1996 SATURN SL Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SATURN SL. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL ON THE GROUND AND ALL OVER THE COOLING SYSTEM. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE KEPT FLUCTUATING INTO THE RED ZONE. THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIVE DIFFERENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD. THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS $2,257. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SPECIAL POLICY LETTER FROM SATURN IN JUNE OF 1999 CONCERNING A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD. THE LETTER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL CAMPAIGN AND IT WAS UNNECESSARY TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 05/06/08. *LJ UPDATED 05/06/08. *JB

Mileage: 63,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SATURN SL2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED INTERMITTENTLY AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS WERE SET AT DIFFERENT SPECIFICATIONS, WHICH WAS THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.

Mileage: 148,000

I AM LOSING A LOT OF OIL. I SPOKE WITH MY MECHANIC HE STATED THAT A LOT OF TIMES IT IS THE VALVE COVER GASKET, SO HE CHANGED IT. THE CAR IS STILL LOSING A LOT OF OIL. ABOUT A QUART EVERY 400 MILES. I STARTED RESEARCHING ON MY OWN AND HAVE FOUND THAT SEVERAL SATURN OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. *JB

1. HIGH REVVING ON IDLE MANUAL TRANS 2. FRONT END NOISE MANUAL TRANS P/S SIMILAR TO OTHER RECALL WORN OUT ? *NM

Mileage: 125,000

1996 SATURN SL-1 CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED. A KNOWN DEFECT TO THE SATURN CORPORATION.$2400 TO FIX! MY "CHECK ENGINE SOON" LIGHT COMES ON OFTEN. SATURN FINDS NOTHING! HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWMORECOMMENTS_REVIEW_5215_1.HTML SIMPLY "GOOGLE" SATURN + CYLINDER + HEAD HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/SATURN_ENGINE.HTML

Mileage: 77,000

THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE; WHEN I TRIED TO PRESS THE GAS IT JUST REVVED THE ENGINE BUT HAD A HARD TIME GETTING UP TO SPEED; I WAS DRIVING HOME WITH MY TWO DAUGHTERS; GOING ABOUT 30 MPH AND I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THEN STUFF FALLING UNDER MY CAR....THE CAR DIED. I PUSHED THE CAR ABOUT A BLOCK AND HALF TO MY HOUSE. MY CHILDREN AND I THEN WENT TO PICK UP THE PIECES OF THE ENGINE...ONE OF THE PISTONS HAD BLOWN OUT OF THE BLOCK. THERE WAS A HUGE WHOLE ON THE LOWER RIGHT OF THE ENGINE. I HAD SEVERAL MECHANICS COME LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAID IT WAS A "FREAK" ACCIDENT. THERE WAS STILL OIL IN THE ENGINE SO I HAD NOT RAN IT OUT OF OIL. THE NOISE JUST STARTED AND IMMEDIATELY THE ENGINE WAS BAD. I BOUGHT IT WITH 113000 MILES ON IT AND HAD IT ONLY A 6-8 WEEKS WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAD 117000 MILE ON IT WHEN IT BROKE DOWN.

Mileage: 11,700

FOR THE 4TH TIME, THE HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN AND THE HEAD IS WARPED. THIS IS THE RESULT OF A FACTORY DESIGN DEFECT IN THE ENGINE AND WAS REPAIRED THE FIRST TIME WITHOUT CHARGE BY SATURN. HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS DO NOT LAST AND THE HEAD BLOWS APPROXIMATELY EVERY 30,000 MILES. THERE IS NO ENGINE BUILT THAT SHOULD ONLY LAST 30,000 MILES! SATURN REFUSES TO HELP WITH THESE REPAIRS EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HAS BEEN DUTIFULLY MAINTAINED AND SERVICED AT THE SATURN DEALER. THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS IS $2,140 WITH A RECOMMENDATION OF NEW RODS AND BEARINGS AT THIS TIME ALSO. WE HAD NEW RINGS, RODS AND BEARINGS IN EARLY 2002. IF SATURN ADMITTED TO THE DESIGN DEFECT THE FIRST TIME, AND IT CONTINUES TO OCCUR, SHOULDN'T SATURN BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS?

