2001 Saturn LS: engine failure

Filed Feb 19, 2018 · 115,123 miles · OH

Ignition cylinder seized in ignition housing.

Filed Jul 10, 2014 · Engine · 213,002 miles · CA

June 20, 2014 started engine on my 2001 l200 saturn then backed it up 20ft and shut engine off. All attempts to restart engine failed. Had it towed to a mechanic who diagnosed a broken timing chain. Mechanic recommended replace engine at a cost of $2600.

Filed Feb 14, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 119,039 miles · WI

I was driving the vehicle down the freeway at 65 MPH when the battery light came on and shut off. Within the next minute the coolant light came on and shut off and then the car seized right there on the freeway. The car would not start so we had to have it towed. Once the shop looked at it they diagnosed that the tensioner had broke and the serpentine belt had melted. We are now looking at having to replace the entire engine.

Filed Jul 6, 2012 · Engine · 120,000 miles · OH

I was going to my part time job on sunday and my car "shut off" on the freeway. I was nearly rear ended by a semi and sidswiped by another car trying to get to the shoulder my hazards where on. I had it towed to a mechanic and they informed me it was the timing chain and the upper end of the engine would need to be rebuilt/replaced. They told me it would be cheaper to replace the engine and those year saturns had a problem with the timing chains. I have since lost my job and quickly aproaching eviction the only reason iam not homeless is because my primary job is 6.8 miles away biking distance .I still owe money on the car so iam now paying $5,000 for a car that needs $2,000 repair I cannot afford. I have owned 2 saturns in the past and they where awesome.

Filed Jul 11, 2011 · Engine · 63,220 miles · WI

In dec 2008 I had to replace the engine in my 2001 saturn l200, which had 63,220 miles, due to faulty timing chain. The mechanic called saturn and was told there was no recall, however I am finding out there is a recall on timing chains(per saturn VIN#s 1y504884-1y559453). My car falls within that range and I am told it is not included. I called the federal safety agency and was told they are not given VIN specific information. It is ridiculous to find this many problems with a vehicle and nobody wants to help consumers.

Filed Jun 5, 2011 · Engine · FL

My insurance company notified me that my vehicle type (2001 saturn l200) had a recall for the timing chain (the federal safety agency campaign id no. 07v519000 & gm recall no. 06074) . I called saturn and they said although the recall was for my vehicle make, model, and year, that the recall was VIN # specific, and my VIN # wasn't included. My 2001 saturn l200 timing chain broke shortly after that (diagnosed by certified auto techs at tire kingdom), while I was driving on the highway doing about 70 MPH. After this dangerous event occurred (engine cutoff, lost power, control), I was fortunately able to coast to a stop on the side of the highway in the median. It' s possible the timing chain failure caused more internal damage to the engine, but that will have to be looked at. It's estimated to cost around $1400 to repair the timing chain, but that may or may not be the only damage now. If there's more damage, I may need a rebuild or new engine ranging up to $6500. Gm/saturn said there was nothing they could do about the my VIN not being included in the recall. I have researched numerous saturn l200 owners that have the same issue. No one knows how exactly gm/saturn came up with what VIN #'s would or wouldn't be included in that recall, but it seems they only included a few VIN #'s just to "save face." someone could get hurt due to the unreliable design of their timing chain, not to mention the cost associated with this problem. The recall needs to include more VIN #'s. It's not right what gm is doing, getting over on many consumers with a problem design.

Filed Mar 22, 2011 · Engine · 63,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 saturn l200. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 to 15 MPH, she heard a noise in the engine area and the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who performed a diagnostic and located the failure at the engine timing chain. The dealer replaced the engine timing chain and pistons yet, the failure recurred while the contact was starting the vehicle. The timing chain would need replacing again and the manufacturer was contacted who advised that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer would not assist any repairs and the vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 63,000 and the current mileage was 88,000.

Filed Jan 28, 2011 · Engine · 104,433 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 saturn l200. The contact was driving approximately 65 MPH when the vehicle exhibited a violent jerk and the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where they informed the contact that the timing chain had fractured within the engine compartment. The technician replaced the engine block head, head gasket and valves at the contacts expense. After the repairs were performed on the vehicle, a recall was issued for the similar defect under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact was interested in reimbursement for the previous repairs; however, his VIN was not included in the recall and the vehicle was not eligible for reimbursement. Updated 06/05/12*lj consumer stated recall should be extended to include consumers vehicle VIN because manufacturing defects are similar. Updated 6/7/12

Filed Aug 19, 2010 · Engine · 110,000 miles · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 saturn l series. The contact was driving approximately 35-40 MPH when he heard an unusual rattle from the exterior of the vehicle. The vehicle then stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and it was towed to a local repair facility for diagnostic testing. The mechanic advised that the failure was contributed to the timing chain that resulted to internal damages within the engine. The contact was able to locate the federal safety agency campaign id number: 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling) but was advised that his VIN was not included. The contact stated that the engine failure was similar to the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Filed Jan 14, 2010 · Engine, Transmission · 125,000 miles · OH

I own a 2001 saturn l200, about two years ago I replaced my engine due to my timing chain breaking and causing internal damage. I recently had the same problem happen and need to replace the engine again. After researching this problem I found that their are many people with this problem. If saturn knows this situation is such a big problem why cant they be made responsible? I just don't think its right that so many incidents are going unanswered.. Thank you for the chance for our problem to be heard.

Filed Dec 14, 2009 · Engine · 102,000 miles · MN

While driving on the interstate at 55 miles per hour, my car suddenly decreased speed to 20mph. My car continued to limit it's speed to 30mph for one hour. After an hour I was able to regain speed. I later took my car into a shop where they told me that my timing chain guide had rubbed up against a cylinder cause it to crack thus leaking coolant into the engine. My car has 102,000 and now requires a new engine. In 2007 I had all the cylinder head gaskets replaced and head bolt set replaced because my intake valves was leaking and the head the gaskets were all blown.

Filed Jul 22, 2009 · Engine · 66,103 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 saturn l series. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle experienced excessive hesitation. The contact immediately turned off the ignition. The engine failed to restart after several attempts and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for inspection. The mechanic stated that the timing belt failed and recommenced that the engine be replaced. The VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign id number 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling), although the failures were identical. Currently, the engine is being replaced. The failure and current mileages were 66,103.