2002 SATURN LS Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND MY 2002 L200 STALLED AFTER A RATTLING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP IN MARIETTA, GEORGIA. THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD SLIPPED/BROKE AND HAD DAMAGED THE ENGINE. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND THE TIMING BELT ON THESE CARS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. I HAD SATURN PERFORM THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT END OF OCTOBER, BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER 2008 FOR APPROXIMATELY $5000. I'VE SINCE COME TO REALIZE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON SATURN L200S FROM THE SAME TIME PERIOD FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THEY'VE CLAIMED THAT MY VIN DOESN'T FALL UNDER THE RECALL. I FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT BASED ON THE DEFECTIVE PART BEING A KNOWN ISSUE AND MY CAR EXHIBITING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE THAT A...

THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED WITH REGULAR OIL CHANGES. WHILE TURNING ONTO A MAIN STREET THE ENGINE JUST QUIT, LEAVING ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I WAS FORTUNATE I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AS I WOULD HAVE HAD NO MEANS TO REMOVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE HIGHWAY CAUSING EXTREME DANGER TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR. AUTHORIZED SATURN DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN, CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE VALVES AND POSSIBLY THE PISTONS IN THE ENGINE. $3000 REPAIR BILL. THERE HAD BEEN A PRIOR RECALL #07V519000 ON THE SATURN L200 2001 VERSION FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND IT APPEARS IT WAS NOT RESOLVED IN THE 2002 MODEL. VEHICLE WAS BUILT IN 09/01. *TR

DRIVING ON US HWY 290 AT APPROX 70 MPH, VEHICLE TOTALLY LOST POWER. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDER, BUT WE WERE NEARLY 50 MILES OUTSIDE OF HOUSTON. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. AFTER $350 OF TOWING AND DIAGNOSIS FEES, INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAS FAILED, CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE TO THE ENGINE. NOW I FIND OUT THAT THERE WERE RECALLS ISSUED ON THIS SAME ENGINE FOR 2001 SATURNS, AND ONLY A TSB ON THE 2002 MODELS INDICATING A NEED FOR A NEW OILER FOR THE TIMING CHAIN. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIR TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

MY WIFE HAD DRIVEN TO WORK THIS DAY AND ALL WAS WELL. SHE WENT ABOUT HER WORK DAY AND LEFT FOR HER LUNCH BREAK AT 12:30 IN THE AFTERNOON. SHE DROVE THE CAR AND GOT HER FOOD AND CAME BACK FROM LUNCH. LATER ON THAT EVENING SHE PUNCHED OUT AT 5:00 PM TO LEAVE. WHEN SHE WENT TO START THE CAR THE MOTOR TURNED OVER AT A MUCH FASTER THAN USUAL RATE BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I KNEW WHEN I GOT THERE THE CAR HAD NO COMPRESSION WHEN I TURNED IT OVER. I HAD AAA TOW IT TO THE GARAGE (WORTH THE PEACE OF MIND TO HAVE) AND THEY TOLD ME SURE AS ANYTHING THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN. FORTUNATELY SHE WAS NOT MOVING WHEN IT HAPPENED, MUST HAVE LET GO AS SHE PARKED THE CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND MOTOR WE PUT IN THIS CAR. STILL WAITING...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE TIMING CHAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS 85,415 UPDATED 12/12/11*LJ UPDATED 12/14/11

TIMING CHAIN SEPERATED ON MY 2002 SATURN L200 AT 15 MPH 2 MONTHS AGO. IT COST ME $2700 TO REPLACE ENGINE AND THEN I FOUND THE LINKS ABOUT A POSSIBLE RECALL ON THIS VERY ISSUE BUT WAS TOLD BY SATURN THAT IT DIDN'T COVER MY CAR. I AM HIGHLY UPSET ABOUT THIS AS MY ENGINE DID EXACTLY WHAT ALL THE OTHER SATURNS IN THE RECALL DID SO WHY IS MINE EXCLUDED?? I WANT MY YEAR COVERED IN THE RECALL. *TT

MY CAR SHOWED NO WARNING OF ANY PROBLEM. STARTED TO WORK LOST POWER. COASTED TO A SAFE PLACE AT A BUSINESS. WAS TOLD TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN AND I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. IT WILL COST $2600.00 TO REPAIR. ALSO THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH HEADLINERS SAGGING. *TR

