While driving at low speed saw water and oil coming out of the engine. A technician stated that this was due to a blown engine head gasket. Dealer found the problem to be a cracked cylinder head. Owner told that this was a manufacture defect and saturn would pay repairs cost. *ak
1996 Saturn SL engine complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 63 of 63, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I need to know if there is or will there be a recall on the motor mount for the saturn sl coupe 1996.
Air conditioner started - smelled tar-like smell - turned A/C off, no smell & car ran beautifully, no indicator lights on. Took on road trip, ran fine but noticed engine was hot when stopped - added oil, other fluids fine - immediately aborted trip & drove to dealer- no problems (smells, indicator lights, etc.) on ride, - noticed that serpentine drive belt that had been replaced 1.5 mos. Ago was frayed & loose. Oil spewed from front to back of car (although car drove fine & no indicator lights, noises or indication of trouble) - dealer says engine may be shot & car may need to be junked.
When driving at 60mph vehicle's speed will instantly and without warning drop down to about 10mph. Dealer says it's a manufacturer's defect. Problem still exists.
Erg valve and several other parts have failed after failure of the junction box.
Muffler and pipes rusted and several other parts have failed.
Due to ice in a commercial parking lot, while parking my car, car slid into a iron guard rail and the radiator, A/C condenser, support of front bumper cover and front bumper cover were all damaged beyond repair and had to be replaced
No summary
Problem diagnosed by saturn of thousand oaks as a cracked cylinder head; as a result, coolant and coolant system was contaminated with oil; all had to be replaced. Despite comment by saturn of thousand oaks service representative that there was a problem with "the process" with 1996 saturns, saturn corp. Denies cause is manufacturer's defect. I know of at least one other 1996 sl1 purchased at the same dealership which experienced the same problem in june/98. Both cars were purchased new and were less than 3 years old at the time of the problem.
Engine has a design flaw. Aniti-freeze gets into the oil. Dealer contacted and was aware of the problem. Problem still exists.
Consumer backed out driveway. On right side of driveway where the front of vehicle was sitting, there was brown oil/water mixture. When she opened the hood and looked into the reservoir there was a colored liquid. Mechanic discovered a cracked engine cylinder. Checked computer and found a bulletin--id. #96-t-65a--issued feb. 1997,that deals with this problem.
/22/99 - after no response from don hudler, posted this email to the saturn website
The engine head has an internal crack in it which allows the engine oil to leak into the coolant. I realized this because there was oil in the coolant reservoir. I went to saturn of ft. Lauderdale, where I bought the car and was told that it is no longer under warranty(I have53,000miles). I was also told if I wanted them to fix it they would charge me $300 to diagnose the problem, and if it was a cracked head, it would cost me at least $1200. If I didn't like their diagnoses I would have 24 hours to have the car towed off their property , disassembled. This was told to me by denny mcgee (954)760-6340, service manager for saturn. I was also told that if I had not followed every service requirement that saturn describes in their hand book I would not be eligible for any compensation. At the most they might pay for parts and I would have to pay for labor. I am very angry! I am a teacher, and I could not afford to gamble that saturn "might pick up part of the price" mr. Mcgee said they may only pick up 10%. I took the car to my private mechanic who has told me that this is clearly a defect in the part. The car has never overheated and my mechanic said that the crack is between two chambers where the oil and coolant circulate through the engine. He obtained used replacement part and believe it or not this part also had a similar crack in the same place. Is there a recall for this engine part? I am very disillusioned with the saturn company. They were very unhelpful and rude in addressing the problem with my car and I want them to help pay for a defective part on the car that they sold me! Please get in touch with me if there is anything you can do. Thank you, sincerely, heather ryan.
I really feel that a car that is well taken care of and have only 47000 miles shouldn't have need a new engine in it.
Engine RPM will increase to 3500 whether at idle or driving at 55 MPH. This happens on a daily basis. If the engine is turned off , the car willn't start unless the accelerator pedal is pressed to the flour. Automatic transmission cars experiencing this problem may find it difficult to slow the car upon braking unless they were to shift the car into nuetral. It is highly possible that some saturn owners aren't aware of the problem if they own an automatic. In the office of defects investigation (complaints database) there were 8 or 9 cases of brake failure . Were these failures as a result of uncontrolled RPM motor speed? Odi id 816070 indicated a problem which may be attributed to this condition. This problem in automatic transmission cars will lead to premature brake rotor and pad wear not to mention the failure of the car to stop within the assurred normal distance.
Head gasket cracked.
Cracked engine cylinder head.
Engine seized without warning shortly after maintenance.
Engine stalls due to valves sticking.
While driving on regular road, lights came on dashboard, engine cut off, vehicle swerved to right, crashed into cement sewage drain, tire rims popped, vehicle came to stop. With dealership for inspection.
When driving along service engine light will come on, put foot on gas and vehicle stalls and starts vibrating. Has taken in for repairs seven times. They have replaced jiist about every part and still they don't know what the problem is.
While driving at speed of 55mph, the engine light came on and the vehicle decreased its speed down to 10mph, then increased its speed back to 55mph. Cause unknown.
Engine malfunction not corrected despite being serviced 7 times and replacing: spark plugs and wires, fuel injectors, and valves. Front driver's window exploded because of malfunctioning electronic switch--caused injury to driver. Owners wish to have money back or replacement.
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