2002 Saturn LS: won't start

Filed Dec 26, 2017 · Electrical, Steering · VA

Hello I am concerned that my vehicle has had a recall on it and I was not aware of it I was asked to get in touch with you all on saturday when the keys to my saturn would not start my vehicle , it is a used vehicle, the only car I have to get to and from work ,when I purchased this vehicle there was nothing wrong with it and still nothing is wrong except that igniton,. I purchased it 05-09-13, I am unable to get to work without it. Now I understand that there was in fact a recall on this vehicle on parts of it, now the part I need repaired is my ignition and I see where that is part of you all repair agreement and I was wondering could you all repair it? My vehicle was working fine up until saturday morning when I drove my vehicle to the local grocery store her in our town and all, I had got in my vehicle and put key in ignition and it wouldn't start, this happened when I came out of grocery store, the key wouldn't budge, therefore I tried other key that I have to the car and it wouldn't budge, I then panicked and called neighbor who checks my vehicle from time to time , now mind you we are in the grocery stores parking lot it was cold and slightly windy, he came out checked engine alternator and battery it was neither , therefore he used a method to get key inside and turn , which he stated that the tumbler inside the ignition had dropped , which it took the column off the igniton area and stated that I not remove key from car if I wanted to drive it ,that was not what I wanted to hear, I was hurt it is the only vehicle I can afford at this present time I had to get him to get it to my house , and have not drove it , now I have to work and without my vehicle I have no one to take me to and from work so if you can will u please see if you can repair my vehicle. I wil be greatly appreciated.

Filed Sep 14, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 203,000 miles · TN

I was going to work & all out of the blue with no warning my timing chain broke & my car stopped in the middle of the highway & would not start back. Also, my tail light won't work because the plastic housing is broken.

Filed Jul 29, 2014 · Electrical · 152,000 miles · ME

Initially, key can be removed from ignition while car is running. Now car no longer starts. Starter replaced but car still does not start. Possibly faulty ignition cylinder/switch.

Filed Jun 13, 2014 · Engine · 180,340 miles · SC

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.

Filed May 22, 2012 · 55,000 miles · NJ

Vehicle would not start. Mechanic diagnosed a faulty crank sensor. Cost to replace $160.50.

Filed Dec 19, 2011 · Engine · 68,000 miles · ME

My wife had driven to work this day and all was well. She went about her work day and left for her lunch break at 12:30 in the afternoon. She drove the car and got her food and came back from lunch. Later on that evening she punched out at 5:00 pm to leave. When she went to start the car the motor turned over at a much faster than usual rate but the car would not start. I knew when I got there the car had no compression when I turned it over. I had aaa tow it to the garage (worth the peace of mind to have) and they told me sure as anything the timing chain had broken. Fortunately she was not moving when it happened, must have let go as she parked the car. This is the second motor we put in this car. Still waiting on the repair estimate. Chain needs to be replaced along with the crankshaft gears because a couple of teeth got ripped off in the process. Nice.... Thanks saturn and merry christmas.

Filed Mar 4, 2011 · Engine · 56,000 miles · PA

Tl-the driver owns a 2002 saturn l200. The vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop where the driver was told the timing chain broke and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 56,000. Sm.

Filed Jul 16, 2010 · Engine · 75,200 miles · CA

Driving on the highway going about 70 MPH. The car's engine suddenly died, and the car decelerated. There was no noise or warning leading up to the engine dying. After pulling over to the side, I tried restarting the car. The engine tried to turn over, but it wouldn't start. The vehicle was towed to an auto shop. It was found that the timing chain had broken and destroyed the engine (cylinder head specifically). No reason for the breakage could be found. It was recommended that a new engine would be needed.

