID IT WAS ONLY FOR THE 2001 NOT 2002. MY UNCLE SEARCH AROUND IN THE OIL PAN AND HE FOUND PIECES OF THE OILER ALONG WITH A BRASS INSERT, SO I THINK MY CAR WAS ALSO INSTALLED WITH PART. SO THAT'S WHEN I WENT HOME TO GET ONLINE TO DO RESEARCH ON THIS AND FOUND PICTURES OF THAT RECALLED OILER, IT LOOK SIMILAR. AND THEN I FIND OUT THERE ARE SO MANY OWNERS WITH THIS SAME YEAR MODEL THAT ALSO HAD THEIR TIMING CHAIN BROKE.. I CALLED SATURN AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO NOTHING AND PLUS I FIND OUT THAT THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION ON THIS MATTER. MY CAR IS STILL AT MY UNCLES SHOP AND I KEPT ALL THE BROKEN PIECES IN HOPE SATURN WILL HELP WITH THIS MATTER. *TR

Mileage: 77,000

PLEASE SEE #DP08002 THIS IS THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I HAVE. ESSENTIALLY, THE TIMING CHAIN COMPONENTS ARE POORLY DESIGNED AND CREATE THE NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINEER WHEN THE TIMING BELT COMPONENTS FAIL. *TR

Mileage: 79,500

I HAD NO PRE-INDICATION OF THIS. 2002 SATURN L200. PURCHASED 6-2002. ~78,500 MILES. DATE OF INCIDENT: 3-9-09 @ 10:00AM. MY TIMING CHAIN FELL APART. IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS TURNING A CORNER AND THE STEARING WHEEL LOCKED. (THE ENGINE IS QUIET ENOUGH I COULDN'T HEAR IT SHUT OFF). I MANAGED TO GET TO THE SIDE. SAW THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT ON & SHUT THE CAR OFF. IT THEN WOULDN'T START UP & WAS TOWED HOME. MY BOYFRIEND IS A MECHANIC & HAS BEEN WORKING ON IT. IT WAS HARD TO FIND THE PROBLEM, SINCE THE CAR WAS ON AT THE TIME THE VALVES STAYED OPEN, HE THOUGHT IT WAS THE STARTER (-$200). THE CHAIN'S PIN FELL OUT AND HAS LITERALLY FALLEN APART. WE HAVE KEPT THE CHAIN THUS FAR AND WILL INVESTIGATE IF I AM ALLOWED ANY REFUND FOR THE TIME, MONEY AND/OR HASSEL OF THIS. WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT PIECES GETTING UP INTO THE ENGINE AND CREATING MORE PROBLEMS WITH THAT, AND LOOKING INTO A NEW VEHICLE POSSIBLY. (HAVING FEEDBACK ON WHAT TO DO NOW WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. DO WE STOP WORK AND TAKE IT TO A SHOP OR CONTINUE TO FIX IT? I NEED A CAR SOON. ARE THERE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR? DO YOU KNOW OF HOW I CAN GET REIMBURSED? DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE CHANCES ARE OF PIECES REACHING THE ENGINE). *TR

Mileage: 78,500

ON JANUARY 13, 2009 I TOOK MY CARE TO SATURN TO HAVE A COUPLE ISSUES ASSESSED IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL LIGHTS THAT WERE ON STEADY OR BLINKING ON AND OFF ON THE DASH. I DROPPED MY CAR OFF THE NIGHT BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT. THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED NY INSPECTION STICKER WAS ABOUT TO EXPIRE AND ASKED IF THEY WOULD BE TAKING CARE OF THAT THIS VISIT. I TOLD HIM NO I WAS MORE INTERESTED IN WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THE LIGHTS AT THE PRESENT TIME. ON THE FOLLOWING MORNING THE TECHNICIAN CALLED ME AND TOLD ME WHAT THEY FOUND WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS WERE NEEDED: BODY CONTROL MODULE (SHORTED), THERMOSTAT - ENGINE OIL COOLER (LEAKING), OIL PRESSURE SWITCH (LEAKING) AND DRIVER'S FRONT AXLE SEAL (LEAKING). I WAS QUOTED A PRICE IN EXCESS OF $2,000 FOR THE REPAIRS. I HAVE KEPT MY CAR, PURCHASED BRAND NEW, WELL MAINTAINED AND DON'T SEE HOW MY CAR WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES SHOULD NEED THIS KIND WORK AT ONE TIME. NONE OF THESE ISSUES ARE NORMAL WEAR ON A CAR. SOMETHING MUST BE AWRY SOMEWHERE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR

Mileage: 47,000

ON JANUARY 13, 2009 I TOOK MY CARE TO SATURN TO HAVE A COUPLE ISSUES ASSESSED IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL LIGHTS THAT WERE ON STEADY OR BLINKING ON AND OFF ON THE DASH. I DROPPED MY CAR OFF THE NIGHT BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT. THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED NY INSPECTION STICKER WAS ABOUT TO EXPIRE AND ASKED IF THEY WOULD BE TAKING CARE OF THAT THIS VISIT. I TOLD HIM NO I WAS MORE INTERESTED IN WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THE LIGHTS AT THE PRESENT TIME. ON THE FOLLOWING MORNING THE TECHNICIAN CALLED ME AND TOLD ME WHAT THEY FOUND WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS WERE NEEDED: BODY CONTROL MODULE (SHORTED), THERMOSTAT - ENGINE OIL COOLER (LEAKING), OIL PRESSURE SWITCH (LEAKING) AND DRIVER'S FRONT AXLE SEAL (LEAKING). I WAS QUOTED A PRICE IN EXCESS OF $2,000 FOR THE REPAIRS. I HAVE KEPT MY CAR, PURCHASED BRAND NEW, WELL MAINTAINED AND DON'T SEE HOW MY CAR WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES SHOULD NEED THIS KIND WORK AT ONE TIME. NONE OF THESE ISSUES ARE NORMAL WEAR ON A CAR. SOMETHING MUST BE AWRY SOMEWHERE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR

Mileage: 47,000

TIMING CHAIN BROKE AT 93,000 MILES. THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER, LUCKILY WE WERE ON A COUNTRY ROAD TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR. WILL COST NEARLY $2000 TO REPAIR. *TR

Mileage: 93,000

CAR WAS PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER OF 2004 USED FROM SATURN OF FAYETTEVILLE NC. IN FEBRUARY OF 2006 WHILE ENTERING HIGHWAY MY CAR SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO FIND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS THE PROBLEM. I HAD A USED ENGINE PUT IN MY VEHICLE WHICH ONLY LASTED ME JUST OVER A YEAR AND COST ME OVER 1,800.00. IN OCTOBER OF 2008 I WENT OUTSIDE TO START MY VEHICLE TO FIND IT WOULD NOT START, THINKING THAT THE BATTERY WAS BAD I REPLACED IT, IT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM THINKING IT MIGHT BE THE SPARK PLUGS THEY WERE REPLACED AS WELL. FRUSTRATED I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE PLACE THAT REPLACED THE FIRST ENGINE AND AGAIN TO MY SURPRISE GUESS WHAT BAD TIMING CHAIN. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR ONLY 4 YEARS STILL OWING ON THIS VEHICLE I AM VERY FRUSTRATED. I HAVE CALLED SATURN AND I WAS INFORMED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. I HAVE BEEN ONLINE TO DISCOVER THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS HORRIBLE PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 59,661

TIMING CHAIN FAILED ON 2002 L200 WITH 111K MILES ON IT. CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED WITH NO MAJOR DEFECTS OR COMPLAINTS. THIS WAS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION AS THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER INTO A PARKING LOT SAFELY WITHOUT INVOLVING ANY OTHER VEHICLES OR PEDESTRIANS. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR AND IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT NOT ONLY DID THE TIMING CHAIN FAIL BUT THE HYDRAULIC TENSIONER HAS COMPLETELY COME LOOSE AND ENDED UP IN THE OIL PAN. SO FAR THE REPAIR, INCLUDING THE LABOR AND CHAIN KIT, WILL RUN AROUND $1500 IF THERE IS NO OTHER DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE FAILURE. I AM HAVING MECHANIC KEEP OLD PARTS SINCE THERE IS CURRENTLY A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION UNDERWAY. I WANT MY PARTS AVAILABLE SHOULD THEY BE NEEDED. SINCE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2001 MODEL WITH THE SAME ENGINE AND TIMING CHAIN COMPONENT I FEEL THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ONE ON ALL MODELS WITH THIS SAME ENGINE/CHAIN COMBINATION! *TR

Mileage: 111,000

1. EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE, NONE 2. THE FAILURE, TIMING CHAIN LINK SEPARATES WHILE CAR RUNNING, AND WILL NOT RESTART. 3. HAVE TO REPLACE TIMING CHAIN. *TR

Mileage: 97,000

SATURN WAGON LW200 HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, I.E., ITS TIMING CHAIN FAILED WHILE BEING DRIVEN ON 9/20/08 WHICH DESTROYED THE ENGINE AND PUT MY SPOUSE AT RISK OF HARM AS THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN FULLY INSPECTED AND SERVICED ON 9/13/08 AT A LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP WHERE IT HAD BEEN FAITHFULLY SERVICED SINCE ITS PURCHASE. THE TIMING CHAINS ON THIS MODEL OF VEHICLE WERE RECALLED FOR MODEL YEARS 2000 AND 2001 AND THE MECHANIC AT HASLETT MARATHON WHERE IT WAS TOWED FOR INSPECTION REPORTED THIS WAS THE SAME PART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SALVAGEABLE. *TR

Mileage: 95,303

MY SATURN L200 STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE TIMING CHAIN WAS BROKEN AND SATURN HAD ADDED A PART TO THE ENGINE TO GET MORE OIL OR LUBRICANT TO THIS CHAIN SO IT WOULDN'T BRAKE. I HAVE HAD MY CAR AT SATURN DEALERSHIPS AND THEY HAVE NEVER MENTIONED THIS PART THAT SHOULD BE ADDED. I CALLED THE LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY ARE REPLACING THE ENGINE IN L100 MODELS WHEN THE TIMING CHAIN BREAKS, BUT NOT THE L200'S. THE L100 AND L200 HAVE THE SAME ENGINE. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

RE. 2002 SATURN L200 MODEL W/2.2 4CYL. ENGINE...VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED AND WOULD NOT RESTART....I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED IN TO A LOCAL GARAGE WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN.....I HAVE 69,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND HAVE MAINTAINED THE CORRECT MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES.....SATURN HAS BEEN ISSUED A TSB IN 2003 REGARDING A REPLACEMENT OIL NOZZLE TO FACILITATE THE OILING OF THE TIMING CHAIN....I PLAN ON CONTACTING MY LOCAL SATURN DEALER REGARDING THIS MANNER AND PLAN ON GOING HIGHER UP WITH THE COMPLAINT IF NECESSARY....I AM NOT A HAPPY CAMPER OVER THIS AND HOLD SATURN ENTIRELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. SINCERELY, BONNIE L. KRUEGER *TR

Mileage: 69,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, HE NOTICED A SUDDEN JOLT. HE ALSO EXPERIENCED LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND THE STEERING COLUMN FAILURE CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK. HE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THERE WHERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, INSPECTED AND ADVISED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR COST WOULD BE $2,500.00. THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN PERFORMED. THE CONTACT WILL NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 152,000.

