Saturn LS grinding brakes problems

Filed Dec 3, 2009 · Lights · 88,000 miles · WI

Recall the federal safety agency campaign id number 05v245000. Component: exterior lighting brake lights. I had my recall service done on dec. 26 2005. On nov. 27th 2009. I got pulled over by the police. My rear running and brake lights were out. No ticket because I was close to home. Took it to a mechanic the next day to find out that both light bulbs were broke. Plastic melted down and hit the bulbs. Tried to replace bulbs but the melted plastic was in the way. I took pictures of the melted plastic. Went to saturn dealer to have them look at it and they said that a front driver side parking light was out and it had condensation under the lens. They said that shorted the rear lights. They replaced the bulbs by grinding the melted plastic out of the way. They said they did not but there was no way to get the bulb past the melted plastic. I took more pictures. So the lights work for now. But it won't be long before the plastic melts down onto the bulbs again. I do believe this has to do with the recall. It reads-on certain sedans and wagons, the plastic housing in the rear tail lamp assembly can become distorted if the brake lamps remain on for an extended time. Not a burned out parking light with condensation under the lens. This could become very dangerous. No tail or brake lights! Tailgaiters! I now carry extra light bulbs and wait for the next melt down. Saturn has been no help. Just a bandaid.

Filed Apr 24, 2009 · Engine · 92,000 miles · MD

2001 saturn l300 3.0l v6 grinding noise engine stalled. Took to mechanic said timing chain broke and seized engine. Whole engine needs replaced. Noticed 4 cylinders have recall but not the v6.

Filed Dec 4, 2008 · Engine · 55,000 miles · MN

11-2006 failure #1 normal driving. Car slowed and became undrivable as if out-of-gas. Would not re-start. Towed back to dealer. Remedy replace timing chain. No old part. 11-29-2008 failure #2 engine oil warning light and bell on temporarily (meaning no serious event, according to saturn vehicle manual) after 20-30 minutes of operation before parking car. This happened three times over two days. On final third day after 15 minutes of operation grinding rumble became increasingly louder. At traffic light engine stall. Car restarted. Kept rpms above stall threshold. For five more minutes before parking. Engine crankcase void of oil. Added two quarts. Upon starting engine. Fresh oil was seen exiting upper rear of engine. Drove to dealer. Tear down halted when metal shavings were found in oil pan. Car currently parked at dealer. Recommendation full engine replacement.

Filed Jan 20, 2008 · Engine · 94,000 miles · MD

Driving home from work one night and car starting making a grinding noise and just stalled on me. Fortunately I was able to coast off the main highway to a parking lot. Had the car towed to put it on a computer diagnostic machine and was told the timing chain broke and has since ruined my whole engine. Now my car sits in my yard with no good motor or timing chain and I still owe $4000 and paying $300 a month to pay for a car I cannot drive as I do not have the money for a new engine or even a used one.

Filed Dec 21, 2006 · Engine · 80,324 miles · MO

With my saturn l-200 there was an occasional grinding noise when started, when I took it in to the dealer it would not make the noise because it had been running. I was on my way to a company meeting in kc, and the car all of a sudden would not accelerate when I stepped on the gas, it just stayed at a constant idle. I of course pulled off to the side of the road, and tried to restart it, and had no success. I had it towed to a shop. That is when I found out that the timing belt broke, and that it had done damage to the motor. The mechanic told me that it would cost between 2,000 - 7,000 dollar range to replace the motor. Not happy!

Filed Jul 25, 2006 · Suspension · 40,000 miles · MA

Dt: the contact stated while driving at various speeds the contact heard a high pitched squeal coming from the front of the vehicle. The dealership determined the front wheel bearing needed to be replaced. The dealership refused to repair the bearing. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who determined the bearing overheated causing the squeal. The mechanic informed the contact the bearing should have lasted the life of the vehicle. The bearing was replaced by the independent mechanic.

Filed Jan 3, 2006 · Brakes · 48,700 miles · NY

Noticed a burning rubber smell from the rt rear of the vehicle and then from the left rear tire of the vehicle. Hubcap very warm after a short travel distance, back brakes made a grinding sound. Went to use parking brake, could not lift up brake. Parking brake inoperable. Took to get repaired, was told that the parking brake cable was bound up, due to corrosion, causing the connection cables to bind up both rear brakes, unable to be released, which caused the brake shoes to melt on both rear wheels, causing the pad to rub against the rotor and, metal to metal, heat up and cause burning smell. Need to have new back rotors, brakes shoes, brake pads, parking brake fixed, new cables, and spring clips replaced. All parts need to be new as the rotors are damaged due to brake hangup. Back rotors have had to be replace 3 times on this vehicle so far.

Filed Oct 7, 2004 · Steering · 35,558 miles · MA

At 35,558 miles vehicle made a grinding noise while turning the steering wheel. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the power assist pump assembly. At 61,000 miles problem recurred.

Filed Dec 31, 2003 · Steering · 36,000 miles · CT

Grinding noise when turning left or right. 'sounds' like it comes from tire area. Independent mechanic states that strut is leaking & car requires new rack & pinion steering at 41k miles. Problem is continuous.

Filed Oct 1, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · 6,068 miles · VT

The headlights and dashboard lights flickered intermittently while driving at night. Dealer kept the vehicle for two weeks, however the problem continued. *ak there was a squeaking noise only when the steering wheel was turned to the left. The suspension link was replaced. The service engine soon light illuminated on the vehicle and the ignition control module was replaced. The driver side window skipped when being rolled down. The right rear brake light bulb had burned out, the windshield wipers went across the window half way before it squirted any spray and then scratched the windshield.