Safety ratings
2001 Saturn SL 4-DR.
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
Crash test videos & photos
No public crash-test footage is available for this vehicle.
Recalls (3)
- POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCHCampaign 00V310000 · 12/10/2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY. IF IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED, IT IS POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED.
Risk: THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.
Fix: SATURN IS ASKING OWNERS AND RETAILERS TO PERFORM A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY OPERATION, AND IF NECESSARY, TO HAVE THE CABLE ADJUSTED. IF OWNERS ARE NOT COMFORTABLE PERFORMING THE FUNCTIONAL CHECK THEMSELVES, THEY CAN HAVE THEIR DEALER PERFORM THIS INSPECTION FOR THEM.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLYCampaign 00V309000 · 12/10/2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INADEQUATE VENT VALVE WELD ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK.
Risk: FUEL SPILLAGE COULD OCCUR DURING REFUELING OR IF THE VEHICLE WERE INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO ENSURE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE IS PROPERLY WELDED. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTINGCampaign 09E012000 · 07/04/2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM31
- POWER TRAIN22
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING21
- AIR BAGS16
- SERVICE BRAKES15
- HYDRAULIC13
- SEATS7
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/27/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PURCHASED A 2001 SATURN SL FROM A SMALL CAR DEALERSHIP AT THE END OF JUNE 2006. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH A 30 DAY WARRANTY. IN THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST, MANY COMPONENTS OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BEGAN TO FAIL - ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, STARTER. ALL WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE FAILED. JUST TODAY (12/27/06) THE CAR STARTED TO ACT UP AGAIN. WORST CAR I'VE EVER OWNED. *JB
- 12/22/2008· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SATURN 2001 ION IGNITION - CAR WON'T START BECAUSE KEY WON'T TURN THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH SATURNS AND IS A BAD SAFETY ISSUE. PEOPLE ARE STRANDED WITH VEHICLES THAT WON'T START OR SOMETIMES EVEN TURN OFF. THIS IS AWFUL, AND SATURN KNOWS ABOUT IT, AND GM IS ASKING FOR A BAILOUT? THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. IF GOVERNMENT WON'T FORCE A RECALL ON KNOWN ISSUES, THE COMPANY WINDS UP GOING EXTINCT DUE TO POOR QUALITY ISSUES. RECALL THIS! *TR
- 12/12/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SL2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
- 12/07/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WE NOTICED THAT SOMETIMES THE CAR WAS ENGINE WAS RACING WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND YOU HAVE TO HOLD EXTRA PRESSURE ON THE BAKE PEDAL TO KEEP THE CAR FROM MOVING FORWARD. THE IDLE SPEED INCREASES FROM A NORMAL 750 RPM TO APPROXIMATELY 1750 RPM WHILE IN NEUTRAL, INTERMEDIATELY, SOMETIMES RIGHT AFTER STARTING THE CAR, SOMETIMES AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE. THE CAR ENGINE WHEN IT DOES THIS WILL EXCEED 1100 RPM WHILE IN DRIVE WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES UNDER WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND ONE TIME SPECIFICALLY WHILE IT WAS EXHIBITING THE HIGH IDLE AND NO CAUSE WAS DISCOVERED, NO PARTS REPLACED; THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS TODAY. THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH WE TOOK IT IN WHILE THE ENGINE WAS HIGH IDLING. *NM
