My vehicle is leaking fuel from the fuel pump. I can see the fuel collecting on the side of the fuel tank from the top of the tank where the fuel pump is located. This issue has been releasing gas fumes around my car and occasionally in the cabin. This not only makes my car invalid for emissions testing in many states across the country, it also poses a risk to the overall safety of the vehicle. This issue is extremely common on these cars, I have seen many reports on Saturn forums talking about the issue and just how dangerous / expensive it has been for them to deal with. Due to the way GM has made this car, you cannot replace this part without dropping the exhaust and fuel tank.
The worst 2004 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.
- Electrical15
- Lights12
- Engine11
- Fuel system7
- Transmission6
- Acceleration4
- Brakes4
- Airbags3
- Body3
- Steering3
- Tires3
- Driver assistance1
- Suspension1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Saturn L300
Headlights 12Stalling 8Fuel pump 5
Trouble codes owners of the 2004 Saturn L300 mention
P0606 2
Recalls 2
Exterior lighting: brake lights
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 05V245000 · Recall details
Seat belts
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 05V158000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Saturn L300 366
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.
- Unknown or other
- 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...
2004 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21 | 31 | 25 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 26 | 21 |
What 2004 Saturn L300 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Our 2004 Saturn L300 developed a fuel leak at the fuel pump (cracked) which is not normal. There is a strong fuel smell while driving and after the vehicle is parked. We are afraid that the fuel leak could cause a fire. The fuel pump has been inspected by an independent mechanic. There’s an error code that says that there’s a leak in the fuel system. I looked online and it seems that a lot of people are experiencing the same problem with this car. Other cars of the same manufacturer (General Motors) have been recalled for the same problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn l300. The contact stated that while in reverse the gear shifter ceased and the vehicle failed to start-up. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic and it was determined that the shifter cable was detached. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 155,000.
My brake lights and my 3rd brake light that is on the inside of the rear window is not working correctly and at times my front inside instrument panel lights will go dim and now have completely stopped working and also my inside interior lights have stopped working completely (example) when you open the doors no interior lights come on at all and also will not even come on when you try to turn them on by hand and my map lights on the under side of my inside rear view mirror or map lites have stopped working and the 3rd brake lights located inside the center of the rear windshield now have 2 lites that are completely stopped coming on and my tag lights do not work any more and all this started appx. 4 months ago when a police officer pulled me over after dark and told me about my brake lights not working correctly and no tag lite and 3 weeks prior is when the instrument panel inside started acting up and now no lights work at all inside and this happens whether the car is moving or not and with it sitting in park al this happens and also no trunk lite or glove box lites up !
Fuel pump on a 2004 saturn l300 cracked and release fuel and heavy gas smell into car making car un driveable. There is already a recall on another make of saturn for the same incident.
Third break light or over head break light havnt worked since I've bought the car out so been out b4 I bought it and dash lights dimmer switch flickers in and out unless wedge the dimming switch up been like that since bought the car don't know when or how it happened but it's got minor short and everything works as should dimmer switch moves as it should
Wiper switch heats up on ignition and also randomly while running - causing smoke and burning smellfrom steering column and wipers to turn on by themselves. First replacement done by certified mechanic with certified gm part cost $365. 3 years later, it's the same issue again!
While driving and parked there is a bad odor of gas that makes you feel sick.
Car stalled while driving in traffic and would not restart. Car also failed to start on some mornings and also after filling at gas station. Its seems that this issue can go on for sometime between the times it happens.
I was driving up a small incline, preparing to stop for a traffic light, engine began to race, I could not stop, brakes were fine but engine was racing. I had to put car in park, checked for blockage with floor mat, there was not any. Put 4 -way blinkers on, shut car off. Restarted car and it was fine. Happened again on feb. 22nd this time tried 4 times shutting down and still raced. Had to park car, upon returning 2 hours later car was fine. I have also had trouble starting car, started in june 2014, if ignition did not engage when key was turned car had to sit for 1/2 hour before starting.
Compare the 2004 Saturn L300
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Questions about the 2004 Saturn L300
Is the 2004 Saturn L300 reliable?
Owners have filed 61 complaints about the 2004 Saturn L300, 1.5 times a typical L300 model year.
What is the 2004 Saturn L300 year score?
The 2004 Saturn L300 scores 62 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 2004 Saturn L300?
Electrical system, with 15 complaints, typically around 66,010 miles. Next is lights (12).
How many recalls does the 2004 Saturn L300 have?
2 recalls, covering exterior lighting and seat belts.
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 2004 Saturn L300 get?
Official estimates for the 2004 Saturn L300 range from 21 to 25 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.2L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 21 city and 31 highway.
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