WHEN TURNING ONTO MORGANTON ROAD IN FAYETTEVILLE NC (HIGH TRAFFIC AREA DUE TO PROXIMITY OF THE MALL) AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, WITH TRAFFIC SPEED AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THERE WAS A POP FOLLOWED BY THE CAR LOSING POWER. WITH NO POWER IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET THE CAR OFF OF THE MAIN ROAD AND INTO THE BANK PARKING LOT. ONCE THE CAR WAS TOWED HOME A MECHANIC CHECKED OUT THE CAR AND ADVISED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS THE PROBLEM. THE CAR IS STILL SITTING IN THE YARD WAITING TO BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. AFTER RESEARCHING I BELIEVE THIS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM AS OTHER SATURN OWNERS. THE MAY 2002 L-SERIES ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME FAULTY TIMING CHAIN EQUIPMENT AS THOSE VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

WHILE DRIVING 60MPH IN MY 2002 SATURN L200 LOST ALL POWER ON THE I-5 FREEWAY. I WAS SOMEHOW ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER. I THEN HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP. THEY SAID THAT THE ENGINE HAD A TIMING CHAIN FAILURE, AND THEY MAY ALSO NEED TO REPLACE THE CYLINDER HEAD AND PISTONS. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. LUCKY IT HAPPENED TO ME AND NOT MY YOUNGER SISTER WHO IS INEXPERIENCED WITH SITUATIONS AS ABOVE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2001 SATURN L200 WITH THE SAME 2.2L ENGINE FOR TIMING CHAIN PROBLEMS. I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY DIDN'T INCLUDE THE 2002-2003 YEARS AS THEY ALL USE THE SAME DEFECTIVE PARTS FROM THE FACTORY. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL. WE DO NOT NEED ANYMORE CLOSE CALLS AS THIS ONE. I HAVE SERVICED THE ENGINE OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES SINCE NEW. I EVEN HAVE RECEIPTS FOR PROOF. *TR

1. TIMING CHAIN BREAK/FAILURE AT 30 MPH ON A SATURN 2002 L-200. 2. VEHICLE'S ENGINE STOPS RUNNING IMMEDIATELY. POSSIBLE SERIOUS/LETHAL IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. 3. MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. BENT VALVES ETC. ENGINE HEAD DAMAGED. 4. ENGINE REPAIR ESTIMATES $2500-$2800. ENGINE REPAIRED BY OWNER FOR $1700. 5. GM DESIGN DEFECT. CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AND HE STATED TIMING CHAIN FAILURE IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.EVEN THOUGH THE SATURN 2001 L200 WAS UNDER A RECALL FOR TIMING CHAIN FAILURES. GM DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM IN THE 2002 L200'S AND NO RECALL WAS MADE. IN MY OPINION GM DID NOT STAND BEHIND THIS PRODUCT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND POSSIBLY THE ENGINE AS WELL. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PREVIOUS RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

TL-THE DRIVER OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE DRIVER WAS TOLD THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 56,000. SM.

2002 SATURN DIED WHILE DRIVING AND ALMOST CRASHED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 2001 GM 06074 THAT USES THE SAME PARTS. *TR

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. FORTUNATELY THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AT THE END OF A FREEWAY ENTRANCE RAMP WHERE A WIDE SHOULDER WAS AVAILABLE TO PULL OVER AND STOP. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, HAD TO BE PUSHED HOME. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO FORMER SATURN OF NAPERVILLE DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD TIMING CHAIN WAS BROKE, COST TO REPAIR WOULD BE $4700.00 TO $4900.00. HAD VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO HOME GARAGE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK 3.5 MILES THE VEHICLE STOPPED. INSPECTION CONFIRMED A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING AND STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD FRACTURED AND THE VALVES WERE BENT ABNORMALLY. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE AFTER CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

DRIVING TO SCHOOL. TIMING CHAIN BROKE ON 2002 SATURN L100. MECHANIC COST $1,900 TO FIX. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 SATURN L100 2.2L 4-CYLINDER VEHICLE ON 9/13/2010 THE ENGINE'S TIMING CHAIN SEPARATED WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING , THE ENGINE STALLED , THE VEHICLE LOST ALL MOTIVE POWER AND WOULD NOT RESTART AND CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO TWO OF THE ENGINE'S VALVES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200 SEDAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED JUST BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED HER THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