Mileage: 152,000

MY CAR STALLED ON HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT START. HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL SATURN DEALER AND THEY CHARGED ME $85 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. IT IS A DEFECTED TIMING CHAIN THAT DESTROYED MY ENGINE. THE COST OF REPAIR WILL BE OVER $3,000. MY CAR IS A 2002 SERIES AND DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL FOR TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE MAIN SATURN HEADQUARTERS IN DETROIT TO VOICE OUR COMPLAINT AND WAITING TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH THIS CAR DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

11-2006 FAILURE #1 NORMAL DRIVING. CAR SLOWED AND BECAME UNDRIVABLE AS IF OUT-OF-GAS. WOULD NOT RE-START. TOWED BACK TO DEALER. REMEDY REPLACE TIMING CHAIN. NO OLD PART. 11-29-2008 FAILURE #2 ENGINE OIL WARNING LIGHT AND BELL ON TEMPORARILY (MEANING NO SERIOUS EVENT, ACCORDING TO SATURN VEHICLE MANUAL) AFTER 20-30 MINUTES OF OPERATION BEFORE PARKING CAR. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES OVER TWO DAYS. ON FINAL THIRD DAY AFTER 15 MINUTES OF OPERATION GRINDING RUMBLE BECAME INCREASINGLY LOUDER. AT TRAFFIC LIGHT ENGINE STALL. CAR RESTARTED. KEPT RPMS ABOVE STALL THRESHOLD. FOR FIVE MORE MINUTES BEFORE PARKING. ENGINE CRANKCASE VOID OF OIL. ADDED TWO QUARTS. UPON STARTING ENGINE. FRESH OIL WAS SEEN EXITING UPPER REAR OF ENGINE. DROVE TO DEALER. TEAR DOWN HALTED WHEN METAL SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN OIL PAN. CAR CURRENTLY PARKED AT DEALER. RECOMMENDATION FULL ENGINE REPLACEMENT. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE QUIT (STOPPED RUNNING AND DECELERATED). I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AND BEEN TOLD THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND THE PRESSURES INSIDE THE ENGINE ARE BAD. SPOKE WITH SATURN AND WAS TOLD IF I REPAIRED IT AND THERE WAS A SUBSEQUENT RECALL LIKE THE OCT. 2008 COMPLAINT, I WOULD BE REIMBURSED. *TR

Mileage: 84,000

THE TIMING CHAIN ON MY 02 SATURN L100 BROKE CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO START. AFTER READING SOME OF THE BLOGS, I FEEL FORTUNATE THAT I WAS PARKED WHEN ITS FAILURE REVEALED ITSELF. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

MY WIFE'S CAR QUIT RUNNING SUDDENLY. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPORTED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN AND REPAIRS WOULD COST $3200, INDICATING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE BESIDES THE BROKEN CHAIN. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, NOR WERE THERE ANY INJURIES. WE PURCHASED THE CAR NEW FROM THE DEALER AND HAVE HAD ALL RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. THE CAR HAS ~97000 MILES ON THE ORIGINAL ENGINE. *TR

Mileage: 97,000

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT +/- 18:50, ON NOVEMBER 18TH 2008 WITH MY 2002 SATURN L200 WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED OR CUT OUT. I HAD TO QUICKLY TRY AND SWITCH LANES TO GET TO THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WHILE THE CAR WAS LOSING SPEED. WHEN THE CAR STOPPED I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN BUT TO NO AVAIL. I CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST SATURN DEALERSHIP I.E. SATURN OF PLANO. THE NEXT MORNING I PHONED THE DEALERSHIP TO CONFIRM THAT MY CAR WAS THERE AND THAT I WOULD LIKE THEM TO INVESTIGATE WHAT IS WRONG. THEY PHONED BACK EXPLAINING THAT MY TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE AND THAT IT THERE IS A VERY GOOD CHANCE THAT MY VALVES WHERE DAMAGED AND A 50/50 CHANCE THAT MY PISTONS WERE DAMAGED AS WELL. THEY CAN'T TELL EXACTLY WHAT MIGHT BE DAMAGED UNTIL THEY OPEN THE ENGINE WHICH IS GOING TO COST ME $800 (ON TOP OF THE INVESTIGATION CHARGES ETC). THEY SAID I HAVE 2 OPTIONS: 1) LET THEM OPEN THE ENGINE AND DETERMINE TO SEE WHAT IS DAMAGED OF WHICH THE OUTCOME MIGHT BE: A. VALVES ARE DAMAGED - REPLACE ENGINE HEAD FOR AT LEAST $2491 B. PISTONS ARE DAMAGED - REPLACE ENGINE WITH SECOND HAND FOR AT LEAST $3800 OR 2) REPLACE THE ENGINE FROM THE BEGINNING THEN I WON'T HAVE TO FORK OUT THE INITIAL $800 AND IT WOULD ONLY COST ME AT LEAST $3800 WHEN I ASKED WHAT I COULD HAVE DONE TO PREVENTED THIS THE ANSWER WAS: "NOTHING" AND THAT THE CHAINS NORMALLY LAST LONGER THAN 100,000 (I THINK MY MILEAGE ON THE CAR NOW STANDS AT ABOUT 104,000). I SERVICED MY CAR AT LEAST 3 TIMES AT THAT DEALERSHIP IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS AND HAVE FORKED OUT ABOUT +/- $3000 ALREADY IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS - SO SPENDING ANOTHER $3000 OR MORE DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A WORTHY INVESTMENT. THE THING THAT UPSETS ME IS THE FACT THEY DON'T MENTION THAT HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ISSUES AND OFFER TO FIX IT. THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THAT I SHOULD FIRST PAY THE $800 FOR INVESTIGATION BEFORE THEY COULD COMMENT ON POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE ETC. YET IT IS THEIR FAULT. *TR

Mileage: 107,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INVESTIGATED THE FAILURE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND SOME OF ITS COMPONENTS FELL INTO THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 74,000.

Mileage: 74,000

TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Mileage: 77,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L100. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 50 MPH AND ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE; HOWEVER, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 145,000.

Mileage: 145,000

TIMING CHAIN ON MY 2002 SATURN SL2 BROKE WHILE PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. LOCAL SATURN DEALER CLAIMS THEY HAD A RECALL ONLY ON 2001 MODELS. LOOKING AT THE NHTSA THERE SEEMS TO BE MULTIPLE INVESTIGATIONS INTO THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE REFERENCE PEP08-061. *TR

Mileage: 63,065

THE CAR WAS IDLING REALLY ROUGH EARLIER IN THE DAY. I WAS GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT BUT ONLY GOT A FEW FEET BEFORE THE CAR DIED. IT TRIES TO TURN OVER BUT NO LUCK. A MECHANIC FRIEND SAID IT SEEMS TO BE THE TIMING BELT. AFTER REVIEW ON THIS AND OTHER WEBSITES I TEND TO AGREE. IT'S BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I'M AWAITING MY DIAGNOSIS. IF IT IS IN FACT THE TIMING BELT AND SATURN KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHY DIDN'T THEY FIX IT? A RECALL WOULD BE GREAT BUT IF NOT THAT AT LEAST NOTIFY US OF THE PROBLEM SO WE CAN DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO HAVE IT FIXED. I'M REALLY UPSET THAT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED WITH MY 4 YEAR OLD AND 5 MONTH OLD IN THE CAR WITH ME. DO SOMETHING SATURN!! *TR

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, CAR LOST ALL POWER, IT WILL NOT TURN BACK ON CAR HAS 90,000 MILES. JUST HAD WATER PUMP REPLACED 1 MONT EARLIER FOR LEAKING. 2002 SATURN L100 BELIEVE IT IS THE TIMING CHAIN. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

TIMING CHAIN ON 2002 L200 SEDAN WITH 2.2 L ENGINE BROKE WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AND REFUSE TO START. THIS CAR HAD NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE UNEXPECTED BREAK. LUCKILY, IT WAS VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING (6:10 AM) AND TRAFFIC WAS MINIMAL. I DID MANAGE TO GET THE CAR TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD SAFELY. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED AT A BUSIER TIME, MY LIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN DANGER. IN ADDITION TO THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDING REPLACEMENT, ALL VALVES AND THE HEAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR A WEEK AND COST IS ESTIMATED TO BE AT LEAST $ 2,500.00. BLUE BOOK PRICE FOR THIS CAR IS $ 4,165.00. *TR

Mileage: 165,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE'S TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $3,000. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE HIS MODEL YEAR WAS NOT AFFECTED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), THEY WOULD ONLY ASSUME PARTIAL FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

TIMING CHAIN BROKE ON OUR CAR 2002 L-SERIES SATURN THAT HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND ONLY THE 2001 YEAR MAKE OF MY CAR IS COVERED ON A RECALL, EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS PURCHASED IN 2001. THE DEALER JUST WORKED ON THIS PART 5 MONTHS AGO AND THEY DENY THAT THE TWO PROBLEMS ARE RELATED. *TR

