2002 SATURN SL Electrical System Problems
44 complaints about Electrical System
High Severity Issue
This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.
This Problem Across All Years
All Electrical System Complaints (44)
IGNITION REQUIRES KEY JIGGLE IN ORDER TO START. ELECTRICAL ISSUES SUCH AS CONSTANT SHORTS, MAJOR FAILURE IN SUPPORTING SYSTEMS.
Mileage: 57,000
I OWN A 2002 SATURN SL VEHICLE PURCHASED IN 7/2016. I'M HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING MY VEHICLE. BOTH STARTER AND BATTERY HAVE BOTH BEEN CHECKED OUT OK. ALL SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED ON 10/31/18. AFTER THESE REPAIRS, WHEN STARTED IT STILL MADE VERY NOISY SOUNDS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. NOW I CAN'T GET IT TO START AT ALL. I TRIED TO GET HELP ABOUT A RECALL RELATING TO MY VEHICLE'S STARTING PROBLEMS. I CONTACTED SATURN COMPANY 1(800)533-6000 AND GM RECALL CENTER 1(866)694-6546. NEITHER WERE WILLING TO HELP. I FOUND INFO ON THE KELLEY BLUE BOOK WEBSITE. I ENTERED MY VIN NUMBER AND FOLLOWING WAS DISPLAYED: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 03V231; REPORT DATE: INFO UNAVAILABLE; VEHICLES AFFECTED: 239,993; CONSEQUENCE: INFO UNAVAILABLE; WHAT YOU SHOULD DO: DEALERS WILL (1) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE, (2) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE AND SPARK PLUGS, OR (3) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE, SPARK PLUGS, AND UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE. WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO CONTACT THEIR DEALERS FOR APPOINTMENTS TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLE REPAIRED. PARTS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE DURING SEPTEMBER 2003. SUMMARY: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L L4 (L61) ENGINES, A FAILURE OF THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE MAY CAUSE DETERIORATION IN IDLE QUALITY, REDUCTION IN OVERALL ENGINE POWER, AND THE VEHICLE MAY BE HARD TO START. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AFTER SUCH AN IGNITION MODULE FAILURE WILL RESULT IN THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT FLASHING, AND MAY LEAD TO SECONDARY FAILURES OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, OXYGEN SENSOR, AND EXHAUST RESONATOR. FAILURE OF THE RESONATOR WILL CAUSE INCREASED EXHAUST NOISE. PROLONGED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING A RESONATOR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE. **CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME WITH FINDING OUT IF THIS RECALL EFFECTED MY VEHICLE?
Mileage: 141,244
IGNITION CYLINDER IS WORE OUT, WHEN PUTTING IN THE KEY, YOU HAVE TO JIGGLE THE KEY, SOMETIMES TAKES UP TO 10 MINUTES FOR THE KEY TO TURN AND START. SOMETIMES IT WORKS FINE. THIS IS AN OFF AND ON PROBLEM. THIS MONTH (SEPT 2017) IT HAS BEEN REAL BAD. I AM AFRAID TO GO ANYWHERE, FEARING I WILL BE STRANDED.
Mileage: 988,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND RETURNING TWENTY MINUTES LATER, THE IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Mileage: 78,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,795. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL EACH TIME. UPDATED 08/19/15*JB ALSO, THE STARTER WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 11/19/15.*JB
Mileage: 211,795
THIS VEHICLE IS A DEATH TRAP THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, CAN NOT START, WHOLE STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE, KEY COMES OUT DURING DRIVING. ...UPDATED 09/22/15 *BF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE KEY EJECTED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN IN THE ON POSITION WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
Mileage: 77,000
WE HAVE A SATURN SL1 THAT HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT THE CARS ON THE IGNITION RECALL LIST HAVE. THE KEY COMES OUT IN ANY POSITION - THE WHEEL LOCKS UP AND WE CAN'T GET IT TO UNLOCK - WE LIVE IN A RURAL AREA AND OUR ROADS ARE VERY ROUGH. WE FEEL THAT THE KEY MAY MOVE FROM THE RUN POSITION WHILE WE ARE DRIVING THE CAR AND THE ENGINE WILL TURN OFF AND WE WILL BE IN GREAT DANGER. WE HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THEY SAID THAT SINCE THE CAR IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST - THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO....WE WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU COULD INVESTIGATE THIS SITUATION. OUR CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN OUR DRIVEWAY FOR 3 MONTHS, BECAUSE WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME -- AWAITING YOUR EARLIEST RESPONSE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
KEYS COME OUT OF IGNITION DURING USE. *TR
Mileage: 105,619
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS REMOVED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000...UPDATED 10/06/14 *BF
Mileage: 90,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING IGNITION FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E021000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,500.