Filed Mar 8, 2010 · Engine · 29,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn l200. The contact was driving approximately 5mph and the vehicle completely stalled. The contact then got the vehicle towed to the dealer. Dealer stated that it was the timing chain. The dealer repaired the vehicle at the contacts expense. The failure occured again less then 15,000 miles after getting the vehicle repaired. The contact went out to start the vehicle and it did not start. The vehicle was towed to local mechanic who stated it was the timing belt again. The vehicle was then towed to an authorized dealer. The vehicle is now at the dealership awaiting repairs.the approximate failure mileage was 29000 and the current mileage was 44000. The VIN was unknown.

Filed Jun 26, 2009 · Electrical, Engine · 90,000 miles · MI

2002 saturn l300 . Have followed all maint. Guidelines. Though it is on it's third battery, third set of tires, power steering pump replaced, timing belt replaced, ECM replaced, two catalytic converters replaced, the list goes on and on. Less than 90,000 miles. Drove the car. Got out, pushed the keyless alarm ( original factory) got dinner, pushed the keyless entry, got into the car , turned the key..and the car was dead. Car does not start. Locked in park, had to have it towed. Tow truck driver had to use the dolly lifts to move the car, so he could position it to be able to tow it. Had it towed to a service garage, they followed gm's instructions ..no luck. The car had to be towed again , to a saturn dealership ( the only ones who have the codes) to reset the vehicle. They told me they could not reset it. Told me it needs a new bcm. Stated ECM and bcm are unable to communicate. So that until the module is replaced the car is inoperable. Stated they knew the bcm's go bad, stated they have had alot of these go bad ( alot)???. The service tech stated " they are like a computer hard drive on steroids" . Stated they burn out with no way to check them or fix them. He said they should be able tofix the car. But they do not keep any bcm in stock. It will be a week before they can get the part. After replacing the bcm I was told the cars information will not be accurate. They told me the odometer goes back to zero. How can that be the dealer just turn back the odometer isn't that illegal? I was told that sometimes there maybe some other issues also after installing a new bcm?? If they know that the bcm is a problem, and that when it goes bad, the car is completely useless! Why isn't something being done ! You are at the mercy of saturn / gm because no one else is allowed to fix the car. I will now be waiting a week for my vehicle to be repaired. Only to hope it runs correctly after it's repaired.

Filed May 29, 2009 · Engine · 78,000 miles · OH

My husband was driving down the highway when the car shut down without warning. The vehicle would not start back up. He was able to get the car to the side of the road. He called a roadside service to give him a jump with no luck. The service tech informed him it was probably the timing chain. It was after hours so we had it towed to a garage. We were unable to find someone to look at the vehicle and could not afford to have it towed to the shop. I spoke with the dealership and they said if the vehicle stalled while driving most likely the cylinder head was damaged. We were finally able to get it towed to the dealership. They said the timing chain was out and the cylinder head needed replace along with some other repairs. The dealer informed us that our vehicle does not fall under the recall on previous models. The total cost would be $2527.84. We have not repaired this as of yet. I have researched all of the other complaints and all are similar and I believe this should be recalled.

Filed Mar 13, 2009 · Engine · 78,500 miles · NE

I had no pre-indication of this. 2002 saturn l200. Purchased 6-2002. ~78,500 miles. Date of incident: 3-9-09 @ 10:00am. My timing chain fell apart. It happened while I was driving. I was turning a corner and the stearing wheel locked. (the engine is quiet enough I couldn't hear it shut off). I managed to get to the side. Saw the oil pressure light on & shut the car off. It then wouldn't start up & was towed home. My boyfriend is a mechanic & has been working on it. It was hard to find the problem, since the car was on at the time the valves stayed open, he thought it was the starter (-$200). The chain's pin fell out and has literally fallen apart. We have kept the chain thus far and will investigate if I am allowed any refund for the time, money and/or hassel of this. We are worried about pieces getting up into the engine and creating more problems with that, and looking into a new vehicle possibly. (having feedback on what to do now would be greatly appreciated. Do we stop work and take it to a shop or continue to fix it? I need a car soon. Are there other problems with this car? Do you know of how I can get reimbursed? Do you know what the chances are of pieces reaching the engine).