2000 Saturn LS: sudden loss of power

Filed Mar 20, 2017 · 180,000 miles · TN

While driving down the interstate my timing chain snapped. Car lost power and put me and my family at risk of an accident.

Filed Oct 21, 2012 · Brakes, Engine · 102,012 miles · ME · 1 injury

I had just gone to the gas station to fill up my 2000 saturn lw2 when I was about two blocks from the gas station. I was right around the corner from my house, and had just turned right onto a street with a hill. Suddenly, my car started sputtering so I immediately tried to pull over. I wasn't completely out of the street when I suddenly lost all power brakes and power steering going down the hill at 25 miles per hour. I couldn't stop the car so I put it in park, which stopped it instantly, causing my neck to jerk, which has been sore from whiplash for the past four days so far. I had the car towed to the mechanic who found bits of my timing belt all through the motor, which blew the entire engine. After hearing that it would be over $3,000 for a used engine installed, we've been trying to determine our next move, financially.

Filed Feb 3, 2010 · Engine, Steering · 102,999 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saturn ls1. He stated the vehicle was consuming large quantities of engine oil. The dealer stated the rack and pinion assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken for a second opinion to a local mechanic where the power steering reservoir was replaced and the failure ceased. On a separate occasion, while driving at speeds of over 10 MPH or attempting a left or right turn, the vehicle would lose power. Also, while in the reverse mode, the vehicle would stall. The dealer could not duplicate the problem. The failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer over 4 additional times and the failure could not be duplicated. There were no recalls on the vehicle and no further repairs were made to the vehicle. The failure and current mileages were under 103,000.

Filed Aug 27, 2009 · Engine · 107,000 miles · NC

I was driving on the highway when I suddenly lost all power with no warning. I am told by the dealership that the timing chain was broken. I now need to replace the engine - at a cost close to what the car is worth. I see that the 2001 cars have this same problem and were subject to recall. Why not the 2000?

Filed May 5, 2009 · Engine · 184,000 miles · WI

Timing chain on my 2000 saturn ls1 is failing which could result in engine being damaged and full power loss, which in turn could result in an accident. My saturn has the same exact timing chain as the 2001 saturn ls1 which was recalled after your agency deemed it susceptible to failure due to poor design. Saturn refuses to fix this for me and instead wants to bill $400 just to look at it. Repairing the failing chain, the dealer said, would cost $900. It's a known defect and needs to be covered by saturn, as per your agency's investigation last year.

Filed Feb 9, 2009 · 86,000 miles · CA

While driving on the freeway with my 5 year old daughter during the morning commute, transitioning from one hwy 24 to I-80 in the emeryvillle / berkeley area in california, our saturn 2000 lw wagon suddenly lost power. I was able to pull over to the shoulder but could not restart the car. I was towed to my mechanic, who diagnosed the problem as a broken timing chain and told me the engine would have to be replaced. I understand this is a frequent problem with this engine and that other years of this model have been recalled for this reason.

Filed Aug 21, 2008 · Engine · 93,000 miles · MD · 3 injuries

I was driving my 2000 saturn ls at 45 MPH when it just shut off, lost all power, and thankfully had a place to drift off to the side of the road. However, I was without a phone, and had to walk 5 miles in the sun to call for help. I had the car towed ($100) and was told that the timing chain had broken and I needed a new engine. I called for a second opinion and could not incur the cost to tow it again, but was told that the mechanic was more than reputable. After almost 3 weeks without a vehicle, as a single mother with a new job, this wreaked havoc in our lives and a $2500 expense for a new engine. I'm now driving a saturn with a chevy cavalier engine that is warranted for only 90 days. I kept the timing chain and took photos of the engine. I'm joining the millions of other people in a class action suit, because saturn knew about this problem, continues to know about it, has done nothing to recall, even has its service people claim ignorance or try to blame the consumer. I am the only owner of this vehicle, and it has had all of the required servicing every 3,000 miles as directed by the manual, which I also have. There is nothing in the manual to service the engine/timing chain, and every 3,000 mile service I got was done at a saturn dealership until the last four.

Filed Jul 25, 2008 · Engine · 121,000 miles · MA

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saturn ls1. While driving 20 MPH, the engine made a loud noise, the check engine light illuminated, and the vehicle completely lost power. The vehicle cruised to a stop and triple a was called to tow it to the dealer. The contact was informed that the timing chain failed and would cost $2,700 to replace. The failure and current mileages were 121,000.

Filed May 20, 2008 · Engine · 89,000 miles · CT

Was driving car loss power.. Once parked car would not start.. Brought to service center they told me it was the timing chain and there is engine damage.

Filed Sep 6, 2007 · Engine · 99,230 miles · NC

Was driving down a busy interstate at 70mph when I started to hear a loud noise (while pressing the gas down) and lost power. When I had the car looked out I was told the timing belt had broke and probably caused further damage to the engine. New engine was quoted at $3,000.

Filed Aug 8, 2007 · Engine · KS

My 2000 saturn ls1 was working just fine until all of the sudden I lost all power to the car. The car died while I was driving at 45 MPH in the middle of a busy road. I had both of my children in the car, one of who is 10 months old, and luckily I was not hit by another car. I had the car towed to the shop and they said my timing chain was broken and it caused two valves to become bent and the motor head needs to be replaced.

Filed Feb 23, 2007 · Engine · TX

The timing chain on my 2000 saturn ls broke and ruined the engine. We had immediate loss of power in the middle of a busy hwy and barely got out of the road in time. After reading numerous complaints about that problem I decided to write this. They need to issue a recall on this, since they will not pay the $3400 to get my engine replaced. This is the 3rd defect on the car that has cost me money to fix before a recall.