2003 Saturn L200: won't start

Filed Apr 9, 2014 · Engine · 91,200 miles · NJ

Parked car and next morning went to start and car would not start. It would only turn n not start. Went to where bought it n they diagnosis timing chain was broke.

Filed Feb 19, 2014 · Engine, Wheels · 152,000 miles · AL

The car started making a funny noise as I was driving home. Thankfully I made it home but after I shut the car off it would not start again. Also my rear wheels wear on the inside due to the position of them I am going to have to have shims put in to keep the rear wheels from angling in.

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 Mar 26, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · OH

I was driving my 2003 saturn and when I stop it made a noise in the engine. When I went to start it,it turned over real fast and would not start. It has spark and fuel but no not think it has compressor. Would like to know if this car is under a recall for the timing chain. It has 107,000 miles on it. It seem like it would be very costly to fix.

Filed Jun 28, 2011 · Electrical · 75,000 miles · MD · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn l-series. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, it would not start and smoke began to rise from underneath the hood. An independent mechanic arrived and disconnected the battery. The vehicle was in the process of being towed to an authorized dealer. The authorized dealer was notified and the contact was informed the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v231000 (electrical system:ignition:module). The failure and current mileages were 75,000.

Filed Jun 29, 2008 · Airbags, Electrical · 47,233 miles · IN

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.

Filed Dec 27, 2007 · Electrical · 102,000 miles · MO

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

Filed Jun 15, 2007 · Electrical · 82,010 miles · OR

2003 saturn l200 would not start & the engine light was flashing.. Aaa towed the vehicle to the nearest repair facility. On 7/14/07 that facility advised us that the ignition control module was faulty & that it had been the subject of a recall. The shop contacted saturn of beaverton service department, and were told that since our vehicle had already had the recall work done they would not replace this faulty part again under the recall. We contacted saturn customer service on 7/14/07 #800‑553‑6000 , who advised us that saturn of beaverton was incorrect and that if the same part was again failing, it would be replaced under the recall. We asked them if we should have the vehicle towed to saturn of beaverton and was told that we did not need to as it was an hour away from the shop. We could have the aaa shop do the repair and we could submit for reimbursement as saturn of beaverton would not do the repair for us. But, advised our shop of this and they did the repairs using the correct parts supplied directly from the local chevrolet dealership. We paid $431.79 for the repair and picked up the vehicle 7/15/07. A representative from saturn (case #1-24000059) called us after we picked up the car and asked us what we paid and what was done. Reference recall bulletin 6/23/2003.we have the faulty ignition module in a box from the shop. They called me back a few hours later and advised me that they would not reimburse us the repair cost because it was not done at a saturn shop. Saturn denied that it told us to have the repairs completed at the aaa shop and submit bill for reimbursement told her that we still have the faulty part, so we could take it to the saturn shop & they could test it if necessary. Also, we offered to have the shop put the faulty part back on &and have the vehicle towed to a saturn shop so they could do the repair. Saturn told us that none of this made a difference and that we will not be reimbursed.

Filed Oct 4, 2006 · Fuel system · 58,270 miles · CA

On january 30, 2006, my 2003 l200 would not start. I had the vehicle towed to saturn of the valley where I had purchased the vehicle new in october, 2002. They determined that the problem was a failed fuel pump that needed to be replaced. At the time, the vehicles mileage was 58,270. The total cost of replacement came to $553.79 including parts, labor and applicable tax. Subsequently, on september 25, 2006, I took my 2002 l200 to saturn of the valley where I had purchased the vehicle new in october, 2001, due to a possible fuel pump line leak that had been discovered on the prior saturday, 9/23/06, by the firestone facility where I had taken the vehicle for servicing because I could smell gas coming from the passenger side engine compartment. Saturn of the valley determined that the fuel pump lines were leaking and that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. At the time, the vehicles mileage was 75,202. Saturn of the valley agreed to cover the cost of the part but I paid the labor. Subsequent to this, I wrote to saturn customer service and requested that they cover the cost of the part with regard to the 1/30/06 2003 l200 fuel pump failure. I explained that the fuel pump failure was due to a manufacturer's defect, as the same part failed on both of my vehicles of the same model, one production year apart, purchased new at the same facility, at relatively low mileage. Saturn corp. Denies that there's a manufacturer's defect on this part. However, saturn has discontinued production of the l series model vehicles. This is highly suspicious and warrants an investigation to determine if a manufacturer's defect is at fault.

Filed Feb 22, 2006 · Fuel system · 1,000 miles · NY

In the year 2003 after having my l200 for about 6 months 1000 miles my fuel pump went it was under warranty but I took it to saturn of clearance they told me there was nothing wrong so I was almost home and black smoke was flowing out of my tail pipe and when I stopped to get some gas after I got gas I went to start my car and it wouldn't start then it would and it would stall so I took it back up there the second time and they said oh its your fuel pump well why didn't they listen the first time .

Filed Jan 27, 2004 · Fuel system · PA

My car has a 1/4 tank of gas & it will not start. I had to put my car in neutral & coast it slightly down a hill with the front end facing down the hill. I took the car in for service & they told me there was nothing wrong with the car.... On top of that, they asked me what brand of gas I was using... I told them sunoco. Silly me was supposed to be using amoco!?!?!? But this problem persists!

Filed Oct 31, 2003 · Fuel system · 300 miles · OK

The saturn l200 I own will not start on an incline when there is 1/4 tank of gas in it. In order to start the vehicle I must put the car in neutral and roll down the incline to a level street. This is dangerous. I have called both the dealership and saturn the manufacturer. They have stated it is an engineering problem. It must be fixed. There is a genuine danger here.