Tl*the contact owns a 2002 saturn l series. The contact found a recall for the timing belt, which stated that there was a possibility the chain could fail while driving and result in a crash. The dealer and manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling). There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 78,000.
2002 Saturn LS engine complaints
Page 7 of 9: complaints 161 to 190 of 242, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Driving down the road, the engine stopped running.the vehicle was coasted to the side of the road. Vehicle would not restart. Investigation revealed that timing chain broke.
I had told my saturn dealership approximately 6 months ago about a rattling noise under the hood of my l-200 (2002). They told me it was probably just the normal noise that this car makes when it first starts. The noise continued, but only at start-up. I brought it in recently for a regular oil change and no problems were noted. The next day the timing chain broke. It seems that this is quite a common problem with these cars and it is frustrating and puzzling to me that the dealership did not investigate further when I first reported the problem.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 saturn l200. While driving 65 MPH, the engine stalled and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the timing chain link separated. There is a recall for the engine and engine cooling (the federal safety agency campaign id # 07v519000) however, the dealer stated his VIN was not included. The dealer stated that they would pay 50% of the repair cost. The contact felt that his vehicle should be included as part of the recall. The current and failure mileages were 65,000.
2002 l series saturn timing chain broke while wife was driving on highway & she was stranded in traffic. (warranty ended july -2007 & engine damage is in excess of $2500.)
2002 saturn l-200. Timing chain failure at highway speeds. 64,000 miles. Dealer was trying to blame lack of maintenance until I proved regular oil changes. I understand this is a recurring problem with the saturn twin cam engine. Why do the dealers try to blame the owners? My car is being repaired, but I feel they tried to avoid the coverage on the extended plan.
Time chain on an l200 saturn (my 2002) after only 39,000 miles of usage. I had just parked the vehicle, and when restarting, the chain broke. Prior to this, I was hearing valve noise, but fortunately I pulled the automobile into a parking space. The breakage of the timing chain resulted in a complete destruction of the valves, chain, etc. And required full replacement and repair. This included the head, valves, chain, tensioner, sprockets, etc. Saturn indicated that a newly designed chain tensioner would be replaced during this repair and should prevent future failures. This redesigned part was supposed to correct a deficiency in oil delivery to the chain. Importantly, I had my vehicle serviced regularly by the saturn dealer with all recommended oil changes, etc.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 saturn l-100. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle began losing power and was towed to a mechanic. The mechanic stated that the timing chain failed and caused internal damage to the engine. The cost to replace the engine was $5,400. The purchase date and VIN were unavailable. The current mileage was 103,940 and failure mileage was 103,900. Updated 01/11/08. *lj updated
On august 8, 2007 I was driving on the highway with my son in the back seat traveling 65 miles per hour when the power to my car cut off and my wheellocked in position. Lucky for my I happened to be in the lane closet to the side of the road and was able to safetly exit the road. I then brought my car to my trusted mechanic to find out that my timing chain snapped and I did extenstive damage to my car that I only bought 1year prior in june of 2006 from a saturn dealership. I had to pay $2400 to get my car repaired and had no vehicle to use for 2 weeks. I am a single mother who thought she bought a reliable car. I couldn't afford to pay the damages to my car and had to borrow money. My nexy step is to contact saturn to complain.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 saturn l200. While driving 10 MPH, the vehicle shut off and there was a total loss of power. The contact crashed into a curb. The dealer stated that the timing chain failed. As of september 4, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 100,000.
On sunday, august 12 as I was driving on a highway in upstate ny, my 2002 saturn l200 suddenly began decelerating and as much as I pushed on the accelerator, the car continued to stop. I managed to pull over to the shoulder, which was very scary because the traffic was heavy and most cars were speeding around me. The car died and would not restart. The car was towed to a saturn dealer who, without even examining the car said it sounded like the timing chain had broken. This diagnosis proved to be true and I was told that I needed a new engine. After doing some research I learned that this is a common problem of the l200 series. I also became angered because I had brought my car to saturn at least three times complaining of the warning signs--the car had done this same thing several times before, but always restarted after a wait of any where from one minute to three hours. Each time I brought it to saturn they acted like they never heard of the problem before, and told me they could find nothing wrong with the car. They should have known about this problem because a tsb had been issued about it and all saturn mechanics should have been taught about this problem. I paid $21,000 for this car, with the intention that it would last at least 10 years. I just finished paying for it a few months ago. I believe saturn should pay to fix this. The timing chains should have been recalled. I would like to file a class action suit against saturn.
