NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
50 reportsClear category filter47,233 miles · Jun 29, 2008
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting
SOMETIMES WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME STARTING THE CAR OR THE CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK,THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON. WHEN THESE LIGHTS WERE ON, THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER DID NOT WORK. SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE ENGINE LOCK LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN NOTHING WORKED. THE DEFR…
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SOMETIMES WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME STARTING THE CAR OR THE CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK,THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON. WHEN THESE LIGHTS WERE ON, THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER DID NOT WORK. SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE ENGINE LOCK LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN NOTHING WORKED. THE DEFROST FRONT AND REAR, A/C, HEATING CONTROL, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AIRBAG FAILURE LIGHT LIT UP, SEAT BELT LIGHT LIT UP AND THE SELF LOCKING FOR THE DOORS DID NOT ENGAGE WHEN PUTTING THE CAR INTO GEAR. SOMETIMES I WOULD TURN THE CAR OFF AND ABOUT A HALF AN HOUR LATER, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD COME ON ALL BY THEMSELVES, SOMETIMES DRAINING THE BATTERY IF I DID NOT NOTICE THIS. I FELT TOTALLY UNSAFE DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THIS WOULD HAPPEN - I HAD NO SAFETY FEATURES TO RELY ON AND I DID NOT EVEN KNOW IF I WOULD HAVE A CAR THAT WOULD RUN. I TOOK THE CAR TO A SATURN DEALER AND HAD THE BCM (BODY CONTROL MODULE) REPLACED. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT SATURN IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THIS AND I HAVE ASKED OTHERS THAT OWN SIMILAR SATURNS ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. THIS WAS QUITE COSTLY TO REPLACE APPROXIMATELY $600.00 (THE CHEAPEST AROUND). OTHERS PAID MORE FOR THIS REPAIR THAN I DID. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10232659
42,300 miles · Apr 11, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER SON'S VEHICLE FAILED AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN TWICE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A LOOSE, RATTLING NOISE WHILE MAKING A TURN. SHE STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE INVOLVING THE STEERING MODULE. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER SON'S VEHICLE FAILED AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN TWICE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A LOOSE, RATTLING NOISE WHILE MAKING A TURN. SHE STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE INVOLVING THE STEERING MODULE. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK AND HER SON COULD NOT RETURN IT TO THE PROPER POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY PROCEEDED TO SELL HER SON A WARRANTY, ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE ANY FAILURES. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,253 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,300. UPDATED 04/29/08. *LJ THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK , THE ENGINE, AIR BAG AND ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. UPDATED
NHTSA ODI #10224208
Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2008
Electrical System
WE OWN A 2003 L300 FROM SATURN. THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE AS WELL AS MANY OTHER SATURNS IS A COMPUTER CALLED A BCM. A BODY CONTROL MODULE. THIS DEVICE CONTROLS EVERYTHING FROM THE ODOMETER TO THE DOOR LOCKS. ALL DASHBOARD FUNCTIONS SHUT DOWN INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE SPEEDOMETER SHUTS OFF, THE GAS GAUGE REA…
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WE OWN A 2003 L300 FROM SATURN. THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE AS WELL AS MANY OTHER SATURNS IS A COMPUTER CALLED A BCM. A BODY CONTROL MODULE. THIS DEVICE CONTROLS EVERYTHING FROM THE ODOMETER TO THE DOOR LOCKS. ALL DASHBOARD FUNCTIONS SHUT DOWN INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE SPEEDOMETER SHUTS OFF, THE GAS GAUGE READS "0" AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIT ILLUMINATES. I DID A QUICK SEARCH ON THE NET AFTER I WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE, AND THERE WERE A GREAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOW MILEAGE THAT HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCE. I HAVE LESS THAN 40 MILES ON OUR CAR AND WE'RE BEING FORCE TO REPLACE THIS COMPUTER PART OR RISK BEING STRANDED OR LOCKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY CUSTOMERS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM, SHOULDN'T SATURN RECALL THE PART, OR REPLACE IT AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMERS. IT'S NOT FAIR TO SELL DEFECTIVE PARTS IN NEW VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10220153
