Saturn LS ball joint problems

Filed Nov 15, 2011 · Body, Steering · 170,000 miles · MA

Vehicle pulled when braking. Symptoms started on a monday as a light pull. More noticeable above 50 MPH, and not noticeable below 35. By thursday morning, pull was severe above 50mph. Stayed till after 6:00 at night to avoid traffic. Ride home was "entertaining" as steering wheel did not always go back to "center" when going straight. I thought I needed a steering rack until I inspected the vehicle on saturday. My inspection showed that front subframe (a.k.a. Engine cradle) failed where the "passenger side lower control arm rear bushing was attached". A sizable piece of frame ripped out, with bushing still attached to lower control arm. Rusted perforations in subframe visible approximately 6" behind where frame failed. Two sets of rims (summer and winter) with no "dings" testifies that vehicle never even hit a curb in 170,000 miles. 4 cylinder, so no exhaust nearby to "weaken steel". Bad choice of corrosion protection in a critical part of the frame, and/or undersizing of steel thickness to accommodate for corrosion is my estimate of "failure mode". Contacted dealer and no replacement parts available. Well maintained vehicle, very disappointed it failed this way. Last vehicle I junked was a 17 year old 1973 olds. Everything but the subframe indicated I'd get another 5 years out of this vehicle.

Filed Mar 21, 2011 · Body · 112,500 miles · NY

Initial indication was vibration in vehicle at 50-65 MPH, but no vibration in steering wheel. Suspected wheel weight fell off. Over several days, began to notice steering wheel had to be turned slightly to left to keep car straight. Now thought car out of alignment. Last day, steering wheel had to be at 10 o-clock position for car to stay straight. Inspection revealed frame on passenger side rusted out and splitting where lower control arm front attachment occurs. Mechanic confirmed problem. Mileage approximately 112,500. Plan to take car off road and donate to charity.

Filed Mar 24, 2009 · Body · 49,000 miles · NY

2002 saturn l-100 sedan. Front subframe assembly rusted to the point of total failure on the right hand side where lower control arm connects. Failure happened in parking lot so there was no personal injury or crash. Failure took out right inner cv joint and drive shaft. Wheel well liner and fender also damaged. Front subframe assembly had to be replaced with new part. New cv joint and drive shaft installed.

Filed Oct 13, 2006 · Electrical, Engine · WI

2001 saturn 200l key would not turn in engine, steering shook vigorously while driving. *ts while driving 65 MPH, on the day the vehicle was purchased, the vehicle's steering wheel began to vibrate and pull to the right. There was also a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle on the passenger side. The consumer assumer the problem would resolve itself but it didn't. Two weeks later the consumer called the dealer. The vehicle wa taken tot he dealer who determined that the problem was wheel balancing. The adjustment were made and the vehicle was returned tot he consumer. About a month later the vehicle would not start intermittently. The consumer called the dealer who explained that this was a safety feature. Several months went by and the problem continued to occur. Someone suggested tot he consumer that she needed a new starter. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but they were unable to duplicate the problem. The vehicle was returned to the consumer . Once again the vehicle began to not start. The dealer finally replaced the starter. The vehicle tie rod eventually had to be replaced. That was the noise the consumer heard when she first purchased the vehicle. On day while driving the vehicle sudden lost all power. The vehicle was towed to a service dealer who determined that the vehicle's timing chain had broken. None of these failures were covered by the vehicle extended warranty. The consumer contacted yhe manufacturer but they provided no assistance.

Filed Oct 18, 2005 · Tires · 54,000 miles · FL

Dt: contact was in a motor home and it was towing saturn vehicle. The right front tire blew out, causing extensive damage to the right quarter panel, fender, wheel well, and pushed out the bumper. Also caused tie rod damage. In addition,there was damage to the hub and hub cap. Would need a new wheel alignment. Called aaa, and they put on a spare tire. Drove to a walmart in florida where the tire was originally purchased, and the service department did not why this happened. They replaced the tire, took pictures, and sent tire off to goodyear. Walmart replaced tire but goodyear refused to pay for other damages. Goodyear contacted consumer, and said lack of air in the tire was the cause of tire blowout. They would not pay for damages. Goodyear, douglas touring, size p195/65r15 . *ak

Filed Apr 5, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · 70,068 miles · TN

Tie rod end- drivers side. Lso have problem with left brake light- replaced bulb and keeps going out ignition switch locked up now engine and coil pack blown-- engine oil pressure light never came on to alert of impending problem.

Filed Oct 30, 2004 · Lights, Suspension · IN

Have owned the car, 2000 ls1, since it had about 8k miles. Have had to buy 3 sets of tires so far due to irregular wear. Been to saturn dealership and other garages several times about this before finally learning from saturn this past summer that the lower control arms on this make and model are defective and that saturn had put together a shim kit to fix the problem. This solution would cost over $500, especially when you count the four wheel alignment that would also be necessary. Also having brake light problems. Brake lights don't work when parking lights are turned on. Have replaced bulbs several times, particularly the driver side brake light. Mechanic cleaned and adjusted the socket's contact points, but 3 weeks later the driver side brake light was not working again. Wipers don't get windshield clean, even when brand new. Auto unlock stopped working.

Filed Aug 30, 2004 · Steering · NC

More steering/ suspension problems. Steering still had vibration and noise problems even after dealer performed rear suspension modification, replaced rear struts, front sway bar links, all four tires, rear control arm bushings (redesigned), preload spring *(redesigned) and tie rods. This time diagnosed as failed front control arm bushings and failed front left wheel bearing/ hub assembly.

Filed May 15, 2002 · Engine, Steering · FL

2000 l2w model. Consumer states hears a roaring noise while driving more so at around 30 - 35 MPH. Also there is front end vibration. Dealer found tires were chopped. Dealer replaced lower control arm bushings and performed complete four wheel alignment.

Filed May 9, 2002 · Steering, Suspension · MD

Consumer returned five times to have the vehicle corrected for vibration and play. The power steering system failed. The dealer replaced under waranty, however there is vibration and play. The dealer has been working to resolve the problem, but the problem still exists. The wheel was replaced because of a bent hub. This replacement stopped the vibration. There is still continuous play. The tires were feathered and cupped. The lower control arm and rear bushings were replaced as were the four tires.