I arrived at my destination, turned off the engine, ran inside for no more than 5 mins and when I came back out the engine was unable to turn over and made horrible noises when attempting to start. I called a tow truck to come pick it up to bring it back to their shop to check it out. When I arrive at the shop today they tell me that the timing chain has broken and bent the valves. The whole engine now needs to be replaced. They tell me it is $3600 minimum to replace and this is with a used engine for $2400+ just for his used engine. All in all, I'm very glad the vehicle wasn't moving when this happened but still very frustrated since this does not seem to be an uncommon thing with the saturn l-series.
2000 Saturn LS engine complaints
Page 2 of 6: complaints 11 to 40 of 150, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Engine began having a slow knocking noise, prior to that I would hear a noise of the chain slapping, which I was explained to by saturn that this was normal in my vehicle. Drove the vehicle home then while I was parking, heard a loud bang and when I got out - there was oil gushing from underneath. Parked the car and have not repaired it since... Was just doing research now to replace the engine and found that finally there was another round of recalls regarding the engine. I have asked my saturn dealer before about this (while they were still in business) and was told that only specific years were covered...
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 saturn ls. While driving approximately 35 MPH the contact heard a ticking noise in the engine. The noise was heard while driving various speeds. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed the noise was coming from the timing belt located in the engine. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 saturn l series. The contact stated that in the attempt to start the vehicle, the warning lights would illuminate on the instrument panel and the vehicle would not start. The dealer diagnosed that the there was no compression taking place, causing the vehicle to stall. The manufacturer was notified, but the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling), did not include the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 50,000. Updated 02/03/12*lj the consumer has since traded the vehicle. Updated 02/10/12
Tl* the contact owns 2000 saturn l-series sedan. While driving approximately 25 MPH the vehicle began to decelerate. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician stated the timing chain fractured causing damage to the head of the engine. The technician stated the timing chain had to be replaced and depending on the severity of the damage the head on the engine also had to be rebuilt or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The federal safety agency recall campaign number: 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling) may be related to the failure but it do not include 2000 models. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000 updated 04/19/12*lj upadted 04/27/12
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 saturn ls1. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who advised that the timing chain fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 saturn ls1. The contact was driving uphill when the vehicle became resistant to acceleration attempts. After several minutes, the vehicle stalled completely. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was told that the timing chain was fractured and would need replacing. The failure and current mileage was 150,000.
Timing chain broke on 2000 saturn ls2 3.0l v6 engine while driving down the road causing engine failure. The 2.2l engine has been recalled and there are many complaints about the 3.0l engine having the same failures. This engine should be included in the recall also.
2000 saturn l series timing chain failure. Meticulous maintenance and sensible driving still have left me with a broken timing chain, bent valves(interference motor, I'm told) and basically a busted motor. Big problem not covered by a recall for the 11/00 to 01 l series. Bunch of bull recall isn't for my car when it's the exact same design separated by only months in production ! Normal driving down road and awful rattle sound and motor was stalled and so was I .
My timing chain separated and caused major damage to my engine. I have a saturn 2000 ls 2.2l engine. I never had a problem, never knew the chain was a problem. I went to start my car, it would not start. It was towed to goodyear, they said I have no compression, the timing chain broke. My only solution is to put a new engine into my car. I have always changed the oil at 3,000 miles and mechanically took care of my car. I am looking to replace the motor with money I do not have. A timing chain should not fail in these conditions.
Had the timing chain on my 2000 saturn ls1 snap on me, leaving me stranded in a parking lot late at night and waiting more than an hour for a tow truck to show up. Repair cost of this part, which is meant to last the life of the vehicle, ran $800. A recall against saturn was issued by your agency by your agency on the 20001 model of this car but none of the other years, despite the fact that the model years 2000 through 2003 all have the same defective timing chain and oiler installed in them from the factory.
4 cylinder shot, engine shot.this 2000 ls2 v-6 had the whole 100,000 mile maintenance done, timing chain bla bla bla.electric windows,4 ways hazards, turn signals,engine,A/C-heater,blower motor,handles broke-interior only,car ran good when it ran but when it stopped it always costs money.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saturn ls. While driving at 55 MPH, the contact noticed that the vehicle was shifting abnormally. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealership where the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced because of the timing chain. The current and failure mileages were approximately 92,000.
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.
I started the car and backed out of the driveway when a put it in forward it stalled. It started again and I drove to my destination. It also started again and I was able to return home. While I was driving to and from my appointment I could not maintain speed going up hills on the highway. When I went to start the car the next day it turned over but did not start. From there on it would not turn over at all. My mechanic says there no compression on any of the cylinders and it is most likely the timing chain.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 saturn ls1. While driving approximately 30 MPH the engine stalled without warning. The driver was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for inspection. The timing chain fractured. The technician recommended that the engine be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The failure and current mileages were 80,000.
I used the vehicle to pick my son up from college for the weekend, when we returned home he went out to start the vehicle later that night it would not start at all. All electrical and power to the car worked, like the radio, lights, windows, etc., but the car would not start. I had the car towed to the repair shop and the repair company called me to inform me that the timing chain had went on the vehicle and it would cost me anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 to be reapired. As I did more research about the vehicle I came across a few websites that had complaints about this same vehicle and the same problems. Right now we are in the process of locating a repair shop that will do the work for less than the dollar amount quoted by the repair shop, because the vehicle was just purchase on feburary 13, 2009. On september 22, 2009 I contacted saturn about my concerns about the possible recall of vehicles from 1999 to 2003 l-series saturns, but I was informed that my VIN number was not on their list for any recalls, so I questioned if they had so many complaints about the same issue with this year, make, and model why has nothing been done to fix the problem and I was told that there was nothing they could do, but have me tow my car to a saturn dealer about 25 miles from my home and pay for a diagnostic test to see what the problem is with the car and they might, "might" not be able to do anything for me!
2000 saturn ls timing chain failure. Engine noise from right front, dealer removed valve cover found piece of top chain guide missing. Dealer removed front cover and found chain to have excessive play. Replaced timing chain, guides and tensioner assembly cost of $846.68 and later discovered no recall has been made other then with thousands of complaints of saturn ls and l-series sedans and wagons with bad timing chains and noise the only way to notice it failing is if you really pay attention to the car and the noise and can remain unnoticed to average owner and premature engine failure to result. Timing chain replaced at 72550 miles.
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?
Without warning, the timing belt broke on our 2000 saturn ls, and destroyed the engine. It happened on the highway, and the car stalled. We had to have it towed approx. 50 miles home, and estimated repairs are $1000 for parts alone.
2000 saturn l series driving to work and timing chain broke. Car had approx 60,000 miles on it. Saturn says 1 in a million no warranty. Had to have engine replaced at a cost of 4500. Now car has 132000 and same thing happened again saturn says sorry another engine would cost 5000 it seems by researching the internet l series saturns have a flaw or defect with their timing chains.
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.
I have a 2000 saturn l series sedan. The timing chain is making a horrible racket and our mechanic informed us that it must be replaced at a cost of about $1,200. If we don't replace it, the chain could break, cause further damage to the engine and could leave us stranded or even on the highway with no way to get out of heavy traffic. I've noticed that the federal safety agency administration has a recall campaign number of 07v519000 (and action number - ea06009) under which saturn was required to issue a recall for 2001 model year l series sedans with this very same issue. I don't see why my car should not be included as well since it is the exact same issue and could cause the exact same dangerous situation. The only difference appears to be that the recall is limited to model year 2001 and my car is a 2000. The two cars probably even use the same timing chain. I'm asking that the recall be extended to cover my car, which seems only fair as it is the same issue on a very, very similar car.
Timing chain broke and engine had to basically be rebuilt.
Saturn 2000 ls timing chain I purchased it new in 2000. I got stuck yesterday and aaa had to tow it. Mechanic says it's timing chain. This will be the 3rd timing chain since I bought it. Last one was replaced at 52,000 miles in march 2006. Now I have 66,000 miles and it has happened again. I was told last time, a timing chain should last a minimum of 100,000 miles. It cost me almost 3,000. Last time. My dealership, saturn of stamford is now closed. I will have it towed to saturn of fairfield. This type of thing should not happen after only 66,000 miles. I've kept up with maintenance and my oil and filter was changed just about a month and a half ago. I feel saturn should cover this repair, and provide me with a rental.
There was no warning., no noise, no warning lights. The car did not start in the morning saturn said the chain belt broke and damaged engine. I have read many complaints concerning the timing belt and it's poor design. Gm has denied any complaints and stated that odi publishes bogus reports.
I went to start my 2000 saturn and it did not start. There was no problem or warning the day before, saturn of ramsey said the timing chain broke and caused other engine problems and quoted a price of almost 3,000. After reading information on the internet including information from you, I called gm. They said all the information on the internet was "bogus" and not true. They said they would offer no help. I always did regular oil changes. I need help please..thank you.
Timing chain on my 2000 saturn ls1 broke while traveling at 50 MPH. Car glided to a controlled stop. Estimated repair cost $2800 due to bent valves as a result of the timing chain. It is my understanding that nccc has previously requested the federal safety agency to expand recall to include earlier model years on this known saturn defect. Is there a status update?
2000 saturn l-series timming chain broke engine no good.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saturn l series. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start and was towed to a local repair shop. The mechanic stated that the timing chain LED to engine failure. The vehicle was repaired at the cost of $2,300. The failure and current mileages were 89,000.
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