Mileage: 60,000
I HAVE REMOVED THE KEY WITH THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND THE CAR CONTINUES TO RUN. THE KEY FALLS OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. ADDITIONALLY, THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED BEFORE BEING TURNED TO THE "OFF" POSITION. THIS CAUSES THE KEY TO BE DIFFICULT TO REINSERT INTO THE IGNITION. *TR
IGNITION SWITCH IS HARD TO IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN ON AND ONCE THE CAR IS RUNNING THE KEY WILL TURN TO THE OFF POSITION AND WITH THE KEY EXTRACTED FROM THE LOCK THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO RUN. *TR
Mileage: 230,000
WHILE CAR IS MOVING KEY COMES OUT OF IGNITION. *TR
Mileage: 140,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL2. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE CONTACT WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OR INFORMED IF HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V231000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCKED AND PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM BEING STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
WHEN I REMOVED THE KEYS FROM MY CAR IT KEPT RUNNING. THEY KEYS HAVE ONLY FALLEN OUT TWICE, BUT I HAVE SINCE REMOVED ALL THE EXTRAS FROM THE KEY FOB. BUT THE CAR SHOULD NOT CONTINUE TO RUN AFTER IT HAS BEEN PLACED IN PARK AND THE KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. I KNOW IT IS AN OLDER CAR AND CURRENTLY HAS 135,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD DILIGENT MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON IT SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW IN 2002. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN IT HAD 45,000 MILES ON IT AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY GM, BUT I WAS ADVISED IT WAS A COSTLY EXPENSE FOR ME. GM SHOULD REPLACE THE IGNITION AT THEIR COST. *TR
Mileage: 45,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VISIBILITY WAS LOW ON THE HIGH BEAMS AND THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V231000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V158000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Mileage: 60,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VISIBILITY WAS LOW ON THE HIGH BEAMS AND THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V231000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V158000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Mileage: 60,000
IGNITION SWITCH FAILS CAUSES STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK AND OR UNABLE TO TURN ON CAR. *TR
Mileage: 75,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE KEY FAILED TO TURN TO START THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
Mileage: 104,000
THE KEY COMES OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE RUNNING. THERE IS ALSO TROUBLE TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START IT. SIMILAR TO WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS, SOMETIMES THE KEY WONT TURN. THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND TAKES 20-30 TRIES BEFORE IT FINALLY TURNS OVER. *JS
Mileage: 162,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY WAS ABLE TO BE REMOVED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 5/27/14*CN UPDATED 06/02/2014 *JS
Mileage: 72,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN LS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE DRIVER DROVE AT LOW SPEED IN A PARKING LOT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT'S INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
Mileage: 155,000
THE GM IGNITION PROBLEMS PROMPTING THE CURRENT RECALL ALSO AFFECTED THE CAR ABOVE. I BOUGHT THE 2002 SATURN NEW IN MARCH OF 2003, AND OWNED IT FOR OVER 10 YEARS, SELLING IT LAST FALL TO A FRIEND. I HAD IT AT THE JAKE SWEENEY (CINCINNATI) DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES FOR STRANGE "ELECTRICAL" PROBLEMS. (CAR DID NOT HAVE AUTO DOOR LOCKS OR WINDOWS - EVERYTHING WAS MANUAL). I WOULD BE DRIVING, WHEN ALL THE DASH GAUGES WOULD GO OUT. IT WOULD REGISTER NO SPEED, NO TEMP, NO GAS, NO RPMS. ODOMETER DIDN'T MOVE. I COULD DRIVE THE CAR, STOP AND START. THEN SUDDENLY IT WOULD "COME TO". THE DEALERSHIP THOUGHT I WAS NUTS, UNTIL FINALLY IN EARLY 2013, I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHILE IT WAS DOING IT. AFTER DAYS OF DIAGNOSTICS, THEY SAID IT WAS THE IGNITION. THEY REPLACED THE WHOLE THING (AT MY EXPENSE) AND THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. THEY SAID "WERE YOU AWARE THAT YOU COULD TAKE THE KEY OUT WHILE THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE?" (I HAD NOT BEEN AWARE). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,062. *TR