Mileage: 143,766

PURCHASED THE SATURN SL1 IN SEPT 24 OF 2004 WITH 94,32 0MILES. I HAD THE OIL CHANGED THAT VERY SAME DAY. I 'VE KEPT UP ON ALL FLUIDS AND SERVICE RELIGIOUSILY. AT 96910 MILES THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO 1ST, 3RD OR REVERSE WITHOUT FORCE. ON 9/10/03 I HAD THE CLUTCH REPLACED AND THE SLAVE CABLE. THEN IS WHEN IT STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS OVERHEATING, MECHANIC DID TWO DIFFRENT DIAGNOSTIC TEST BOTH CAME BACK WITH NO CONCLUSIONS. THE CAR STILL HEATS UP EVERYDAY ,BUT I HAVE NO OTHER CAR TO DRIVE. THERE IS NO POWER IN THE CAR NOW AND THE OIL IS SLUDGE FILLED. I'VE PURCHASED TEMPERATURE SENDING UNITS, BOTH O2 SENSORS, THERMOSTAT, COOLANT,CLUTCH,RELAYS,ETC...TO TRY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF THE OVER HEATING. PRETTY MUCH IT'S A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE I'M LIKE THE OTHER 1996 SATURN DRIVERS WHO WILL HAVE TO PAY THE $ 1000.00-2000.00 TO FIX MY HEAD GASKET THAT WAS A KNOWN FACTORY DEFECT. WHAT CAN WE DO. *JB

Mileage: 96,910

IN SUMMER OF 2002, I PAID OVER $1500 TO HAVE A HEAD GASKET REPAIRED ON MY SATURN. LAST THURSDAY, THE CAR WAS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT HAS A CRACKED ENGINE CYLINDER. THIS IS AN ITEM ON A TSB ISSUED FROM SATURN, I REALIZED TODAY. NOW I AM FACING OVER $2000 TO HAVE THE CYLINDER REPLACED, PUTTING MY TOTAL COST FOR REPAIRS OVER $3700 ON AN ISSUE THAT SATURN HAS BEEN AWARE OF FOR SOME TIME, YET NEVER NOTIFIED ITS CUSTOMERS.

Mileage: 93,000

THE VEHICLE'S HEAD GASKET CRACKED CAUSING THE OIL FROM THE ENGINE TO POURS INTO THE RADIATOR COOLANT. THIS CAUSES THE ENGINE TO OVER HEAT. *MR

Mileage: 69,001

MY WIFE AND I OWN A 1996 SATURN SL1 WITH 69001 MILES ON IT. I NOTICE THAT OIL WAS IN THE COOLANT RESERVOIR. CONTACTED SATURN OF CORPUS CHRISTI AND ASKED IF THEY HAD AN IDEA OF THE PROBLEM. MAYBE A BAD HEAD GASKET AND GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF $840 PLUS $2.30/MILE TO TOW IT IN. LIVING OUTSIDE OF BEEVILLE 65 MILES AWAY A TOTAL OF 13O MILES. CONTACTED MY MECHANIC TOLD HIM THE PROBLEM AND HE GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF $900 SAVING ON TOWING FEE, I WENT TO HIM. HE LOOKED AT IT AND TOLD ME THAT MY CYLINDER HEAD WAS ALSO CRACKED. HE THEN SHOWED ME A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #96-T-65B THAT SATURN SENT OUT IN MAY 1999 DOCUMENTING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE CYLINDER HEADS CRACKING. HE THEN SHOWED ME THAT MY CYLINDER HEAD WAS CRACKED JUST LIKE THE DIAGRAMS ON PAGE 2 OF THE BULLETIN SHOWED. I CONTACTED SATURN IN TENNESSEE TALKED TO CHAD OF CUSTOMER SERVICE, HIS SUPERVISOR MS. RAMIREZ, HER SUPERVISOR BRENDA SALSBERRY, HER SUPERVISOR JOEY FITZGERALD AND ALL GAVE ME THE SAME ANSWER THAT OUR CAR WAS OVER 6 YEARS OLD. THEY SAID THAT THEY'LL SENT OUT TO ALL SATURN OWNERS SPECIAL POLICY#99-P-01 IN JUNE 1999 EXTENDING OUR WARRANTY FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM FOR 6 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES WE NEVER RECEIVED ANY EXTENSION POLICY FROM SATURN FOR US TO BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. AFTER THEM KNOWING AND DOCUMENTING PROBLEMS WITH CYLINDER HEADS DOES THIS NOT MAKE IT A DEFECTIVE OR FLAWED PART, AND THERE IS NO WARRANTY TIME ON DEFECTIVE PARTS. I'M ASKING YOU TO INVESTIGATE THIS FOR US INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE GETTING NO WHERE WITH SATURN. I DON'T THINK THAT IT IS JUST A COINCIDENCE THAT MY CYLINDER HEAD CRACK JUST AS THEY DREW UP ON PAGE 2 OF BULLETIN 96-T-65B. HELP! *LA