- 12/01/2006· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS BOARD HAS ALLOWED THE USE OF "DRIVING LIGHTS" ON CARS ON OUR HIGHWAYS. THESE LIGHTS ARE MISUSED CONSTANTLY AND POSE (IN MY OPINION) A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. THEY ARE USED FOR DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND CONSIDERED SUFFICIENT DURING DUSK AND EVENING HOURS. THEY PRESENT A REDUCED VISIBILITY AND A DANGER TO OTHER DRIVERS. THEY ARE ESPECIALLY A PROBLEM SINCE THEY DO NOT TURN ON THE TAIL LIGHTS. COMING UP ON SUCH A VEHICLE USING DRIVING LIGHTS AT DUSK IN THE RAIN IS ONE OF THE WORST EXPERIENCES I HAVE HAD WHILE DRIVING. I DO NOT KNOW OF ANY SPECIFIC ACCIDENTS RELATING TO THIS PROBLEM, BUT I BET THERE ARE MANY OUT THERE. I AM NOT SURE THE AUTHORITIES ARE FULLY AWARE OF THIS POTENTIAL CAUSE OF SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SERIOUS ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION. *JB
- 11/27/2007· POWER TRAIN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SL2. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND SLAMMED INTO GEAR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT FAILED AND THEY CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. APPROXIMATELY TEN DAYS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT THE LINING INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION SEPARATED, WHICH ALLOWED DEBRIS TO ENTER THE GEARS AND VALVES. AS OF NOVEMBER 27, 2007, THE MECHANIC HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
- 11/18/2002· SEATSCrash
WHILE BEING DRIVEN 40 MPH, THE OWNER NOTICED A VEHICLE DRIVING ERRATIC AND SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. THE DRIVER CLIPPED THE OTHER VEHICLE IN THE PROCESS. THE REAR SEAT BACK LATCH FAILED ALLOWING THE REAR SEAT BACK TO FALL ON TOP OF THE CHILD BELTED IN THE REAR. A MECHANIC, WAS UNABLE TO RELATCH THE SEAT BACK. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS TS
- 11/09/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SL1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING EXCESSIVELY. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 132,000. ....UPDATED 12/03/12 *BF UPDATED 01/11/12
- 11/07/2008· POWER TRAIN
2001 SATURN SL2 TRANSMISSION WILL SLAM WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE REPLACED FLUIDS AND LET RUN IN REVERSE POSITION WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE SET AND BACKED UP AGAINST A TREE TO TRY AND CLEAN VALVE BODY - NO SUCCESS. *TR
- 11/02/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AFTER THE KEY IS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER IT WILL NOT ENGAGE AND TURN TO START THE VEHICLE. THE LOCK REMAINS STUCK IN THE "OFF" POSITION. OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME CONSISTENTLY WORSE. WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED NUMEROUS OCCASIONS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING WE ARE ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH SATURN'S VEHICLES. *TR
- 10/26/2005· POWER TRAIN
I WAS DRIVING GOING ABOUT 55 WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO LOOSE POWER I PUSHED ON THE GAS AND IT WENT UP TO 5 RPM BEFORE KICKING IN THE TRANSMISSION THEN IT KEPT DOING THAT WHERE THE RMP HAD TO GO WAY UP BEFORE KICKING. I TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO HAVE IT LOOK AT BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. HOWEVER IT TOOK THEM THREE TIMES TO FIND OUT ABOUT MY BRAKE PROBLEMS. *JB
- 10/24/2002· STEERING
FINGERS BENT AND TWISTED INDEX AND MIDDLE FINGERS BENT TOWARDS THE BABY FINGERS. THUMBS IS BENT OUTWARD FROM THE HANDS. EXTREME SHOULDER PAIN AND RESTRICTED MOVEMENT. BOTH SHOULDERS ARE PAINFUL LEFT ARM IS VERY RESTRICTED IN MOVEMENT. CAN NOT RAISE LEFT ARM TO 90% OR CROSS LEFT ARM OVER CHEST. BOTH ARMS HAVE PAIN RADIATING DOWN FROM THE SHOULDER. STEERING IS EXTREMELY TIGHT/HARD LIKE THE CHEVROLET IMPALA. PICTURES OF HANDS CAN BE SEEN ON HTTP://PHOTOS.YAHOO.COM/MIKETOMICH. THIS INFORMATION SUBMITTED ON BEHALF OF MICHELLE BY MIKE TOMICH 989-665-2311.