Mileage: 52,000

WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 25-30 MPH AND THE ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. CREATED AN IMMEDIATE TRAFFIC HAZARD IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND COULD NOT MOVE OFF CURBED ROADWAY. TOWED TO REPAIR WHERE DIAGNOSIS IS BROKEN TIMING CHAIN. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET FOUND RECALL ON 2001 VERSION OF SAME VEHICLE. NOW I READ THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION AND SAME CONCERNS IN 1999-2003 VERSIONS OF THIS VEHICLE. I ALSO READ THAT SATURN IS CLAIMING THESE WOULD PROBABLY HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK DUE TO HEAVY LOAD ON CHAIN AT THAT TIME. MINE FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH! I ALSO READ THAT IN REOPENING THIS CASE THE NHTSA IS ESPECIALLY INTERESTED IN THE NUMBER OF THESE FAILURES IN YEARS OTHER THAN 2001 IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE ROAD. MINE FITS THIS SITUATION. MY CAR IS BEING REPAIRED BUT I BELIEVE THAT SATURN SHOULD PAY THE BILL AS MY ENGINE IS THE SAME ONE THAT IS RECALLED JUST A YEAR LATER. SATURN DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IN 2002 SO WHY WOULD THEY HAVE MADE A CHANGE IN THE ENGINE? SATURN OBVIOUSLY KNOWS THIS IS THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG AND IS HOPING TO GET BY WITH A ONE-YEAR RECALL WHEN IT SHOULD BE MORE. I HAVE MAINTAINED TIMELY MAINTENANCE OF MY 2002 SATURN WITH ROUTINE WORK (OIL CHANGES, ETC). THE VEHICLE HAS 99,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

Mileage: 99,011

COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. SERVICE REPORT FROM SATURN DEALERSHIP, WHEN TAKEN IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, A FEW WEEKS BEFORE, DID NOT LIST ANY PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING CHAIN. SATURN SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ACTUALLY SAID THIS CAR DOES NOT HAVE A TIMING CHAIN. HAD THE TIMING CHAIN REPLACED BUT ENGINE HAS NO COMPRESSION, ON TWO CYLINDERS. ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR ENGINE DAMAGES, AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE TIMING CHAIN BREAKING, EXCEEDS THE VALUE OF CAR. I HAVE THE OLD CHAIN, ON WHICH, ONE OF THE LINKS FAILED. THE CAR HAS 78K MILES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH UNDER LIGHT TO MODERATE ACCELERATION. *TR

Mileage: 79,005

I WAS DRIVING ON THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE AT 65 MPH AT NIGHT. WHEN SUDDENLY I HEARD A NOISE IN THE ENGINE AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTING SLOWING DOWN. I NEARLY WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT WITH TWO TRACTOR TRAILERS TRYING TO MAKE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAD A TIMING BELT BRAKE. I TOOK THE CAR TO SATURN, THEY REPLACED THE HEAD ASM,CORE-HEAD, GASKET AS, CHAIN PGK, SEAL ASM, BOLT ASM, GASKET-EN, BOLT-6, AND BOLT HV. THE TOTAL REPAIR COST WAS $2,780.34. *TR

Mileage: 86,756

2002 SATURN L 200 HAD COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE ON ROUTE 197 AND CAR STOPPED IN MIDDLE OF ROAD AND WOULDN'T RESTART. CAR HAS ABOUT 60K MILES ON IT. FORTUNATELY MY DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE WITH DESTRUCTION OF THE ENGINE. SATURN REVIEWED OUR MAINTENANCE RECORD, DEEMED IT "EXCELLENT" AND SAID IT WOULD COST ME ONLY $3500 TO GET A REBUILT ENGINE PUT IN. THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY PROBLEM WITH TIMING CHAIN. I AM RELUCTANTLY GOING FORWARD WITH REPAIR BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD A NEW CAR NOW, BUT I THINK THIS PROBLEM COULD LEAD TO MORE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES FOR OTHER DRIVERS AND TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM IN ALL L200 SHOULD PROMPT RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

MY 2002 SATURN L200, PURCHASED FROM SATURN OF SCHAUMBURG IN DECEMBER OF 2005, NO LONGER RUNS BECAUSE OF A 'SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THE TIMING CHAIN MECHANISM'. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY ABOUT 48,000 MILES ON IT AND THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THIS CAUSED THE VALVES IN THE ENGINE TO BEND. I WAS TOLD BY SATURN OF SCHAUMBURG THAT THIS PROBLEM DID NOT EFFECT MY MAKE OR YEAR, ONLY 2001 VEHICLES. I WAS FURTHER TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM 'HARDLY EVER HAPPENED WITH THE L-SERIES' HOWEVER, UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY USED IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES WAS ALSO USED IN MODEL YEAR 1999 THROUGH 2003 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES WITH 2.2 LITER ENGINES, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE MY VEHICLE. I GOT THIS INFORMATION FROM CONSUMER AFFAIRS. I ALSO FOUND THAT SATURN HAS REPAIRED 2,932 VEHICLES UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES AND THERE ARE ANOTHER 890 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. WHEN I CALLED WITH THIS NEW INFORMATION I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO TOW MY DISABLED VEHICLE TO SATURN FOR THEIR DIAGNOSIS AT ADDITIONAL COST TO MYSELF BEFORE THEY COULD TELL ME IF ANY OF THE COST OF REPAIR (ESTIMATED AT $2,272.00 BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC) WOULD BE COVERED BY SATURN. I ALSO SPOKE TO TIM IN SATURN'S CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER, WHO SAID HE WOULD TRY TO GET THE DIAGNOSIS CHARGED WAIVED, BUT PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO. HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED, IF SATURN DID DECIDE TO COVER SOMETHING IT WAS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT THEY WOULD COVER 100%. *TR

Mileage: 48,500

MY 2002 SATURN L SERIES CAR HAD THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPEN TO IT AS YOUR #07V519000. THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND ENGINE STALLED AND IT WOULD NOT RESTART. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO CRASH. *TR

Mileage: 88,000

I HAVE A 2002 SATURN L200 WITH 37157 - THE TIMING CHAIN SNAPPED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. I CALLED SATURN WHO SAID THIS IS NOT COVERED IN ANY WAY. *TR

Mileage: 37,157

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A LOCAL SERVICE SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VALVE IN THE ENGINE TO FAIL ALSO. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $2,300. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55-60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED OFF THE ROAD AND TOWED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATIONS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FIRST DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THEY WERE REPLACED, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTED. THE SECOND DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L300. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SWITCHES FOR ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED BECAUSE THE ENGINE MODULE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH OTHER SENSORS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE OIL HOUSING FAILED. WHILE GETTING AN OIL CHANGE AT JIFFY LUBE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE OIL HOUSING SCREW WAS LOOSE AND THE FILTER COULD NOT BE CHANGED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,564 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.

Mileage: 500

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE ON MY VEHICLE CAUSED THE CAR TO STOP SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING AROUND 65MPH ON A HIGHWAY. THE SATURN TECHNICIAN SAID MY CHAIN 'SNAPPED IN TWO' AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE HEAD. AFTER BRIEF RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE ECOTEC ENGINE IN THE SATURN L-SERIES FROM 2000-2003. SATURN WAS VERY UNWILLING TO HELP OR ACCEPT ANY SORT OF RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

Mileage: 126,000

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD 3 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS REPLACED. THE FIRST ONE WHEN THE CAR WAS MADE, SECOND ONE WAS INSTALLED 09/17/2004, WHICH WAS PUT ON BACKWARDS BY THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH CAUSED MY EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO CRACK IN SEVERAL PLACES AND THE THIRD CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS INSTALLED ON 03/03/2005, SIX MONTHS AFTER THE SECOND ONE. I HAVE STRONG EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE MY VEHICLE. I HAVE ASKED THE SATURN DEALERSHIP WHY SO MANY CONVERTERS ARE HAVING TO BE REPLACED AND THEY TELL ME IT'S EITHER CHEAP GAS OR LACK OF TUNE-UPS. THEY WANT $2,000.00 TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD AND ANOTHER CONVERTER. ALSO, MY HEAD LIGHTS KEEP FLICKERING. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS CAR, SO WHEN I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT, I HAD THE DEALERSHIP DO A HISTORY SUMMARY ON THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE FIRST OWNER HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT NEVER HAD BEEN RESOLVED. *TR

Mileage: 56,423

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD 3 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS REPLACED. THE FIRST ONE WHEN THE CAR WAS MADE, SECOND ONE WAS INSTALLED 09/17/2004, WHICH WAS PUT ON BACKWARDS BY THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH CAUSED MY EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO CRACK IN SEVERAL PLACES AND THE THIRD CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS INSTALLED ON 03/03/2005, SIX MONTHS AFTER THE SECOND ONE. I HAVE STRONG EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE MY VEHICLE. I HAVE ASKED THE SATURN DEALERSHIP WHY SO MANY CONVERTERS ARE HAVING TO BE REPLACED AND THEY TELL ME IT'S EITHER CHEAP GAS OR LACK OF TUNE-UPS. THEY WANT $2,000.00 TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD AND ANOTHER CONVERTER. ALSO, MY HEAD LIGHTS KEEP FLICKERING. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS CAR, SO WHEN I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT, I HAD THE DEALERSHIP DO A HISTORY SUMMARY ON THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE FIRST OWNER HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT NEVER HAD BEEN RESOLVED. *TR

Mileage: 56,423

I WAS DRIVING TO CHAMPAIGN TRAVELING ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN THE SATURN L200 DIED. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND I WAS LUCKY TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD MY KIDS WITH ME AND THEY WERE TERRIFIED! I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO SATURN OF CHAMPAIGN. THEY CALLED AND TOLD ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN. I WAS SHOCKED BECAUSE IT TOTALED THE ENGINE. IT WAS JUST AFTER CHRISTMAS AND I HAD NO MONEY. SATURN TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE $2700. I HAD TO GET A LOAN FOR THE REPAIRS WHICH HAS CAUSED MORE FINANCIAL PROBLEMS. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THEY NEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PART AND SAID NOTHING! *TR

Mileage: 71,000

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2001 SATURN L200 TO WORK AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. SHE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT CAUSING A COLLISION. DIAGNOSIS BY A GM MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN, CAUSING 6 EXHAUST VALVES TO BEND. WE ARE CURRENTLY PURSUING OUR OPTIONS FOR REPAIR. *TR

Mileage: 101,845

OUR 2002 L200 SATURN HAD THE TIMING CHAIN FAIL AT APROX 79,000 MILES. COST TO REPAIR THIS WAS $2973.15 THAT IS INCLUDING THE COST OF TOWING O THE DEALER. THE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD NOT OF FAILED AT 79,000 MILES. THEY NEED TO INCLUDE 2002 L200'S IN THE RECALL THAT THEY ALREADY HAVE ON THE 2001 L SERIES CARS FOR THE TIMING CHAIN ON THOSE. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH THE 2002'S AS I HAVE READ MANY OTHERS WITH THIS YEAR HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 79,000