Mileage: 69,001

ENGINE OIL LEAKING INTO COOLANT RESULTING IN A CRACKED HEAD GASKET. *JB

Mileage: 88,457

IF YOU WOULD TAKE A LOOK AT THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE RADIATOR. WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT'S PLASTIC? WHERE THIS PLASTIC IS MOLDED TOGETHER THERE IS A CREASE AND IN EVERY PERSON I HAVE SPOKE WITH WHO HAS ONE IT SPLIT OPEN RIGHT DOWN THE CREASE IN WHICH CAUSES WATER AND COOLANT TO LEAK SOMETIMES SPRAY OUT. THIS IS A DEFECT ON THE MANUFACTURES PART AND SHOULD BE REDESIGNED AND REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE, INSTEAD THEY ARE OVER LOOKING THESE PROBLEMS AND SAYING IT'S AFTER WARRANTY. SATURN SHOULD STAND BEHIND THE MAKING OF THEIR VEHICLES AND ADMIT THEIR MISTAKES, BETTER YET CORRECT THEM. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE FOUND TO BE WRONG WITH THESE CARS IT'S JUST THE ONLY ONE THAT'S A DESIGN FLAW AND ONLY SATURN CAN MAKE RIGHT. SEVERAL OTHERS I KNOW HAVE GOTTEN NEW RADIATORS AND REPLACED THEM AND STILL THEY BREAK OPEN SAME PLACE. THE TEMP GAUGE DOESN'T SHOW THE VEHICLE RUNNING HOT AND SAYS IN THE MANUAL THAT THE GAUGE WILL DEFAULT AND RETURN TO THE MIDDLE POSITION NOW YOU TELL ME WHAT GOOD THAT DOES FOR TELLING IF YOUR CAR IS RUNNING HOT. COME ON SATURN DO SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR MISTAKES!!!!!!!! *JB

I HAVE A 1996 SATURN, SL1 WITH 65,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR A REGULAR OIL CHANGE, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WATER COOLING SYSTEM. THE CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED AND OIL LEAKS INTO THE RADIATOR SYSTEM. I CALLED SATURN AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEED TO TALK TO A LOCAL DEALER. I WAS NOT EVEN ABLE TO EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM, AND WAS DISMISSED HUMILIATINGLY. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD CONTACT SATURN, AFTER WHICH I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS ON MY OWN AS THE PURCHASE DATE WAS BEFORE THE 6 YEAR WINDOW THEY HAD DESIGNATED (6 YEAR/100,000 MILES WARRANTY). IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT SATURN KNEW ABOUT THE DESIGN FAULT SO THEY WENT WITH THIS SECRET WARRANTY. IT IS COSTING ME OVER $1000 FOR A PROBLEM I DID NOT CAUSE! I DO NOT BELIEVE SATURN SHOULD GET AWAY WITH SUCH A PRACTICE, AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS AND MY TIME (I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH THE HARDSHIP AND INCONVENIENCE I HAVE EXPERIENCED BECAUSE OF THIS DECEPTIVE ACTION BY SATURN.) I HOPE YOU WILL BE MY (AND THE OTHER CITIZENS IN MY SITUATION) ADVOCATE AND HELP US IN THIS MATTER. SINCERELY,FASSIL GHEBREMICHAEL. *JB