- 10/23/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE NOT EVEN OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR ONE FULL YEAR AND IT HAS COST ME $700.00 IN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS. DT
- 10/23/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,TIRES,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY. DT
- 10/20/2003· AIR BAGS
WHILE PARKING VEHICLE,BOTH AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING WHILE PARKING VEHICLE. *AK
- 10/20/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE BRAKE PEDAL MAKES A LOUD POP NOISE AND THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, SOMETIMES THE PEDAL DROPS HALF WAY OR ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT WARNING, CONSUMER BELIEVES IT'S A DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDER OR BOOSTER BUT SATURN IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. NLM
- 10/15/2002· AIR BAGSCrash
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH HAD HEAD ON COLLISION AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MR
- 10/13/2014· AIR BAGSCrash
OUR DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON 10/9/2014. A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF HER. OUR DAUGHTER WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP IN TIME AND HIT THE VEHICLE WITH THE FRONT END OF THE SATURN TO THE DRIVERS DOOR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT WE BELIEVE THEY SHOULD HAVE. OUR DAUGHTER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *TR
- 10/04/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I TOOK MY SATURN IN FOR REPAIR BECAUSE I WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE IGNITION AND STARTING MY CAR. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER BINDING AND COLUMN WAS LOOSE. THEY REPLACED THE CYLINDER AND CODE CYLINDER AND SECURED THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. NOW THE SAME IGNITION PROBLEM IS BACK BUT EVEN WORSE. IT TAKES A SERIES OF SHAKES OF MY KEY AND MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL TO EVEN START THE CAR! I HOPE THAT I WON'T GET STRANDED SOMEWHERE WHEN THIS CAR WON'T START!!! *TR
- 10/02/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AC DELCO CAR BATTERY POSITIVE TERMINAL FELL OFF THE BATTERY, CAUSING CAR TO NOT START AND BATTERY ACID TO DRIP ON CABLES UNDER BATTERY. BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MY RESEARCH REVEALS THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON EXPERIENCE WITH AC DELCO BATTERIES. *JB
- 09/29/2005· AIR BAGSCrash
ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2005 AT APPROXIMATELY 8:00 AM I WAS TRAVELING ON I 295 NORTH WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 65 MPH. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE INTERSTATE DRIVING A 2001 SATURN SL1 BLUE IN COLOR. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHICH WAS A SATURN VUE SLAMMED ON HIS BRAKES HITTING A WHITE HONDA THAT WAS IN FRONT OF HIM. WHEN THE VUE HIT THE HONDA THE VUE WENT FROM THE MIDDLE LANE OF TRAFFIC TO THE LEFT LANE. I WAS BEHIND THE VUE IN THE MIDDLE LANE AND WHEN THE VUE WENT INTO THE LEFT LANE I HIT THE WHITE HONDA ON THE RIGHT BUMPER AND WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 55 MPH AND 65 MPH. MY CAR THEN SPUN AROUND AND I THEN HIT THE VUE IN THE LEFT HAND LANE AND MY CAR ENDED UP BETWEEN THE MIDDLE AND LEFT HAND LANE. THE TWO AIRBAGS IN MY 2001 SATURN SL1 NEVER DEPLOYED. MY CAR HAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE AND WILL PROBABLY BE A TOTAL LOSS. THIS VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED FROM THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT.
- 09/28/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2001 SATURN SL2 SEDAN TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. IT IS CURRENTLY AT AN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP, SO I DO NOT HAVE THE VIN HANDY (BUT IF YOU NEED IT, CONTACT ME). THEY DO NOT WANT TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY HAVE HAD EXPERIENCES WHERE THEY DO THIS AND IT FAILS AGAIN IN A FEW MONTHS. THEY SAY THEY DO NOT WANT TO LOOK FOR ANOTHER ENGINE BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I SPECIFICALLY BOUGHT THE SATURN BECAUSE IT HAD A TIMING CHAIN INSTEAD OF A TIMING BELT (BECAUSE I OWNED A FIAT ON WHICH THE TIMING BELT BROKE AND I NEVER WANTED TO GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN). YET, HERE I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH A TIMING CHAIN. I HAVE HEARD THAT THERE IS A LUBRICATION ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN THAT CAUSES IT TO FAIL. I HOPE THIS CAN BE INVESTIGATED. SATURN MADE A BIG DEAL OF THEIR "300,000 MILES CLUB" AND HOW ROBUST AND LONG-LASTING THEIR CARS WERE, AND NOW THIS. TO MAKE THINGS WORSE, OUR FAMILY HAS TWO 2001 SATURN SL2 SEDANS! *TR
- 09/26/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE ENGINE IN MY CAR, A 2001 SATURN SL, SEIZED. THE CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED, AND HAD ONLY ABOUT 43000 MILES. THE OIL HAD BEEN CHANGED ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, AND THE ENGINE SHOWED NO SIGNS OF LEAKAGE. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT WE WERE MOVING SLOWLY, AS SOMEBODY MAY HAVE BEEN INJURED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