55,689 miles · Feb 29, 2008
Electrical System
03 L200 FAULTY BODY CONTROL MODULE. WHICH IS WHAT MAKE THE CAR RUN. CAR WOULD TURN OVER BUT WOULD NOT CONTINUE TO RUN. TOWED TO AND SERVICED AT A SATURN DEALER. VERY PRICEY REPAIR OF $500. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10219694
102,000 miles · Dec 27, 2007
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED, IT WAS IDLING VERY ROUGH. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IGNITION CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED IN APRIL OF 2004; …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED, IT WAS IDLING VERY ROUGH. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IGNITION CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED IN APRIL OF 2004; HOWEVER, THEY DO NOT HAVE A RECORD OF THE REPAIR BEING PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 102,000. UPDATED 03/04/08. *LJ UPDATED
NHTSA ODI #10212973
27,008 miles · Oct 10, 2007
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
ON 9/24/97 I DROVE MY CAR TO WORK AS USUAL AND SHUT IT OFF AND LOCKED THE DOORS WITH THE REMOTE CONTROL. UPON LEAVING WORKING AND OPENING THE CAR I HAD DIFFICULTY OPENING THE LOCKS AND USED THE KEY FOR ENTRY. I TRIED TURNING ON THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD START AND IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. I TRIED THIS TWICE AND NOTICED THAT THE A…
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ON 9/24/97 I DROVE MY CAR TO WORK AS USUAL AND SHUT IT OFF AND LOCKED THE DOORS WITH THE REMOTE CONTROL. UPON LEAVING WORKING AND OPENING THE CAR I HAD DIFFICULTY OPENING THE LOCKS AND USED THE KEY FOR ENTRY. I TRIED TURNING ON THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD START AND IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. I TRIED THIS TWICE AND NOTICED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT ICON (CAR WITH A LOCK THROUGH IT) WAS IGNITED. I LOOKED IN MY OWNER'S MANUAL AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT HAD TO BE RESET BY THE DEALER. I THEN NOTICED A BUZZING FROM MY PASSENGER FRONT DOOR LOCK. I DISCONNECTED THE FUSE AND THE BUZZING STOPPED. WHEN I FINALLY HAD A KNOWLEDGEABLE TOW PERSON GET THE CAR MANUALLY IN NEUTRAL SINCE THE GEARS WERE LOCKED, IT WAS TOWED TO SATURN OF CLARENCE WHO ADVISED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS BAD AND IT SHORTED OUT ALL OF MY DOOR LOCKS. THE CAR HAS 27,000 AND IS 4 YEARS OLD. IT COST $610 FOR THE BCM AND $1,000 FOR THE DOOR LOCKS WHICH I HAVE NOT YET REPLACED. SHAMEFUL THAT SUCH A BIG PROBLEM SHOULD HAPPEN TO A NEWER CAR! *JB
NHTSA ODI #10205346
62,000 miles · Oct 7, 2007
Electrical System
DRIVING FREEWAY SPEED. HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, OVERHEAD INTERIOR LIGHT CAME ON. FINALLY GOT CAR PULLED OVER, NO DASHLIGHTS. CAR QUIT. REFUSED TO RESTART. CAR DID NOT WANT TO COME OUT OF DRIVE. KEY GOT STUCK IN IGNITION. FINALLY GOT IT IN PARK AND KEY OUT. THIS WAS AT MIDNIGHT ON INTERSTATE. HAD TO GET FAMILY MEMBER TO COME GET ME. …
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DRIVING FREEWAY SPEED. HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, OVERHEAD INTERIOR LIGHT CAME ON. FINALLY GOT CAR PULLED OVER, NO DASHLIGHTS. CAR QUIT. REFUSED TO RESTART. CAR DID NOT WANT TO COME OUT OF DRIVE. KEY GOT STUCK IN IGNITION. FINALLY GOT IT IN PARK AND KEY OUT. THIS WAS AT MIDNIGHT ON INTERSTATE. HAD TO GET FAMILY MEMBER TO COME GET ME. RETURNED LATER TO FIND CAR HAD BEEN STOLEN. I HAVE NO WAY TO KNOW IF THE ALARM HAD ACTUALLY SET OR NOT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10205168
36,525 miles · Sep 4, 2007
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline
ON 9/01/2007 MY SATURN L200 SEDAN SUDDENLY STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE EMANATING FROM THE EXHAUST AND WITHIN TWO MINUTES THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RUN ANY FURTHER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED REPEATEDLY AND A SMELL FROM THE EXHAUST WAS NOTED AND SUBSEQUENT TRIES TO RESTART THE VEHICLE DRAINED THE BATTERY COMPLETELY. PRIOR TO THI…
