Tl* the contact owns a 2001 (na) saturn l300. The contact stated that the anti-freeze warning indicator illuminated, the rear passenger side tail light failed, and the wiper motor did not operate normally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed that the anti-freeze hose and connector were defective and needed to be replaced. In addition, the contact was made aware of the resonator being damaged by another independent mechanic. The contact stated that the vehicle also jerked after being operated from a stop. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000. Updated 09/20/17*lj
The worst 2003 Saturn L300 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical10
- Lights10
- Engine9
- Acceleration4
- Fuel system4
- Airbags3
- Tires3
- Visibility3
- Brakes2
- Steering2
- Suspension2
- Body1
- Driver assistance1
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
- Transmission1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Saturn L300
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Defect investigations
Timing chain failure
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).
PE06006
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Saturn L300 303
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire...
- Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles
- This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as...
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS)...
- This Warranty Administration bulletin provides retail and wholesale service personnel with the...
- This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement...
- This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake...
- This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil...
- This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License...
2003 Saturn L300 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 26 | 21 |
What 2003 Saturn L300 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn l300. The contact stated that the ignition key failed to turn into any direction after numerous attempts. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the ignition switch was replaced. The contact also mentioned that both red plastic tail light covers faded into a pinkish color. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.
Ignition switch will not start the car. It is in the off position. I am having a new switch installed. I do not understand why this car part is not on the recall list. All other 2003 saturns are being recalled.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn l300. The contact stated that the brake lights failed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 106,800.
The cluster lights, brake lights, and parking lights have gone out. It shows for other models; but mine that it is a safety concern.
Computer which records and displays speed, engine RPM, mileage, and vehicle warnings failed completely. This failure meant the dash no longer records mileage, and will not display speed or RPM. Dangerous failure for untrained driver. Unknown speed could lead to unsafe driving or crash, having potential to cause deadly accident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn l300. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and caused the contact to crash into a tree. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn l300. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but they could not diagnose the cause of failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 93,000.
Left front spring in macpherson strut snapped at the bottom. The point of the break was heavily rusted. Repair had to be made with used parts, costing about $800, as aftermarket parts for this vehicle are not available, and dealer parts are overpriced to almost being at vehicle blue book value.
On a rainy night, jan 10, 2014, I came out of work and started my car. I thanked god it started because sometimes it wouldn't start at all. Even after replacing almost every engine part including the computer. I started driving out of the parking spot and I smelled something burning inside the car. The engine started revving wildly up and down. I had no control of the car. White thick smoke filled the car fast. Flames started shooting out at me from under the dashboard. I was so panicked that I could hardly get out of the car. The insurance co totaled it and I still owe 500.00! I've spent more money trying to get the car to start when I want it to and to stop shutting off while im driving on the highway with my children and or infant granddaughter. This 2003 saturn l300 has been nothing but a financial and mental nightmare only to go up in smoke, ruin my credit, and leave me stranded with no vehicle once again.
Compare the 2003 Saturn L300
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Questions about the 2003 Saturn L300
Is the 2003 Saturn L300 reliable?
Owners have filed 42 complaints about the 2003 Saturn L300, close to a typical L300 model year.
What is the 2003 Saturn L300 year score?
The 2003 Saturn L300 scores 70 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Saturn L300: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Saturn L300?
Electrical system, with 10 complaints, typically around 86,112 miles. Next is lights (10).
How many recalls does the 2003 Saturn L300 have?
No recalls on record.
What year does the Saturn L300 have the most electrical problems?
The Saturn L300 model years with the most electrical complaints are 2004 (15 complaints) and 2003 (10 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Saturn L300 get?
Official estimates for the 2003 Saturn L300 range from 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 26 highway.
VIN decoder
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