While driving, once car was warm, I started hearing a loud whistling noise from under the hood. Mechanic ran an emissions test and determined that I needed to replace the intake manifold gasket. I decided to take the car to a saturn dealer, although I had no more warranty. I was informed that once they installed the gasket, the problem was worse and the car was now undriveable as the manifold itself was warped and needed to be replaced (including another gasket as the 1st was damaged by trying to install it on a warped manifold). The car has apx 58,000 miles. Service manager said he had never seen one do this before and only explanation for it happening was extreme heat, yet this engine has never overheated; oil is changed as soon as light comes on. Lucky I did not incur major damage to other parts or the engine (after reading this website I am waiting for the timing belt to go. Why no recall on this??)
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 saturn l200. While driving 60 MPH the engine stalled and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the timing belt broke and damaged the engine. The engine was replaced however approximately 10,000 miles later the timing belt broke and damaged the engine again. The failure mileage was 65,000 the current mileage was 74,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 saturn l200. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled and completely shut off. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to a mechanic. The cause of failure was diagnosed as the timing chain. Saturn has been notified and the vehicle will soon be towed to the saturn dealer. The current and failure mileages were 80,000. *updated 12/12/07 *bf updated 12/12/07
While driving on the highway the engine quit. I was able to coast to a safe location and the car was towed to a local repair shop. They stated the timing chain broke. The total cost of the repair would be $2156. Saturn told me there was no recalls and the repair would cost up to $7500.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 saturn l200. While driving 20 MPH, the vehicle shut off without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that the timing chain had failed. The dealer replaced the timing chain and the valves. The current and failure mileages were 75,000. The valves were bent. Updated 08/07/07.
2002 saturn lw300 stalled without warning when it was traveling at @ 40-50 MPH. It would not restart and had to be towed. Vehicle mileage is @ 59k.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 saturn l200. While proceeding through a green light at 5 MPH, the vehicle shut off in the middle of the intersection. The failure occurred without warning. While the vehicle coasted, the contact was able to turn the steering wheel to the right and pull over. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed the cause of failure as the timing chain. The dealer found other related failures as well. The contact paid $3,000 for the repair. The powertrain was unknown. The current mileage is 38,850 and failure mileage was 38,800.
The 2002 saturn l200 just quit running yesterday while on the pennsylvania turnpike. When I had it towed to the dealership they told me that the timing chain had broke, and that it was likely that other severed, and costly engine damge occurred as a result. In searching the internet I have found many other owners of saturns with the similar experiences. As I was running at 65 MPH on the turnpike, a sudden loss of engine power could have caused a major accident.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 saturn l200. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost power. There were no warning lights present. The contact was able to pull off the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed. The weather was clear and approximately 90 degrees. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 67,000.
My 18 year old daughter was driving our 2002 saturn l200 with 2.2 4 cylinder on saturday june 8, 2007 through an extremely busy intersection of interstate route 93 and montvale avenue in stoneham massachusetts when the engine suddenly and without warning shut down, leaving her stranded in the middle of the intersection fortunately following vehicles were abel to swerve around her. The car was towed to saturn of medford ,and I am awaiting final determination of problem ,but I suspect that the timing chain broke. I understand that there have been many other complaints regarding similar situations with saturns and I would like to be added to this list. If saturn has been aware of this probelm, it is irresponsible that we were not notified of such a problem. My daughter is very lucky! I had called the dealership last week to have a tapping noise checked out and they scheduled me for next tuesday and made no mention on the phone that this could be such a serious problem.
