NHTSA Complaint #10126994 — 2002 SATURN LS

DRIVING DOWN A 4-LANE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH THE ENGINE JUST QUIT RUNNING. THERE WERE NO UNUSUAL SOUNDS OR WARNING LIGHTS. LUCKILY, WE WERE ABLE TO COAST OVER TO THE BERM OF THE ROAD OUT OF THE PATH OF TRAFFIC WITHOUT BEING HIT. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 1-2 HOURS OF RECEIVING THE CAR, THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE AND DAMAGED SOME VALVES IN THE PROCESS. THE CAR HAS 53,000 AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE TOTAL COST FOR REPAIRS WAS $2,300.00. I INFORMED SATURN THAT I HAVE FOLLOWED BASIC MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES AND THE CAR IS PRIMARILY DRIVEN TO AND FROM HOME AND THE OFFICE. IN ADDITION, I INFORMED THEM THAT THERE ARE OTHER DOCUMENTED CASES OF THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE ON THE INTERNET RANGING FROM 30,000-65,000 MILES. SATURN SAID THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING CHAIN IN THESE VEHICLES AND "THINGS JUST BREAK". THEY DID, HOWEVER, WITHIN 24 HRS. OF RECEIVING MY CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP OFFER TO REIMBURSE ME 50% OF THE REPAIR COST. HOWEVER, WHEN A VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER ON A HIGHWAY IT BECOMES A ROLLING DEATH TRAP AND THE PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING CHAINS NEEDS TO BE RECTIFIED BEFORE THE PROBLEMS RESULTS IN A FATALITY.