82 of the
708 complaints about the 2001 Saturn LS are about the
electrical system — 12% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
74,300 miles.
WELL FIRST MY ENGINE CONTROL MONITOR IS SENDING A BUNCH OF RANDOM OFF CODES FROM MA'S AIR SENSOR VOL LOW TO CRANKSHAFT SENSOR VOLUME LOW TO O2 SENSORS TO TRANSMISSION CODES, MY SIDE AIRBAG ON DRIVER SIDE BLUE UP OUT OF NO WERE MY KEY FOB STOPPED READING AND NOW MY CAR WON'T START I KNOW ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'S SENDING OFF CODES FOR CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND O2 SENSORS I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE ECM IT'S A VERY EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT THAT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON FAILURE IT'S DANGERS AND DEFECTIVE.MY CAR LOCKED UP IN MIDDLE OF I BUSY INTERSECTION DO TO THESE CODES AND LOW VOLTAGE READINGS MY NAME IS [XXX] I LIVE AT [XXX] MY #[XXX] ACCIDENT DATE 10/17/2017 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11035138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ecorse, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE SATURN L SERIES WHEN FILLED WITH GASOLINE WILL STALL CAUSING IMMINENT HARM TO THE DRIVER, PASSENGERS, AND ANY OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD. IN ADDITION, THE DASHBOARD AT NIGHT IS SO DIM THAT IT CANNOT BE SEEN BY THE DRIVER. THERE ARE SEVERAL ELECTRICAL FAILURES INVOLVING THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11011455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesHelena, MT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IGNITION PROBLEMS WITH ONLY 88,000 MILESDOES MY CAR FIT THE GM RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10909580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesInglewood, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L100 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS STUCK IN THE ACCESSORY MODE AND WOULD NOT SHIFT TO THE LOCKED POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, BUT THE ACCESSORY MODE WAS STILL ENGAGED. AS A RESULT, THE DOORS ON THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. ...UPDATED 08/15/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. UPDATED 08/17/16.
NHTSA complaint #10884072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 147,000 milesTucson, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE IGNITION KEY DISENGAGED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
NHTSA complaint #10652513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesLincoln, NECrashFire2 killed
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY DAUGHTER [XXX] WAS THE PASSENGER AND [XXX] WAS DRIVER. THE KIDS WENT FOR DRIVE AND WERE FOUND THE NEXT EARLY MORNING AROUND 6AM. THE CAR WAS SO BURNED AND DESTROYED THE KIDS COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED, AND ALL WHO WERE THERE QUESTIONED THE STRAIGHT TIRE TRACKS WITHOUT ANY CORRECTION OR OVER CORRECTION IN THE STEERING OF TIRE TRACKS, NO BRAKING IN THE COUNTY ROAD TRACKS, AND WITH FRACTURE AND DAMAGE OF THE SKULL AREA WE LATER WERE TOLD THAT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED! THE TRACKS WERE APPROX 150 YRDS LONG AND WENT AT AN ANGLE OF PERFECTION GRADUALLY POINTING TOWARDS A RAVINE THAT WOULD END BOTH OF THE KIDS LIVES. WE SENT A FORENSIC SPECIALIST TO LOOK AT CAR 2 MONTHS LATER AND WAS TOLD TO SAVE OUR MONEY ON FULL REPORT BECAUSE THE SPECIALIST SAID THE CAR WAS SO DESTROYED HE COULDN'T MAKE HEADS OR TAILS AS TO A CASE AGAINST GM. WITH NEW EVIDENCE ON GM THERE IS NO DOUBT TO ANYONE AT CRASH SITE AS TO WHAT HAPPENED! THE IGNITION SWITCH TESTIMONIALS WE HAVE SEEN AND READ BY SURVIVORS SPELL OUT WHAT HAPPENED IN THE 01CAR SATURN THAT DAY THAT CLAIMED MY DAUGHTER [XXX] LIFE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10606044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesDumfries, VAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN LS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE CRUISE CONTROL INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE; HOWEVER, THE FOLLOWING DAY WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10598617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 221,744 milesBushnell, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN LS200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE SWITCH THEN BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE AND SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 221,744.
