Complain about a product or service

Saturn Engine Problems

Save up to $379 on Your Auto Insurance. Compare Quotes from Top Providers Now! Find the Best Deal and Apply! - Adv.

Saturn • Aura • Vue --- • Engine problems • Transmission problems • Airbags • Ignition interlock • Oozing goo • Miscellaneous woes • The Shamrock Saturn --- Recalls/News • Penske Scraps Plan to Buy Saturn; Brand Likely to Die • Penske Hopes to Drive Saturn Off GM's Lot • Saturn Climbing the Roadway to Heaven • Saturn Aura Gets a 5,000-Mile Road Test • NHTSA Probes Timing Chain Again • NHTSA Recalls Saturn L Series • NHTSA Probes Saturn Timing Chain Failures • Saturn Astra Named Safest Car Under $25,000 • Saturn Outlook Gets Top Marks from Consumer Reports • Saturn Targets Toyota, Honda for Side-by-Side Tests • Saturn Sky Prices Go Sky High • Saturn VUE Recalled • L-Series Cars Recalled

Yvonne of Berkeley, CA August 14, 2009

In May on my way to work I made a U-turn and my 2001 Saturn L200 Series engine cut off. Just thinking it stall I tried to start it back up. It would not start so I park it. That same day I received a post card in the mail about a recall on timing chain so I had my car tow to Concord Saturn and they told me my 2001 L Series was not part of recall and it would cost estimate 4800 to get fix I said no way it not worth that much and had pay to get it towed back to my place of resident. Now today I received the same recalled notice and I am wondering if I am not that part of recall why they keep sending me the notice.

Jennifer of Russell, IL July 22, 2009

My 2001 Saturn L 200 which I purchased brand new, my fourth and LAST Saturn I will be purchasing, just stopped running on my way home form work on a Sunday night. I took exceptional care of this car and it is in like new mint condition other than the fact that teh timing chain broke and detsroyed my engine!! My mechanic inofmred me that Saturn had a recall on the 2.2 4C motor, however when I called saturn customer serviec they said "Your in number is not one of the motors involved int the recall". Really, why not the timing chain broke just the same as the motors that are involved in the recall. I want to see this list of VIN numbers that are in the recall if it really exists?? I see GM is doign wonders with the tax payers money given to help them out of financial trouble, now who is going to help me??

pat of naperville, IL June 16, 2009

I have a saturn L200 2002. Timming chain broke,engine gone. there are recalls,but they say not on this vin. They are many complaints on this same problem. Gm customer service no help. NHTSA has an investagation along with office of defects investigation. Thru the federal goverment 07v-519

Anna of Columbus, OH June 15, 2009

On Friday night(6-12-09) I was driving home and my car lost all power and would not restart at all just would turn over and over and over but never start. Pull it to Saturn and they tell me that my timing chain is either broken or the teeth are worn down and not grabbing like it should. Well after being online for 2 nights in a row checking on this, I find a recall about the timing chain in the L series Saturn which is what I have. But Saturn is telling me that my car is not involved in the recall and that there is nothing that they can do for me. I have called their corporate offices and have been told yes there is a recall on the timing chain but my 2002 L200 Saturn is not involved in that! Even though by their admission the recall effect thousands and thousands of cars made from 1999-2003 so I am not sure how my car does not fit into that recall since my is a 2002. Now Saturn is waiting to tear my engine down(at my cost) to make sure no internal damage was caused. I am a single mom of 2 kids and can not by any means begin to be able to afford this. So now I am stuck with no car due to a problem Saturn KNEW existed with their timing chains.

Gail of Sarasota, FL June 14, 2009

Not specific to a dealer but to Saturn IONs (2006)

Manual transmission, key stuck in running car, disconnected ground on battery-STILL running. Had to pop clutch to stall engine.

This should be a recall.

kevin of columbus, OH April 27, 2009

Like everyone else, my timing chain broke on freeway. No warning lights etc. The service manager said that the chain is not hooked to the computer warning system,and proceeded to give me the oil change routine and all the other almost talking point excuses.My family had bought 5 Saturns before that. It meant nothing, the staff there not like it was. This company going independent might last 6 months. Treated with unbridled arrogance and was talked down too, even though I did not even raise my voice. 3k, for new head etc,and for the updated timing chain. These people lie through their teeth and basically will be out of business. Saturn not company it used to be. Engine shot. Bent valves. These people mirrored the treatment and excuses everyone else got. GM deserves to go under.My 15 yrs of repeat business meant nothing

Lisa of Houston, TX March 18, 2009

Took car to shop for Maintenance since car is just over 100,000 miles. And to see why engine light keeps coming on. Its a 2003 L200 I bought it used 9/2003 with about 12,000+ miles.

I will need a new engine because one of the 4 pistons have a hole in it. I took the car to saturn for regular oil changes, fuel injection cleanings. I didn't think that after 6 yrs I would need a new engine since I took it in for maintenance. Cost 3500 From the looks of other complaints I did at least make it to 100,000 miles. Maybe I need to go back to a Dodge.

Teresa of Joplin, MO February 19, 2009

We purchased our 3rd and final Saturn new, it was a 2000 Saturn LS2. It died on me while driving home and would not start again,it only had 58,000 miles on it and was maintained very well. We found out after towing it to the mechanics that Saturn has had problems with the timing belts and engines in this model. Imagine my surprise when I got on consumer affairs web site and read all the complaints from Saturn owners.

We contacted Saturn customer service and of course since it is out of warranty they wouldn't do anything but if we wanted to tow it to Springfield Missouri (the closest dealership) 1 hour and 30mins away they would have a certified saturn mechanic look at it. I think 2500.00 is enought to pay without having it towed so they could charge more to fix it. I will say that Saturn of Springfield has always been a great delearship to work with. Maybe this is one of the reasons Saturn will be dropped by GM.

We paid 2500.00 in repair bills to fix the engine damage caused by the belt breaking and sold it for 5,000.00

David of Mattawan, MI February 10, 2009

Bcm went out, fuel pump, Head gasket, no compression, timing belt have had this car for a year and only have been able to drive it mabe six months.

Needs a new engine quote for an engine with 20,000 2900.00

James of Marysville, OH November 14, 2008

While driving our 2001 Saturn L200 on State Rt.98 the engine just stopped.We had just crossed a railroad track and were driving about 40 mph.We tried to restart the engine and it cranked over well but it wouldn't start.We then called AAA for a tow and had the automobile taken to our home since it was late in the afternoon.

The next morning I took a look at the engine and determined that I could do nothing with it so I had it taken to MSC Repair here in Marysville Ohio. The mechanic checked it out and found out that the timing chain had broken.The estimate to repair it was around 1500.00.I gave him the go-ahead to repair the car.He had to replace the timing chain which had seperated and ruined the guides and the sprockets.He finally got the parts and got it back together but it had no compression.He called and told me that some valves had probably bent when hit by a piston and it would be 1000.00 to take off the head and check it out.Needing the car I told him to go ahead and fix it.The valves were bent and the head had to be reworked. Its back together and running well.

This cost me 3295.46.This car is taken care of very well.Oil and filter changes every 3000 miles.This engine had a BAD chain used when it was manufactured.You could tell by the way the link had seperated.I have had a lot of experience with roller chain and this was definately a soft link. I worked 51 years in machining so I do have some knowlege. I understand they recalled around 20,000 cars in these model years with this 2.2 liter engine,1999,2000,2001 and 2002 but when checking with Saturn our VIN was not included!

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.

Share		Follow us on Twitter.

Back to the top |