Mileage: 155,062
IGNITION SWITCH-LOCK MECHANISM IS BAD. MECHANIC STATES THIS HAS BEEN AN ON- GOING PROBLEM. REPLACING WHOLE IGNITION SYSTEM, PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE SINCE AROUND 50,000 MILE MARK. PROBLEM OCCURS EVERY TIME CAR IS STARTED. *TR
CAR IDLES HIGH. IF YOU ARE AT A LIGHT OR PARKED IN THE CAR THE CAR WILL IDLE HIGH THEN SHUT OFF. IF YOUARE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND NEED TO PICK UP SPEED THE CAR REVS UP AND THEN RPMS GO REAL HIGH BUT NOT ANY POWER PUT INTO THE CAR TO MOVE. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE WE FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR. AND IS GETTING WORSE. *TR
THE STARTER MOTOR ENERGIZED WITHOUT A KEY IN THE IGNITION OR ANYONE IN/NEAR THE CAR. IT WAS IN GEAR WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, AND IT RAN OVER A 12 INCH "STOP" AND INTO A FREEZER WHERE IT CONTINUED TO RUN FOR SOMETIME UNTIL IT BURNED UP. THE FREEZER PREVENTED IT FROM GOING THROUGH THE GARAGE WALL AND INTO THE HOUSE. *TR
Mileage: 100,414
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. WHENEVER THE CONTACT STARTS THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE FAILS AND THE IGNITION WILL NOT START. SHE HAD NEW KEYS MADE, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE. DURING THE FAILURE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINS ILLUMINATED AND WILL NOT DIM. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR OVER A YEAR. THE CONTACT MUST WIGGLE THE KEYS FOR AT LEAST FIFTEEN TO THIRTY MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL START. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 3/19/09 *CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ENGINE IDLES VERY HIGH. OVER 4000 RPM/ UPDATED 03/25/09.*JB
Mileage: 120,000
I HAVE A SATURN SL2 AND EVERYTIME I TRY TO START THE CAR, THE KEY GETS STUCK AND I HAVE TO JIGGLE AND PUSH AND SHOVE AND SIT IN THE HOT CAR FOR OVER 15 MINUTES IN THE SUMMER HEAT TO START THE CAR. THIS IS AFTER I PAID TO HAVE TWO NEW KEYS MADE THINKING THAT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I DID SOME RESEARCH AFTER BEING TOLD I NEED A NEW IGNITION BARREL AND SAW THAT MANY MANY MANY SATURN VEHICLE OWNERS GO THROUGH THE SAME THING... WHY HASN'T THIS ISSUE BEEN ADDRESSED BY SATURN??? WE MUST WE SPEND SO MUCH MONEY ON A FAULTY ITEM? LIFE AND GAS IS SO EXPENSIVE TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH A FAULTY CAR THAT THIS DEALERSHIP KEEPS SELLING. PLEASE HELP US! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, IT WOULD JAM AND NOT TURN TO THE ACCESSORY POSITION. HE DESCRIBED THE IGNITION LOCK AS "FROZEN". AFTER REFERENCING THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THE CONTACT JIGGLED THE STEERING WHEEL AND KEY, BUT STILL WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER (OR TUMBLER) WAS DEFECTIVE ACCORDING TO A MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, WHICH LAPSED ON MAY 30, 2008. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,302 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000. UPDATED 08/04/08. *LJ THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE IGNTION LOCK CYLINDER. UPDATED 08/06/08
Mileage: 45,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL1. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION WILL NOT TURN TO THE START POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT TAKES 5-10 MINUTES OF ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE IGNITION WOULD TURN. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,787 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
Mileage: 87,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SL2. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. DURING THE MOST RECENT FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.
