Loud tapping @ highway speed, towed to mechanic who said engine needs to be replaced. Online search revealed recall of 2001 l2 series saturn for timing chain failure. I never received notice which would have prevented this damage, which mechanic says will be aprox $2000.00.
2001 Saturn LS engine complaints
Page 7 of 12: complaints 161 to 190 of 339, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving a recently purchased 2001 saturn l-series home the timing chain broke, ruining my engine and leaving me stranded. My date of manufacture is 10-2000, one month before the recall.
My car engine wouldn't turn over. Mechanic diagnosed it as timing chain broke. My mechanic advised me of a recall for this part for my car. I never received a recall notice. I called saturn dealer to inquire about this recall. They told me it didn't pertain to my particular car even though my car is 2001 saturn l-series model described in the recall notice recall number 06074. I was not satisfied with saturns response to me . I told them this was a safety issue & they should take responsibility for it. I ended up paying over $900.00 to get it fixed. I told saturn I would be reporting this problem to you.
Timing chain failing per my mechanic car occasionally chugs & sputters at stop light, typically when air cond in use nothing replaced or done yet due to cost & potential recall.
I have a 2001 saturn l200 with the 2.2 liter 4 cylinder with 73,500 miles on the odometer. It would not start,I had it towed to a saturn shop where they called me back and sad it was a loose timing chain and the damages are anywhere from 2400 to 3000 dollars.
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.
My 2001 saturn, l200 series, stopped suddenly while driving. I had the car towed to a nearby saturn dealer after I was unable to restart it. The dealers service department informed me that the my timing chain was broken and in the process, some valves were bent. I was LED to believe by the dealer that it was probably due to a low quantity of oil. I was told that I needed another motor and the cost would about $2,900.00. I told them that I was not in a position to have them repair the car and that I would have it towed to another location. Currently, the car is in the process of being repaired by an independent auto mechanic who informed me that my car's timing chain should not have broken, with only 88,000 miles. Also, he said that the car had sufficient oil (my last oil change in april, 2008) and that it had nothing to do with the timing chain breaking. At this time, he believes that to fix the car, he will need to repair the engine head, as well as the timing chain and several valves and replace oil and oil filter.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 saturn l-series. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the power steering and brakes failed as well. She pulled the vehicle to the side of the road and, after several attempts to restart the vehicle, it was towed to a local saturn dealer. The dealer stated that the cause of the failure may be computer related. A mechanic stated that the failure was the timing chain, which damaged the valves. The repairs would cost $2,700. The contact was informed of a possible recall and, through online research, she called the manufacturer and was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. No repairs have been made. The failure and current mileages were 108,000.
Engine failure, turns out that at least 1 valve is bent due to a slipping timing chain.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 saturn l series. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure severely increased the risk of a crash. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and a technician stated that the timing chain link failed. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling). The VIN range was between 1y504884 and iy559453. The contact notified the manufacturer again and was informed that they would cover the expense of the parts; however, he would be responsible for the more than $800 in labor costs. The contact is in the process of having the vehicle repaired. The failure and current mileages were 109,788.
2001 l300 saturn 2.2 l v6 timing belt tensioner seized while driving in late april 2008. Timing belt broke and engine jumped time and bent all valves according to saturn of rt. 33, pennsylvania. Vehicle does not start, nor will run. Saturn dealership offered to change engine for $4500 and saturn hotline offerred discount on new or used vehicle. No recalls were mentioned. Engine has 57-58,000 miles.
Timing chain failure in l61 (ecotec) engine. Service "tech found that the timing chain is starting to separate" during visit for brake maintenance, at 69,000 miles. Vehicle manufactured 2 months before window for recall 07v‑519 (november 2000 - february 2001). Parts replaced as per recall procedure.
I was driving on the highway when my timing chain in my 2001 saturn l200 went. I contacted saturn and they said there is a recall for 2001 timing chain but not for my VIN #. It just doesn't make sense.
I was driving at a steady speed (cruise control) of 72 MPH, having just raised the speed setting from 70 MPH. Engine speed increased to 4200 RPM while increasing vehicle speed. 1 to 2 minutes later, the engine stopped producing power and I quickly lost speed. I pulled over the shoulder and stopped. This could have proven to be disastrous had I been in a left lane with no shoulder or had the engine seized and lock the wheels.
I also have a 2001 l200. My problems started june 5, 2006. While driving along at 70 MPH, and after just cresting a hill in northwestern iowa, my engine just stopped. I didn't think much of it but found out that the timing chain failed at 64,800 miles. I thought that it was unacceptable but didn't want to tow the car 230 miles only to have saturn of lincoln tell me that it was my fault that the chain broke. (either from having incomplete maintenance records or some other reason.) I had the motor replaced with a used one. The repair shop told me that the motor had 39,000 miles. I had to take their word for it. (might have had 60,000 hard miles) it worked fine, I kept good track of the oil changes with this motor. This problem could have had disastrous effects had the engine seized or traffic not allowed me to get to the shoulder of the road.
My daughter was driving along at 50 MPH when the vehicle engine stopped and she lost all power. She nearly avoided an accident while trying to get to the shoulder and eventually rolled to a stop. After having a mechanic look at the engine at the site, it was determined there was no engine compression. The vehicle was towed to our local mechanic and determined the timing chain had snapped. I contacted the saturn dealer and was told there was a recall but we did not qualify. Even though the recall was for our exact make, model and year vehicle the VIN did not match. Saturn dealer stated that they would not repair as it wasn't covered and it would cost about $3500-$4000. I spoke to local mechanic and he is repairing for $1355. I called saturn corporate and filed a report and have that id#. I was told that is was not covered but they would open a case and report it to the area manager. The area manager contacted me and said that they might be able to help me out. However, I would have to stop all work, tow it to saturn, pay for a rental car while they researched the problem, and they didn't know if they could help or not even if it was defective. If the couldn't help I would have to pay the $3500-$4000 at the dealer. I informed him that I can't take all that time and spend the extra money. I have need for use of the car. I told him I would have to seek other assistance with saturn being held liable for their defective part and he agreed. He apologized for the part breaking so early in the life of the car and also apologized for the inconvenience. At this point, the vehicle is being repaired at our local mechanic and I have all of the defective parts. The defective chain snapped and injured valves on the engine as well. Those are also being repaired.
Was driving when timing chain suddenly snapped. Pushed vehicle to roadside and proceeded to get towed. Repair estimated at $2,400.00. Contacted beaverton saturn retailer and was told I'd be contacted later with no response. Upon calling saturn corp. And using information acquired from nshta.com about a specific recall on my vehicle was told only that my vehicle's VIN # is with in the recall breakpoint but is not covered and they have no information as to why my car is not included in the campaign . Only that it wasn't and they have no reason or explanation as to why.
I was driving home from work in my 2001 saturn l200. I had stopped at a red light and when the light turned green I began to gradually accelerate. When the car reached about 20 MPH, the engine shut down and the car rolled to a stop. After having it towed to a service station, the mechanic concluded that my timing chain had broken. He could not understand how this had happened because the car only had 57,000 miles and the chain looked in good condition. The chain breaking also caused damage to the cylinder heads. The total was nearly $2,800.00 of damage. In january of 2008, saturn launched a recall of 21,000 of there 2001 l200's. The reason for the recall was "links in the engine timing chain can separate". I notified them of my occurrence 6 months prior and submitted my information. Within 2 weeks they notified me that my vehicle did not match the VIN range of there recall. I still have the original timing chain.
2001 saturn l200. The timing chain broke in this car while my wife was driving it at 64mph. The result included 8 damaged valves and it will cost thousands of dollars to repair. I am trying to do the work myself because I cannot afford it. Even with me doing the work it is still very expensive.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 saturn l200. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. A local mechanic inspected the vehicle and stated that the timing belt was loose. The dealer has not diagnosed the failure. The current and failure mileages were 105,000.