IGNITION CONTROL MODULE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE. CAR WOULD NOT RUN. *TR

ELECTRONIC IGNITION AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT. CAR WOULD NOT OPERATE. *TR

SATURN L200 2.2 ECOTEC - TIMING CHAIN FAILED WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON ROUTE 2 IN LINCOLN MA. DRIFTED TO STOP ON SIDE OF ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS RUINED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L SERIES. THE CONTACT FOUND A RECALL FOR THE TIMING BELT, WHICH STATED THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THE CHAIN COULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING AND RESULT IN A CRASH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING.THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT TIMING CHAIN BROKE.*CN

Mileage: 104,600

I HAD TOLD MY SATURN DEALERSHIP APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO ABOUT A RATTLING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD OF MY L-200 (2002). THEY TOLD ME IT WAS PROBABLY JUST THE NORMAL NOISE THAT THIS CAR MAKES WHEN IT FIRST STARTS. THE NOISE CONTINUED, BUT ONLY AT START-UP. I BROUGHT IT IN RECENTLY FOR A REGULAR OIL CHANGE AND NO PROBLEMS WERE NOTED. THE NEXT DAY THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE. IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS QUITE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND IT IS FRUSTRATING AND PUZZLING TO ME THAT THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT INVESTIGATE FURTHER WHEN I FIRST REPORTED THE PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 79,750

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN LINK SEPARATED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 07V519000) HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD PAY 50% OF THE REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT FELT THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,000.

Mileage: 65,000

2002 L SERIES SATURN TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE WIFE WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY & SHE WAS STRANDED IN TRAFFIC. (WARRANTY ENDED JULY -2007 & ENGINE DAMAGE IS IN EXCESS OF $2500.) *TR

Mileage: 54,000

2002 SATURN L-200. TIMING CHAIN FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. 64,000 MILES. DEALER WAS TRYING TO BLAME LACK OF MAINTENANCE UNTIL I PROVED REGULAR OIL CHANGES. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE SATURN TWIN CAM ENGINE. WHY DO THE DEALERS TRY TO BLAME THE OWNERS? MY CAR IS BEING REPAIRED, BUT I FEEL THEY TRIED TO AVOID THE COVERAGE ON THE EXTENDED PLAN. *TR

Mileage: 64,000

TIME CHAIN ON AN L200 SATURN (MY 2002) AFTER ONLY 39,000 MILES OF USAGE. I HAD JUST PARKED THE VEHICLE, AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE CHAIN BROKE. PRIOR TO THIS, I WAS HEARING VALVE NOISE, BUT FORTUNATELY I PULLED THE AUTOMOBILE INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE BREAKAGE OF THE TIMING CHAIN RESULTED IN A COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF THE VALVES, CHAIN, ETC. AND REQUIRED FULL REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR. THIS INCLUDED THE HEAD, VALVES, CHAIN, TENSIONER, SPROCKETS, ETC. SATURN INDICATED THAT A NEWLY DESIGNED CHAIN TENSIONER WOULD BE REPLACED DURING THIS REPAIR AND SHOULD PREVENT FUTURE FAILURES. THIS REDESIGNED PART WAS SUPPOSED TO CORRECT A DEFICIENCY IN OIL DELIVERY TO THE CHAIN. IMPORTANTLY, I HAD MY VEHICLE SERVICED REGULARLY BY THE SATURN DEALER WITH ALL RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGES, ETC. *TR

Mileage: 39,200

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L-100. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING POWER AND WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND CAUSED INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE COST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WAS $5,400. THE PURCHASE DATE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,940 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,900. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ UPDATED *JB

Mileage: 103,900

ON AUGUST 8, 2007 I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY SON IN THE BACK SEAT TRAVELING 65 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE POWER TO MY CAR CUT OFF AND MY WHEELLOCKED IN POSITION. LUCKY FOR MY I HAPPENED TO BE IN THE LANE CLOSET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO SAFETLY EXIT THE ROAD. I THEN BROUGHT MY CAR TO MY TRUSTED MECHANIC TO FIND OUT THAT MY TIMING CHAIN SNAPPED AND I DID EXTENSTIVE DAMAGE TO MY CAR THAT I ONLY BOUGHT 1YEAR PRIOR IN JUNE OF 2006 FROM A SATURN DEALERSHIP. I HAD TO PAY $2400 TO GET MY CAR REPAIRED AND HAD NO VEHICLE TO USE FOR 2 WEEKS. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WHO THOUGHT SHE BOUGHT A RELIABLE CAR. I COULDN'T AFFORD TO PAY THE DAMAGES TO MY CAR AND HAD TO BORROW MONEY. MY NEXY STEP IS TO CONTACT SATURN TO COMPLAIN. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND THERE WAS A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. AS OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 12 AS I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN UPSTATE NY, MY 2002 SATURN L200 SUDDENLY BEGAN DECELERATING AND AS MUCH AS I PUSHED ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR CONTINUED TO STOP. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER, WHICH WAS VERY SCARY BECAUSE THE TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND MOST CARS WERE SPEEDING AROUND ME. THE CAR DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A SATURN DEALER WHO, WITHOUT EVEN EXAMINING THE CAR SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN. THIS DIAGNOSIS PROVED TO BE TRUE AND I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM OF THE L200 SERIES. I ALSO BECAME ANGERED BECAUSE I HAD BROUGHT MY CAR TO SATURN AT LEAST THREE TIMES COMPLAINING OF THE WARNING SIGNS--THE CAR HAD DONE THIS SAME THING SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE, BUT ALWAYS RESTARTED AFTER A WAIT OF ANY WHERE FROM ONE MINUTE TO THREE HOURS. EACH TIME I BROUGHT IT TO SATURN THEY ACTED LIKE THEY NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM BEFORE, AND TOLD ME THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THEY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE A TSB HAD BEEN ISSUED ABOUT IT AND ALL SATURN MECHANICS SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAUGHT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I PAID $21,000 FOR THIS CAR, WITH THE INTENTION THAT IT WOULD LAST AT LEAST 10 YEARS. I JUST FINISHED PAYING FOR IT A FEW MONTHS AGO. I BELIEVE SATURN SHOULD PAY TO FIX THIS. THE TIMING CHAINS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST SATURN. *TR

Mileage: 126,000

WHILE DRIVING, ONCE CAR WAS WARM, I STARTED HEARING A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. MECHANIC RAN AN EMISSIONS TEST AND DETERMINED THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. I DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR TO A SATURN DEALER, ALTHOUGH I HAD NO MORE WARRANTY. I WAS INFORMED THAT ONCE THEY INSTALLED THE GASKET, THE PROBLEM WAS WORSE AND THE CAR WAS NOW UNDRIVEABLE AS THE MANIFOLD ITSELF WAS WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (INCLUDING ANOTHER GASKET AS THE 1ST WAS DAMAGED BY TRYING TO INSTALL IT ON A WARPED MANIFOLD). THE CAR HAS APX 58,000 MILES. SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ONE DO THIS BEFORE AND ONLY EXPLANATION FOR IT HAPPENING WAS EXTREME HEAT, YET THIS ENGINE HAS NEVER OVERHEATED; OIL IS CHANGED AS SOON AS LIGHT COMES ON. LUCKY I DID NOT INCUR MAJOR DAMAGE TO OTHER PARTS OR THE ENGINE (AFTER READING THIS WEBSITE I AM WAITING FOR THE TIMING BELT TO GO. WHY NO RECALL ON THIS??) *TR

Mileage: 56,500

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT BROKE AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES LATER THE TIMING BELT BROKE AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

Mileage: 65,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE TIMING CHAIN. SATURN HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WILL SOON BE TOWED TO THE SATURN DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000. *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

Mileage: 80,000

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE QUIT. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A SAFE LOCATION AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THEY STATED THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE. THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR WOULD BE $2156. SATURN TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALLS AND THE REPAIR WOULD COST UP TO $7500. *AK

Mileage: 96,451

2002 SATURN LW300 STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHEN IT WAS TRAVELING AT @ 40-50 MPH. IT WOULD NOT RESTART AND HAD TO BE TOWED. VEHICLE MILEAGE IS @ 59K. *TR

Mileage: 59,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE VALVES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,000. THE VALVES WERE BENT. UPDATED 08/07/07. *JB

Mileage: 75,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE PROCEEDING THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE THE VEHICLE COASTED, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND PULL OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AS THE TIMING CHAIN. THE DEALER FOUND OTHER RELATED FAILURES AS WELL. THE CONTACT PAID $3,000 FOR THE REPAIR. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 38,850 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,800.

Mileage: 38,800

THE 2002 SATURN L200 JUST QUIT RUNNING YESTERDAY WHILE ON THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE. WHEN I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE, AND THAT IT WAS LIKELY THAT OTHER SEVERED, AND COSTLY ENGINE DAMGE OCCURRED AS A RESULT. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER OWNERS OF SATURNS WITH THE SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. AS I WAS RUNNING AT 65 MPH ON THE TURNPIKE, A SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *AK

Mileage: 75,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRESENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND APPROXIMATELY 90 DEGREES. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 67,000.