Mileage: 65,000

CRACKED HEAD CYLINDER - MANUFACUTURER HAS "SECRET WARRANTY" ON THIS PART FOR 1994-1996 SATURNS. SATURN WOULDN'T COVER WHOLE REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THE "SECRET WARRANTY EXPIRED IN JUNE 2002" ON MY CAR. REASON I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD PAY FOR ALL OF IT: (1) KNOWN DESIGN DEFECT WITH ENGINE (2) MY CAR WAS IN THE DEALERSHIP GARAGE FOR ENGINE WORK DURING THE SECRET WARRANTY TERM AND DURING MY WARRANTY COVERAGE, FOR AN OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. ENGINE WAS REBUILT BUT HEAD CYLINDER WAS NEVER CHECKED FOR KNOWN PROBLEM AND I WASN'T NOTIFIED OF THE KNOWN PROBLEM. NOW BOTH WARRANTIES ARE EXPIRED SO THEY WANTED ME TO PAY THE WHOLE BILL. I REFUSED BUT THEY ONLY OFFERED TO COVER HALF. I HAVE PUT A COMPLAINT INTO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU.

I REPLACED MY BRAKES AND ROTORS TODAY. THE MECHANIC WANTED TO SHOW ME THE MESS THAT THEY WERE. I LOOKED AT THEM AND HE POINTED OUT HOW UNUSUALLY DESTROYED THE INSIDE PADS ARE. HE SAID HE RARELY SEES ANYTHING THAT BAD. THE HORN WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO. THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND SOME DAYS I REALLY HAVE TO WORK HARD TO GET IT OUT OR GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO RELEASE SO I CAN TURN THE KEY. ALSO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM IS JUST HANGING ON BEFORE THE RUST OVERRUNS IT. *LA

Mileage: 97,770

CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD. *JB

Mileage: 75,508

CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE HAD HER AUTOMOBILE INSSPECTED ,AND WAS TOLD THAT HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING. SHE DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT OTHER SATURN OWNER WERE HAVING THE SAME KIND OF PROBLEM. WHAT COULD SHE DO ABOUT IT?*AK

ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THE ENGINE OIL AND COOLANT MIXED TOGETHER BECAUSE THE HEAD GASKET WAS CRACKED. *AK *TS *JB

Mileage: 73,185

THE ENGINE OIL AND THE ANTIFREEZE IS MIXING TOGETHER IN THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSES THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT WHILE DRIVING. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THE ENGINE CYCLINDER BEAD WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED.*AK

1996 SATURN - ENGINE OIL LEAKS INTO COOLANT. DEALER SAID THERE WAS A MANUFACTURING DESIGN FLAW. 1997'S UNDER 100,000 MILES SATURN WOULD PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED, BUT NOT 1996'S. *NLM

Mileage: 128,433

NAR 02/28/2003 MR MALFUNCTIONING ENGINE. *CB

Mileage: 92,237

I PURCHASED MY SATURN SL2 NEW IN 1996. AFTER 70,000 MILES IT STARTED USING AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF OIL. OIL CONSUMPTION STARTED TO ECLIPSE 1 QT. FOR EVERY 500 MILES. MY OIL CHANGE SERVICE SAID SATURN ENGINES WERE NOTORIOUS FOR BAD RINGS. I TOOK TO SATURN DEALERSHIP. THEY WANTED SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A NEW ENGINE. I REPLACED ENGINE WITH A SATURN ENGINE WITH 23,000 MILES. AFTER ANOTHER 40,000 MILES THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE EXHIBITED THE EXACT SAME BEHAVIOR. I NOW NEED TO PURCHASE A THIRD ENGINE.