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ON 9/01/2007 MY SATURN L200 SEDAN SUDDENLY STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE EMANATING FROM THE EXHAUST AND WITHIN TWO MINUTES THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RUN ANY FURTHER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED REPEATEDLY AND A SMELL FROM THE EXHAUST WAS NOTED AND SUBSEQUENT TRIES TO RESTART THE VEHICLE DRAINED THE BATTERY COMPLETELY. PRIOR TO THIS THE FAN HAD CYCLED ON INDICATING A HEAT PROBLEM. ALL ISSUES PERTAINING TO THE PROBLEM MATCH EXACTLY WHAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V231000 HAD LISTED. SATURN ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PROVIDED A TOW AT MY EXPENSE AND THE DRIVER REFUSED DELIVERY TO THE SATURN OF WEST LIBERTY AVENUE DEALER BUT INSTEAD TOWED THE VEHICLE TO MY HOME AND HE WAS RATHER DISINTERESTED IN DROPPING THE VEHICLE OFF AT THE DEALER AS I HAD INSTRUCTED HIM. A CALL TO SATURN CORPORATION YIELDED A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TELLING ME THAT NO SUCH CAMPAIGN ID OR RECALL EXISTED FOR MY VEHICLE ALTHOUGH MY VIN IS IN THE RANGE OF AFFECTED VEHICLES. A CALL TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIPS SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE JUSTIN YIELDED THE SAME COMMENT. A RETURN CALL TO SATURN CORPORATION YIELDED YET ANOTHER PERSON STATING THE SAME. THE FIRST REP FROM SATURN CONFERENCING CALLED JUSTIN AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THE STORY THEN CHANGED FROM NO RECALL TO A RECALL BEING FOUND AND PERFORMED BY A PLEASANT HILLS SATURN DEALER. THE RECALL IN QUESTION WAS NEVER PERFORMED SINCE NO VISIBLE STICKER WITH THE RECALL INFORMATION WAS AFFIXED BY ANY SATURN MECHANIC IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH CONFIRMS THE VEHICLE NEVER HAD SUCH SERVICE PERFORMED. I AM NOW STUCK WITH A VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY WHICH NEVER HAD THE RECALL PERFORMED AND TO WHICH COULD HAVE HAD A FIRE CAUSED BUT I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO NOT HAVE HAD THAT ISSUE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER STATED I NEEDED TO PAY FOR ANOTHER TOW AND THAT I WOULD BE BILLED FOR THE WORK. *TR THE CONSUMER PROVIDED DOCUMENTATION THE VEHICLE FAILED THE EMISSIONS TEST. THE DEALER STATED FOUND NO FUEL PRESSURE AND REPLACED FUEL PUMP. UPDATED 09/19/07 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10201776
60,000 miles · Jul 26, 2007
Electrical System
HEADLAMP/TURN-SIGNAL STALK ON STEERING COLUMN OVERHEATED AND STARTED SMOKING. STOPPED CAR AND TURNED OFF POWER ... POSSIBLY AVOIDING A FIRE. REPLACED PART. DID NOT KEEP OLD PART (LEFT IT AT THE DEALER IN OLATHE, KS, THIS MORNING). WITH NEW PART THERE IS NO MORE SMOKE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10197559
70,000 miles · Jul 2, 2007
Electrical System
FAULTY BODY CONTROL MODULE - ALL GAUGES STOPPED WORKING, AND THE AIR CONDITIONING QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR, WHEN YOU PUSHED IN THE BUTTON ON THE SHIFTER TO PUT VEHICLE IN GEAR, IT WOULD NOT BUDGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10195145
Official recalls
4Jun 2, 2005
ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND WAGONS, THE PLASTIC HOUSING IN THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME DISTORTED IF THE BRAKE LAMPS REMAIN ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE (1) AN INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB OR (2) A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT OPENS A FUSE CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMPS (INCLUDING THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP) OR TAIL LAMPS. A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW TAIL LAMP REINFORCING SOCKET ADAPTERS AND SOCKETS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
Apr 20, 2005
CERTAIN WAGONS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE HOLDING THE REQUIRED TEST LOAD FOR THE REQUIRED TIME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED IN CRASH, THE RIGHT AND CENTER REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REAR SEAT CENTER BELT ANCHOR REINFORCEMENT PLATE TO THE FLOOR PAN OF THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
Jun 23, 2003
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FAILURE OF THE RESONATOR WILL CAUSE INCREASED EXHAUST NOISE. PROLONGED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING A RESONATOR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: 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 CALIBRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT 3.