Mileage: 67,000

MY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR 2002 SATURN L200 WITH 2.2 4 CYLINDER ON SATURDAY JUNE 8, 2007 THROUGH AN EXTREMELY BUSY INTERSECTION OF INTERSTATE ROUTE 93 AND MONTVALE AVENUE IN STONEHAM MASSACHUSETTS WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING SHUT DOWN, LEAVING HER STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION FORTUNATELY FOLLOWING VEHICLES WERE ABEL TO SWERVE AROUND HER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO SATURN OF MEDFORD ,AND I AM AWAITING FINAL DETERMINATION OF PROBLEM ,BUT I SUSPECT THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING SIMILAR SITUATIONS WITH SATURNS AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THIS LIST. IF SATURN HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBELM, IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE THAT WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF SUCH A PROBLEM. MY DAUGHTER IS VERY LUCKY! I HAD CALLED THE DEALERSHIP LAST WEEK TO HAVE A TAPPING NOISE CHECKED OUT AND THEY SCHEDULED ME FOR NEXT TUESDAY AND MADE NO MENTION ON THE PHONE THAT THIS COULD BE SUCH A SERIOUS PROBLEM.*AK

Mileage: 78,000

PREMATURE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE ON MY 2002 SATURN L200. I HAVE A 2002 SATURN L200 WITH 54000 MILES ON IT AND THE TIMING CHAIN WENT OUT THIS MORNING WITH NO WARNING. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING ON THE EXPRESS WAY WHEN, WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE ENGINE STALLED. I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GET HIT BY THE SEMI BEHIND ME. FORTUNATELY HE WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND AVOID ME AS I PULLED OFF THE ROAD. I HAD A MECHANIC CHECK THE CAR OUT AND HE SAID IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE MIGHT HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER READING A NUMBER OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, I DECIDED TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT. WHEN WILL SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? SATURN SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THESE CARS AND FIX THE PROBLEM AT THERE OWN EXPENSE. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? *TR

Mileage: 54,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS LIGHT RAIN AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,361. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. UPDATED

Mileage: 36,361

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L SERIES SEDAN. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 70,000. *AK

Mileage: 70,000

23 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, HER COUSIN, AND 3 YEAR OLD NIECE WERE DRIVING ON I-70 NEAR CHICAGO WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND DIED. HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF INTERSTATE TO SIDE OF ROAD BY 2 YOUNG WOMEN WITH 3 YEARS IN CAR. TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN WITHOUT WARNING ON A CAR WITH 54,000 MILES ,LEAVING THE CAR NON FUNCTIONAL IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE EXPRESSWAY, 300 MILES FROM HOME, AND LEAVING DAUGHTER, COUSIN AND NIECE STRANDED IN A STRANGE CITY WITH NO TRANSPORTATION. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT SATURN DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS, OR THAT A CAR THAT SUDDENLY LOSES ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN THAT WOULD WARRANT A RECALL. *AK

Mileage: 54,000

I PURCHASED A 2002 SATURN L200 ABOUT 1 1/2 YEAR AGO WITH A 1 YEAR WARRANTY IT NOW HAS 80,000K MILES. MY WARRANTY RAN OUT A FEW MONTHS AGO. I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AT ABOUT 2MPH AND MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF. AFTER TAKING INTO THE SHOP THEY SAID MY TIMMING CHAIN BROKE WHICH CAUSED A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. I AM VERY UPSET AND DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. I GET MY OIL CHANGES DONE ON TIME AND I DONT THINK THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. MY CAR BILL WAS $2725.00. I WENT TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP AND THEY PRETTY MUCH DID NOT WANT TO TALK TO ME AND SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM.

Mileage: 80,000

THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE ON THE 2002 SATURN L200 WHILE DRIVING , NOT AT START UP WHILE PARKED . WE WERE DRIVING AT 30 MPH ON A SECONDARY ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENED SO WE AVOIDED A COLLISION OR OTHER PHYSICAL MISHAP. AS WE HAVE LEARNED HAS BEEN THE CASE WITH DOZENS OF OTHER SATURN, THE CHAIN BREAKAGE CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE UPPER ENGINE COMPONENTS, E.G., VALVES. THUS, THE REPAIR COST WAS FAR GREATER THAN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN, HAD THE ENGINE BEEN DESIGNED WELL. ONE NEED NOT BE AN AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER TO CONCLUDE THAT SATURN HAS PRODUCED SEVERAL MODELS WITH A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW IN THE ENGINE, AND THAT THIS FLAW WAS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. THOSE UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO OWN SUCH A MODEL, AND TO THOSE DRIVING ON OUR NATION'S HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS.*AK

Mileage: 97,000

NORMAL DRIVING 50-60 MILES PER HOUR, ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING WHATSOEVER BEFORE THE EVENT OCCURRED. TIMING CHAIN BROKE AT 51000 MILES, LOST COMPRESSION IN 3 OF 4 CYLINDERS, LOST ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE, WAS ABLE TO STOP AND GET OUT OF TRAFFIC WITHOUT GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. SATURN REFUSED TO REPAIR FOR FREE, CHARGED ME 2000 DOLLARS (DEDUCTIBLE ON THEIR WORST WARRANTY THEY SOLD AT THE TIME). OLD PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED BY TWO OTHER MECHANICS BEFORE AS A LAST RESORT TAKEN TO A SATURN DEALER TO BE FIXED. SERVICE MANAGER ALSO REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE TSB THAT HAD BEEN RELEASED CONCERNING THE OIL NOZZLE ON MY SATURN. *JB

Mileage: 51,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE CONTACT FELT A LOSS OF POWER AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE BECAME IMMOBILE ,AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE IT. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE. THE TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER; THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE INTAKE VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SATURN DEALER, AND THE INTAKE VALVES WERE REPLACED. THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY OCCURRENCES SINCE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE INTAKE VALVES. THE CONTACT FELT THAT SATURN SHOULD HAVE REPLACED COMPONENTS LISTED ON SERVICE BULLETIN # 03-06-01-017. ALSO, THE CONTACT FILED CASE NUMBER SR1-23172743 WITH SATURN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 64000. *AK UPDATE *4/23/07 *TR

Mileage: 64,000

2002 SATURN L200 WITH 111,000 MILES. I HAD A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STATE ROAD. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN. POSSIBLY DAMAGE THE ENGINE AS WELL . *AK

Mileage: 111,200

TIMING CHAIN BROKE ON MY 2002 SATURN L200 AT 75000 MILES. *JB

Mileage: 75,000

MY WIFE'S 2002 L100 SATURN SEDAN, BEGAN TO IDLE ROUGH, SO I CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS FIGURING IT WAS A BAD PLUG (I ALWAYS KEPT UP WITH MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE, I AM A QUALIFIED AIRCRAFT MECHANIC FOR THE MILITARY, SO I AM MECHANICALLY INCLINED). THE VEHICLE RAN FINE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, THEN BECAME EXTREMELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE HAD A ROUGH IDLE, LOW POWER AND WOULD STALL. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LEXINGTON, KY. DEALERSHIP. LATER THE SERVICE REP. CALLED AND SAID I HAVE SOME BAD NEWS, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS BAD AND THE IGNITION MODULE, YOU HAVE GONE 3,000 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY. I ASKED HOW DOES A CATALYTIC CONVERTER GO BAD IN LESS THAN 5 YRS. AND UNDER 100,000 MI.? THE REP. SAID I DON'T KNOW BUT IT IS GOING TO COST $3,000 TO REPLACE EVERYTHING. I TOLD HIM WAIT A MINUTE, YOU ALL ALREADY CHANGED THE IGNITION MODULATOR ON THE RECALL BEFORE. I CONTACTED AN OUT IN TOWN MECHANIC, WHO PROVIDED ME WITH RECALL INFO ABOUT THE BAD IGNITION MODULATOR, THAT WHEN IT FAILS IT COULD/WOULD DAMAGE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I CALLED THE DEALER BACK WITH THIS INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED TO ME FROM THE MECHANIC I SAW. REP. SAID WE HAVE CHANGED THREE MODULATORS BEFORE YOU CAME IN WITH THIS PROBLEM, THEY SEEM TO KEEP FAILING AND YOU SHOULD CALL SATURN'S CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE. I DID AND INFORMED THEM WHAT THE MECHANIC TOLD ME AND WHAT THE DEALER INFORMED ME OF. SATURN SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT ME BACK AFTER CONTACTING THEIR ENGINEERS. SATURN CALLED BACK AND SAID THEY WOULD FIX THE REPAIRS IF I PAID THE DEDUCTIBLE AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I PAID $100 AND ASKED WHAT ABOUT THIS CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION MODULE, THEY SAID WHEN IT ACTS UP AGAIN CALL US BACK. SO, SATURN IS AVOIDING THE PROBLEM AT HAND WHICH I WAS SHOCKED BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THEY ALWAYS BACK THEIR PRODUCTS AND APPRECIATE THEIR CUSTOMERS. I PLAN NOT TO PURCHASE A SATURN IN THE FUTURE AND HAVE BEEN ADVISING OTHERS NOT TO EITHER. *JB

1) ON THE EVENING OF FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2007 MY 2002 SATURN L-100 SEDAN STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN IT SUDDENLY "DIED". I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE AUTO MECHANIC SHOP NEAR MY HOUSE. 2) THE NEXT DAY THEY CALLED TO ADVISE THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 49,000 MILES ON IT. THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE ENGINE, ABOUT $6,000 WORTH OF WORK. I CONTACTED SATURN AND THEY ADVISED I SHOULD HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO ONE OF THEIR FACILITIES, WHICH I DID THAT EVENING. THE SATURN SERVICE CENTER CONFIRMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN BUT SUGGESTED REPLACING THE HEAD WITH A REBUILT PART FROM GM, APPROXIMATELY $3,200 WORTH OF WORK. AT THIS POINT SATURN IS REQUESTING MAINTENANCE RECORDS FOR OIL CHANGES. *JB

Mileage: 49,000

ON FEBRUARY 24, 2007 AT ABOUT 3:30 PM, WE WERE HEADING EAST ON HIGHWAY 509 IN TACOMA, WASHINGTON WHEN THE CAR JUST LOST POWER & DIED. WE WERE COMING AROUND A CORNER AND MADE IT TO A NARROW SHOULDER & WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY SO THAT CARS COULD BARELY GO AROUND. WE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES WHILE WAITING FOR THE TOW TRUCK SINCE THE SHOULDER WAS NOT VERY WIDE & WE WERE STRANDED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF A MILD CORNER. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AND WE WAITED FOR A TOW TRUCK. WHEN WE FINELY GOT THE VEHICLE HOME, I CALLED SEVERELY LOCAL MECHANICS TO SEE IF THEY WOULD KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. MOST TOLD ME THAT IT WAS PROBABLY THE TIMING CHAIN & INSTRUCTED ME ON HOW TO CHECK. ONCE THE COVER WAS OFF, IT WAS CLEARLY VISIBLE THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS GONE. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT MY WHOLE ENGINE WAS NOW PROBABLY GONE. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE SITUATION FOR US TO BE IN DUE TO SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE LASTED MORE THAN 57,000 MILES, THE TIMING CHAIN. *JB