I WAS LEAVING WORK AND PULL ONTO A 2 LANE HIGHWAY WHEN GAINING SPEED AND AT APPROXIMATELY 45MPH I HEARD A THUMP IN THE ENGINE AND THE CAR STALLED AND COASTED LONG ENOUGH FOR ME TO GET IT HALFWAY OF THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS THEN TOWED TO A NEARBY CONVENIENCE STORE TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD AND THEN TOWED HOME FOR REPAIR. UPON INVESTIGATION, CHECKING COMPRESSION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD IN FACT BROKE DURING OPERATION ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS INTERN HAS CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE INTERNAL ENGINE AND NO FAULT OF MY OWN. *TR

MY 2002 SATURN L100 TIMING CHAIN BROKE. LOOKING INTO THE REPAIR I FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER SATURN OWNERS. I HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE CAR AS OF YET DUE TO THE COST. I THINK THIS BEING A COMMON FAILURE SATURN SHOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING ABOUT IT. *TR

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 70 MPH. THE CAR'S ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED, AND THE CAR DECELERATED. THERE WAS NO NOISE OR WARNING LEADING UP TO THE ENGINE DYING. AFTER PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE, I TRIED RESTARTING THE CAR. THE ENGINE TRIED TO TURN OVER, BUT IT WOULDN'T START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO SHOP. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE (CYLINDER HEAD SPECIFICALLY). NO REASON FOR THE BREAKAGE COULD BE FOUND. IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT A NEW ENGINE WOULD BE NEEDED. *TR

THE OIL AND ANTIFREEZE HAVE A COMMON WALL IN THE RADIATOR. THE ANTIFREEZE IS CORROSIVE AND ATE THRU ALLOWING THE OIL AND ANTIFREEZE TO MIX IN THE ENGINE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT WITH MOST PARTS REPLACED. THE TEMP GAUGE HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES AS THE ENGINE RUNS COOL AND WILL FAIL INSPECTION AND DESTROY THE O2 SENSORS. THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAS GONE OUT 2 TIMES AS WELL AS THE AC COMPRESSOR. THE REAR LIGHTS ON THE DRIVER SIDE ARE ALWAYS GETTING HOT AND BURNING OUT. THE TAILLIGHT FITTINGS FOR THE STOP LIGHT HAVE GOTTEN SO HOT THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES. DASH LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY FLICKERING WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKE OR (WHEN IT IS RUNNING) TURN ON THE AC UNIT OR THE HEATING SYSTEM. THE SAFETY LATCH ON THE FRONT DOORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES AS THEY WERE CRACKING. I...

2002 SATURN L300 V6 EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR AND ENGINE PROBLEMS THE OIL DRAINED INTO THE RADIATOR AND THE WHOLE ENGINE HAD TO BE REWORKED ALL HOSES SENSORS AND RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED THE VALVES AND LOTS OF OTHER HEAD WORK HAD TO BE DONE. WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT ALIGNED 3 TIMES IN 18,000MILES AND 60,000 MILE TIRES LAST ABOUT 12-18,000 MILES BEFORE BEING TOLD THEY ARE HAZARDOUS AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE NEW OIL SENSOR REPLACED WITH THE ENGINE REBUILD NOW IS LEAKING AGAIN AND WE HAVE TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. REAR BRAKE LAMPS BLOW OUT CONSTANTLY AND EVEN BURNED THE WIRING AND PLASTIC FRAME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER ACCORDING TO RECALL 03V231000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE). THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE AND THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED WITHOUT WARNING ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE CONTACT PAID HALF OF THE REPAIR COST. MOST RECENTLY, THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND BODY CONTROL MODULE SUDDENLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.

TIMING CHAIN BROKE ON MY 2002 L200 SATURN AT HIGHWAY SPEED. LOST POWER AND STEERING. WAS NEAR AN EXIT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR THE HIGHWAY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT 80,000 MILES, WHICH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ORIGINAL ENGINE WITH A USED ONE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5MPH AND THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED. THE CONTACT THEN GOT THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE OCCURED AGAIN LESS THEN 15,000 MILES AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WENT OUT TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT DID NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED IT WAS THE TIMING BELT AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE IS NOW AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIRS.THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH MY 2002 SATURN L200 SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. FORTUNATELY TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE COASTED INTO A PARKING LOT. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS THIS IS THE RESULT OF A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A AAA REPAIR SHOP AND I AM SUPPOSED TO GET A 3RD OPINION DIAGNOSIS THIS WEEK. *TR

TIMING CHAIN SLIPPED AND ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. *TR

2002 SATURN L200 SUDDENLY DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT WAS DARK OUT AND A LOT OF TRAFFIC. DIDN'T FEEL SAFE WAITING IN CAR FOR TOW TRUCK. HAD TO STAND ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE DARK IN 10 DEGREE WEATHER. TIMING CHAIN BROKE, DAMAGED VALVES. GETTING A USED ENGINE = $2,000+. SATURN SAID MY VIN # WASN'T LISTED AS BEING A PART OF THE RECALL ON THE TIMING CHAINS. DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THAT SOME VIN #S WEREN'T INCLUDED WITH THE THOUSANDS THAT WERE RECALLED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200 SEDAN . WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNINGS. HE WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO A NEARBY SERVICE SHOP. A TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED A FRACTURED TIMING CHAIN IN THE VEHICLE. HE THEN ADDED THAT THERE COULD BE MORE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND THE PISTONS AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER CONCLUDED THAT HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL # 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), THEREFORE HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 100,000.

I WAS DRIVING ALONG ABOUT 25 MPH AND MY CAR JUST DIED STEERING AND ALL WOULD NOT WORK TOOK IT TO GARAGE TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHICH IN TURN BENT ALL OF THE VALVES IN THIS MOTOR NOW CAR IS SHOT IT IS A 2006 SATURN L200 143000 MILES ON IT I NOTICED THAT THEIR WAS A RECALL ON THE 2001 BUT NOT THE 2002 SO I WENT ONLINE AND SEARCHED THE FORUMS A FOUND OUT THAT ALOT OF 2002 SATURNS WERE PRONE TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

2002 SATURN L300 . HAVE FOLLOWED ALL MAINT. GUIDELINES. THOUGH IT IS ON IT'S THIRD BATTERY, THIRD SET OF TIRES, POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED, TIMING BELT REPLACED, ECM REPLACED, TWO CATALYTIC CONVERTERS REPLACED, THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. LESS THAN 90,000 MILES. DROVE THE CAR. GOT OUT, PUSHED THE KEYLESS ALARM ( ORIGINAL FACTORY) GOT DINNER, PUSHED THE KEYLESS ENTRY, GOT INTO THE CAR , TURNED THE KEY..AND THE CAR WAS DEAD. CAR DOES NOT START. LOCKED IN PARK, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. TOW TRUCK DRIVER HAD TO USE THE DOLLY LIFTS TO MOVE THE CAR, SO HE COULD POSITION IT TO BE ABLE TO TOW IT. HAD IT TOWED TO A SERVICE GARAGE, THEY FOLLOWED GM'S INSTRUCTIONS ..NO LUCK. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AGAIN , TO A SATURN DEALERSHIP ( THE ONLY ONES WHO HAVE THE CODES) TO RESET THE VEHICLE. THEY TOLD ME THEY...

I HAVE A 2002 SATURN L200. I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY IN THE DALLAS AREA (I635). WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR STALLED WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND THEN IDLED TO ABOUT 5 MPH. I DROVE MY VEHICLE TO THE ACCESS ROAD WHERE IT DIED AND THE ENGINE NO LONGER TURNED. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC I AM TOLD THAT I WAS THE TIMING CHAIN. SINCE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY VALVES AND ENGINE HEADS CRACKED. NOW SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE COST ME $500 IS NOW GOING TO COST ME $1500. I PRACTICALLY HAVE TO GET A NEW ENGINE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH AND MY 2002 L200 SATURN'S ENGINE STOPPED. NO NOISES BEFOREHAND OR WARNING LIGHTS. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE'S CYLINDERS. ESTIMATED COST IS OVER $2,000. THE CAR ONLY HAS 82,000 MILES ON IT. NO CRASH OR INJURIES OCCURRED. *TR

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BACK UP. HE WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE CALLED A ROADSIDE SERVICE TO GIVE HIM A JUMP WITH NO LUCK. THE SERVICE TECH INFORMED HIM IT WAS PROBABLY THE TIMING CHAIN. IT WAS AFTER HOURS SO WE HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE. WE WERE UNABLE TO FIND SOMEONE TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE SHOP. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IF THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING MOST LIKELY THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS DAMAGED. WE WERE FINALLY ABLE TO GET IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THE TIMING CHAIN WAS OUT AND THE CYLINDER HEAD NEEDED REPLACE ALONG WITH SOME OTHER REPAIRS. THE DEALER INFORMED US THAT OUR VEHICLE DOES...