Mileage: 70,000

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE CAR WAS RUNNING THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD.

I BOUGHT MY CAR IN 1996 BRAND NEW FROM STAMFORD SATURN CAR DEALER. DURING THE FIRST YEAR, I EXPERIENCED THAT MY CAR IS USING ONE QUART OF OIL PER MONTH. I REPORTED TO MY CAR DEALER THAT MY CAR IS USING 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY MONTH, THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I BRING THE CAR TO THEM FOR OIL CONSUMPTION STUDY FOR SIX MONTH. I DID NOT BRING MY CAR TO THE DEALER AT THAT TIME. AFTER SIX YEARS, MY CAR WAS USING 3 QUARTS OF OIL WITHIN TEN DAYS. I CALLED SATURN REPRESENTATIVE AND THE LOCAL SATURN CAR DEALER FOR HELP. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I AUTHORIZE THE DEALER TO DO TEAR DOWN OF THE ENGINE. I AUTHORIZED THE DEALER TO THE TEAR DOWN OF THE ENGINE; AFTER THE TEAR DOWN DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT, I EITHER HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED FOR $3000.00 OR REPLACE THE ENGINE FOR $4300.00. I DECIDED TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED WITH NEW ENGINE. THE SATURN REPRESENTATIVE WOULD NOT ADMIT THAT MY CAR HAS MANUFACTURER DEFECT, I EXPLAINED TO THEM THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR A NEW CAR TO USE UP 3 QUARTS OF OIL IN TEN DAYS. IN THE BEGINNING, THE SATURN REPRESENTATIVE AGREED IF THE CAR HAD OIL CONSUMPTION OR MANUFACTURER DEFECT THEY WOULD HELP WITH THE REPAIR COST. HOWEVER, AFTER THE REPAIR THEY ARE NOT HELPING ME WITH THE REPAIR COST. PLEASE TRY TO UNDERSTAND I HAVE FAMILY WIFE AND TWO YEAR OLD SON, MY WIFE CANNOT WORK FULL TIME BECAUSE SHE HAS TO TAKE CARE OF OUR SON. TO PAY $4300.00 IS TOO MUCH FOR ME TO HANDLE, PLEASE HELP. I PAID THE DEALER WITH MY AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD.*AK

THERE IS A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD AND OIL IS LEAKING FROM VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

ENGINE HAD A CRACKED HEAD WHICH WAS CAUSING LOSS OF OIL. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED AND WAS LEAKING. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING A REFUND FOR THE COST OF REPAIR. *YH

CRACKED HEAD CYLINDER CAUSED BY OIL MIXING WITH COOLENT. SATURN REFUSED TO HONOR SUPPLIMENTAL WARRANTY PROVIDED IN TSB 99P01. *AK

DRIVE BELT AND SERPENTINE BELT FAILED, VALVE BODY COVER AND GASKET WERE REPLACED. *YH

DRIVE BELT AND SERPENTINE BELT FAILED, VALVE BODY COVER AND GASKET WERE REPLACED. *YH

THIS VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED APPROX. 1 1/2 YEARS AGO. THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT BECAUSE OF A CRACKED CYLINDER WHICH ALLOWED THE OIL AND COOLANT TO MIX. THIS NOVEMBER 2001 THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED ONCE MORE. A CRACKED CYCLINDER HEAD, OIL AND COOLANT MIXED. SATURN CORP. PAID FOR 1/2 ($720) THE COST OF THE REPAIR BUT THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PAY THE OTHER HALF. HAS THIS PROBLEM BEEN REPORTED WITH OTHER SAME OR SIMILAR MODELS?*AK

LOSS OF COOLANT DUE TO A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THE VEHICLE WAS IN TOW WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED, THERE WERE NO INJURIES (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM

ENGINE CUT OFF, ENGINE SURGED,TACHOMETER BOUCES,REPLACED VALVE GUIDES AT 60000 MILES, COMPRESION STILL NOT CORRECT, CK ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS COMES ON, BURNS OIL, 2 QTS MORE THAN SPECS SAY. SEAT BELT LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN WHEN IN USE.

