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2004 Saturn L300

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

40 reports with mileage · 21 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

61 reports
60,000 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A 2004 SATURN L300.1 SEDAN WITH CRUISE CONTROL. A COUPLE OF TIMES OVER THE PAST YEARS WHEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND PRESSING THE CRUISE CONTROL ACCELERATE BUTTON, THE BUTTON STUCK IN THE ACCELERATE POSITION CAUSING THE CAR TO ACCELERATE UNTIL THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS TURNED OFF BY BRAKE OR SWITCH. KNOWING THIS CAN HAPPE…

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I HAVE A 2004 SATURN L300.1 SEDAN WITH CRUISE CONTROL. A COUPLE OF TIMES OVER THE PAST YEARS WHEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND PRESSING THE CRUISE CONTROL ACCELERATE BUTTON, THE BUTTON STUCK IN THE ACCELERATE POSITION CAUSING THE CAR TO ACCELERATE UNTIL THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS TURNED OFF BY BRAKE OR SWITCH. KNOWING THIS CAN HAPPEN, I AM CAREFUL USING CRUISE CONTROL AND HAVE NOT REPORTED IT. WITH THE CURRENT PUBLICITY ABOUT ACCELERATION PROBLEMS, I THOUGHT IT SHOULD BE REPORTED. BETTER LATE THAN NEVER. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10315665

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering

MY WIFE AND I OWN A 2004 SATURN L300. MY WIFE IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER AND SHE REPORTED SEEING A WISP OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. WE TOOK IT TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER MY WIFE REPORTED THE SAME WISP OF SMOKE. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM…

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MY WIFE AND I OWN A 2004 SATURN L300. MY WIFE IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER AND SHE REPORTED SEEING A WISP OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. WE TOOK IT TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER MY WIFE REPORTED THE SAME WISP OF SMOKE. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM REPAIR IT AGAIN. THE SECOND TIME THEY REPAIRED IT, THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD NOT TURN OFF WHEN THE WHEEL WAS TURNED. ALSO, THE WISP OF SMOKE IS BACK AGAIN. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE I DON'T WANT IT TO START A FIRE WHILE IT IS BEING DRIVEN. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE OTHER ISSUES INCLUDING THE POWER STEERING RACK FAILING, THE WATER PUMP FAILING, AND THE PLENUM FAILING. THE CAR ONLY HAS 46,000 MILES ON IT AND MY WIFE HAS PUT ABOUT 13,000 IN 27 MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10315338

99,700 miles · Feb 28, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 SATURN L300 AT 55 MPH. THE CAR SUDDENLY CUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME IN A PARKING LOT APPROXIMATELY 3 OTHER TIMES. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT MAY BE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. …

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 SATURN L300 AT 55 MPH. THE CAR SUDDENLY CUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME IN A PARKING LOT APPROXIMATELY 3 OTHER TIMES. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT MAY BE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314965

150,000 miles · Sep 14, 2009
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN L300. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, BENT THE FRAME AND DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONTAL AND SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AN AMBULANCE. A POLICE REP…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN L300. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, BENT THE FRAME AND DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONTAL AND SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AN AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10283911

97,000 miles · Feb 20, 2009
Electrical System

I HAVE A SATURN L300 AND WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE LEFT LANE ONE DAY AND THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN AND STOPPED RUNNING. WHEN MY MECHANIC READ THE ELECTRICAL CODE ON THE CAR IT WAS THE BCM THAT HAD FAILED. I HAD READ THAT THIS IS A KNOWN COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES AND WANTED TO KNOW WHY THIS IS NOT A RECALL ON THE VE…

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I HAVE A SATURN L300 AND WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE LEFT LANE ONE DAY AND THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN AND STOPPED RUNNING. WHEN MY MECHANIC READ THE ELECTRICAL CODE ON THE CAR IT WAS THE BCM THAT HAD FAILED. I HAD READ THAT THIS IS A KNOWN COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES AND WANTED TO KNOW WHY THIS IS NOT A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE SINCE IT COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE AS IN MY CASE. I DID AVOID AND ACCIDENT AND GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT GETTING HIT OR HITTING SOMEONE ELSE BUT IT WAS DEFINITELY COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE AND I HAD MY 4 YEAR OLD IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME AT THE TIME. SINCE THAT HAPPENED I HAVE NOTICES OTHER THINGS GOING WRONG ON THE VEHICLE THAT ARE ATTACHED THE BCM, RADIO STOPPED WORKING, KEYLESS REMOTE STOPPED WORKING, DEFROST ON SIDE MIRRORS DON'T WORK...WHICH ARE NOT SAFETY ISSUES BUT WHAT CAUSE IT TO SHUT MY CAR DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I WAS DRIVING WAS SCARY AND UNSAFE!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10259424

Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2008
EquipmentExterior Lighting

I CAN NOT GET A REPLACEMENT PART FOR MY 2004 SATURN WAGON. THE TAIL LIGHT IS BROKEN, GM SAID THE SUPPLIER QUITE MAKING THE PART. THE CAR IS NOT LEGAL TO DRIVE WITH A BROKEN TAIL LIGHT. *TR THANK YOU ROBERT EMANUEL

NHTSA ODI #10252332

55,357 miles · Nov 13, 2008
Structure

MY TRUNK FILLS WITH WATER IF I GO THROUGH A CAR WASH. I DIDN'T NOTICE FOR A WHILE BECAUSE I RARELY USE THE TRUNK. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS DUE TO BROKEN SEALS, IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD COST ABOUT 300.00 DOLLARS. I DON'T HAVE 300.00 DOLLARS. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN A ACCIDENT SO THERE SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM WITH THE SEA…

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MY TRUNK FILLS WITH WATER IF I GO THROUGH A CAR WASH. I DIDN'T NOTICE FOR A WHILE BECAUSE I RARELY USE THE TRUNK. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS DUE TO BROKEN SEALS, IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD COST ABOUT 300.00 DOLLARS. I DON'T HAVE 300.00 DOLLARS. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN A ACCIDENT SO THERE SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM WITH THE SEALS UNDER IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248739

53,000 miles · Jul 29, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TROUBLE WITH ABS SYSTEM. LIGHT CAME ON, CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO FINALLY DETERMINED IT WAS THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. REPAIR EST. OVER $1200. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10236336

40,000 miles · May 27, 2008
Electrical SystemPower Train

THE BATTERY WARNING AND EMERGENCY SERVICE LIGHTS (I.E., "THE CAR WITH THE WRENCH" SIGNAL) FLASHED ON MY 2004 SATURN L300 IN MID-MAY 2008. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME. AS I SLOWED DOWN TO EXIT THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED. I MADE IT HOME AND PARKED IT IN THE CAR PORT. I HAD IT TOWED TO SATURN OF BIRMINGHAM (SOB) THE NEXT MORNING.…

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THE BATTERY WARNING AND EMERGENCY SERVICE LIGHTS (I.E., "THE CAR WITH THE WRENCH" SIGNAL) FLASHED ON MY 2004 SATURN L300 IN MID-MAY 2008. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME. AS I SLOWED DOWN TO EXIT THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED. I MADE IT HOME AND PARKED IT IN THE CAR PORT. I HAD IT TOWED TO SATURN OF BIRMINGHAM (SOB) THE NEXT MORNING. SOB HAS HAD IT FOR 4 DAYS NOW. THE SERVICE TECH'S (AT LEAST THREE HAVE LOOKED AT IT) HAVE HAD A DIFFICULT TIME DETERMINING WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. FOR NOW, THE POWER TRAIN (PCM) HAS BEEN REPLACED. BUT THE SERVICE REP INFORMED ME THAT THE ALTERNATOR IS OVERCHARGING SO THEY WILL HAVE TO REPLACE IT AS WELL. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN DRAINED, WHICH WILL MAKE THIS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY ON THIS CAR (THE FIRST TIME WAS AFTER ONLY 2.5 YEARS). THE SERVICE REP INDICATED THAT THE TECH WILL HAVE TO DO A THOROUGH CHECK ON THE VEHICLE TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO OTHER PROBLEMS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN TRIGGERED BY THE PCM/ALTERNATOR/BATTERY FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229004

77,000 miles · Feb 13, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN L300. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE LOW POWER AND ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ECM, BUT THE FAILU…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN L300. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE LOW POWER AND ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ECM, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW AIR SENSOR AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ODI #10217968

Official recalls

2

05V245000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

Jun 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.

05V158000 · Seat Belts

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.