Mileage: 57,000

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND RUINED OTHER PARTS OF THE VEHICLE THAT REQUIRED THE ENGINE TO BE DISASSEMBLED. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY INOPERABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 65,000. SATURN AGREED TO DO A 50/50 SPLIT FOR THE REPAIRS AND SHE DID NOT AGREE THAT SHE SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OF THE REPAIRS. THE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE INCLUDED AN OIL CHANGE, REPLACING THE PCV VALVE, AND 4 NEW TIRES. THERE WERE SEVERAL RELATED COMPLAINTS ON THE WEBSITE. *AK UPDATED 03/19/07. *JB

Mileage: 65,000

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE ON 2002 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLE. *NM

Mileage: 65,628

I WAS PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AND MY SATURN L200 ENGINE JUST DIED. UPON INSPECTION AT SATURN OF DAYTON NORTH, I WAS TOLD THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD FAILED. I HAVE CHANGED THE ENGINE WITH USED AND STILL HAVE LITTLE POWER. I AM WAITING FOR TEST RESULTS. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THE OIL WAS DIRTY, BUT THE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD NOT BREAK AFTER ONLY 61,000 MILES. I ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT SATURN WAS A DIFFERENT KIND OF AUTO COMPANY. NEEDLESS TO SAY I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH SATURN'S RESPONSE THAT I MUST NOT HAVE CHANGED THE OIL! I WILL NEVER BUY OR RECOMMEND A SATURN TO ANYONE, AT THIS POINT IN MY EXPERIENCE. *NM

Mileage: 61,800

MY L200 SATURN HAD A TIMING CHAIN FAILURE AT 85,000 MILES. THIS IS CLEARLY DUE TO A DEFECT BECAUSE SATURN HAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN INDICATING A LARGER OIL NOZZLE IS INCLUDED IN THE TIMING CHAIN REPLACEMENT KIT DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION AT LOW ENGINE RPM. IT IS FORTUNATE THAT THIS DID NOT OCCUR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS BECAUSE WITH THE STANDARD TRANSMISSION FATALITIES COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED. THIS CAR WAS METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED WITH OIL AND FILTER CHANGES EVERY 3-5K MILES. SATURN HAS THE CAR NOW AND HAS REPORTED IN ADDITION TO THE FAILED TIMING CHAIN IT ALSO HAS A BENT VALVE AND POSSIBLE PISTON DAMAGE. THIS EFFECTIVELY MEANS THIS TIMING CHAIN FAILURE DESTROYED THE ENGINE. THERE IS NOW NO CONFUSION IN MY MIND WHY THE JAPANESE AUTO INDUSTRY IS EATING DETROIT'S LUNCH. *JB

Mileage: 85,000

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY NORTHBOUND FROM CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA WE PULLED OUR 2002 SATURN L200 INTO THE PASSING LANE TO OVERTAKE A SLOWER MOVING VEHICLE. WHILE WE WERE MAKING THE PASS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST COMPLETE POWER AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND WE WERE ABLE TO DRIFT TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS THE POTENTIAL FOR A SERIOUS PROBLEM HAD THERE BEEN HEAVY TRAFFIC INVOLVED. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST SERVICE CENTER. THEY FOUND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN WHICH IMMBOLIZED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS WARNING OF ANY TIMING CHAIN ISSUES. NO SOUNDS, NOTHING. WE HAVE SERVICED OUR VEHICLE AT THE SATURN DEALERSHIP FOR EVERY SERVICE INTERVAL SINCE BUYING THIS VEHICLE NEW. WE HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND IT TO BE QUITE COMMON IN THE VEHICLE WE OWN. OUR VEHICLE IS STILL INOPERABLE AS OF THIS WRITING. *JB

Mileage: 67,428

ENGINE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE; 2002 SATURN AUTOMOBILE, 74,000 MILES. *JB

Mileage: 74,000

THIS IS RELATED TO EA06009 ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, WHILE DRIVING ON A 50 MPH HIGHWAY WE LOST POWER TO OUR SATURN LW200 2002 WAGON. WHILE WE WERE ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OVER TO THE SHOULDER, WE CAME WITHIN SECONDS OF BEING HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. THE CAUSE OF THE POWER LOSS WAS A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN. WE HAVE ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON THE CAR, AND HAVE CHANGED OIL EVERY 3-4000 MILES. SATURN DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A DEFECT. AS A RESULT, WE HAVE TO PAY THE FULL COST (>$2000) TO GET THE ENGINE FIXED. PLEASE NOTE, THE CHAIN BROKE ON THE HIGHWAY, AND NOT AT START-UP AS GM STATED IN A LETTER TO YOU ON THIS MATTER. MY WIFE AND I CAME CLOSE TO DYING. AN ENGINE THAT HAS A TIMING CHAIN THAT BEAKS ON A HIGHWAY WITH JUST 50,000 MILES ON THE ENGINE IS A SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE ACT BEFORE SOMEONE DIES DUE TO THIS DEFECT. *NM

Mileage: 50,000

FAILED TIMING CHAIN IN MY 2002 SATURN L100. I ONLY HAD 69,000 MILES ON THIS CAR. IT TOOK MY MECHANIC HOURS TO FIND THE PROBLEM WHY THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THE TIMING CHAIN LOOKED OK. TURNED OUT IT WAS STRETCHED AND WASN'T CATCHING. TO FIND THE PROBLEM THIS HAD TO BE DONE BY TURNING THE MOTOR BY HAND. HE SUGGESTED I HAVE IT TOWED TO OUR LOCAL SATURN DEALER(OF CLARENCE) WHICH I DID. HE ALSO SAID THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THIS EXACT PROBLEM. ALSO MY MECHANIC SAID SATURN HAS REDESIGNED THE TIMING CHAIN BECAUSE OF PAST PROBLEMS WITH IT. IT NOW IS A WHOLE KIT. THE HOLE THAT THE OIL GOES THROUGH WAS TOO SMALL AND THEY DESIGNED IT WITH A LARGER HOLE. THIS REPAIR COST ME $913.00!! I AM VERY UPSET AND HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH SATURN. THEY SAID THEY WILL "REVIEW MY COMPLAINT." *JB

Mileage: 69,000

MY TIMING CHAIN IS GOING OUT ON MY 2002 SATURN L100. I DON'T KNOW THE COST TO FIX YET AS I HAVE ONLY TAKEN IT TO A GAS STATION AND NOT A REPAIR FACILITY. *NM

WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO MAKE A NOISE AND THEN JUST DIED. HAD IT TOWED TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED IT AS A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN. HE HAD HEARD THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE L-SERIES. THEN I HAD IT TOWED TO OUR LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE WORK DONE; TIMING CHAIN & GUIDES, HEAD, VALVES, PISTONS WERE ONLY SCORED -- TOTAL BILL OF $3,700!! CAR IS A 2002 WITH ONLY 58,000 MILES ON IT AND THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. DEALERSHIP TRIED TO SAY IT WAS POSSIBLY DUE TO "POOR MAINTENANCE," BUT IF THEY HAD LOOKED AT THEIR RECORDS, THEY WOULD HAVE SEEN I HAD THE CAR SERVICED ONLY BY THEM ON A REGULAR ON-TIME BASIS! IN FACT IT HAD BEEN IN FOR A SERVICE (OIL CHANGE) ONLY THE WEEK BEFORE. LET'S FACE IT: THE TIMING CHAIN WAS DEFECTIVE. *JB

Mileage: 57,900

NHTSA #: 10002122 SERVICE BULLETIN #: 030601017 THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR ROAD AT ABOUT 45-55 MPH WHEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. I WAS ABLE TO PULL SOMEWHAT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT I HATE TO THINK WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD I BEEN ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS WITH MANY OTHER VEHICLES. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO A MECHANICS GARAGE. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE TIMING CHAIN ON MY ENGINE, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO LAST THE LIFETIME OF THE ENGINE (NOT 67000 MILES!), HAD SNAPPED AND THAT IN TURN DESTROYED THE UPPER HALF OF THE ENGINE REQUIRING IT TO BE REPLACED. AFTER TWO UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS OF RESOLVING THE ISSUE THROUGH SATURN AND NEEDING MY CAR TO TRAVEL TO WORK, I ENDED UP PAYING FOR THE ENGINE MYSELF TO THE TOLL OF $2400. AT THAT TIME I WAS NOT AWARE OF THESE INVESTIGATIONS AND THE CURRENT ENGINE IN STILL USING THE OLD TIMING CHAIN/OILIER. *JB

Mileage: 67,370

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE TIMING CHAIN FRACTURED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE, AND REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. UPDATED 2/9/2007 - THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFER TO REPLACE THE ENGINE BUT THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY THE LABOR TO HAVE IT INSTALLED. *NM

Mileage: 53,876

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE POWER SURGED A COUPLE OF TIMES, THEN ALL POWER FAILED AND THE VEHICLE DRIFTED TO A STOP. WHEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEALER. ON INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD FRACTURED. UPDATED 11/3/2006 - *NM

Mileage: 51,406

SATURN L200 STOPPED RUNNING WHILE IT WAS BEING DRIVE. NO WARNING, JUST TOTAL ENGINE STOPPAGE. STILL HAD ELECTRICAL POWER. INITIALLY I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE STARTER, AND AFTER BUYING AND REPLACING THE STARTER, I AM NOW BEING TOLD IT WAS/IS THE TIMING CHAIN. APPARENTLY SATURN KNOWS THAT IT HAS WEAK TIMING CHAINS YET DOES NOTHING TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM OF WEAK TIMING CHAINS. *NM

TIMING CHAIN BROKE AT 74,000 MILES ON MY 2002 L SERIES SATURN, SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT SATURN DOES NOT WANT TO FIX. *JB

Mileage: 74,000

I WAS RESPONDING TO AN EMERGENCY CALL WITH MY LOCAL FIRE DEPT WHEN MY 2002 SATURN L SERIES MOTOR QUIT RUNNING ON THE MAIN HIGHWAY. IT TURNED OUT THAT I AM ONE OF MANY THAT HAD THE TIMING BELT BREAK WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGNS. NO ROUGH IDLE OR HESITATIONS, PIFF IT WAS DEAD. THE MOTOR HAS ONLY 75000 MILES. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE SATURN FIX IT NOR WANT TO GIVE THEM THE FUNDS SO I AM HAVING ANOTHER MECHANIC FIX IT WITH STILL SOME HIGH EXPENDITURES. LUCKILY I WAS NOT LIKE SOME WHO HAD TO REPLACE VALVES AND SUCH. THE CHAIN FELL TO THE LOWER AREA. THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. LOOKS AS IF ENGINEERING OR QUALITY MATERIALS ARE AN ISSUE, NOT OIL CHANGES AS IT APPEARS SATURN IS USING AS AN EXCUSE TO AVOID THE ISSUE. *JB

DRIVING AT 30 MILES PER HOUR MY 2002 SATURN L200 LOST ALL POWER. I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND FORTUNATELY HAD ENOUGH STRENGTH TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL,WHICH HAD NO POWER, TO WHERE I COULD SAFELY PULL OFF THE ROAD. I HAD 3 CHILDREN IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A SATURN DEALERSHIP AND FOUND IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN THAT BROKE CAUSING VALVE DAMAGE. THE COST TO REPAIR IS $3019.I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY COMPLAINT TO THE MANY ON FILE AND HOPE SATURN WILL RECALL AS THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. SATURN HAS OFFERED ME 2 YEARS OF FREE OIL CHANGES IF I REPAIR IT,HARDLEY SEEMS TO WARRANT WHAT COULD CAUSE DEATH. *NM

Mileage: 78,000

WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, MY 2002 SATURN L100 LOCKED UP AND QUIT WORKING. AFTER GETTING IT TOWED TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN AND THE HEAD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, RESULTING IN A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $2,150, PLUS $190 IN TOWING CHARGES. ALTHOUGH THIS CAR IS 4 YEARS OLD AND OUT OF WARRANTY, I FEEL THIS IS STILL A NEW ENOUGH CAR THAT A COSTLY REPAIR AS THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THERE IS A PATTERN OF TIMING CHAINS BREAKING ON THE L SERIES CARS. *NM

Mileage: 62,619

ON DEC. 23 OR 24TH, 2005, I STOPPED BY THE SATURN OF GRESHAM DEALERSHIP BECAUSE MY CAR WAS MAKING A VERY ODD NOISE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AND TECHNICIAN LISTENED TO THE CAR AND LOOKED AT THE ENGINE. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE A AN EXHAUST PROBLEM BUT THE CAR WOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL I COULD MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AFTER CHRISTMAS. I MADE THE APPT. FOR THE WED. FOLLOWING CHRISTMAS, I BELIEVE. ON CHRISTMAS, WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL, MY CAR BEGAN JERKING AND LOST POWER. I WAS NOT DISABLED BUT MY CAR COULD BARELY MAKE IT UP THE HILL. I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF OF THE FREEWAY AND GET HELP FROM FAMILY. I HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO SATURN OF BEAVERTON. THEY WERE ABLE TO LOOK AT THE CAR ON DEC. 26 OR 27TH AND DETERMINED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALERSHIP DID MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS UNDER THE WARRANTY. *NM

Mileage: 64,000

ON 7/1/6 WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH MY SATURN SUDDENLY QUIT RUNNING. MY CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING NORMALLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING MY CAR LOST ALL POWER. IT WAS 104`& 20 MILES FROM CIVILIZATION. I WALKED 1 MILE AND THERE WAS A CAMPER ALSO DISABLED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE PEOPLE CONTACTED A TOW COMPANY IN THE NEAREST CITY. MY CAR WAS TOWED 120 MILES. ON 7/3, THE DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED ME THAT MY TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN WITH SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE($4000.00). THE SM STATED THAT HE DID NOT RECOMMEND USING ANY USED PARTS TO FIX THE ENGINE. HE ACTED CONCERNED AS TO WHY THE TIMING CHAIN WOULD HAVE BROKEN IN MY CAR. HE MENTIONED THAT THE L SERIES CARS HAVE HAD SOME PROBLEMS. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE DEALERSHIP BEING WORKED ON. ON 7/5, I SPOKE TO THE AREA MANAGER FOR THE SATURN CORPORATION. SHE SAID SHE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT NHTSA AND DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF FAILURES WITH OTHER SATURNS. SHE STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO "A POOR MAINTENANCE RECORD". I INFORMED HER THAT SHE WAS SADLY MISTAKEN AS THE SATURN DEALERSHIP MY CAR IS AT WAS NOT THE ONLY DEALERSHIP OR AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS THAT I HAVE HAD WORK DONE ON MY CAR. I INFORMED HER THAT ON 12/ 25/05, MY CAR LOST POWER GOING UP A HILL AND I HAD WORK DONE ON THE CAR AT A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP. AT THAT TIME, I HAD TO HAVE THE EMISSION CONVERTER REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAD FAILED. ALSO, I HAVE ROUTINE OIL CHANGES DONE EVERY 3000 OR SO MILES. HER RESPONSE WAS "I AM SORRY IF THE INFORMATION FROM THE DEALERSHIP WAS INCORRECT BUT WE STILL CAN DO NOTHING ELSE." I TOLD HER THAT I WAS APPALLED TO LEARN THAT SATURN HAD BEEN AWARE OF THIS ISSUE FOR SOME TIME; THAT SATURN HAD NEGLECTED TO INFORM THEIR CUSTOMER BASE REGARDING THE POTENTIAL DANGERS OF THIS ENGINE PROBLEM. I EXPLAINED TO HER THE SERIOUSNESS OF PLACING CUSTOMERS IN SUCH DANGER. I TOLD HER THIS COULD HAVE ALL BEEN AVOIDED HAD SATURN NOTIFIED ITS CUSTOMERS OF THE UPGRADE AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. OF COURSE, SHE DENIED ANY PROBLEMS WITH SATURN CARS. *JB

Mileage: 7,400

THE TIMING CHAIN ON MY CAR BROKE, RESULTING IN ENGINE DAMAGE WHICH -- THE DEALER TELLS ME -- WILL REQUIRE A TOTAL ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, GOING THROUGH CONSTRUCTION. SUDDENLY, THERE WAS NO POWER AND THE CAR SLOWED DOWN. I COULD NOT GET POWER, SO I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND GET THE CAR TOWED. *JB

Mileage: 112,800

THIS IS IN REGARDS TO MY 2002 L200 SATURN 4-DOOR SEDAN, VIN NO- [XXX] ENGINE: 2.2 L DOHC 16 VALVE L4 ENGINE LL0 1.9LL4 (THIS IS ON ONE OF THE SATURN SERVICE PAPERS ABOUT THE ENGINE) MY COMPLAINT IS VERY LONG AND EXCEEDS THE 2,000 CHARACTER MARK, I WILL BE MAILING YOU ALL OF THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION. I WAS TOLD THAT A CLAIM NUMBER WAS NEEDED IN ORDER TO DO THIS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE OHIO ATTORNEY GENERAL AS WELL. THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED IN MY SATURN. *JB THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT A NEW TIMING CHAIN AND BALANCE CHAIN WOULD PROBABLY FIX THE PROBLEM, THEREFORE THE CONSUMER AGREED TO THE REPAIR. REPLACING THE CHAINS DIDNT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE CONSUMER HADN'T PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 46,000

TIMING CHAIN PREMATURELY FAILED AND RUINED MY ENGINE. I AM JUST THANKFUL THAT I WAS NOT TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I AM INCENSED AT THE SUGGESTION OF THE SATURN DEALERSHIP THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN AN INCORRECT OIL CHANGE BY A NON-DEALERSHIP GARAGE. IN CHECKING ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS TO BE A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH L200 SATURNS. WHY HAS THE NHTSA NOT TAKEN ACTION TO REQUIRE SATURN TO RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM? HOW MANY DEATHS WILL IT TAKE TO WARRANT A RECALL? *NM

Mileage: 77,000

I SEE THAT THE NHTSA ALREADY HAS AN OPEN COMPLAINT REGARDING THE TIMING CHAIN ON VARIOUS SATURNS 2.2. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE TIMING CHAIN OILER. I HAVE A 2002 SATURN L200, 42,000 MILES, WHICH THE TIMING CHAIN JUST WENT OUT ON. I WAS TURNING AT A LIGHT AND ALMOST GOT HIT SINCE THE CAR LOST POWER. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. SATURN IS UNWILLING TO HELP ME. THANKS IN ADVANCE. *NM

Mileage: 42,000

TIMING CHAIN ON MY SATURN L200 BROKE WITH NO WARNING. THE CAR HAS ONLY 38,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED. I WAS VERY LUCKY IT BROKE WHILE STARTING UP THE CAR, INSTEAD OF DRIVING, BECAUSE THE REPAIRS WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTENSIVE. MY LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP ONLY CHARGED ME LABOR, THEY COVERED PARTS. *NM

Mileage: 38,182

I HAD JUST LEFT MY HOUSE FOR WORK AND THE CAR JUST DIED - LUCKILY I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN. HE SAID I SHOULD CONTACT SATURN BECAUSE THE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN. MY CAR HAS ONLY 49,000 MILES ON IT. I CALLED SATURN AND THEY TOLD ME TO HAVE IT EVALUATED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE SATURN DEALERSHIP. HE SAID IT WOULD COST $950.00 TO REPAIR AND DIDN'T KNOW IF THERE WAS ANY OTHER DAMAGE. SATURN CUSTOMER RELATIONS SAID THEY WOULD ARRANGE TO PAY FOR HALF OF THE COST AND SUPPLY ME WITH A RENTAL CAR. I HAD NOT HAD THE CAR SERVICED BY SATURN SINCE JUNE 2004 AND HAD NOT PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. ON FURTHER EXAMINATION THE VALVES WERE BEND ON THE ENGINE DUE TO THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. SATURN SAID THEY WOULD COVER HALF OF THAT COST ALSO. THE TOTAL REPAIR IS $900. I STILL DON'T HAVE MY CAR BACK. *JB

Mileage: 49,002

WHILE TRAVELING AT A STEADY SPEED OF 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT, MY 2002 SATURN LW200 STATION WAGON SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND COASTED TO A STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. I WAS STRANDED ON THE SHOULDER UNTIL I WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE GARAGE AND BY A SATURN DEALER AS A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN RESULTING IN LOSS OF COMPRESSION DUE TO BENT OR BROKEN VALVES. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE AND APPARENTLY REQUIRES AN NEW ENGINE OR OVERHAUL. TO DATE, THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. THE SATURN CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER STATED THAT SATURN IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO CORRECT THE DAMAGE RESULTING FROM THE FAILED TIMING CHAIN. SATURN ALSO CLAIMED THAT MY VEHICLE DID NOT FALL INTO THE VIN RANGE ASSOCIATED WITH THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURES ADDRESSED IN THEIR REDESIGN OF THE TIMING CHAIN. CURRENTLY, THE ENGINE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND IS AVAILABLE FOR EXAMINATION. *NM