Oct 29, 2002
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COULD FAIL DURING USE BECAUSE OF IMPROPER MANUFACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR IN SEVERE WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 6, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT #3 OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2PE06006 · Timing Chain Failure
Opened Jan 24, 2006 · Closed Jun 6, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
ON DECEMBER 12, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A DEFECT PETITION (DP05-008) REQUESTING THE INVESTIGATION OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES THAT COULD CAUSE STALLING IN SATURN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.2L (L61) ENGINE. ODI OPENED PE06-006 ON JANUARY 24, 2006, WITH 24 VEHICLE OWNER COMPLAINTS THAT ALLEGED A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP OPERATING.ON APRIL 12, 2006, ODI RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM GENERAL MOTORS (GM) CONCERNING TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN APPROXIMATELY 412,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 THROUGH 2003 SATURN L-SERIES AND ION VEHICLES WITH 2.2L ENGINES. GM'S RESPONSE INCLUDED 1,020 OWNER COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS CONCERNING TIMING CHAIN FAILURE, INCLUDING 228 THAT ALLEGED THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING.GM ALSO PROVIDED WARRANTY CLAIM DATA THAT SHOWED 1,902 SUBJECT VEHICLES RECEIVING TIMING CHAIN REPAIRS, INCLUDING 261 WHICH INDICATED THAT A STALL WHILE DRIVING RESULTED FROM THE FAILURE.THE GM COMPLAINTS, FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS THAT DID NOT CONTAIN SUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO DETERMINE THAT A STALL WHILE DRIVING OCCURRED WERE PROVIDED IN THE CATEGORY OTHER.GM STATED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS PROBABLY OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLES WERE PARKED SINCE THE TIMING CHAIN IS MORE LIKELY TO BREAK DURING HIGH CHAIN LOAD SITUATIONS, SUCH AS ENGINE STARTUP.GM'S DATA SHOWED ELEVATED FAILURE RATES IN APPROXIMATELY 20,500 MY 2001 L-SERIES VEHICLES PRODUCED DURING A FOUR MONTH PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER 2000 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2001.OVER ONE-THIRD OF GM'S TOTAL COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS (34.3%) AND WARRANTY CLAIMS (38.2%) INVOLVED L-SERIES VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE 4-MONTH PERIOD, WHICH ARE ONLY ABOUT 5% OF SUBJECT VEHICLE PRODUCTION.THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE RATE IN THE VEHICLES BUILT DURING THIS RANGE IS OVER 10 TIMES GREATER THAN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION. FOR THE MY 2001 L-SERIES VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE 4-MONTH PERIOD, THE 36-MONTH FAILURE RATE FOR REPAIRS INVOLVING STALL WHILE DRIVING IS SLIGHTLY UNDER ONE PERCENT.HOWEVER, IF THE INCIDENTS CODED AS OTHER ARE ADDED, THE 36-MONTH FAILURE RATE RISES TO NEARLY FIVE PERCENT FOR THOSE VEHICLES.ODI AND GM ARE CONTINUING TO ASSESS THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS CODED BY GM AS OTHER THAT INVOLVE INCIDENTS OF STALL WHILE DRIVING.GM'S STATISTICAL MODELING OF THE FAILURE DATA INITIALLY CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE RATES WERE DECLINING WITH AGE AND MILEAGE FOR ANY SET OF WARRANTY DATA ANALYZED (E.G., STALL WHILE DRIVING, OTHER OR COMBINED).HOWEVER, SUBSEQUENT ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT THE FAILURE RATES ARE INCREASING. BASED ON THE HIGH COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY RATES FOR TIMING CHAIN FAILURE IN THE 4-MONTH PRODUCTION PERIOD FOR THE MY 2001 L-SERIES VEHICLES, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE FREQUENCY OF STALL INCIDENTS DUE TO TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN THOSE VEHICLES (EA06-009).
DP05008 · Timing Chain Failure
Opened Dec 20, 2005 · Closed Feb 6, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
ANALYSIS UNDERTAKEN IN RESPONSE TO THE PETITION IDENTIFIED 26 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN MY 2000-2003 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.2L L4 ENGINE.MOST COMPLAINTS OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURE REPORTEDLY RESULTED IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND STALLING.ODI ALSO NOTED THAT CERTAIN MY 2002-2003 SATURN VUE AND MY 2003 SATURN ION MODEL VEHICLES WITH THE 2.2L ENGINE VEHICLESCOVERED BY A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (03-06-01-017) THAT ADDRESSED TIMING CHAIN DESIGN AND SERVICE PROCEDURE CHANGES, EXHIBITED NO COMPLAINTS OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURE.ODI WILL GRANT THE PETITION AND OPEN A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO ASSESS THE FREQUENCY, TREND, SCOPE AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.REFER TO PE06-006.