- 09/16/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE KEY INTERMITTENTLY RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
- 09/13/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLES ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. NLM
- 09/13/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. NLM
- 09/11/2008· AIR BAGS
LTR FROM SENATOR BINGAMAN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT, RE FRONT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN HER 2001 SATURN SL1. *NJ THE AIR BAD DEPLOYED WHEN THE CONSUMER SON EXITED THE VEHICLE AFTER FIRMLY CLOSING THE DOOR. THE CONSUMER HAD AN OUTSIDE CONTRACTOR INSPECT THE VEHICLE, AND HE STATED THE VEHICLES COMPUTER REGISTERED AN EVENT THAT OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. *JB
- 09/10/2008· POWER TRAIN
BRUSHING ON MY 2001 SATURN BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING, LEAVING ME STUCK IN 3RD GEAR. I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE, AND FOUND THAT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, AND SATURN REFUSES TO SELL THE DEFECTIVE PART, OPTING TO CHARGE THEIR CUSTOMERS OVER $200 FOR A $0.30 PART. *TR
- 09/07/2004· STEERING,VISIBILITY
THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE HEAT/AIR VENTS DID NOT WORK. *JB
- 09/04/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HORN STOPPED WORKING 1 WEEK AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER 5 TIMES, COULD NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK
- 09/03/2012· TIRES
I AM SEEING A PATTERN OF SEVERE DRY ROT STRESS CRACKS IN ALL, NEARLY NEW (LESS THAN 12 MONTHS OLD) MICHELIN AND UNIROYAL TIRES IN THE TREAD AREA FIRST THEN LATER THE SIDEWALLS, AND EVEN GOODYEAR TIRES IN JUST 1-2 YEARS. ALL THESE TIRES CAME FROM WALMART. I HAVE THEM ON 6 VEHICLES, ALL WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. I HAVE BEEN BUYING TIRES FOR OVER 38 YEARS, AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM TILL THE LAST FEW YEARS. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND DEALT WITH QUICKLY. I AM A DEGREED CHEMICAL ENGINEER AND I DO ALL MY OWN AUTO REPAIRS, EVEN MAJOR REBUILDS, IN OTHER WORDS I AM VERY EXPERIENCED AND I SEE A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY AND CONSUMER ISSUE HERE!!!! *TR
- 09/03/2008· POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING, MY GEAR SHIFTER JUST WENT "LOOSE" AND THE CAR WAS STUCK IN GEAR WITHOUT ANY ABILITY TO SHIFT. FORTUNATELY, I WASN'T HIT AS I WAS CROSSING THE ROAD AT 6:19 IN THE AM AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE FAILURE WAS THE SHIFT CABLE BUSHING HAD BROKEN. HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_80337.HTML WILL SHOW MORE DETAILED COMMENTS FROM OTHER CONSUMERS. SHOULDN'T SOMETHING THAT CAN CAUSE SUCH A LOSS OF CONTROL BE MADE OUT OF SOMETHING A BIT MORE DURABLE THAN PLASTIC AND ALSO BE SOLD AS AN INDIVIDUAL PART AND NOT A $250 ASSEMBLY THAT COSTS ANOTHER $250 TO INSTALL? THE PART WAS ORDERED FROM SATURN AND WILL BE INSTALLED BY A LOCAL AAMCCO TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP THAT WAS THE CLOSEST PLACE TO MY HOME. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT 1 MILE AWAY FROM MY HOUSE. *TR
- 08/30/2001· AIR BAGSCrash
WHILE TRAVELING AT 35MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
- 08/29/2005· POWER TRAIN
THE TRANSMISSION STARTED GOING OUT ON MY 2001 SATURN SL1 (AUTOMATIC), WHICH ONLY HAS 53,000 MILES ON IT. A SATURN SERVICE AGENT ACCIDENTALLY (I THINK) TOLD ME THAT THE VALVE BODY "TENDS TO GO OUT" IN THAT MODEL. A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST HAS VERIFIED THAT, AND IS REPEATEDLY REPAIRING TRANSMISSIONS ON THIS MODEL. *JB
- 08/27/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE SECURITY LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD TURN ON AND THE WHEEL TURN TO THE RIGHT SIDE BY IT SELF AND THE CAR TURN OFF AND WON'T START AGAIN UNTIL THE SECURITY LIGHT IS OFF. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT HAPPENED WILE DRIVING WITH MY SON INSIDE THE CAR. *TR
- 08/27/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH *AK
- 08/21/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 2001 SATURN SL2 HAS HAD MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT IGNITION LOCK ON DISCUSSION BOARDS. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT FOR ABOUT A YEAR, BUT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO JIGGLE IT TO START. I'VE BEEN LUCKY. IF THIS HAS BEEN SUCH A PROBLEM WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL RATHER THAN ALL THE FALSE CHARGES AND REPAIRS PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO PAY? *TR
- 08/14/2008· AIR BAGS
MALFUNCTION OF PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ON 2001 SATURN SL1. *NJ THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHEN THE CONSUMER'S SON EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP WITH THE ENGINE IDLING. *JB
- 08/12/2004· AIR BAGSCrash
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED TOTALED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN KNEE IN THREE PLACES AND NOW UNABLE TO WALK. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL. *JB INFORMATION.