Mileage: 103,000

ON 3/9/06 MY SATURN L200 2002 WOULD NOT START, I SPOKE TO VARIOUS PEOPLE AT SATURN AND RECEIVED 4 DIFFERENT PROBLEMS, (TRANSMISSION, TIMING CHAIN BROKE,NEED A NEW ENGINE AND NOW THE TIMING CHAIN IS STRETCHED) I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY SERVICE WHAT SO EVER, THEY ARE NOW SAYING IT IS LACK OF MAINTENANCE, WHEN I ASKED FOR A EXPLANATION THE REGIONAL AREA MANAGER HUNG THE PHONE UP ON ME!!! HE SAID HE HAD NO IDEA THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE OILER VALVE WHICH NOW I KNOW THERE IS. I HAVE BEEN PROMISE CALL BACKS AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ONE. I ALSO EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT I HAVE PURCHASED 4 VEHICLES AND HAD RECALLS, MAINT., ETC. DONE WHICH HE DID NOT CARE, HIS RESPONSE WAS WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TELL YOU!!!THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *NM

Mileage: 59,414

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THERE HAD BEEN NO PRIOR PROBLEMS AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 04/06/06. *JB

Mileage: 80,677

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE A BROKEN TIMING BELT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIMING BELT AND THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED.

Mileage: 31,000

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 SATURN L200 HOME FROM BOSTON ON 3-12-06 APPROX. 6:00 PM WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME AND CONTACTED SATURN. AFTER THEY EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, THEY CAME UP WITH THE DIAGNOSIS OF A FAILED TIMING CHAIN AND ENGINE FAILURE. I ASKED THE TECHNICIAN IF THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WASN'T. I GOOGLED COMMON PROBLEMS FOR THE SATURN L200 AND BROKEN TIMING CHAINS ARE VERY COMMON WITH MANY SATURNS. GMAC EVEN WENT AS FAR AS TO ISSUE TECH. BULLETINS ABOUT TIMING CHAIN ISSUES. GMAC KNOWS ABOUT THE HIGH FAILURE RATE OF THESE TIMING CHAINS AND HAS NOT TAKEN APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION AND ARE TRYING TO PASS THE COST OF REPAIRING THIS DEFECT ON TO THEIR CONSUMERS.*JB

Mileage: 65,000

ON THE 22ND OF FEBRUARY OF 2006, MY 2002 SATURN L-200 ENGINE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, DIED. THE CAR, LUCKILY, WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. IT WAS TOWED TO A REPUTABLE REPAIR SHOP AND DIAGNOSED WITH TIMING CHAIN FAILURE WITH POSSIBLE REPAIR COSTS STARTING AT $ 2,800.00. MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED SO I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A SATURN DEALER TO SEE IF ANYTHING COULD BE DONE TO HELP SAVE MONEY. THE SATURN DEALER RECOMMENDED A FULL ENGINE REPLACEMENT FOR $2,130.00. I CONTACTED CORPORATE SATURN TO SEE IF MORE COULD BE DONE TO HELP WITH COSTS AT WHICH TIME I QUOTED TO THEM THE INFORMATION I HAD FOUND ONLINE ABOUT THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION GOING ON REGARDING THE L-SERIES AND THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT SHE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE INVESTIGATION. THEY DECLINE TO ASSIST ME AT THAT TIME. THE CAR IS NOW GETTING A NEW USED ENGINE THE 580,000 MILES ON IT WITH A 12 MONTH/12,000 MILE WARRANTY. *JB

Mileage: 68,000

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE E DIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP INDICATED THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND DAMAGED THE PISTONS AND VALVES ON THE ENGINE. THE REPAIR SHOP RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE ENGINE. *AK

Mileage: 61,000

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE E DIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP INDICATED THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND DAMAGED THE PISTONS AND VALVES ON THE ENGINE. THE REPAIR SHOP RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE ENGINE. *AK

Mileage: 61,000

2002 SATURN L200 STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. *TS THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TO TOWED A SERVICE STATION. THE NEXT THE DAY, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM STEMMED FROM A BROKEN TENSIONER, WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE TIMING CHAIN TO FAIL. *JB

Mileage: 28,800

2002 L200 SATURN: TIMING CHAIN FAILURE, SATURN BULLETIN N O. 03-06-01-017, RECOGNIZES PROBLEM BUT ATTRIBUTES FAILURE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE BY OWNER. MY MAINTENANCE WAS AS PER MFR. RECCOMENDATIONS AND PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. FAILURE OCCURRED AT 58,000 MI. VEHICLE LOST BRAKES, POWER STEERING AND STRANDED IN HWY TRAFFIC. INVESTIGATING TIMING CHAIN FAILURES ON WEB, DISCOVERED THERE'S MANY SUCH FAILURES AND COMPLAINTS. *NM

Mileage: 58,896

DT: THE CONTACT PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE TWO YEARS AGO, AND THE SECOND DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A ROARING NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT TIRES ,AND THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH TIRES. ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER THE NOISE RETURNED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR NUMEROUS REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK TO THE RIGHT WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO HIT A CURB. THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE REPAIRS TO THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND JOINTS WHICH HAVE NOT CORRECTED THIS PROBLEM. ALSO THE MOTOR MOUNTS AND AXLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN HOPES OF CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO ACCURATELY REPAIR THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY THERE IS A NEED FOR NEW ROTORS AND MORE TIRES. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO HAVE A ROARING SOUND LIKE A LOCOMOTIVE AS NOTED BY THE CONTACT. *AK UPDATE 1/11/2006 - *NM

Mileage: 28,000

2002 SATURN L200 WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT THE LIGHTS FLICKER AS WELL AS THE VEHICLE ENGINE STALLED OUT ON EXPRESSWAY AND THE AIR CONDITIONER BECAME INOPERATIVE. *MR SATURN SUGGESTED THAT THE FLICKERING WAS NORMAL. IN VERY HOT/HUMID WEATHER, THE ENGINE WOULD RUN HOT AD THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD STOP RUNNING. ON TWO OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE REFUSED TO START. THE SERVICE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS PLUGGED AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE STALLING. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED BECAUSE OF AN ALIGNMENT, TOE AND CAMBER PROBLEM. *SC

Mileage: 19,443

DRIVING DOWN A 4-LANE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH THE ENGINE JUST QUIT RUNNING. THERE WERE NO UNUSUAL SOUNDS OR WARNING LIGHTS. LUCKILY, WE WERE ABLE TO COAST OVER TO THE BERM OF THE ROAD OUT OF THE PATH OF TRAFFIC WITHOUT BEING HIT. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 1-2 HOURS OF RECEIVING THE CAR, THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE AND DAMAGED SOME VALVES IN THE PROCESS. THE CAR HAS 53,000 AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE TOTAL COST FOR REPAIRS WAS $2,300.00. I INFORMED SATURN THAT I HAVE FOLLOWED BASIC MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES AND THE CAR IS PRIMARILY DRIVEN TO AND FROM HOME AND THE OFFICE. IN ADDITION, I INFORMED THEM THAT THERE ARE OTHER DOCUMENTED CASES OF THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE ON THE INTERNET RANGING FROM 30,000-65,000 MILES. SATURN SAID THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING CHAIN IN THESE VEHICLES AND "THINGS JUST BREAK". THEY DID, HOWEVER, WITHIN 24 HRS. OF RECEIVING MY CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP OFFER TO REIMBURSE ME 50% OF THE REPAIR COST. HOWEVER, WHEN A VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER ON A HIGHWAY IT BECOMES A ROLLING DEATH TRAP AND THE PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING CHAINS NEEDS TO BE RECTIFIED BEFORE THE PROBLEMS RESULTS IN A FATALITY.

Mileage: 53,000

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK MY VEHICLE DIED COMPLETELY, UPON HAVING THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED I WAS TOLD THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VALVES. MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT ONLY HAS 51,500 MILES, A TIMING "CHAIN" SHOULD NOT FAIL AT 51,500 MILES. SATURN HAS SO FAR REFUSED TO HELP IN ANYWAY TO COVER THE COSTS, BUT THEY WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH A USED ONE FOR AROUND 4000 DOLLARS

Mileage: 51,500

THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE DRIVE SHAFT REPLACED, THE MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED, THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY REPLACED, THE STEERING ASSEMBLY REPLACED AND I TOO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE DASH LIGHTS DIMMING. THE TECHNICIANS AT THE LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP ARE NOTHING BUT RUDE. THEY DONT FIX THE PROBLEMS YOU BRING THE CAR IN FOR AND YOU END UP HAVING TO TAKE IT BACK THE NEXT DAY OR EVEN SOMETIMES THAT SAME EVENING FOR A REPAIR THAT WASNT DONE PROPERLY. I THOUGHT THIS WAS GOING TO BE A GOOD CAR BUT IT HAS BEEN CONSTANT TROUBLE AND IS CONSTANTLY IN THE REPAIR SHOP.

Mileage: 26,000

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. VEHICLE WAS TOWED *AK

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S STEERING AND AIR BAG EQUIPMENT.*MR THE CONSUMER IGNITION CONTROL MODULE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NOT PARTS AVAILABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. *NM

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER SMELLED STRONG CHEMICAL FUMES. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATED OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKERED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEKS, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *AK THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE ONLY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT. THE SUSPENSION LINK WAS REPLACED. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE VEHICLE AND THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SKIPPED WHEN BEING ROLLED DOWN. THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULB HAD BURNED OUT, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WENT ACROSS THE WINDOW HALF WAY BEFORE IT SQUIRTED ANY SPRAY AND THEN SCRATCHED THE WINDSHIELD. *JB

Mileage: 6,068

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER, AND IT WILL BE HARD TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK STARTED.DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

AN SES SYSTEM FAILED THAT CONTROLS EXHAUST FUMES AND MIXTURE OF FUEL. THIS FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL WITH NO WARNING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP THREE TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

WHEN DRIVING OR AT A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE WILL START TO REV EVEN WHEN FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE.*AK *JB