NHTSA complaint #10587832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesStoneham, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS RECALL ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VEHICLE, MOST OF THESE ISSUES ARE SAFETY RELATED. THIS AUTO IS MY SOLE MEANS OF TRANSPORT. I HAVE A 2 MONTH OLD GRANDSON WHO LIVES WITH ME, AND I HAVE NO CLUE IF ANY OF THESE RECALL ISSUES HAVE BEEN RECTIFIED, ASIDE FROM THE "BRAKE LAMPS ADAPTER" WHICH HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. I HAVE NO BRAKE LIGHTS EXCEPT FOR THE ROOFLINE ANTI-COLLISION LAMPS. REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO GET A HARD COPY OF RECALL ITEMS AS BEING FIXED, HAVE BEEN MET WITH NO RESPONSE. I SPOKE TO A GM REP, WHO TOLD ME THE ISSUES WERE OVER 10 YEARS AND TO FILE A SUIT IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT. I HAVE NO MONEY TO DO THE WORK ORDERED BY THE FED, VIA NHTSA. THE TAILLAMPS ARE DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR (AS THE INSERT WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THIS VEHICLE) THE AIRBAGS, HAVE EITHER TWO TIMES THE "GENERANT" OR NO GENERANT AT ALL. I REPLACED THE ORIGINAL IGNITION COIL, OUT OF POCKET $165.00. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW GM CAN BE ALLOWED TO SKIRT/IGNORE RECALL ISSUES, AND THIS ONGOING BS, IS TAKING AWAY TIME THAT COULD BE BETTER SPENT. GOD HELP SOMEONE AT GM, IF I AM INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND MY GRANDSON IS IN ANY WAY HURT, AS A RESULT OF GM'S "[XXX]" ATTITUDE. I AM A DISABLED VIETNAM VETERAN (USARMY 101ST ABN DVN) AND MY PATIENCE IS FAST WANING! I WRITE TO YOU IN HOPES OF GETTING THESE ISSUES RESOLVED, OR AM I WASTING MY TIME, AS I'M BEGINNING TO BELIEVE. A WRITTEN RESPONSE WOULD BE OF SOME COMFORT, AS I'LL KNOW THAT SOMEONE BOTHERED TO READ MY RUNNING DIATRIBE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATED 9/25/2014
NHTSA complaint #10579159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesOwego, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN LW300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 162,000.
NHTSA complaint #10574968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Muskegon, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, A FIRE IN THE RESONATOR AND 4 OR 5 TIMES WHERE THE CAR JUST STOPS RUNNING AND I'M NOT ABLE TO GET IT TO START AGAIN FOR A WHILE. THE CAR HAS ACCELERATED WHEN MY FOOT WAS NOT EVEN ON THE PEDDLE MAKING ME GO 65 IN 30 WITH NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO HAD TIMES WHERE THE GAS PEDDLE WAS STUCK AND I WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DOWN EVEN WHEN SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES. AT STOP LIGHTS THE WHEELS KEEP SPINNING WHEN MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR MOVES INTO THE INTERSECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10572538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stoneham, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2ND OWNER OF VEHICLE, TAIL LAMPS HAD OVER HEATING ISSUE, NHTSA ISSUED RECALL ON 2 JUNE 2005, SATURN REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, SAYING AUTO IS TO OLD. DATE FOR FIXING ISSUE IS 10 YEARS FROM DATE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED. WAS TOLD BY A SATURN "CUSTOMER CARE REP." THAT ADAPTERS WERE INSTALLED IN FEB 2009. AUTO WASN'T REGISTERED IN 2009, AND NO ADAPTERS HAVE EVER BEEN INSTALLED. I AM A DISABLED VIETNAM VETERAN LIVING ON A VERY MEAGER MONTHLY INCOME AND CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE THESE LAMPS. I AM DRIVING THIS AUTO WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS, ASIDE FROM ANTI-COLLISION LAMP AT TOP OF REAR WINDSHIELD. I HOPE THIS LETTER HAS MORE IMPACT THAN I'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE, AS OF TODAY. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #10563367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 158,000 milesStoneham, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE SECURITY SYSTEM IN MY 2001 SATURN L100 IS DEFECTIVE, AS MANY OTHER VEHICLES OF THIS MODEL AND YEAR ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER CONSULTING WITH "CUSTOMER SERVICE REP" (HA!HA!) TOLD TO TAKE THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP & TECHNICIANS WILL RESET THE SECURITY SYSTEM. THIS IS A CRAFTSMANSHIP ISSUE CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE ITEM. GENERAL MOTORS HAS LOST A LONGTIME "BE AMERICAN~ BUY AMERICAN" CAR BUYER. THIS IS THEFT PLAIN AND SIMPLE!