The federal safety agency complaint april 6, 2008 ref: 2001 saturn l200 4-door sedan with 2.2l dohc engine purchase date: july 15, 2004 with 27,309 miles date of incident: feb. 27, 2008 what happened? My wife drove approx 13 miles, just pulled into the driveway at her workplace, and the vehicle died. She called and I drove to the location to attempt to diagnose the problem which I could not. I had it towed to a nation-wide auto repair center where I work as a technical service advisor. The vehicle was inspected by two of the master technicians as well as the service manager. They removed the valve cover and determined that the timing chain had separated and the 4 cylinders had no compression due to bent valves. The repair estimates are from $1,150.00 to $3,800.00. Results: I discovered there is a recall for correcting this problem from saturn affecting approx 20,000 vehicles. I contacted a saturn dealer in colorado springs and discussed the problem with the service manager. He checked and said our vehicle was not included in the recall and would contact the ?regional manager? And see what could be done. Two days later, he informed me that saturn would install a new engine assembly but we would have to pay half of the total expense which is $7,200. Saturn has a problem with the timing chain and oiler nozzle in these engines. At eng idle, there is lack of lubrication to the timing chain resulting in failure. Saturn now has an improved timing chain and oilier design which "increases oil flow to the timing chain at idle". See saturn technical bulletin "timing chain design change and revised service procedures #03-06-01-017 - (jun 9, 2003). I've changed the oil and filter every 3-4k miles, using only specified oil. There were no symptoms nor any noise coming from the engine immediately prior to the failure. Hope you folks can help! Best regards, william major
Engine failure due to broken timing chain 2001 l2 saturn.
I have a 2001 l200 series saturn. I have had for 1 year. While driving over the weekend about 75 miles away from home, my car was on the interstate at a speed of about 65 miles per hour when it suddenly quit running. I was in the middle lane of the interstate and had to quickly change lanes and get the car off busy I-75. I had to tow the car home after learning that the car had a broke timing chain. My tow bill was 150.00. I have no idea what it will cost to repair my car. I bought this car to help with fuel mileage.
2001 ls saturn - timing belt broke while on the expressway - engine stopped and would not restart. Even though saturn has recalled some of the l series for this problem - they say this vehicle is not included!
The timing chain failed while my wife was driving on the hwy at 50mph. Fortunately she was able to coast to the side of the road. Upon hearing about the saturn recall for the same problem, I submitted mt claim to saturn for reimbursement. They called me about a week later to tell me that my claim was being processed. About a week ago they called to tell me that my claim was denied. I requested but have not received written confirmation of that denial. I suspect that the denial was based on the fact that my saturn was manufactured in 09/00 and the recall was for cars manufactured from 11/00 to 02/01. I request that the recall order be expanded to include the date that my car was manufactured.
While driving on the interstate at 55mph my timing chain broke on my 2001 saturn ls200. When this happened it also blew the motor in my car. I am still shopping around for parts and to get it replaced.
Took car in to replace recalled timing chain, about 500 miles less than 3 weeks later the crank seal went out, (a part that was removed to do the recalled repair) when the crank seal went out all the oil left the engine resulting in damage to the engine, lucky for us we were the only car on the road at the time and only going about 30 MPH, called the dealership and asked them about this and was told it had nothing to do with the recall, they said this is a know problem with the car in cold weather, they said the seal in cold weather can retain moisture freeze and when started can tear, this seems much worse than the timing chain recall that we took the car in for, at least with the timing chain going out the motor will not lock up. I looked on the internet and it seems they have a new seal that will not freeze, not sure if they know about this problem that they do not mention it to their customers.
Wife was driving at 50 MPH where the engine died. The cause of the failure was a broken timing chain which also damaged the head and values. The vehicle was repaired by replacing the timing chain, resurfacing the head, and replacing the bad exhaust values I mailed in my recall materials on 2/9/2008. On 2/13/2008 saturn called to tell me they approved my request for reimbursement on 2/25/2008 saturn called to tell me that they were denying my reimbursement.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 saturn l200. The contact received a safety recall notice for the engine timing chain. Since that time, she has attempted to have the recall repair performed. She scheduled an appointment with the dealer and drove 65 miles both ways, but the dealer did not have the part. She was informed that someone would call her back, but no one has responded yet. She called in february of 2008 and the part was still unavailable. There had been no failure to date. The purchase date and recall number were unknown. The current mileage was 95,653.
2001 saturn l200 requesting reimbursement for recall repair. Consumer states that the timing belt was replaced after the vehicle completely stopped while driving. She would like reimbursement for expenses. Attachments are not there.
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