2003 Saturn L200: engine failure

6 of the 138 complaints about the 2003 Saturn L200 describe engine failure.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 4%
typical mileage: 81,230
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 72 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

What owners say

Filed Sep 7, 2022 · Engine · NC

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn L200. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 45 MPH, an abnormal whirling sound was coming from the vehicle and the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact's wife was unable to restart the vehicle and with the assistance of a police officer, she coasted the vehicle off to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective timing chain which resulted in engine failure. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jul 20, 2015 · Steering · 106,000 miles · OR

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn l200. While driving at low speeds, the steering wheel seized without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic five times. The technician diagnosed that the power steering pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was later taken back to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000. Ma 10/19/2015 updated 11/28/2017

Filed Aug 8, 2014 · Engine · 156,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn l200. The contact stated that the air conditioner failed to blow cool air. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated a condenser and a clutch was needed in order to repair the vehicle. The mechanic also stated that if the vehicle was not properly repaired the belt would seize causing an engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 156,000.

Filed Dec 12, 2012 · Engine · 78,000 miles · WI

I am mortified by all of the complaints of engine failure of the l200 series due to the timing chain and am even more devastated that there is no recall information on it. My car had 78k miles on it and did not start today. It was towed to a shop and they called me to inform me that it was my engine due to the timing chain. The repair shop also said that it was the 4th saturn with the same exact problem that they had seen this month. I am a college student without a car that is still making car payments living on my own. Saturn better be happy that it no longer exists, but gm better have some answers for me. There are recalls for the same problem for 2001 models, there are even more reported issues with later models. How has gm gotten away with this?

Filed Dec 22, 2010 · Fuel system · 81,230 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn l200. The contact was driving approximately 35 MPH up an incline when the engine stalled without warning. The engine failed to restart after numerous attempts. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the fuel pump and fuel filter were replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 81,230. Updated 02/09/11*lj updated 09/19/11

Filed Sep 11, 2009 · Engine · 63,000 miles · IL

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 saturn l200. The contact was unable to start the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and a technician concluded that the timing belt and engine valves needed to be replaced. Engine failure while driving increased the risk for a vehicle crash. No repairs were made. The current and failure mileages were 63000.