1999 Saturn SL: engine overheating

Filed Nov 22, 2005 · Engine · 44,300 miles · CA

1999 saturn sl1 44300 miles on it. 3-4 weeks ago coolant light came on. Checked coolant level was fine but milky subs floating on top. Checked with radiator shop, suggested flush system and replace coolant. 2 weeks later oil light came on. Checked oil, none on dip stick (3 weeks after oil change). Added oil and vehicle was driven about 15-20 miles and began to overheat. Vehicle was towed to saturn of monrovia where they found a cracked block. Dealership and saturn corp. Are not willing to cover fixing the problem even though they know there are still problems with these engines. Earlier models had warranties extended to 6 year/100,000 miles. Saturn corp. Stated that vehicle was past that warranty and I am out of luck. I think that saturn should fix the problem at their expense as they know of the defects but continue to do nothing about it. I don't think I should have to pay almost $2,000 to have this defect fixed. I do have receipts since I have owned the vehicle (less then a year) and my brother owned the veh. Prior but didn't use saturn except twice to service the vehicle since they were not close to his residence while he lived in texas.

Filed Sep 12, 2005 · Engine · 48,000 miles · AR

I purchased my saturn sl2 4-door brand new in 1999 with only 10 miles on it. It was a perfect car until it overheated one day. I called the dealership service department and they told me to use only dex-cool in my engine. So I walked and purchased some and went on my way. Since that time my engine continuously gets overheated, I have had to replace the water pump, the radiator cap and now the dealership has told me that I have a cracked radiator head with warped gaskets which will cost too much for me due to my being on disability. My car only has 94,000 miles on it and I have it serviced regularly. I feel that dex-cool or the dealership should be held responsible in fixing my vehicle to no fault of my own.

Filed Mar 29, 2004 · Engine · 80,000 miles · MD

I have been adding coolant constantly. I took car for repair and was told the water pump needed replacement. I replaced the water pump and still having the problem with overheating. Saturn issued a bulletin 01-t-07 that talks about the sensor problem. They will only reimburse the customer if it's still under warranty. I am upset because I continue to pay for items that I probably don't need because the problem could not be found.

Filed Mar 2, 2004 · Engine · 7,500 miles · CA

1999 saturn sl1 -overheating, waterpump, radiator fan motor, thermostat and coolant temp sensor all replaced with factory parts. Still overheating. This vehicle has a cracked head - same problem that was experienced on earlier models wher the warranty was extended to six years/100,000 miles.

Filed Dec 3, 2003 · Engine · 85,000 miles · MD

While driving at 30 MPH engine was very loud, and the check engine light came on. Consumer took vehicle to a mechanic, who found no oil in the engine. Three quarts were added, and the check engine light went out. Two days later, check engine light blinked, and the temperature gauge was indicating that the vehicle was over heating. The consumer added coolant, but driving under three miles vehicle overheated again. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic, who informed the consumer that oil and coolant were mixing together in the engine. A new engine was needed.

Filed Aug 17, 2000 · Brakes · CA · crash

The brakes with ABS (I have experience driving vehicles equipped with ABS braking) tend to provide extended stopping distances, especially at low speeds, where near loss of control of the vehicle is experienced. During braking, the brakes will feel as if they are only partially applied, so more pressure is placed on the brake peddle, eventually depressing it fully, without any further braking response. The car feels as if it is gliding on ice and simply slides to a stop in about two to three times the typical stopping distance. The car does not feel like it is going to stop at all and feels, instead, as if it is going to continue rolling. This problem has been reported to the saturn dealer where the car was purchased from, yet they can not find any problems (identical saturn cars provided while this car was in the shop did not experience similar braking problems, they had higher mileage and stopped without incident). This issue has resulted in one vehicle accident due to failure of the brakes to stop the vehicle at speeds under 40 MPH (3/8/99 @ 596 miles) and has resulted in at least twelve other near collisions. Although the dealer can not find a problem they have sanded the front pads (6,554 miles), replaced the front pads (11,385 miles  brakes were grinding, found front rotors and pads to be overheated and glazed, only 40% remaining on pads), and resurfaced the front rotors (6,554 and 11,385 miles). The vehicle needs to go in again to have its brakes inspected and rotors resurfaced at only 22,500 miles (braking quality is degrading and the vehicle and steering wheel shakes, pulsates, and vibrates during braking). Neither my wife or I feel safe driving this vehicle because we do not know if it will stop every time and how many car lengths it will take to finally come to a complete stop. The braking problem is somewhat more likely to occur when the cruse control is switched to the on position, even if it is not actually controlling the vehicles speed.