Mileage: 125,000
MY SON HAD AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING 3 OTHER VEHICLES. THE MOTOR OF THE 2002 SATURN SL1 IN WHICH HE WAS DRIVING STALLED AS HE EXITED THE HIGHWAY ONTO A SERVICE ROAD. ONCE THE ENGINE STALLED,HE DID NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO STEER OR STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, HE STRUCK 2 VEHICLES THAT WERE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT CAUSING A CHAIN REACTION. THE SECOND VEHICLE THAT HE STRUCK HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE VEHICLE MY SON DROVE. THE RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE 1 SUSTAINED DAMAGE. THE REAR AND FRONT BUMPERS WERE DAMAGED ON VEHICLE 2. THE REAR OF VEHICLE 3 IS DAMAGED. THE SATURN IN WHICH MY SON WAS DRIVING HAD FRONT BUMPER DAMAGE, HOOD CRUMPLED, AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, LEFT REAR VIEW MIRROR SEPARATED FROM THE CAR, LEFT HEAD LIGHT AND BRACKETS DESTROYED, AND DAMAGE ALONG THE LEFT FRONT QUARTER PANEL. *JB MY SON RECEIVED A SUPERFICIAL CUT IN WHICH THE EMERGENCY PARAMEDICS BANDAGED WHILE ON SITE. THE SATURN WAS TOWED TO SATURN OF ARLINGTON FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. THE TECHNICIAN EXPLAINED THAT THE COMPUTER CONTAINS VEHICLE SYSTEMS INFORMATION THAT OCCURED IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE COLLISION, HOWEVER HE DID NOT HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO EXTRACT THE INFORMATION.
Mileage: 95,000
AT MY LAST SERVICE VISIT, THE REPAIR TECH RECOMMENDED THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF: 1 IGNITION HOUSING BOLT -- HE STATED THAT WITHOUT THIS REPAIR, THE CAR COULD SUDDENLY "STOP WHERE IT IS AND BE UNSTEERABLE AND/OR UNDRIVEABLE". (LORD HELP WHOEVER'S BEHIND ME ON THE FREEWAY THAT DAY!) I'VE OWNED 5 VEHICLES -- MANUFACTURED BY FORD, CHRYSLER, SUBARU AND GENERAL MOTORS -- NOTHING LIKE THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED BEFORE. IT'S ALSO KIND OF SCARY TO KNOW THAT THE ONLY REASON I'M AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM IS BECAUSE I JUST HAPPENED TO TAKE MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE! QUESTIONS: IF 2 LITTLE BOLTS ARE THAT IMPORTANT, SHOULDN'T THOSE AREAS, INSTEAD AND/OR IN ADDITION TO, BE SOLDERED? IS THIS TYPE OF BREAKAGE SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN? AM I DRIVING "AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN"? *NM
Mileage: 37,672
PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND WAS ABLE TO PULL THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING...WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR AND DRIVE IT. I DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG THE CAR HAS BEEN LIKE THIS! *NM
DT: WHILE TRYING TO START THE CAR WITH THE KEY IT WILL NOT TURN THE IGNITION TO START THE CAR. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THE SAME COMPONENT BUT FOR A DIFFERENT MODEL CAR. DEALER HAS FIXED PROBLEM, BUTCALLER HAS TO PAY FOR IT. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK
Mileage: 48,000
ELECTRICAL WIRING DEFECT RESULTED IN THE 2002 SATURN SL2 CATCHING ON FIRE. *MR (SHORT IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THIS HAZARD AND NHTSA SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. *SC 8JB
WHEN BRAKES APPLIED THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO COME ON, THE BRAKE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER DROVE TO THE DEALER AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE CONNECTING FROM THE STEERING HARNESS. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, NEAR THE BATTERY, AFTER HAVING OIL CHANGED. TWO PARTIES HAVE LOOKED AT THE CAR AND DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THE WIRING NEAR THE BATTERY WAS THE AFFECTED AREA. THE CAR WAS A LOSS WITH ONLY 30000 MILES ON IT. SATURN DOES NOT WANT TO HONOR FACTORY WARRANTY. ALSO, SATURN FOUND CRACK IN THE ENGINE. THEY "BELIEVE" THIS CRACK COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE. NO OTHER INSPECTOR FOUND THIS CRACK AND I WANT TO KNOW HOW IT GOT THERE. SATURN HAD NO ANSWERS AND WERE VERY NASTY ABOUT MY ENTIRE SITUATION. *AK
Mileage: 30,002
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE CENTER OF THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRES WERE FAULTY. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK *SC
Mileage: 25,000
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE EXHIBITS TICKING NOISE AND THEN STALLED. CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO RESTART VEHCLE AS IT DIED OUT AGAIN. DEALER REPLACED MAIN MODULE COMPUTER (ECM) ENGINE CONTROL MODUEL. *TT
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT ANY INDICATION. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM, BUT REPLACED BATTERY .PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK