2002 Saturn LS: engine stalls while driving

Filed Feb 10, 2021 · Engine · 102,057 miles · CA

Engine stalled while driving at highway speeds around 65-70 MPH. Engine could not be restarted and had to be towed back home. Mechanic inspection revealed complete loss of compression in two cylinders and partial compression loss in other two. Engine was permanently damaged and would have to be replaced or rebuilt at high cost in the thousands. Engine had 102,057 miles at time of failure.

Filed Nov 21, 2017 · Engine · 161,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn ls. While driving 15 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the timing belt fractured and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 161,000.

Filed Nov 10, 2015 · Engine, Lights · 186,000 miles · IA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn saturn ls. While driving at approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel began smoking, the headlights flickered, and the check engine light illuminated. In addition, the engine was smoking and stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 186,000.

Filed Sep 3, 2015 · Engine · 200,000 miles · NJ

Entering highway ramp. Vehicle stalled. Would not restart. Timing chain had failed.

Filed Mar 30, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 106,192 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 saturn ls. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle jerked and the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle did not accelerate. The vehicle was pulled over to the shoulder of the highway where it stalled. The vehicle did not restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the timing chain failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,192. Updated 6/8/15

Filed Feb 12, 2015 · Engine · 249,000 miles · TX

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.

Filed Feb 10, 2015 · Engine · 129,771 miles · TN

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.

Filed Aug 28, 2014 · Engine · 138,645 miles · GA

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.

Filed Aug 20, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 120,000 miles · TX · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn l300. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the contact notice smoke emitting from the steering column. The contact mentioned that the battery low and check engine light illuminated on the instrumental panel. Immediately after the warning lights illuminated, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the steering column and ignition sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. Updated 10/23/14

Filed Aug 20, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 120,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn l300. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the contact notice smoke emitting from the steering column. The contact mentioned that the battery low and check engine light illuminated on the instrumental panel. Immediately after the warning lights illuminated, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the steering column and ignition sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Jul 30, 2014 · Engine · 130,000 miles · GA

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

Filed Jun 18, 2014 · Engine · 144,872 miles · NJ

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.