2001 Saturn LS: sudden loss of power

Filed Dec 30, 2014 · Transmission · 15,500 miles · CA

Car lost power on freeway at 60 m/hr. Car was towed to repair shop. Timing chain was found broken. Repair cost is estimated to be about $2000. Saturn dealer claimed that recall gm #06074 does not apply to my VIN. I must pay for all tow, repair costs.

Filed Apr 19, 2012 · Engine · 127,112 miles · CA

I was driving down a local street in my hometown. I was doing the speed limit and just cruising when all of a sudden I lost all power in my car. I didn't actually notice until I went to push the gas pedal and received no response from my engine. I was able to keep control of the car and get to the side of the road. After looking under the hood and not being able to identify the problem I called my insurance company and they dispatched a tow truck. After getting the car home I called a local mechanic friend of mine hoping he could give me a diagnosis after taking the engine cover off we were able to visibly see that the chain on the left side of my engine was broken. After seeing that he pretty much said I'm looking at a broken timing belt and possibly valve and piston damage. In the end it was obvious that my engine was not fixable. *js

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 Jul 31, 2010 · Engine · 105,603 miles · KY

Heading I-64 westbound in ky when there was a very loud pop/backfire type noise heard from engine compartment. Immediately lost all power and was barely able to get out of traffic. Car made humming noise when I turned the key, that was it. Immediately called tow service. Car was checked out and I was told I was basically looking at a motor. I was told the timing chain had broke and that because it was an interference engine the rods/pistons etc. Become damaged because motor finishes its revolution. Called local gm dealer next and was told that sometimes the block cracks with these also when this happens. Now a nice car with no motor. Estimates are through the roof. Called saturn,was told there was nothing known at this time. They gave me their name, number, and extension to let them know when it was going to a dealer.

Filed Jul 28, 2010 · Engine · 98,698 miles · WY

In 9/2007 I was driving my 2001 saturn l200 on a city street, pulling out onto a busy street near a school. The car lost power and died. I was able to pull to the side of the road. I had the car towed to a local mechanic who stated that the timing chain separated and damaged the valves etc. And the car needed the engine replaced. I agreed to let the mechanic replace my ruined engine with a newer, but used, engine, as it was all I could afford. Recently I discovered the recall of feb '08, and my vehicle falls within the range of recalled vehicles. However, when I tried to get reimbursed, gm claimed my car did not actually fall under the recall because the issue was attributed to a small part that apparently my car did not have. From the information I have gathered on the internet, I am not the only one who has faced this issue. I am requesting that the recall be expanded to include all cars in the range. Regardless of the small part issue, my car met the same repair issues - timing chain separating and destroying the engine.

Filed Jul 19, 2010 · Electrical · 92,000 miles · NM

I have a 2001 saturn l300 I bought the car 5 months ago 2 weeks after the purchase the check engine light comes on. I took the car to the dealership mechanic which is not affiliated with saturn and was told it was nothing (I think partially in part because I am a female) by the way I was given a 2 week warranty lol! About a month or two ago I noticed that I would go to start my car and it would be dead. Later I realized my lights were staying on after I turned them off. My check engine light returns so I take it to autozone to be diagnosed only to find out I had 18 codes! For a little over a month now I have had to jump my car with each start fearing I will cause further damage and what do you know last night I jump my car and know the battery and abc break light appears causing my car to lose power while in traffic and for the lights that do not want to cease to flash on and off at incoming motorists with my brights I really don't want to cause someone an accident due to saturn faulty cars and its system. Numerous websites I've visited consulting this issue have many other purchasers with similar problems and mutual complaint with the tardiness of saturns action to respond promptly and effectively. I am truly outrageous at this matter and to continue to make payments on this poorly structured vehicle.

Filed Dec 5, 2009 · Engine · 53,000 miles · NH

My 2001 saturn sl200 had extreme vibration at a traffic light while on a long trip out of state. This car is driven by my college age student. Car engine was jumping, idling very rough, and losing power. Fortunately, she did made it back to college safely. The car was brought to saturn of manchester, new hampshire and plugs, wires and spark plug cassette were replaced due to a misfiring diagnosis. When the vehicle was picked up, it still ran rough. I returned to dealer and they said valve cover and engine were dirty. Also, they said timing chain sounded like it was slipping. I was not the original owner of this automobile. When I asked about the saturn timing chain recall, they stated this car was not included in the recall. To me, driving the car, it sounds exactly like a timing chain problem. Saturn charged me an exorbitant amount to do all the above work (over $900.00). I strongly believe that this car should be on the recall list, since saturn continued to make cars with the exact design after february 2001. I believe that gm is trying to get out of repairing an extreme safety issue for this car. This car is a potential death trap. The first in service date of this vehicle was june 2001, so I can almost conclude that this vehicle was manufactured during the recall time frame. If not, shortly thereafter. I am sure there were additional cars made with the same problem after gm's cutoff of problem VIN numbers. My car needs to be included in the recall.

Filed Jun 2, 2009 · Engine · 150,000 miles · TN

Saturn 2001 l-200 2.2l I was driving down the road in rush hour morning traffic. As I slowed down for stopped traffic ahead of me, my engine shut off, and I lost power steering, and power brakes. I did not know what to do so I recklessly veered off onto a side street where I came to a complete stop. The car would not restart but would only turn over. I had it towed to the saturn dealership and they said that just by turning it over, and seeing that the power steering pump was not turning, since it was directly connected to the cam shaft, that the timing chain had broke. He also said he sees it all the time on this year model. Along with the broke timing chain, they said that the head would have to be replace as well because the inwards of the engine have collided and caused even more damage. This car was maintained to the t. Every oil change was done at saturn on time and all service was done there. They quote me 3500 dollars to put in a 90k mile used engine. Mine had 150k and ran like a champ before this happened. We then got another quote from a local garage to put in a 60k mile car for 1600 dollars. We will probably do that. They said to replace the head and chain will cost about the same and you never know if the internals will be intact after the timing chain goes.

Filed May 1, 2009 · Engine · 115,000 miles · IL

I was at a stoplight here in town. When I went to accelerate, without warning, my saturn died. I had it towed to the mechanic. The reason for loss of power -- broken timing chain which caused (ironically) a chain event.

Filed Jan 21, 2009 · Engine · 115,000 miles · KY

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 saturn l200. When the contact started the vehicle and placed the gear into reverse, the vehicle lost all power and the engine shut off completely. She attempted to restart the engine multiple times, but it would never completely start. She took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that there was timing chain failure. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling ). The contact believes that her vehicle should be included in the recall and repaired for free since the failures are identical. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 115,000.

Filed Nov 8, 2008 · Engine · 75,000 miles · IA

On 3 separate occasions I was driving and went to accelerate to pass a vehicle when the vehicle lost power causing me to put the vehicle into neutral to restart it causing the service engine soon light to come on and the vehicle to have hard shifting. The result was due to the failure of the o2 sensor which I replaced once with saturn that failed 2 years later and 2 others refurbished that were purchased from napa which the first failed 3 months after installation and the other a month after that one was replaced.

Filed Aug 8, 2008 · Engine · 41,000 miles · NY

On sunday afternoon, june 29, 2008 I was traveling on a 3 lane in each direction highway at approximately 45 MPH when my 2001 saturn (with 41,000 miles)suddenly stalled, losing all power functions (steering, brakes and speed control). I was able to coast across 3 lanes of following traffic and one lane of parking lane where I beached the car into a parking lot and tried to restart it. Unfortunately, the car would crank, but not turn over. I eventually was able to arrange for a tow to my mechanic's nys licensed garage in the next town. My mechanic noted the timing chain failed and would need to be replaced as well as items damaged by the failure like inlet and exhaust valves as well as the head gasket needed to be replaced due to the required access to the parts and other parts involved. Using a search I found that over 20,000 saturns with the 2.2l engine (like mine) had been recalled for this same failure (the federal safety agency campaign id #07v519000). I called saturn customer support, I was issued service request # . I provided her the details including my VIN number. I mentioned I the other saturns of my year and model that also experienced the premature failure of the drive chain and requested my need for support. Saturn said looking up my VIN that my car did not qualify for the recall, although over 20,000 similar units were qualified, but if I brought the car to saturn, they would evaluate it for me. I explained that the car needed to be towed and to tow it to the nearest dealer was not possible as the mechanic had already determined the problem and was working on it, and I could supply the receipt and broken parts as evidence. She said it was not under coverage as the car was over 5 years old. Three days later I received the bill for the repairs and towing (almost $2,700.00) and called saturn again to check to be sure there was nothing saturn would do. Except for the old head gasket, I have all valves, timing chain and broken links involved in the repair.