ON AUGUST 18, 2005 AT 72,863 MILES, I PAID $2360.71 TO HAVE MY TIMING CHAIN REPLACED. NOT REPAIRED BUT REPLACED DUE TO ITS MALFUNCTION. THE CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED AS DICTATED BY SATURN'S MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AND VIA SATURN OF ROSWELL PRIOR TO THIS ISSUE. I HAVE EVERY RECEIPT FROM EACH SERVICE APPOINTMENT SINCE I DROVE THE CAR OFF THE LOT. I COULDN'T BELIEVE SOMETHING THIS MAJOR WENT WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE AT SUCH AN EARLY POINT IN TIME. THE CAR SIMPLY QUIT RUNNING. THE ENGINE DIED AND I COULD GET NO RESPONSE FROM BRAKE PRESSURE OR STEERING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT CAUSING HARM OR INJURY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED BACK TO SATURN OF ROSWELL WHERE THEY TOOK 10 DAYS TO FIND THE ISSUE AND WHEN IT WAS FOUND THEY DECLINED ANY WARRANTY COVERAGE OR THE OPPORTUNITY TO NEGOTIATE THE PRICE...

I HAVE A 2002 L200 SATURN WHICH HAS 97,000 MILES. THREE DAYS AGO WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON A CITY STREET THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO AN EMPTY PARKING METER SPACE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED A MERE FIVE MINUTES BEFORE, WHEN I WAS ON A TRAFFIC-PACKED INTERSTATE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN VERY SERIOUS TROUBLE. MY SATURN WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEADS. THEY STATED IT WOULD COST ME $2,800 TO FIX THE DAMAGE. THIS MAKES ME EXTREMELY UPSET AS I BOUGHT THIS SATURN BRAND NEW FROM A SATURN DEALERSHIP. I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF THIS CAR AND HAVE PERFORMED ALL THE SATURN REQUIRED MAINTENANCE IN A TIMELY FASHION FROM THE SAME SATURN DEALERSHIP. I FEEL THAT SATURN SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR FIXING THIS...

CATASTROPHIC TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. *TR

ARE YOU GUYS EVEN HEARING US??? WHAT HAPPENED TO ME WAS JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO. I WAS GOING TO FIX MY PROBLEM AND THAT WAS IT.....BUT MY PROBLEM ENDED UP BIGGER THAT I THOUGHT AND WAS COSTLY!!!!! I READ ALMOST ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS AND THEY ARE SAYING ONE THING,,, TIMING CHAINS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BREAK!!!!! ASK A SATURN MECHANIC WHEN ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO CHANGED A TIMING CHAIN? IT'S NEVER!!!! ASK,,PLEASE!!!! ANOTHER THING IS THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IN THE 2001 WAS RECALLED,, RIGHT??? LISTEN CLOSELY,,,, THAT SAME CHAIN WAS ALSO USED IN THE 2002!!!!!! BUT WASN'T RECALLED???? WHY?? HOW MANY MORE STORIES DO YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE A PROBLEM.... GOTO ODI 10265182, 10255749, 1025270, 10234562, 10209272, 10186650 READ THEM, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CHAIN OILER.... IT WOULDN'T LET ENOUGH OIL PASS THROUGH TO LUBRICATE THE TIMING CHAIN... AKA BRASS INSERT.... YOU...

SIX DAYS AGO I WAS ON MY TO WORK IN MY 2002 L-SERIES200 2.2 LITER THAT ONLY HAS 77,000 MILES ON IT WHEN IT JUST DIED ON ME. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY ANOTHER CAR CAUSE I COULDN'T GET OUT OF TRAFFIC, SO I HAD TO PULL INTO A DITCH. THAT DAY MY UNCLE HELPED ME TOWED IT BACK TO HIS PERSONAL WORK SHOP CAUSE HE KNOWS HOW TO WORK ON VEHICLES. HE TRIED EVERYTHING TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH WITHOUT GETTING INSIDE THE ENGINE, WELL IT CAME TO THAT. THE TIMING CHAIN IS BROKE AND HE SHOWED IT TO ME AND SAID HE SAID IT LOOKS LIKE THIS LINK WAS WEAK.. YOU CAN SEE HOW IT WAS STRETCHED, JUST THAT ONE.. AND BECAUSE OF THE CHAIN BREAKING THE CHAIN OILER IS BROKEN ALSO, THE BOLT HOLDING IT UP WAS COMPLETELY BENT, SO WE THINK THE CHAIN HIT...

PLEASE SEE #DP08002 THIS IS THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I HAVE. ESSENTIALLY, THE TIMING CHAIN COMPONENTS ARE POORLY DESIGNED AND CREATE THE NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINEER WHEN THE TIMING BELT COMPONENTS FAIL. *TR

I HAD NO PRE-INDICATION OF THIS. 2002 SATURN L200. PURCHASED 6-2002. ~78,500 MILES. DATE OF INCIDENT: 3-9-09 @ 10:00AM. MY TIMING CHAIN FELL APART. IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS TURNING A CORNER AND THE STEARING WHEEL LOCKED. (THE ENGINE IS QUIET ENOUGH I COULDN'T HEAR IT SHUT OFF). I MANAGED TO GET TO THE SIDE. SAW THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT ON & SHUT THE CAR OFF. IT THEN WOULDN'T START UP & WAS TOWED HOME. MY BOYFRIEND IS A MECHANIC & HAS BEEN WORKING ON IT. IT WAS HARD TO FIND THE PROBLEM, SINCE THE CAR WAS ON AT THE TIME THE VALVES STAYED OPEN, HE THOUGHT IT WAS THE STARTER (-$200). THE CHAIN'S PIN FELL OUT AND HAS LITERALLY FALLEN APART. WE HAVE KEPT THE CHAIN THUS FAR AND WILL INVESTIGATE IF I AM ALLOWED ANY REFUND FOR THE TIME, MONEY AND/OR HASSEL OF THIS. WE...

ON JANUARY 13, 2009 I TOOK MY CARE TO SATURN TO HAVE A COUPLE ISSUES ASSESSED IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL LIGHTS THAT WERE ON STEADY OR BLINKING ON AND OFF ON THE DASH. I DROPPED MY CAR OFF THE NIGHT BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT. THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED NY INSPECTION STICKER WAS ABOUT TO EXPIRE AND ASKED IF THEY WOULD BE TAKING CARE OF THAT THIS VISIT. I TOLD HIM NO I WAS MORE INTERESTED IN WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THE LIGHTS AT THE PRESENT TIME. ON THE FOLLOWING MORNING THE TECHNICIAN CALLED ME AND TOLD ME WHAT THEY FOUND WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS WERE NEEDED: BODY CONTROL MODULE (SHORTED), THERMOSTAT - ENGINE OIL COOLER (LEAKING), OIL PRESSURE SWITCH (LEAKING) AND DRIVER'S FRONT AXLE SEAL (LEAKING). I WAS QUOTED A PRICE IN EXCESS OF $2,000 FOR THE REPAIRS. I HAVE KEPT MY CAR, PURCHASED BRAND...

TIMING CHAIN BROKE AT 93,000 MILES. THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER, LUCKILY WE WERE ON A COUNTRY ROAD TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR. WILL COST NEARLY $2000 TO REPAIR. *TR

CAR WAS PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER OF 2004 USED FROM SATURN OF FAYETTEVILLE NC. IN FEBRUARY OF 2006 WHILE ENTERING HIGHWAY MY CAR SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO FIND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS THE PROBLEM. I HAD A USED ENGINE PUT IN MY VEHICLE WHICH ONLY LASTED ME JUST OVER A YEAR AND COST ME OVER 1,800.00. IN OCTOBER OF 2008 I WENT OUTSIDE TO START MY VEHICLE TO FIND IT WOULD NOT START, THINKING THAT THE BATTERY WAS BAD I REPLACED IT, IT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM THINKING IT MIGHT BE THE SPARK PLUGS THEY WERE REPLACED AS WELL. FRUSTRATED I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE PLACE THAT REPLACED THE FIRST ENGINE AND AGAIN TO MY SURPRISE GUESS WHAT BAD TIMING CHAIN. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR ONLY 4 YEARS STILL OWING ON THIS VEHICLE I AM VERY FRUSTRATED. I HAVE CALLED SATURN AND...