Saturn LS power steering loss problems

Filed Sep 24, 2019 · Brakes, Engine · 175 miles · CA

Vehicle was in motion at 30 MPH on city street, engine completely stopped working with loss of power steering and power brakes. Coasted vehicle to a side street & stopped. Had car towed to a mechanic. We were quoted $1700 bill to repair due to broken timing chain. Researched recalls and found that the federal safety agency had a recall #07v519000 for 2001 saturn l100. This seems grossly shortsighted on the part of the federal safety agency, as there have been dozens of duplicate complaints. This prompted the state of north carolina consumers council to issue a defect petition for 2000-2003 saturn l series with the 2.2l engine with the federal safety agency. It is surprising how little effort the federal safety agency has made in light of the scope of this problem.

Filed Jun 2, 2009 · Engine · 150,000 miles · TN

Saturn 2001 l-200 2.2l I was driving down the road in rush hour morning traffic. As I slowed down for stopped traffic ahead of me, my engine shut off, and I lost power steering, and power brakes. I did not know what to do so I recklessly veered off onto a side street where I came to a complete stop. The car would not restart but would only turn over. I had it towed to the saturn dealership and they said that just by turning it over, and seeing that the power steering pump was not turning, since it was directly connected to the cam shaft, that the timing chain had broke. He also said he sees it all the time on this year model. Along with the broke timing chain, they said that the head would have to be replace as well because the inwards of the engine have collided and caused even more damage. This car was maintained to the t. Every oil change was done at saturn on time and all service was done there. They quote me 3500 dollars to put in a 90k mile used engine. Mine had 150k and ran like a champ before this happened. We then got another quote from a local garage to put in a 60k mile car for 1600 dollars. We will probably do that. They said to replace the head and chain will cost about the same and you never know if the internals will be intact after the timing chain goes.

Filed Sep 2, 2008 · Engine · 93,138 miles · NC

2001 saturn l200. Daughter was driving 45 miles per hour and the car cut off. There was no steering or brakes. She luckily was on a straight a way and coasted to a stop. The timing chain broke and took the top half of the engine with it. Not the belt the chain broke. It came to a total of $2500.00 to repair. I went online and typed in 2001 saturn l200 timing chain and came up with a list of over 9 pages of complaints for this exact problem. The mileage on the cars ranged from 20,000 (new) to 100,000 miles. I believe this needs to be investigated and recalled. Not to mention my daughter could have been killed. I am very disgusted in how we were treated as well by saturn.

Filed Jan 26, 2008 · Engine · 100,020 miles · MO

Driving on the highway around 55 m.p.h in my 2000 l-seize saturn when engine suddenly shuts down. Coasted to the side of the highway after nearly being rearended had vehicle towed to a mechanic. Was told by mechanic timing chain had broke destroying the engine. Was also told by mechanic this was very common for saturns as there is a defect in the oiling system causing premature wear in the timing chain. Contacted local saturn dealership they are aware of problem and could install a new engine for around 10,000.00$. Currently car is still broke due to shortage of this engine. No surprise with all of them breaking. Very lucky with no power steering,no brakes, and no power to make it to the side of the road.

Filed Nov 17, 2007 · Fuel system, Transmission · TX

2002 saturn l200 52,000 miles I was driving on the loop here in lubbock going about 65mph when my car suddenly lost power. My car started going very slow and then came to a complete stop. The car also lost power steering so I was lucky enough to be able to get on the shoulder of the road. I had my car towed to a local mechanic to be worked on and he thought it might be the fuel pump. Well he called later and said it was the timing chain and it had broke. He was very concerned about this because he said it should have outlasted the life of the engine. Not only did this break, but when it broke, it tore up my engine as well. I then did a search on google for "l200 timeing chain" and it seems this is a common problem. Not only is this a common problem, but saturn was aware of this problem and posted a bulletin to their service centers.

Filed Aug 29, 2007 · Engine · 56,672 miles · FL

Sudden failure of timing belt in our 2001 saturn l300 (56,000 miles, regular dealer service), causing complete loss of power and control while driving. My wife was able to pull off road with no power steering. Engine completely ruined. Dealer wants $4,000 to repair. Saturn says replace belt at 100,000 miles. Internet research shows a large number of these complaints. Dangerous loss of power.

Filed Dec 7, 2006 · Transmission · MA · crash

Ltr fm (ma) believes the accident he had was caused by a defect in the wheel assembly of his 2002 saturn l100. *ts the vehicle began to shake and consumer lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle was running along the guardrail and the consumer was unable to move it because there was no steering. The consumer attempted to apply the brakes but the pedal went to the floor. When the vehicle finally came to a stop the consumer noticed that non of the front or side air bags deployed. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair facility who determined that the entire transaxle assembly had been smoothly sheared off.

Filed Nov 8, 2006 · Transmission, Wheels · MA · crash

Letter from congressman on behalf of his constituent regarding a traffic accident that occurred when his vehicles wheel assembly detached. *ts the consumer stated he suddenly felt the vehicle shake and then he began riding along the guardrail. There was no steering and the consumer couldn't accelerate away from the guardrail and when he hit the brake, the pedal went to the floor. *jb the entire right wheel assembly including tire, rim, brake asembly, rocker arms, axle and strut were missing.

Filed Oct 10, 2005 · Steering · MD

Excessive noise from the steering rack, loss of power steering assist intermittently.

Filed Feb 5, 2003 · Steering · OH

2001 saturn l200 - started having intermitten "groans" occurring when making left turns (before 50,000 miles), and then over time had intermitten power steering failures for short periods. Power steering pump was replaced today. Symptoms sounded like the 1.5 million recall gm had for the bearing in their power steering gear assembly I read about in nov.