WHILE DRIVING WITH TWO KIDS IN THE CAR MY STEARING BECAME ODD. I SLOWED DOWN AND MY CAR STARTED PULLING TO THE LEFT I COULD BARELY KEEP IT IN A STRAIGHT LINE. MY STEARING WHEEL WAS TURNED ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT WHEN SUDDENLY IT SOUNDED LIKE I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I STOPPED THE CAR THE WHEEL IT'S SELF LOOKED ODD. I GOT BACK IN AND …
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING WITH TWO KIDS IN THE CAR MY STEARING BECAME ODD. I SLOWED DOWN AND MY CAR STARTED PULLING TO THE LEFT I COULD BARELY KEEP IT IN A STRAIGHT LINE. MY STEARING WHEEL WAS TURNED ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT WHEN SUDDENLY IT SOUNDED LIKE I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I STOPPED THE CAR THE WHEEL IT'S SELF LOOKED ODD. I GOT BACK IN AND TRIED TO DRIVE AND MY CAR MADE A AWEFUL NOISE AND I COULD NOT GO ANYWHERE! I WAS SRANDED IN THE DARK ON A HILLSIDE WITH THE KIDS. I HAD MY CAR TOWED HOME TO DISCOVER THE FRAME OF MY CAR HAS SPLIT AT THE A-ARM, THE ENGINE CRADLE HAS CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. MY INSURANCE WONT PAY THIS IS OUR ONLY CAR AND MY KIDS HAVE MEDICAL NEEDS PLEASE HELP !
NHTSA ODI #10949533
66,000 miles · Apr 15, 2015
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 (NA) SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR STRUTS NEEDED TO BE R…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 (NA) SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE STRUTS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 5/29/15*CN UPDATED 10/05/2017*CN
NHTSA ODI #10705847
70,507 miles · Jul 12, 2012
Suspension
WHILE ON VACATION AND 1,250 MILES FROM HOME, DRIVING ON A ENTRANCE RAMP TO AN EXPRESSWAY A THUMP WAS HEARD THEN THERE WAS A RAPID LOSS OF CONTROL. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS THROWN 90 DEG. OFF CENTER AND ONLY AFTER A QUICK DECELERATION TO ABOUT 10 MPH. ENOUGH CONTROL WAS GAINED TO CONTINUE TO THE DESTINATION (ABOUT 1 MILE). AN EXAMI…
Read full complaint
WHILE ON VACATION AND 1,250 MILES FROM HOME, DRIVING ON A ENTRANCE RAMP TO AN EXPRESSWAY A THUMP WAS HEARD THEN THERE WAS A RAPID LOSS OF CONTROL. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS THROWN 90 DEG. OFF CENTER AND ONLY AFTER A QUICK DECELERATION TO ABOUT 10 MPH. ENOUGH CONTROL WAS GAINED TO CONTINUE TO THE DESTINATION (ABOUT 1 MILE). AN EXAMINATION UNDER THE HOOD REVELED THAT THE FRAME HAD BROKEN AT THE SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM AND HAD ROTATED ABOUT 45DEG. THE FRAME IS EXTREMELY RUSTY ON THE RIGHT SIDE BUT NOT ON THE LEFT. THIS CAR IS 9 YEARS OLD AND HAS ONLY 70,500 MILES AN IS IN OTHERWISE GREAT SHAPE. THE NHTSA DOCUMENTS SAY THE AVERAGE LIFE OF A CAR IS JUST OVER 13 YEARS AND 165,000 TO 200,000 MILES. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT A CAR SHOULD SUFFER SUCH A MAJOR FAILURE WITHIN THE AVERAGE LIFESPAN. I HAVE COMPLETE DOCUMENTATION AND PHOTOS UPON REQUEST. *TR
SINCE PURCHASING MY SIX MONTH OLD CAR IN 2003 I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. I'VE HAD A SEAT BELT BUCKLE REPLACED, I'VE HAD MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED, I'VE HAD THEM LOOKING THE BACK END OF MY CAR FOR A VIBRATION THAT WONT GO AWAY WHEN EVER I TURN THE AIR OR HEATER ON, WHICH THEY SAY THEY CAN'T FIND AND DON'T HEAR. MY …
Read full complaint
SINCE PURCHASING MY SIX MONTH OLD CAR IN 2003 I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. I'VE HAD A SEAT BELT BUCKLE REPLACED, I'VE HAD MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED, I'VE HAD THEM LOOKING THE BACK END OF MY CAR FOR A VIBRATION THAT WONT GO AWAY WHEN EVER I TURN THE AIR OR HEATER ON, WHICH THEY SAY THEY CAN'T FIND AND DON'T HEAR. MY REAR WINDSHIELD LEAKS BADLY. AND TODAY ONLY TWO AND A HALF YEARS AFTER I GOT MY CAR, MY BRAKES FAILED ME TWICE, THE SECOND TIME HAVING ME DIVE IN TO A CURB TOTALLY DAMAGING MY TIRE AND THE STEERING IN MY CAR, AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER WENT OFF. GOING TO FILE WITH INSURANCE AND TAKE TO REPAIR SHOP. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10158506
32,000 miles · Dec 1, 2004
Suspension
TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 32,000 MILES. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED, AND HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, WHEREBY THE CONTROL ARM HAD TO HAVE HOLES GROUNDED IN ORDER TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. THE CONTROL ARM WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10101938
Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2004
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE DRIVER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE REAR STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A BLOW OUT. *LA *NM
NHTSA ODI #10083426
15,758 miles · Dec 3, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING SYSTEM.*MR CONSUMER NOTICED THE FAILURE WHEN DRIVING OFF THE LOT BUT THOUGHT I WAS DUE TO COLD WEATHER. LATER SHE LEARNED THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO FLUID LEAKING. AFTER THE REPAIR, CONSUMER STARTED HEARING GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING. ON 10/08/03, THE CON…
Read full complaint
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING SYSTEM.*MR CONSUMER NOTICED THE FAILURE WHEN DRIVING OFF THE LOT BUT THOUGHT I WAS DUE TO COLD WEATHER. LATER SHE LEARNED THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO FLUID LEAKING. AFTER THE REPAIR, CONSUMER STARTED HEARING GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING. ON 10/08/03, THE CONSUMER LEARNED THE STEERING PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE ON THIS DATE, CONSUMER HEARD MORE NOISES. THIS TIME IT WAS A AIR POCKET IN THE STEERING FLUID. IN ADDITION, THE AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM FAILS TO WORK AS DESIGNED. IT'S PROGRAMMED AT 87 DEGREES WHEN ITS COLD OUTSIDE. INSTEAD OF HEAT, IT WOULD BLOW WARM THEN COLD AIR. THE COMPUTER WAS REPROGRAMMED AND THE PROBLEM BECAME WORST THAN AT FIRST. THERE WERE COUNTLESS OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. *PH
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.
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.
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.
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
2
PE06006 · 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.
2003 Saturn L200 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration