At about 81200 miles, the low coolant light came on. Upon refilling the reservoir, I noticed that the coolant was discolored. I checked the oil and it was contaminated (milky colored). I took the car to my mechanic and was told the head was cracked. He also informed me that this is a chronic problem with saturn sohc engines and that I should try to get saturn to pay for the repair. After doing my own research, I found this to be true. I called saturn, at spring hill and was told that "since I hadn't taken the car back to saturn for scheduled maintenance, I probably would have to come out of pocket, for repairs." I do all my pm's and have receipts and mileage records to prove it. I was told, when I bought this car that "that would be fine." all saturn has done so far, is give me a case number (1-5883104). My problem is, I don't have the money to fix this problem. I don't want to drive the car to saturn and compound the problem, yet saturn won't pay for a tow and from what I have read, regarding this exact same problem, with other saturn owners, once they have your car, you have to fight tooth and nail to get them to pay for the job and in some cases, they simply wont. I realize that my car is out of warranty, but this seems like this is something saturn has known about for several years and did nothing to correct it.
1999 Saturn SL engine complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 47, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving at highway speeds the vehicle stalled. Consumer managed to pull over and restarted the vehicle. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
Oil was leaking from the engine going under the intake manifold. Consumer contacted the manufacturer to resolve this issue. However, manufacturer was only willing to pay $200.00 toward the cost of repairing the vehicle. Consumer was afraid that the defect may cause the vehicle to develop a blown head gasket. *ak.....vehicle experienced vibration in steering wheel when driving 50 MPH due to defective brake rotors. Also, replaced engine head gasket.
While driving, the vehicle stalled without warning. The consumer tried to restart the vehicle and was not able to do so. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the consumer that the engine was cracked and needed to be replaced. Please provide further details.
The cylinder head cracked by #5 cylinder by cam journal on a 1999 saturn sl-1 4 door sedan with 54,950 miles. Dealer cost was $2,100.00, saturn covered $700.00. Dealer claimed this was an isolated incident yet had the replacement head assembly in stock.
Vehicle was taken to the dealer for a routine inspection, and mechanic determined that the resonator cracked, and needed to be replaced. *ak this was the second time the resonator cracked. The consumer wanted the resonator welded but the dealer suggested a new resonator because they were redesigned and completely different from the old ones. The consumer believes that if the manufacturer realized there was a flaw with the resonators that they should have been recalled.
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.
Saturn was leaking oil into the radiator expansion tank and water in the oil. Over heating really bad that the car will shut down and not start until cool, and it boils over in the radiator expansion tank. October '03 had head gaskets replaced, and the heads sent off for service, one month later, its back to leaking oil in the coolant and water in the oil. Oxygen sensor went out, and has been replaced and so did the ignition modular, which has been replaced.
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.
A mixture of oil and anti-freeze were noted. I brought the vehicle to the dealer where they told me that the head was cracked due to a manufacturing defect. They replaced the head and cooling system hoses only. Now 10,000 miles later I am hearing a knocking sound from the engine. I brought the car to a mechanic where he informed me that the bottom half of the engine is gone and needs to be replaced. He stated that the dealer (saturn of morristown, nj) should have replaced the entire engine instead of just the top half.
Air conditioning failed at 4 years, 4 months. New compressor needed, according to both saturn dealership and independent garage. Not yet replaced. Waiting to see if there is a hidden service bulletin by which saturn will replace at reduced cost.
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.
One of the engine mounts had to be replaced at 50587 miles.
Coolant mixing with oil
Faulty crankshaft position sensor. *ph. Last february the consumer had problems starting the vehicle and finally had it towed, where the dealer replaced the crankshaft position sensor.
After both my children at different times told me that I had an exhaust leak because I am experiencing incresased exhaust noise (I had it checked), I ran across an article in "highways" magazine (good sam club) that stated there was a recall for the 2000-2003 saturn l-series. I own a 1999 saturn l-series and it is showing all the signs of the same problem described in the recall the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v231000. The car has been sluggish and very hard to start along with the increased exhaust noise. This model/year saturn should be included in the recall...there is a problem with it also! When I took the car to the service dealer in march, 2001, they said it was the battery and they installed a new one but it did not improve the performance of the car. It continues to be a problem and it is getting worse.
Resonator tube has a crack in it.
Defective brakes due to brake cylinder leakage, and engine stalled. Ph
The head gasket leaked.
While driving at any speed vehicle make some vibration, consumer also complained has been history of problems in the last past three years with this vehicle. Dealer has inspected and can't correct the problem. Please provide further information. Ts
The engine and head gasket was replaced.
Consumer called complaining about having problems with the vehicle stopping on the middle of the road for no specific reason . Manufacturer was contacted and stated that if it happens again then they will help him. Mr
Consumer stated vehicle would not start, it was determined that the battery was not holding its charge.
Consumers vehicle has a cracked head gasket. Consumer called saturn company to inquire about the vehicle being fixed and they refused to fix it. Consumer requests a refund of money paid for repairs. *jg....
02 sensor failure, water pump, fuel pump, serpentine belt, fuse block - all parts defects within short span of time after their 36k warranty expired- atypical problems for car with this type of mileage. Manufacturer contacted and would not reveal parts manfucturer - "not legally obligated to tell the public." as this car was no longer under warranty, I was informed that saturn would not reimburse for defective parts but would document that I was unhappy with my saturn experience. Saturn not concerned about safety factors involved with repetitive parts failures. Offerred free oil change. Did not offer to have car brought in for inspection or extending some kind of warranty in order to study any problems for corrective action with this particular car or model.
Vehicle experienced problems with the brakes. A technician found that the rear brakes were out of adjustment, causing noise, consumer states this could possibly be due to faulty installation of the tire assembly.
Vehicle lost all power on two occasions, on first occasion, vehicle stalled while consumer was traveling 30 MPH, vehicle would not restart and it was towed where dealer could not find anything wrong, the second occasion the vehicles electrical system turned off and on and vehicle would not restart, dealer again could not find any problems, dealer took a best guess and replaced the crankshaft position sensor and consumer states the vehicle has been running okay so far.
It appears this vehicle has a cracked head ,water is mixing in the oil.low coolant light came on ,checked level resavoir down to 1 inch.filled with 2 quarts.light came on next day same fluid level.pulled dip stick and noticed the water oil mixture.vehicle had been serviced since new by saturn dealer under contract.waiting for estimate.this seems to be the same problem that was experienced on earlier models wher the warranty was extended to six years/100,000 miles.
Vehicle has been losing cooling fluid. Consumer is adding 2 quarts a week for last few weeks. Inspected hoses, no leaks, also no fluid under vehicle when parked.
Crack in head. Can't drive. Oe defect.
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