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO LEAK OR EVIDENCE OF BURNING OIL.*AK THE CONSUMER FOUND OUT THAT THE VEHICLE STALL BECAUSE THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. IT WAS JUST 3000 MILES SINCE LAST OIL CHANGE. *YH

ENGINE OIL LEAKED INTO COOLANT SYSTEM CAUSE OVERHEATING AFTER ENGINE RAN OUT OF OIL. CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD WAS THE CAUSE AFTER TALKED TO DEALER. ALSO FOUND THERE WERE QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS ABOUT EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM.

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED OVERHEATING, DEALER REPLACED CYLINDER HEAD. *SLC

THE CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED WHILE I WAS COMMUTING HOME FROM WORK. IT COST ME 2000.00 PLUS TO REPAIR. SATURN TOLD ME THEY WOULD COVER THE REPAIR UP TO 100,000 MILES. OF COURSE I WAS ABOUT 7,000 OVER THAT. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFO ON ANY PROBLEMS TO LOOK OUT FOR FROM THE DEALER. PRIOR TO THIS I DID NOTICE MY COOLANT WAS DISCOLORED SO I HAD THE FLUID REPLACED. I DID NOT SUSPECT ANY INTERENAL ENGINE PROBLEMS. I WANT TO KNOW WHO I CAN GET IN CONTACT WHITH TO GET A REFUND OF MY MONEY. I. *AK

SQUEALING NOISE FROM ENGINE AREA IN RAINY WEATHER, DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE DRIVE BELT DUE TO IT BEING DRY AND CRACKED. *SLC

VEHICLE LUNGES WHEN PUT IN REVERSE AND GEARS AREN'T SHIFTING CORRECTLY, DEALER REPLACED VALVE BODY. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED SAW WATER AND OIL COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THIS WAS DUE TO A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. DEALER FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD. OWNER TOLD THAT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND SATURN WOULD PAY REPAIRS COST. *AK *ML

I NEED TO KNOW IF THERE IS OR WILL THERE BE A RECALL ON THE MOTOR MOUNT FOR THE SATURN SL COUPE 1996. *AK

AIR CONDITIONER STARTED - SMELLED TAR-LIKE SMELL - TURNED A/C OFF, NO SMELL & CAR RAN BEAUTIFULLY, NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ON. TOOK ON ROAD TRIP, RAN FINE BUT NOTICED ENGINE WAS HOT WHEN STOPPED - ADDED OIL, OTHER FLUIDS FINE - IMMEDIATELY ABORTED TRIP & DROVE TO DEALER- NO PROBLEMS (SMELLS, INDICATOR LIGHTS, ETC.) ON RIDE, - NOTICED THAT SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED 1.5 MOS. AGO WAS FRAYED & LOOSE. OIL SPEWED FROM FRONT TO BACK OF CAR (ALTHOUGH CAR DROVE FINE & NO INDICATOR LIGHTS, NOISES OR INDICATION OF TROUBLE) - DEALER SAYS ENGINE MAY BE SHOT & CAR MAY NEED TO BE JUNKED. *AK

AIR CONDITIONER STARTED - SMELLED TAR-LIKE SMELL - TURNED A/C OFF, NO SMELL & CAR RAN BEAUTIFULLY, NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ON. TOOK ON ROAD TRIP, RAN FINE BUT NOTICED ENGINE WAS HOT WHEN STOPPED - ADDED OIL, OTHER FLUIDS FINE - IMMEDIATELY ABORTED TRIP & DROVE TO DEALER- NO PROBLEMS (SMELLS, INDICATOR LIGHTS, ETC.) ON RIDE, - NOTICED THAT SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED 1.5 MOS. AGO WAS FRAYED & LOOSE. OIL SPEWED FROM FRONT TO BACK OF CAR (ALTHOUGH CAR DROVE FINE & NO INDICATOR LIGHTS, NOISES OR INDICATION OF TROUBLE) - DEALER SAYS ENGINE MAY BE SHOT & CAR MAY NEED TO BE JUNKED. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT 60MPH VEHICLE'S SPEED WILL INSTANTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING DROP DOWN TO ABOUT 10MPH. DEALER SAYS IT'S A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