NHTSA complaint #10512644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,000 milesArdmore, ALFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000. ..UPDATED 09-26-12 *BF UPDATED 10/01/2012
NHTSA complaint #10472938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 173,000 milesDetroit, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE SECURITY LIGHT BLINKS CONSTANTLY ALL NIGHT LONG RUNNING DOWN MY BATTERY IN TURN THE CAR WONT START , I HAVE HAD THE BCM REPLACED WHICH THE DEALER SAID WAS BAD , HAVE HAD BATTERY REPLACED AND STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ONE TECH. SAYS THE LIGHT IS SUPPOSE TO BLINK ALL NIGHT ANOTHER ELECTRICAL TECH SAYS IT NOT THE MANUAL SAY IT WILL BLINK TWICE TO LET YOU KNOW IT IS ARMED. IT HAS COST ME A THOUSAND DOLLARS ALREADY AND THE CAR IS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10467795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesBlue Field, WV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS FRACTURED AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #10404348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesCalgary, 00
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT (LITERALLY) THE DAY I TOOK IT HOME I MADE IT HALF WAY THERE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON !! IT WAS RAINING. SO I TOOK IT BACK AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG RESET THE LIGHT AND SENT MEN HOME. IT DROVE OKAY FOR ANOTHER TWO DAYS (NOT RAINING OUTSIDE) UNTIL THE THIRD DAY (AGAIN RAINING) I STARTED IT UP AND DROVE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND IT RAN REALLY ROUGH, SO AGAIN I GO BACK TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG AND AGAIN RESET THE LIGHT AND SAID HAVE A NICE DAY. I THEN PROCEEDED TO MY NEAREST AUTO PARTS STORE AND PICKED UP MY OWN SCANNER AND CHECKED IT MYSELF AND FOUND IT TO BE THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT THEY COULD FIX IT OR KEEP IT AS I WASN'T GOING TO LIVE WITH THIS LIGHT IN MY DASH. THEY DID FIX IT AFTER A HEATED ARGUMENT AND A CALL TO GENERAL MOTORS CANADA. WAY TO GO GUYS !! NO WONDER YOU WENT BANKRUPT.
NHTSA complaint #10375376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesCovina, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L 200. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH UPHILL WHEN THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ABNORMAL REDUCTION OF ENGINE POWER. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE EXHAUST BECAME ABNORMALLY LOUD. THE CONTACT INQUIRED WITH THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V231000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE) BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #10375421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesMechanicsville, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE AGAIN GONE OUT AT THE SAME TIME. LAST TIME THE MECHANIC STATED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10350357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesAlbuquerque, NM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2001 SATURN L300 I BOUGHT THE CAR 5 MONTHS AGO 2 WEEKS AFTER THE PURCHASE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC WHICH IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH SATURN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOTHING (I THINK PARTIALLY IN PART BECAUSE I AM A FEMALE) BY THE WAY I WAS GIVEN A 2 WEEK WARRANTY LOL! ABOUT A MONTH OR TWO AGO I NOTICED THAT I WOULD GO TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD BE DEAD. LATER I REALIZED MY LIGHTS WERE STAYING ON AFTER I TURNED THEM OFF. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT RETURNS SO I TAKE IT TO AUTOZONE TO BE DIAGNOSED ONLY TO FIND OUT I HAD 18 CODES! FOR A LITTLE OVER A MONTH NOW I HAVE HAD TO JUMP MY CAR WITH EACH START FEARING I WILL CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW LAST NIGHT I JUMP MY CAR AND KNOW THE BATTERY AND ABC BREAK LIGHT APPEARS CAUSING MY CAR TO LOSE POWER WHILE IN TRAFFIC AND FOR THE LIGHTS THAT DO NOT WANT TO CEASE TO FLASH ON AND OFF AT INCOMING MOTORISTS WITH MY BRIGHTS I REALLY DON'T WANT TO CAUSE SOMEONE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO SATURN FAULTY CARS AND ITS SYSTEM. NUMEROUS WEBSITES I'VE VISITED CONSULTING THIS ISSUE HAVE MANY OTHER PURCHASERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND MUTUAL COMPLAINT WITH THE TARDINESS OF SATURNS ACTION TO RESPOND PROMPTLY AND EFFECTIVELY. I AM TRULY OUTRAGEOUS AT THIS MATTER AND TO CONTINUE TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON THIS POORLY STRUCTURED VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10343898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Haven, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
MY 2001 L200 SATURN HAD A PROBLEM WITH DASH LIGHTS/AND GAUGES DIMMING AND AT TIMES I HAD NO INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS....IT ENDED UP BEING A MAIN MODULE WHICH COST ME $595. SEEMS LIKE READING ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE THEY HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. I THINK THIS IS A SATURN PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THIS FOR FREE. I HAVE REPLACED THE STEERING BOX, STRUTS FRONT/REAR...STABILIZER REAR BAR, CATALYTIC CONVERTER TWICE.....I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS CAR. I HAVE PUT MORE MONEY IN THIS THAN MY OTHER TWO SATURN'S WHICH I HAD ONLY NORMAL THINGS; TIRES, BRAKES, ETC. I WISH I HAD NEVER BOUGHT THIS 3RD ONE.
