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

Teresa of Joplin MO (02/19/09)
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

David of Mattawan MI (02/10/09)
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

James of Marysville OH (11/14/08)
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!

Cheryl of Amherst, NY November 10, 2008

Cheryl of Amherst NY (11/10/08)
My 2002 Saturn L100 with 77,000 miles had the timing chain break and destroy my engine. Three months earlier, I had a new catalytic converter replaced. According to Saturn, there is no recall on the timing chain.

I will need to have the entire engine replaced at a cost of about 3,800.00. The broken chain caused other valves and pistons to be destroyed

Richard of Milwaukee, WI October 23, 2008

Richard of Milwaukee WI (10/23/08)
I have a 2001 Saturn Vue V-6. On October 10, 2008 I was driving and my car stopped and no restart. I had it towed to Saturn of Greenfield, where I bought it, 4141 South 108th Street, Greenfield, Wisconsin. I was the timing belt that broke. Now two weeks later it was determined that when the belt broke it damaged some of the engine. Saturn said that it was my fault since I did not change the belt at 75,000 miles. It only has 78,000 on it.

I bought it about 2 years ago. Saturn also said it is not covered under the warranty. I even bought an extended warranty which also does not cover it. I read that there was a recall on the belt.

Joann of Holmen, WI October 10, 2008

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 |