MUFFLER AND PIPES RUSTED AND SEVERAL OTHER PARTS HAVE FAILED.*ET

EGR VALVE FAILED.*ET

ERG VALVE AND SEVERAL OTHER PARTS HAVE FAILED AFTER FAILURE OF THE JUNCTION BOX.*ET

DUE TO ICE IN A COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT, WHILE PARKING MY CAR, CAR SLID INTO A IRON GUARD RAIL AND THE RADIATOR, A/C CONDENSER, SUPPORT OF FRONT BUMPER COVER AND FRONT BUMPER COVER WERE ALL DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR AND HAD TO BE REPLACED

NO SUMMARY

PROBLEM DIAGNOSED BY SATURN OF THOUSAND OAKS AS A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD; AS A RESULT, COOLANT AND COOLANT SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED WITH OIL; ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. DESPITE COMMENT BY SATURN OF THOUSAND OAKS SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH "THE PROCESS" WITH 1996 SATURNS, SATURN CORP. DENIES CAUSE IS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I KNOW OF AT LEAST ONE OTHER 1996 SL1 PURCHASED AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP WHICH EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM IN JUNE/98. BOTH CARS WERE PURCHASED NEW AND WERE LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

ENGINE HAS A DESIGN FLAW. ANITI-FREEZE GETS INTO THE OIL. DEALER CONTACTED AND WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

CONSUMER BACKED OUT DRIVEWAY. ON RIGHT SIDE OF DRIVEWAY WHERE THE FRONT OF VEHICLE WAS SITTING, THERE WAS BROWN OIL/WATER MIXTURE. WHEN SHE OPENED THE HOOD AND LOOKED INTO THE RESERVOIR THERE WAS A COLORED LIQUID. MECHANIC DISCOVERED A CRACKED ENGINE CYLINDER. CHECKED COMPUTER AND FOUND A BULLETIN--ID. #96-T-65A--ISSUED FEB. 1997,THAT DEALS WITH THIS PROBLEM. *AK

/22/99 - AFTER NO RESPONSE FROM DON HUDLER, POSTED THIS EMAIL TO THE SATURN WEBSITE

THE ENGINE HEAD HAS AN INTERNAL CRACK IN IT WHICH ALLOWS THE ENGINE OIL TO LEAK INTO THE COOLANT. I REALIZED THIS BECAUSE THERE WAS OIL IN THE COOLANT RESERVOIR. I WENT TO SATURN OF FT. LAUDERDALE, WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY(I HAVE53,000MILES). I WAS ALSO TOLD IF I WANTED THEM TO FIX IT THEY WOULD CHARGE ME $300 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, AND IF IT WAS A CRACKED HEAD, IT WOULD COST ME AT LEAST $1200. IF I DIDN'T LIKE THEIR DIAGNOSES I WOULD HAVE 24 HOURS TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED OFF THEIR PROPERTY , DISASSEMBLED. THIS WAS TOLD TO ME BY DENNY MCGEE (954)760-6340, SERVICE MANAGER FOR SATURN. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IF I HAD NOT FOLLOWED EVERY SERVICE REQUIREMENT THAT SATURN DESCRIBES IN THEIR HAND BOOK I WOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR ANY COMPENSATION. AT THE MOST THEY MIGHT PAY FOR PARTS AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR LABOR. I AM VERY ANGRY! I AM A TEACHER, AND I COULD NOT AFFORD TO GAMBLE THAT SATURN "MIGHT PICK UP PART OF THE PRICE" MR. MCGEE SAID THEY MAY ONLY PICK UP 10%. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO HAS TOLD ME THAT THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE PART. THE CAR HAS NEVER OVERHEATED AND MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THE CRACK IS BETWEEN TWO CHAMBERS WHERE THE OIL AND COOLANT CIRCULATE THROUGH THE ENGINE. HE OBTAINED USED REPLACEMENT PART AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT THIS PART ALSO HAD A SIMILAR CRACK IN THE SAME PLACE. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS ENGINE PART? I AM VERY DISILLUSIONED WITH THE SATURN COMPANY. THEY WERE VERY UNHELPFUL AND RUDE IN ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AND I WANT THEM TO HELP PAY FOR A DEFECTIVE PART ON THE CAR THAT THEY SOLD ME! PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH ME IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU CAN DO. THANK YOU, SINCERELY, HEATHER RYAN. *AK