NHTSA complaint #10329460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,300 milesRocky Hill, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CRACKED BATTERY CASE THUS CAUSING ACID LEAKAGE WHICH CAUSED A BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE BOLT TO CORRODE. THUS SHORTING OUT THE ODOMETER. DO A WEB SEARCH AND YOU WILL FIND OTHER SATURN OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. SEEING THEM MADE ME ENTER THIS COMPLAINT.
NHTSA complaint #10327221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Haven, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASED THIS USED 2001 SATURN IN 2001. I HAVE PUT 2 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, STEERING RACK, STABILIZER BAR, FRONT STRUTS, HAD A HEAD GASKET MAJOR PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED TWO OTHER NEW SATURN'S WITH NO PROBLEMS...I AM ROUGHLY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS CAR. ALSO MY DASH LIGHTS DIMMED WHEN SECURITY LIGHT FLASHED ON AND WHEN THAT HAPPENED ALSO MY TEMP GAUGE AND GAS GAUGE WOULD GO FROM RIGHT TO LEFT AND THEN BACK QUICKLY. I HAD TO HAVE A MODULAR REPLACED. AGAIN, I AM SOOOOO DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS CAR. WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNING THIS I HAD TWO INLINE FUEL FILTERS AS THE CAR JUST STOPPED WHILE DRIVING...SPEED WENT DOWN AND DOWN AND NOTHING. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS
NHTSA complaint #10320056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hastings, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I REPLACED THE HEATER CONTROL SWITCH, BLOWER MOTOR, AND RESISTOR DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE HEATER BLOWER WOULD NOT WORK. AFTER DOING ALL THE ABOVE, THE HEATER STILL DID NOT WORK. IT APPEARS THAT THE WIRING HARNESS BEHIND THE HEATER CONTROL WAS THE PROBLEM. TWO OF THE PRONGS IN THE WHITE PLUG WERE BURNT AND DID NOT ALLOW THE DC ELECTRIC CURRENT TO GO INTO THE HEATER CONTROL UNIT. IT IS LUCKY THAT THE FAN WENT OUT BEFORE IT HAD CAUGHT FIRE. THERE ARE TWO CHILDREN WHO RIDE IN THE CAR, ONE 5 YEARS OLD AND ONE 9 YEARS OLD. I WAS SURPRISED THAT THE 40 AMP FUSE DID NOT BLOW EVEN THOUGH THE CIRCUIT KEPT COMING ON AND OFF. WE HAD ALREADY CHANGED THE ENGINE 3-4 YEARS AGO BECAUSE THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND SATURN WOULD NOT FIX.
