I was picking my kids up from the babysitters when I heard a ticking noise. Let me remind you that I hadn't any engine problems before this day. Anyway, I heard the ticking noise as I was pulling up to the sitters house and cut my car off. Restarted the car and the noise was louder. Took my car to the shop and they told me that my timing chain was broken and that my engine had to be replaced. I don't understand why this was not covered under saturn because my car only has 70k miles. It's a 2000 saturn ls2 and it was running fine up until this date. There was no sign of this problem before it happened and I just don't understand why I should have to pay $3600 out my pocket but saturn will take no responsibility for this major problem. Can you help me out? What if this would have happened while I was on the highway with my kids and an accident happened?
2000 Saturn LS engine complaints
Page 3 of 6: complaints 41 to 70 of 150, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My mechanic gave me information about a recall that is being done on 2000 and up saturns on the timing chain, however saturn has yet to accept that as a recall. I spoke with someone from the federal safety agency and they directed me to saturn who again directed me back here to file a complaint. I would like to know if this is going to be recalled.
My son was driving my 2000 saturn ls2 at 30 MPH, when the car suddenly died and would not start. Upon further investigation, the was no compression when turning over the vehicle. My mechanic has told me that the tensioner arm holding the timing belt shattered. The timing belt on this vehicle had been replaced by the dealership 18 months prior. Luckily, my son was on a lightly traveled residential street at the time of the malfunction and was not injured nor were his passengers.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saturn l-series wagon. The contact stated that the timing chain slipped on the vehicle. The recall for the 2001 saturn l-series described the identical failure she was experiencing. The dealer stated that the repair would cost $900; however, saturn offered to take $100 off the cost because the failures were recognized in the following year of the saturn l-series. The failure and current mileages were less than 90,000. Updated 11/26/08. *lj updated 12/01/08.
2000 saturn l series with 80,000 miles has damaged timing chain.
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.
I was driving on a highway when my car made a stuttering noise. I pulled over - luckily near a service station and they discovered the timing chain had snapped.
My 2000 saturn ls1 completely shut down while driving, and never started again. It will cost $2500 for a used motor and installation, plus $175 for the tow and the diagnostics; and now I'm enduring significant transportation challenges without a vehicle.
Tl*the contact owns 2000 saturn lw2. While driving 35 MPH, all of the warning lights on the instrument control panel would illuminate immediately after severely reducing speed and power. The technician diagnosed the failure as a failed mass air flow sensor. The contact researched the recalls and discovered that he was experiencing the same failures noted in recall # 03v231000. The dealer informed him that his VIN was not included in the recall and that all repairs would be at his own expense. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 76,000.
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.
Timing chain failure on 2000 saturn ls1 model. Failure came unexpectedly. Looking into it, I found dozens of other saturn owners who experienced the same problem. This simple failure has damaged my engine. I am facing a minimum of $2600 in repairs to replace the engine. This seems to be an persistent problem with this engine. Mechanics I have consulted state that they have seen this happen many times before.
Timing chain broke on 2000 saturn l200 causing bent rods and engine failure. Saturn estimates cost of repairs to be $2000-3000. I have been reading of the current the federal safety agency investigation of 1999-2003 saturns and the high occurrence of timing chain failures. I do hope something can be done for saturn to recall affected vehicles.
My 2000 saturn ls1 was running perfectly fine. I came back to my car after work and all of a sudden it wouldn't start at all. I had to have it towed to a saturn dealership, who then told me that it was a faulty timing chain.
2000 ls1 with approx 75000 miles started making a putting/fluttering noise. Took to dealer who stated timing chain cover had a hole from the timing chain due to the timing chain tensioner failing. Replaced the timing chain, chain cover, and timing chain tensioner. Work done according to statement... Chain, camshaft timing - replace... Chain pkg, gasket-en,seal asm, cover asm, oil change. Looked up info on internet after friend stated unusual that timing chain would fail under 100,000 miles.
2000 saturn ls1 timing chain failed.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saturn ls1. While the contact's spouse was driving approximately 35 MPH onto the highway, the vehicle shut completely off and could not be restarted. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealer and they stated that the timing chain snapped and bent the valves and the head. The federal safety agency campaign id number 07v579000 (power train:driveline:driveshaft) was referenced for the 2001 saturn. The current mileage was 58,000 and failure mileage was 60,000. Updated 09/10/08 *bf updated 09/15/08
2000 saturn with broken timing chain caused damage to engine. Consumer states that the mechanic stated that the timing chain breaking caused damage to the engine. She states that upon her research this is a common problem with saturn vehicles. *kb consumer wrote in on behalf of her father-in-law.
I have been informed by my reliable, caring mechanic that my timing chain is about to go out and not to drive any distances or it could be dangerous. I have taken proper care of my car with regular oil changes. This part should last the lifetime of my car. I cannot afford to fix it and fear the danger of driving it.
Car stopped backing out of driveway at my home - would not restart - battery ok. Towed to dealership in oak lawn il -- advised $2,500.00 repair to snapped timing chain and related engine damage.
At around 52,000 miles I had to have my timing chain replaced. I was told that it was due to me not having oil in the engine, however the oil was changed at 3,000 mile intervals with an occasional 6,000 mile interval. Changing oil this often I would not expect a problem and in addition my oil light never came on. However, ever since I had the timing chain replaced I am noticing that I am using around three quarts of oil per month. I have 73,000 miles on the car and feel that this is excessive. I have read where others have had similar problems with their timing chain and I wonder if this has caused the excessive burning of oil or vice versa.
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.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saturn ls1. While driving 60 MPH, the engine shut off and the timing chain failed. There were no warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel prior to the failure, and no previous signs of a possible failure. The vehicle was towed. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, no maintenance was performed on the vehicle prior to the failure. The failure and current mileages were 87,000.
While driving her 2000 saturn ls2 3.0 my daughters car suddenly died on her. She was able to pull into a hotel parking lot off the interstate. After towing it to two independent car repair shops, they both refused to work on it. After towing it to saturn, they confirmed that it was the issue with the timing belt. They claim that this car is not part of the recall but that does not mitigate the fact that they have a huge failure rate with their timing belts. Why is this one not covered under the same recall as the federal safety agency action number: ea06009? There is a greater problem then they are letting on to if you read the internet pages about the 2000 ls2. They need to be held accountable.
Timing chain broke, timing chain cover and valve cover gasket also need to be replaced. Car only has 45,000 miles on it.
My 2000 saturn lw1 has been diagnosed with needing a new timing chain. Saturn service has indicated that the 2001 version of my car has been recalled for this problem, but not mine.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saturn lw1. The timing chain completely separated. As a result, the pistons jammed the valves and caused them to fail. The timing chain pulled the sprockets apart, which caused the heads and valves to fail. The dealer stated that they would not cover the repairs under recall and would charge $2,200 for a new head and timing chain. The current and failure mileages were 94,000.
Broken timing chain on 2000 saturn ls. Recall does not cover my vehicle but covers the same exact 2001 model with the same exact engine.
I was driving on the higway at 65mph and the engine quit I coasted to the shoulder ands had the car towed to saturn dealer they said the timing chain broke and caused engine damage saturn said I will need a new engine.
Timing chain failure on a 2000 lw1 station wagon. Engine must now be replaced with an estimated replacement cost of $2500.
Car started to make loud rattling noise from the engine...I saw a small crack on the top of the cam cover about 4 in. Long. I went to a repair shop that I have used before and they said it was the timing chain hitting the cover!! This should never happened to a car with 61,000 miles on it ! I called and wrote to the mfg. In tn. And talked to the area mgr.and she advised bring the car to the dealer. I brought the car in and the service mgr. Said the chain tensioner failed and that caused the chain to hit the cover. The timing chain and all parts must be replaced $985.00 + tax. The area mgr. Said there was nothing she could do for the repair cost that is a mechanical part and it just failed! I told her there was a recall for the 2001 yr. But mine was not included in the recall.
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