Premature timing chain failure on my 2002 saturn l200. I have a 2002 saturn l200 with 54000 miles on it and the timing chain went out this morning with no warning. I was driving to work this morning on the express way when, without any warning, the engine stalled. I thought I was going to get hit by the semi behind me. Fortunately he was able to slow down and avoid me as I pulled off the road. I had a mechanic check the car out and he said it was the timing chain. I was informed that the engine might have to be replaced. After reading a number of other people with the same problem, I decided to file this complaint. When will something be done about this problem? Saturn should be forced to recall these cars and fix the problem at there own expense. Does someone have to die before something is done about this problem?
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 saturn l200. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stopped without warning. There was light rain at the time of the incident. The failure and current mileage was 36,361. Updated 02-01-08. *kb the timing chain failed. Updated
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn l series sedan. While driving 55 MPH the engine shut off. The vehicle was towed. The mechanic stated that the timing chain broke and the engine needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileage were 70,000.
23 year old daughter, her cousin, and 3 year old niece were driving on I-70 near chicago when the vehicle suddenly lost power and died. Had to be pushed off interstate to side of road by 2 young women with 3 years in car. Timing chain had broken without warning on a car with 54,000 miles ,leaving the car non functional in the middle lane of the expressway, 300 miles from home, and leaving daughter, cousin and niece stranded in a strange city with no transportation. I can't believe that saturn does not acknowledge that this problem exists, or that a car that suddenly loses all power while driving in heavy traffic is not a safety concern that would warrant a recall.
I purchased a 2002 saturn l200 about 1 1/2 year ago with a 1 year warranty it now has 80,000k miles. My warranty ran out a few months ago. I was backing out of a parking lot at about 2mph and my car just shut off. After taking into the shop they said my timming chain broke which caused a lot of damage to the engine. I am very upset and done a lot of research and found many people having this same issue. I get my oil changes done on time and I dont think this should have happened. My car bill was $2725.00. I went to the saturn dealership and they pretty much did not want to talk to me and said they did not know of this problem.
The timing chain broke on the 2002 saturn l200 while driving , not at start up while parked . We were driving at 30 MPH on a secondary road when it happened so we avoided a collision or other physical mishap. As we have learned has been the case with dozens of other saturn, the chain breakage caused significant damage to the upper engine components, e.g., valves. Thus, the repair cost was far greater than it should have been, had the engine been designed well. One need not be an automotive engineer to conclude that saturn has produced several models with a major design flaw in the engine, and that this flaw was potentially dangerous. Those unfortunate enough to own such a model, and to those driving on our nation's highways and byways.
Normal driving 50-60 miles per hour, absolutely no warning whatsoever before the event occurred. Timing chain broke at 51000 miles, lost compression in 3 of 4 cylinders, lost all power to the vehicle, was able to stop and get out of traffic without getting into an accident. Saturn refused to repair for free, charged me 2000 dollars (deductible on their worst warranty they sold at the time). Old parts are not available, failure was confirmed by two other mechanics before as a last resort taken to a saturn dealer to be fixed. Service manager also refused to acknowledge any knowledge of the tsb that had been released concerning the oil nozzle on my saturn.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 saturn l200. While driving 20 MPH the contact felt a loss of power and the vehicle shut off. The vehicle became immobile ,and the contact was unable to drive it. The mechanic informed the contact that the timing chain broke. The timing chain assembly was replaced. However; the vehicle still would not operate properly. The mechanic also stated that the intake valves needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to a saturn dealer, and the intake valves were replaced. There have not been any occurrences since the replacement of the intake valves. The contact felt that saturn should have replaced components listed on service bulletin # 03-06-01-017. Also, the contact filed case number sr1-23172743 with saturn. The current and failure mileage were 64000. *ak update *4/23/07
2002 saturn l200 with 111,000 miles. I had a total loss of power while driving down a state road. Mechanic said it was the timing chain. Possibly damage the engine as well .
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