NHTSA complaint #10296626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winnipeg, 00
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEATER CONTROL SWITCH TWO TIMES OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS. THERE APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS OVERHEATING AT THE WHITE CLIP (WHERE IT PLUGS INTO THE HEATER CONTROL UNIT. IF LEFT UNDETECTED, IT MELTS THE PLASTIC OF THE SWITCH MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SWITCH FROM HI TO LOW. RESEARCH ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL DOES NOT INDICATE A RECALL, HOWEVER, I FOUND AN INDICATION THAT SATURN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS MADE REPAIRS TO CORRECT THE SITUATION. I AM CONCERNED THIS MAY EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE HAZARD, IF NOT THAT THEN A COSTLY REPAIR. I HAVE REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR, BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR AND HEATER CONTROL UNIT. COULD COST NEARLY $1000.00 BASED ON ESTIMATES THROUGH DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10292576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesFairmaount, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
I OWN A 2001 SATURN L200 SERIES TIMING CHAIN BROKE FOR NO REASON OR WARNING GOING 50 MPH ALMOST HIT SATURN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE TIMING CHAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10280502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesNampa, ID
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 SATURN AND IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS RUNNING OKAY. I STOPPED AT MY DAUGHTERS HOUSE TO PICK HER UP FOR AN APPOINTMENT AND WHEN I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR IT WOULD NOT START. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID THE TIMING CHAIN WAS BAD. MY CAR HAS ABOUT 60,000 MILES ON IT. I CANNOT GIVE THE EXACT AMOUNT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THE CAR IS SITTING AT SATURN OF BOISE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP, BECAUSE I READ ABOUT THE RECALL OF 2001 SATURN'S FOR TIMING CHAIN ISSUES AND THEY SAID THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP ME. WELL, THEY SAID IT WAS MY FAULT THE TIMING CHAIN WENT OUT OF IT, BECAUSE THE OIL HAD NOT BEEN CHANGED OFTEN ENOUGH. THAT IS UNTRUE, BUT MY HUSBAND CHANGES THE OIL EVERY 6000 MILES OR LESS, BUT I DO NOT HAVE ANY "RECORDS" SHOWING THIS BECAUSE HE IS THE ONE TO CHANGE THE OIL. THEY SAID THAT IT HAD PROBABLY SLAPPED THE VALVES, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS NOT BROKEN SO I HAD TO GET THE ENGINE REPLACED AND THEY COULD DO IT FOR ONLY $3100. I AM HAVING THE CAR TOWED HOME AND WILL HAVE A LOCAL MECHANIC CHANGE THE TIMING CHAIN. I AM GLAD THAT I WAS STOPPED WHEN IT QUIT WORKING, BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. MY LOCAL MECHANICS SAID THAT THE CHAIN SHOULD NOT HAVE GIVEN OUT SO SOON AS I ONLY DRIVE THIS CAR 8 OR SO MILES PER WORKDAY.
NHTSA complaint #10261693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,281 milesSoquel, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IGNITION MODULE WILL NOT RELEASE THE KEY. IT REMOVES PART WAY BUT APPEARS TO BE STUCK. TRIED OBVIOUS REMEDIES LIKE LUBRICATION WITH NO POSITIVE RESULT. CURRENTLY I CANNOT REMOVE THE KEY.
NHTSA complaint #10257617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,337 milesDE Pere, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL ISSUES - ISSUES BEGAN WITH DIMMING DASHBOARD AND CONTINUED TO WORSEN. USING POWER WINDOW ONE MORNING EVERYTHING BEGAN FLICKERING ON THE DASH BOARD INCLUDING ALL MSG LIGHTS AND BACK OFF AGAIN. THE CAR SEEMED TO RUN FINE AND THE RADIO DIDN'T DIE. INITIAL THOUGHT WAS ALTERNATOR WAS TELLING ME THAT I WAS ABOUT TO BE STRANDED 175 MILES FROM HOME. DRIVING FURTHER ANY BLINKER I HIT WOULD CREATE SAME REACTION, THE LAST TIME THE CAR SEEMED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE WHILE TRAVELING AT 65MPH. PARKED CAR AT MY ENDING DESTINATION AND TOOK TWO TIMES TO START BACK UP. BCM SEEMS TO BE THE CULPRIT AS I'VE SEEN ABOUT 1000 POSTS FROM L200 OWNERS WITH SAME ISSUE AND COSTING 400-600. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH SATURN WOULD NOT OR SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CHARGE FOR THIS ISSUE IF THIS IS ONE OF THE MANY ON THE LIST OF PROBLEMS. THIS IS NOT ETHICAL AND IN THIS TIME, VERY UNFORTUNATE THEY WOULD TREAT CUSTOMERS LIKE THIS AND GENERATE REVENUE FROM A FAULTY CAR TO BEGIN WITH.
NHTSA complaint #10257379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesRockford, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND DROVE INTO A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE, BUT THEY WERE UNSURE IF IT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATES, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V231000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION MODULE) ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2003. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #10254003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.