- 08/05/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE SHIMMIES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT THE BRAKE DRUMS NEEDED CHANGING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
- 07/31/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO THE MAIN HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR MADE A PFFFF SOUND AND I LOST ALL POWER TO THE CAR THE MOTOR JUST STOPPED. I HAD NO POWER STEERING AND NO POWER BRAKES. THE DEALER STATED THE TIMING CHAIN JUST SNAPPED AND THEN 12 OUT OF THE 16 VALVES IN THE CAR BENT. I FOUND THIS INCREDIBLE ON A VEHICLE WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. *TR
- 07/28/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE STALLS AT 65 MPH, NO WARNING. DEALER STATES THAT CYLINDER HEAD IS DEFECTIVE. *AK
- 07/26/2014· SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A LIGHT UP TO ~20MPH THERE WAS THE SMELL OF BRAKE FLUID/RUBBER BURNING. WHEN TRAFFIC SLOWED AGAIN BRAKES HAD NO RESPONSE EVEN WHEN PRESS ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. CAR WAS STOPPED IN TIME TO AVOID ACCIDENT BY APPLICATION OF EMERGENCY BRAKE AND PLACING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. PUMPING THE BRAKES FAILED TO REGAIN PRESSURE THOUGH AFTER DRIVING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH EBRAKE AND RESTARTING CAR A HARD PUMP OF THE BRAKES HAD SOME RESISTANCE. FURTHER CAUTIOUS DRIVING AND PRESSURE REBUILT. AFTER INSPECTION AT THE SHOP NO EXPLANATION FOR THE EVENT COULD BE FOUND. *TR
- 07/25/2009· AIR BAGSCrash
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON JULY 18 2009 A LADY PULLED OUT OF A SIDE STREET AND WE HIT. I COULD NOT AVOID HER. IM NOT SURE WHAT SPEED I WAS GOING AT IMPACT BUT I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES AT 40 MPH. MY FRONT END HIT HER SIDE.MOST PASSENGERS ME, THE FRONT PASSENGER AND TWO OTHERS WERE INJURED. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. IM NOT SURE IF THEY SHOULD HAVE BUT AT THAT SPEED AND THE IMPACT I FEEL THEY DEFINITELY SHOULD HAVE. MY DAUGHTER AND I FLEW FORWARD AND SHE HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND I WENT INTO THE STEERING WHEEL COMING VERY CLOSE TO THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR IN TOTALED. *TR
- 07/24/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT
THE VEHICLE BRAKE ROTOR WARP SEVERAL TIMES WHICH CAUSED VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED FROM A STOP THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE ALSO ACTS AS IF IT WANT TO STALL WHEN SITTING IDLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE EITHER CONCERN. THE RADIO LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE THEREFORE THE DEALER REPLACED THE RADIO. *AK *CB *NLM
- 07/22/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION, IT DOESN'T TURN MOST OF THE TIME. IT HAS BEEN TRIED TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH AND ALSO REINSERTING THE KEY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW AND IT IS GETTING WORSE AS TIME GOES ON. I ALSO KNOW OF OTHER SATURN OWNERS WITH OTHER MODELS WHICH HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT SAY THAT THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THEIR CARS.
- 07/18/2003· STRUCTURE
WHEN IT RAINS, PUDDLES OF WATER FORM IN THE PASSENGER SIDE CARPET. WATER IS NOT PRESENT ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE CAR. (THIS HAS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.) ALSO, UPON SEVERAL "ATTEMPTS" AT FIXING THE SUNROOF, IT DOES NOT WORK. IT DOES NOT RETRACT. *JB
- 07/12/2014· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ENGINE
1ST INCIDENT: I WENT IN TO THE SATURN DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE DEALER FOUND A FUEL LEAK BETWEEN THE TANK AND THE FILTER. THERE WAS FUEL ON TOP OF THE TANK TOP AND ALSO DRIPPING DOWN THE SIDE. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS A CRACKED LINE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM CLOSE TO THE TANK TOP. I HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE LEAK OF MY POCKET AS IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. 2ND INCIDENT: YESTERDAY I WENT FOR A STATE INSPECTION AT THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER THAT TAKES CARE OF MY SATURN AND THEY REPORTED THAT I HAVE A FUEL TANK LEAKING AND HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. BECAUSE OF THIS IT FAILED THE STATE INSPECTION. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS ONLY 41152 MILES ON IT AND IS DRIVEN MOSTLY FOR PLEASURE. IS THERE A CURRENT RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY OR THE FUEL TANKS OF THE SATURN L300 SERIES? *TR
- 07/09/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SL. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 160,000.
- 07/03/2002· SEATS
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT LOCK WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE IN ORDER TO LOCK THE SEAT DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*JB