I REALLY FEEL THAT A CAR THAT IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND HAVE ONLY 47000 MILES SHOULDN'T HAVE NEED A NEW ENGINE IN IT.

ENGINE RPM WILL INCREASE TO 3500 WHETHER AT IDLE OR DRIVING AT 55 MPH. THIS HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS. IF THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF , THE CAR WILLN'T START UNLESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PRESSED TO THE FLOUR. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CARS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM MAY FIND IT DIFFICULT TO SLOW THE CAR UPON BRAKING UNLESS THEY WERE TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO NUETRAL. IT IS HIGHLY POSSIBLE THAT SOME SATURN OWNERS AREN'T AWARE OF THE PROBLEM IF THEY OWN AN AUTOMATIC. IN THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (COMPLAINTS DATABASE) THERE WERE 8 OR 9 CASES OF BRAKE FAILURE . WERE THESE FAILURES AS A RESULT OF UNCONTROLLED RPM MOTOR SPEED? ODI ID 816070 INDICATED A PROBLEM WHICH MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO THIS CONDITION. THIS PROBLEM IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CARS WILL LEAD TO PREMATURE BRAKE ROTOR AND PAD WEAR NOT TO MENTION THE FAILURE OF THE CAR TO STOP WITHIN THE ASSURRED NORMAL DISTANCE.

VALVES REPLACED.

OIL PAN FAILED CAUSING LEAKING.

HEAD GASKET CRACKED.

ENGINE SMELLS WHEN PUT IN GARAGE.

CRACKED ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD. *AK

ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING SHORTLY AFTER MAINTENANCE.

ENGINE STALLS DUE TO VALVES STICKING.

WHILE DRIVING ON REGULAR ROAD, LIGHTS CAME ON DASHBOARD, ENGINE CUT OFF, VEHICLE SWERVED TO RIGHT, CRASHED INTO CEMENT SEWAGE DRAIN, TIRE RIMS POPPED, VEHICLE CAME TO STOP. WITH DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. *AK

WHEN DRIVING ALONG SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON, PUT FOOT ON GAS AND VEHICLE STALLS AND STARTS VIBRATING. HAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIRS SEVEN TIMES. THEY HAVE REPLACED JIIST ABOUT EVERY PART AND STILL THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED OF 55MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE DECREASED ITS SPEED DOWN TO 10MPH, THEN INCREASED ITS SPEED BACK TO 55MPH. CAUSE UNKNOWN.

WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED OF 55MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE DECREASED ITS SPEED DOWN TO 10MPH, THEN INCREASED ITS SPEED BACK TO 55MPH. CAUSE UNKNOWN.

ENGINE MALFUNCTION NOT CORRECTED DESPITE BEING SERVICED 7 TIMES AND REPLACING: SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES, FUEL INJECTORS, AND VALVES. FRONT DRIVER'S WINDOW EXPLODED BECAUSE OF MALFUNCTIONING ELECTRONIC SWITCH--CAUSED INJURY TO DRIVER. OWNERS WISH TO HAVE MONEY BACK OR REPLACEMENT.