Saturn SL oil consumption problems

Filed Feb 19, 2008 · Engine · 75,000 miles · NV

Excessive oil consumption - epa problem at 75,000 miles our 2001 sl2 began to consume oil at an alarming rate. 1 qt in less than 150 miles. This is less that one quart per fuel stop. No oil is dripping and the engine is dry of oil. There are thousands of such cases posted on numerous web sites. All with the same symptoms starting at between 60,000 and 80,000 miles. It seems that gm used low tension oil rings and they stick easily allowing the oil to burn in the cylinder. A temporary fix can be obtained by removing the spark plugs and filling each cylinder with car cleaner. A soaking of several hours will stop the oil usage for about 3000 miles then it will start again. This is also an epa problem as the oil is going out the exhaust. The response from saturn is this falls in the realm of normal oil usage.

Filed Feb 5, 2008 · Engine · AR

While the car was still under warrant, I took it to the dealer with a complaint that the engine would not accelerate well and described it as "sluggish". After checking it, it was determined that it was not the engine. When I kept noticing that the oil in the car was extremely low between oil changes, but it was not leaking out of the car nor was the car burning oil from the exhaust, I contacted the dealer via telephone and was told that they had just fixed a car with the same problem and the engine needed to be rebuilt to the tune of $1400. At this point, the car was out of warranty. I was advised that the oil was leaking into the engine itself.

Filed Jul 27, 2007 · Engine · MI

I am losing a lot of oil. I spoke with my mechanic he stated that a lot of times it is the valve cover gasket, so he changed it. The car is still losing a lot of oil. About a quart every 400 miles. I started researching on my own and have found that several saturn owners are complaining about the same issue.

Filed Dec 28, 2006 · Engine · 82,000 miles · AR

Loud engine knock. Engine consumes oil but no leak. Took to saturn dealer in fayetteville, ar and told it needs a new engine. Engine has less than 85,000 miles on it. Told there was a bulletin about this sometime in the past. All regular maintenance done as recommended by saturn. Cost to replace engine $2600. Engine should not be on brink of failure at 83,000 miles.

Filed Jan 15, 2006 · Engine · MI

A extreme problem with oil consumption since the time of ownership of the vehicle and the problem is getting worse with every mile driven. I am at the point now of putting/adding 2-3 quarts of oil every 300-400 miles. Engine freeze is now on the horizon due to sludge build-up. And I've been told this is what saturns do. Can this be right to the consumer.

Filed Oct 9, 2005 · Engine · 65,000 miles · CA

Excessive oil consumption, uses 1 qt every 500 miles, no leaks. Saturn says this is normal!

Filed Oct 19, 2004 · Transmission · 34,000 miles · CA

Vehicle was not running properly. Taken to mechanic who told me that vehicle was 5 quarts low on transmission fluid and vehicle would have stopped running if not taken care of at that time. Although vehicle only had 35000 miles on it transmission, which had defect, had to be rebuilt for $2400+.

Filed Aug 18, 2004 · Engine · 64,750 miles · GA

Oil change at saturn dealership on 6/10/04. Car driven only every 10 days afterwards, then driven 400 miles to north carolina. With no dash warning lights, oil was 3 quarts low. Refilled oil, drove 1 mile, engine blew with connecting rod through block. Stopped in heavy traffic on I-95. Engine replacement required, saturn acknowledged no responsibility as car not maintained in their system. Car had 64,000 miles and oil was changed every 6 months. Suggest that saturn has a manufacturing defect in engine block, lubrication or connecting rods.

Filed Feb 11, 2004 · Engine · 49,000 miles · MI

The caris a 1995 saturn sl1 was bought in oct of 2002 it had only 38,962 actual miles on it, when I seen the overall shape of this vehicle it was awesome, the low mileage was the ultimate reason for buying the car ( since all I heard was how great these cars run) from a local chevrolet dealership in the area it has a sohc 4cyc. Motor,within 10k miles of driving this car it started drinking oil uncontrolably, now the car has 84k onit and every month it needs a fresh set of plugs in it because the oil consumption that blows past the pistons fouls out the plugs.in 1000 miles of driving this car it will consume 3.5 quarts of oil,the car has regular oil chages at every 2000 miles(along with a case of oil in the trunk) needless to say the car still looks awesome...but loves that oil.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · NY

Cracked head cylinder - manufacuturer has "secret warranty" on this part for 1994-1996 saturns. Saturn wouldn't cover whole replacement because the "secret warranty expired in june 2002" on my car. Reason I believe they should pay for all of it: (1) known design defect with engine (2) my car was in the dealership garage for engine work during the secret warranty term and during my warranty coverage, for an oil consumption problem. Engine was rebuilt but head cylinder was never checked for known problem and I wasn't notified of the known problem. Now both warranties are expired so they wanted me to pay the whole bill. I refused but they only offered to cover half. I have put a complaint into the attorney general's office and the better business bureau.