Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn ls. While driving at various speeds, the engine stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the timing chain assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 249,000.
2002 Saturn LS engine complaints
Page 2 of 9: complaints 11 to 40 of 242, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving on highway at approximately 50 MPH the car engine stalled and died. I pulled over to the side of the road and attempted to restart several times. I had 3 passengers with me and an arkansas state trooper helped us until a tow truck arrived. I had to have it towed about 10 miles. The mechanic on site told us it is going to be the timing chain as he has seen several of the same engine with this problem. He had just repaired on as well. I had the vehicle towed to my home and eventually to my mechanic. He confirmed the timing chain broke and that he had just repaired one with the same motor. The repair cost $2400.
At 60 MPH on freeway the timing belt broke. I lost power and control of the car. It cannot be started. Since the repair cost is too high (more than $2000), and my VIN is not included in the gm recall #06074, I had to junk the car. *js the car is dangerous to drivers. Gm is not willing to recall all 2001 l200. However, due to so many complains of the same problems from drivers of the 2001 saturn l200 (whose cars are not included in the recall) the federal safety agency should force gm to recall all 2011 saturn l200.
Please help! My key and ignition are burning hot, my car doesn't always start, the power cuts off, the service engine light comes on and off and when I start it in the morning the exhaust is super strong. Gm told me I have to pay a dealer $110.00 to diagnose the problem that you have clearly defined and recalled in 2003 but I was never notified as the original owner for that recall. I broke my neck and am a single, disabled mom of a 12 year old. I do not want to be trapped in a fire or rearended and totally paralyzed or dead! What the heck is gm thinking? They said they only act on recalls if they come from you!
I was backing out of a spot and there was a clanking sound from behind the dash followed by a stall. The car was inoperable from that point. I had to push the car off of the street to avoid traffic. My vehicle was brought into saturn of marietta and I was told that the timing chain had broken. It was stated to me that there was a design flaw in the engine and they were aware of it. It was stated that there was a recall for it but my car, currently, wasn't included. I inquired why and was told it would probably be expanded. I went ahead and paid for an engine to be installed for $2983.53. I went about my life, waiting for the recall to be expanded. The replacement engine recently reached the same mileage that my old engine was at when it failed and it did likewise. Same issue with the defective timing chain. I was not notified if the replacement engine was affected by the recall or not, I believe it was. I tried to find details but the dealership has closed and records are lost (so I've been told). I have the paperwork from the replacement and gm is unwilling to help. I've seen numerous similar complaints online concerning the same issue. The recall was for cars built 11/00 - 2/01 and a new design went into effect in 5/02, my car was built in 8/01...nine months before the new design was implemented. What about all of the consumers with vehicles made between 3/01 and 4/02? Over a year worth of purchasers that were left out and put in a dangerous position. Gm is running over us and we need help.
Timing chain broke while driving. Engine died and had to coast to the shoulder.
I was backing out of a parking spot and my 2002 l200 stalled after a rattling sound from the engine. I had the car towed to the saturn dealership in marietta, georgia. They diagnosed that the timing belt had slipped/broke and had damaged the engine. They also said that the engine would need to be replaced and the timing belt on these cars was a known issue. I had saturn perform the engine replacement end of october, beginning of november 2008 for approximately $5000. I've since come to realize that there was a recall on saturn l200s from the same time period for the exact same problem. They've claimed that my VIN doesn't fall under the recall. I feel that I should be reimbursed for the cost of the engine replacement based on the defective part being a known issue and my car exhibiting the exact same issue that a recall was submitted. Updated 09/10/14
On june 25, 2014, I purchased a 2002 saturn l-200 from andrews automotive in mason, michigan with just over 62,000 miles on it. One month later, while driving at 70 MPH on us-127 just south of harrison, michigan, I felt a shudder in the steering wheel and the engine died. I was able to coast to the shoulder and safely come to a stop. After several unsuccessful attempts to restart the vehicle, I had it towed to a shop in harrison where they concluded that the timing chain failed and pistons hit the valves which will necessitate a completely new engine.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn l200 (n/a). The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the battery warning light illuminated and then there was a loud noise. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the timing belt chain fractured due to no oil in the engine. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 144,872.
Vehicle stopped after turning onto the road, engine had stalled and would not crank or start up again; battery and oil lights came on. You could see the serpentine belt when trying to crank so it was not a battery issue. Fuel tank was full and oil was changed a month prior. Mechanics confirmed the timing chain had snapped/broken and destroyed many of the internal engine components. $2000 cost to replace/fix the individual parts, $2600 to just get another used engine.
The car was running fine. I pulled away from a traffic light and tried to get up to the speed limit of 45 miles per hour. At approximately 40 miles an hour the engine just stopped in the middle of the road. I managed to get it to the side and called the wrecker. Mechanic said timing chain broke and I need a new engine.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn ls. The contact stated that the vehicle would shake along with an abnormal noise coming from the engine and the vehicle would stall. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but failed to rectify the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn l300 (n/a). The contact stated that the vehicle would intermittently stall at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The failure was not remedied. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 125,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn ls. The contact stated that while reversing from a residential driveway when the vehicle exhibited a loud, abnormal noise. The contact parked the vehicle and later, the vehicle failed to start. The check engine warning light illuminated after the contact had made several attempts to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic, who stated the timing chain would need to be replaced. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The dealer stated the vehicle was not included in any recalls and declined to provide a remedy to the failure. The manufacture was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 139,000.
The vehicle was driven on an interstate when power to the drive wheels was reduced and a lack of acceleration was felt. The steering felt slightly heavy and power to the drive wheels was lost. The vehicle was driven to the hard shoulder and the engine cut out. The engine would not restart. No other warning lights were shown on the display, and all fluid levels were normal. When the ignition key was turned, a whirring noise was heard from the engine compartment, however the cylinders were not firing.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn l 300. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the engine stalled. The vehicle was restarted but the failure was recurring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who performed a diagnostic but was unable to find a reason for the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000. Updated 5/27/14*cn
After stopping waiting for traffic to pass I turned to pull into my driveway at 5 MPH the timing chain broke and engine stalled causing me to get stuck in the middle of the road blocking traffic. Car gave no indication anything was wrong until it just stalled in the road. No noises or rough running or anything! Valves were destroyed and engine is junk. Found out later that there was a recall on this car and system and may or may not have included my year car I have not yet called dealer to see if they will help in any way! But with only 80500 miles on this car I am really unhappy that I now need.
Timing chain broke while engine running. Valve damage in heads. Engine needs upper overhaul. Filed complaint with gm since so many timing chain failures have occurred with this engine. Gm stated that this VIN was outside the recall window even though the redesigned timing chain assembly did not take place til the following model year. Would not help in repairs.
The vehicle has been well maintained with regular oil changes. While turning onto a main street the engine just quit, leaving me stranded in the middle of the road. I was fortunate I was not on the highway at a high rate of speed as I would have had no means to remove the vehicle from the highway causing extreme danger to the occupants of the car. Authorized saturn dealership diagnosed the timing chain had broken, causing further damage to the valves and possibly the pistons in the engine. $3000 repair bill. There had been a prior recall #07v519000 on the saturn l200 2001 version for the same issue and it appears it was not resolved in the 2002 model. Vehicle was built in 09/01.
Car over the time I have had it for the past 7 or 8 months has had a rough idle and now the car is hard to start. I suspect it is the timing chain going bad but my 2002 does not fall under the recall.
Tl* the contact owns a saturn l100. The contact stated that while he drove at approximately 25mph the engine timing chain failed. The vehicle was towed the mechanic an inspection was performed, and the contact was advised that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 57,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn l200(n/a). The contact stated that while traveling 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact removed the engine cover and discovered that the drive chain was fractured due to lack of lubrication and oil distribution. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or a mechanic for inspection or repairs. The failure and the current mileage was 76,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn l100. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, there was a noise coming from the engine and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was pushed home into the driveway. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and stated the timing chain failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 172,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn l200. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH and attempting to shift gears, the vehicle would not respond to acceleration attempts. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic who inspected the failure and advised that the engine needed to be replace. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn l series sedan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH the vehicle began to decelerate. The contact heard a snap sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle but it would not. The vehicle was pushed to an independent mechanic who diagnose that the timing chain had fractured. There was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling) that may be related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the recall did not included the 2002 vehicles only the 2001. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
Timing chain failed. Looks to be in acceptable condition, but has broken link. Clearly either poor design or build quality with the timing chain. This issue plagued many saturn's but was only addressed in few of them. Buyer beware.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn l200. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 190,000.
This is the same engine for which there has been three separate investigations by the federal safety agency caused by lack of oiling to the timing chain. The broken timing chain caused damage to 4 valves and several rollers and other parts in the engine. The car immediately stopped running and would not restart. The repair shop showed me the small oiling orifice for the timing chain, and showed me the upgrade kit that gm issued with a much larger opening for oiling the chain - also, the chain and other part are stronger than the original parts. Gm issued a recall for some of these engines, but not for my vehicle despite the fact the engine in my car had the same defect. My brother's saturn also had the same timing chain problems, but since he was traveling at highways speeds, his engine was beyond repair. Gm uses variations of the same engine in many of their vehicles, so it is probable that there are many more defects that have gone unreported in other gm vehicles. These repairs are expensive - more than $3,000. Gm needs to answer why some defective engines were recalled, and others were not, and gm should reimburse owners whose cars have been damaged by this defect. Gm said only some engines were affected, but the engine in my saturn was clearly, and unmistakably defective - I saw it, and the repair shop clearly saw the defect.
Daughter was driving the car and turned a corner onto a city street in morton,il. She said as she started to speed up to the normal driving speed ( 30 MPH.) that the car died and would not restart. She told me it was like someone had turned off the key. I had it towed to a local garage in morton,il. And they informed me that it had broken a timing chain with probable engine damage. On further investigation ,mainly on the internet , I have found that this engine (2.2 liter 4 cylinder twin cam) is prone to this type of failure.
Our 2002 saturn l200 shut off while driving and would not restart. The repair facility it was towed to said the timing chain broke and when a wet compression test was done on the engine, we were told the engine was damaged. The cost to repair was too much compared to the value of car. The cost to replace the timing chain and engine was $4500. Only owned car for 5 months. Car only had 70000 miles. Gm indicated this model year with the 2.2l engine had a defective timing chain design. Gm's safety recall 07v‑519 only included the cars manufactured 11/2000 - 2/2001, neglecting the remaining of the 2002 saturn l series cars with the 2.2 l engine that had the defective timing chain but were not manufactured during these selected 4 months. Gm did not introduce a new timing chain design until may 2002, so owners with this my car manufactured from 3/2001 until the redesign in 5/2002 were left to pay for their own repairs if their timing chains broke. The 2002 saturn l200 we purchased was manufactured in 9/2001 so does not fall into the cars covered by the recall so at this point, my repairs are not covered by gm. I have called saturn twice only to talk with unpleasant customer service reps who were no help. All they told me is that the VIN of my car was not included in the 4 month recall and they can't help me. When I asked to speak to a supervisor, I was told they would give me the same answer.
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