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Saturn

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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

Saturn is a popular car in a low-key sort of way and has a reputation for delivering fairly good value for the money. However, before you rush right out to buy one, be aware that it is also prone to some very expensive, annoying and even dangerous shortcomings, painfully enumerated by our long-suffering readers.

Jim of Toledo, OH October 10, 2009

We have a 2006 Saturn Ion. We recently began having problems with the car turning off right after we started it but we were always able to restart it. It happened again tonight but we could not turn it off. I had to disconnect fuse #16 (fuel injection) to finally turn it off. The weather was cold an rainy. Luckily my 16 daughter was not driving it this time.

I will never ever buy a UAW, GM, Ford, Chrysler vehicle again. Neither will anyone in my family. Now, I probably have to take it to a Saturn dealer to fix it. ! From reading the other complaints this looks like a common problem. GM is not doing anything to correct it. I'm sure GM created the problem just to bring consumers back to the dealerships to spend more and more money.

Floriana of El Cajon, CA October 1, 2009

My timing chain went out twice. The car is 7 years old, but we dirve less than 15000 miles per year. The timing chain problem blew the whole engine.

Jared of Lake Wales, FL September 26, 2009

I'm glad the auto builder Saturn didn't build the rockets that the astronauts depended on back in the Apollo days. My 2002 LS2 with the 2.2 broke while sitting in the drive thru. The timing chain broke and like the rest of these people on this site, its not on SATURNS RECALL LIST.

Bonnie of Martinsville, IL September 21, 2009

2004 Saturn ION, bolts to timing chain broke off! Had to replace timing chain at less than 9600 miles. Engine still makes a noise in the timing chain area as bits of plastic have broken off into the engine. Will most probably breakdown again. Why the heck would the bolts just break off??!!

Nina of Asbury Park, NJ September 21, 2009

I purchased this car from a used car dealer in Febuary of 2009. I purchased a warranty for the vehicle, but about two weeks after the warranty expired is when I started having problems, first the drivers side window would not roll up or down it cost me about 350.00 to have it repaired, then about two months later the timing chain went on the vehicle.

My son got in the car to start it up the lights and everything else came on but the car would not start. Had the car towed to the shop and they told me it would cost anywhere from 1,500 to 3,000 to repair. This will be my last Saturn that I will every purchase. I have had to many problems with their vehicle so I will not be taking anymore chances with their products.

ERIKA of ATHENS, AL September 15, 2009

I have a 2004 Saturn Ion. I started having problems out of the car not long after I got it. There are times that it will not start. After sitting there for 10-30 minutes, it eventually starts. I have three children under the age of 5, so whether it is 20 or 100 degrees outside, it is a pain in the butt to be stuck in the car for thirty minutes. I have checked many sites, just to find out that there are thousands and thousands of people with the same issue. I even called a complaint line and was told if they received enough complaints they would issue a recall. I am still paying for this piece of crap, and it is not even worth what I owe because of all the negative publicity. I have not received any information on a recall and I still have yet to get the problem fixed because I do not have the money to do so. I have taked very good care of this car, making sure not to put too many miles on it, so I should not be having to deal with this issue. I believe the manufacturer should be responsible for fixing this problem because there are so many complaints.

Gina of David, KY September 3, 2009

A 2007 Saturn Sky that I purchased had some body rust starting to bubble from under the paint. Upon purchasing this car, I was not told of any rust warranty. I took the car to a body shop to be fixed and I notified Saturn/GM of the situation. They told me that they could not do anything about it or recognize any warrant because they did not know how the car had been treated prior to me purchasing it. Now I am out 734.00 to have the rusty spot on the hood of the car repaired. What is the use of warranties if you aren't going to honor them?

Theresa of Ofallon, MO September 1, 2009

Very dissapointed to know that Saturn has not stepped up and acknowledged an obvious problem with the ignition. I could insert my key and after giggling it for a bit, could get the drum to turn and start the car. After about 1.5 weeks, I could insert it, but couldn't get it to budge. Luckily, I could remove the key, but at what point would it get stuck?

deedra of ocala, FL August 31, 2009

I am writing to inform you of my extreme disappointment in my 2005 Saturn Ion Coupe. I admit I have high expectations because I have previously enjoyed the relationship with my first Saturn a 1995 SL1. We parted 10 years and 265,000 miles later. She was a sturdy, solid and reliable car.

In 2005 I purchased my second Saturn: an Ion 2 Coupe ,when driving it off-the lot, I was excited about my new Saturn. Treasuring all of the dependable times my first Saturn offered, expecting the same great reliability and customer service. Please keep in mind I am a single woman with no kids, 1 dog, and have never driven this car out of the state. I also would like to list all of the documented preventative maintenance, tires and oil changes so it is understood I take care of this vehicle.

In the 4 years I have owned this vehicle it has been towed 37 miles north to Gainesville 4 times! It has ALWAYS been covered under warranty until this last incident. I was getting 2 new tires put on my car at DISCOUNT AUTO TIRES in Ocala. When the tire installation was complete, my car would not start! Right there in the garage! They pushed me out and I called Saturn of Gainesville. They said it was a security feature that would reset itself in 15 minutes. I checked to make sure the spare tire was not on the battery cable and waited. Nothing changed, no horn, no lights, just absolutely nothing.

I called Saturn again. They said they would need their computer to enter a numerical code to fix the car. They gave me a number for a tow truck company. I called Superior towing. I knew my warranty was expired due to mileage, I asked her to verify Saturn would pay for the tow. I HAVE AAA MEMBERSHIP, A TOW WOULD NOT COST ME, I WILL CALL THEM INSTEAD. They towed my car from the tire garage to Gainesville on Saturday 8-8-09.

On Monday 8-10-09 my bill was 448.90. They charged me for a new ignition switch electrical error (first ignition switch mechanical error replaced 2-7-07) and the 114.00 tow! I am not satisfied with this service at all.

I am severely disappointed in the Saturn company. When [they] sell a car it is more than just the sale, [they] are suppose to stand by product and represent [the] brand. I have stated a list of repairs that are just poor quality in workmanship. It is evident with this many break downs, and misleading information, I will no longer be using facility in Gainesville or purchasing another vehicle from this company. I have nothing good to say about Saturn as a company or its product, that I am now faced to deal with alone.

Fred of Danielsville, PA August 30, 2009

The brakes on my 2007 Saturn Aura had been making noise at about 20000 miles. I checked to see if tf the brake pads were worn but they had good brake pads and it was only an intermitant noise so I let it go. At about 34000 miles the noise was heard almost evry time I apllied the brakes. The pads are still good but I noticed the rotors had a wear grove wore into them. I took the car to my saturn dealer saturn of rt 33 in the lehigh valley. I was told it was a common problem and it was not covered by warranty. it was explained to me like this the aura is a heavier car and that the rotors arent hard enough to hold up. It was recomended by the dealer that they instal after market rotors that have a harder surface becuase my rotors are worn to much to be turned. I did not get the work done because I wanted to see if there are other people expeiancing this problem and I just couldn't believe that GM wouldn't warrent this enginiering defect.

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