NHTSA Complaint #10183666 — 2001 SATURN SATURN L SERIES

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2001 SATURN L STATION WAGON'S TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE DRIVING AT 5-10 MPH AND TURNING A CORNER. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT 99,000 MILES BACK IN 07/04, AND ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER IF THE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD BE SERVICED AND WAS TOLD THAT TIMING CHAINS DID NOT USUALLY BREAK. THE CONTACT ASKED ABOUT THIS AT THAT TIME BECAUSE SHE DID RESEARCH ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO OTHER PROBLEMS SHE WAS HAVING WITH IT, AND FOUND A BULLETIN REGARDING THE TIMING CHAIN. SHE GAVE SERVICE BULLETIN ACTION # EA6009 WITH THE INVESTIGATION STILL OPEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLEWAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND DUE TO THE TIMING CHAIN BREAKING, IT ALSO RUINED THE ENGINE. SHE STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED HER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN AND HAVE THE ENGINE REBUILT OR PURCHASE A NEW ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD 150,000 MILES WITH ROUTINE OIL CHANGES. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE SERVICE BULLETIN SHOULD HAVE BEEN SENT TO HER REGARDING THE PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING CHAIN. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE SATURN MANUFACTURER OF SATURN, AND WAS GIVEN CLAIM # 1-23035882. *AK