Saturn SL check engine light comes on

Filed Feb 28, 2014 · CA

Vehicle stalled for unknown reason. No check-engine light went on, so the mechanic could not check codes.

Filed Feb 10, 2009 · Electrical, Engine · 120,000 miles · TX

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 saturn sl. Whenever the contact starts the vehicle, the ignition control module fails and the ignition will not start. She had new keys made, but this did not correct the issue. During the failure, the check engine indicator remains illuminated and will not dim. The failure has been occurring for over a year. The contact must wiggle the keys for at least fifteen to thirty minutes before the vehicle will start. The dealer has not been notified. The failure mileage was 120,000. Updated 3/19/09 *cn the consumer also stated the engine idles very high. Over 4000 RPM/ updated 03/25/09.

Filed Apr 14, 2008 · Engine · 63,000 miles · MD

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 saturn sl. The vehicle was leaking oil on the ground and all over the cooling system. The temperature gauge kept fluctuating into the red zone. The check engine soon light illuminated intermittently and the vehicle began to drive differently. The dealer stated that the cause of the failure was a cracked cylinder head. The cost to repair the vehicle was $2,257. The contact received a special policy letter from saturn in june of 1999 concerning a cracked cylinder head. The letter stated that there was no recall campaign and it was unnecessary to take the vehicle to a dealer. The current mileage was 73,000 and failure mileage was 63,000. Updated 05/06/08. *lj updated 05/06/08.

Filed Dec 4, 2007 · Engine · FL

Driving my 2000 saturn sl2 70 MPH check engine light suddenly comes on, engine stops running pull over, luckily clear conditions, safely. Towed car to dealer. Dealer says timing chain or belt may have broken. Dealer calls back, says I need a $7000.00 replacement engine. This car has cost me over 5000.00 in repairs. Saturn has not offered any sort of explanation. Just a broken timing chain. There are many many complaints I have read online. I am furious.

Filed Nov 27, 2007 · Engine · 94,000 miles · MN · 1 injury

I purchased the vehicle from a private dealer with an as-is no warranty back in august 2007. The vehicle had a little over 88,000 miles on it. Had the vehicle inspected by a mechanic and all major items appeared to be in good working order. Approximately 1 month later, the car came due for an oil change. I had the oil changed at approximately 90,000 miles. At approximately 94,000 miles, while driving on the interstate on november 21, 2007, the engine went bang. The car jerked violently and the oil light and check engine lights came on. I was going at approximately 75-80 MPH and there was no knocking heard prior to engine failure. I pulled the vehicle to the side of the interstate and noticed smoke billowing out of the engine compartment. Immediately called 9-1-1 to report my vehicle was on fire. The fire department arrived and said the engine had not been on fire, but that the engine threw a rod through the block. The fire department asked about knocking prior and I told them there was none. In fact, a mechanic had just looked at it the day before. I recall that the change oil soon light had been coming on intermittently but never steady. The oil light also kept flickering but was never steady. The RPM's increased from 2500 to 3000 and returned to 2500. No previous history of problems reported by dealer. The vehicle was towed to northland community and technical college in east grand forks. The automotive mechanics looked at the engine and said it is totaled. Currently in the process of locating a new or used engine to replace.

Filed Jul 15, 2005 · Engine · 94,000 miles · TX

Dt: the vehicle is a 1999 saturn sl. When the check engine light came on the consumers daughter took it to get the oil changed. Four days later on 6-25-05, she heard an explosion; the cap on the radiator coolant had popped off. She noticed that there was something gushing out of the vehicle, which turned out to be the coolant and oil mixed. This mixture is currently splattered on the consumers driveway. Afterwards she contacted the place were she got the oil changed and they told her to bring it in. She had the vehicle towed to the them on 6-27. They told her they thought it was a cracked head gasket. Afterwards when the consumer called them she was told that there were problems with those types of vehicle. There is a recall number 0304. They do not have the option to repair vehicles just oil changes and such. So she took it to the dealership saturn of amarillo, which told her that it was a cracked cylinder head. They informed her that they would have to replace the cylinder head, thermostat, and the water pump. The vehicle is current being fixed at another dealership. When asking the dealership about the recall they told her they know nothing about a recall for that problem. When she contacted the manufacture they told her there was nothing that she could have done to prevent this problem. Afterwards, her daughter called and they told her there was no recall on her VIN number. Consumer feels that the manufacture should reimburse her for the cost caused by this malfunction.

Filed Jul 12, 2005 · Engine · 77,000 miles · MI

1996 saturn sl-1 cylinder head cracked. A known defect to the saturn corporation.$2400 to fix! My "check engine soon" light comes on often. Saturn finds nothing! Http://www.carsurvey.org/viewmorecomments_review_5215_1.html simply "google" saturn + cylinder + head http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/saturn_engine.html

Filed Dec 17, 2004 · Transmission · 67,500 miles · NY

Having a hard time getting car into gear, especially from park to drive. Finally, the service engine light went on. Took to a car service center where they connected to a diagnostic machine that resulted in a bad transmission that needs to be replaced. Car has a little over 67,500 miles. The car is a 1995 saturn sl1.

Filed Oct 11, 2004 · Acceleration, Body · FL

Air bag light was not working, replaced 2 of the componenets under the dash one under the drivers side up in the corner and the other up behind the glove box. Cooling fan does not function properly must keep the AC on for the fan to work. A friend of mine has the same car and has the same problem. Tried to fix by replacing the sensors had a mechanic try to trouble shoot, can't find a reason so it is not fixed just keep AC on always. Car vibrates and can't find a reason still looking for problem, vibrates so much body parts on front are becoming misaligned! And it seems the auto-transmission shifts funny. Check engine light comes and then stays on after driving apx. 1 mile. Cruise control does not work properly. My friend has all the same complaints.

Filed Apr 5, 2004 · Electrical · NJ

While driving 55 MPH, the check engine light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. The vehicle stalled. The driver was unable to restart. The driver had the vehicle towed to a mechanic the mechanic reset the computer system. *ak the consumer discovered there was a recall on certain 2000-2003 l-series saturns regarding the ignition control module, so the consumer contacted the manufacturer and was told the problem was not widespread. The consumer believed the problem he experienced with his car was stated in the recall.