2003 Saturn L200 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Saturn L200, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical4925.3%
- Engine2713.9%
- Fuel system189.3%
- Exterior lighting168.2%
- Visibility136.7%
- Steering115.7%
- Brakes84.1%
- Interior & seats84.1%
- Airbags84.1%
- Suspension73.6%
- Powertrain (other)52.6%
- Body & structure52.6%
- Seat belts42.1%
- Driver assistance42.1%
- Transmission42.1%
- Other / unspecified31.5%
- Tires & wheels31.5%
- Heating & air conditioning10.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKELIGHTS HAVE QUIT WORKING TWICE. ALSO MULTIPLE ELECTRICLE PROBLEMS. ON 1 OCCASION, ABS LIGHT WAS OUT, CAME ON AGAIN WITH RESTART. ANOTHER TIME FUEL GAGUE SHOWED EMPTY, SHOWED FULL ON RESTART. ANOTHER TIME TURNED KEY AND NO ELECRIC AT ALL, UNPLUGGED BATTERY AND ALL WAS WELL.
LIGHT FLASHING ON DASH BOARD, CLIMATE CONTROL GOES ON AND OFF ,OIL LIGHT KEEP COMING ON AND OF. EVERYTHING THAT'S ELECTRIC LIKE THE SUN ROOF. AM AFRAID OF GETTING STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGH WAY. PLEASE HELP ME. [XXX]. I LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS CAR IS ON RECALL. THANK YOU. WE ARE SECOND OWNER INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn L200. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 45 MPH, an abnormal whirling sound was coming from the vehicle and the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact's wife was unable to restart the vehicle and with the assistance of a police officer, she coasted the vehicle off to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective timing chain which resulted in engine failure. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 148,000.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 (NA) SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED ON, THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INDICATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FAULTY AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKELIGHTS HAVE QUIT WORKING TWICE. ALSO MULTIPLE ELECTRICLE PROBLEMS. ON 1 OCCASION, ABS LIGHT WAS OUT, CAME ON AGAIN WITH RESTART. ANOTHER TIME FUEL GAGUE SHOWED EMPTY, SHOWED FULL ON RESTART. ANOTHER TIME TURNED KEY AND NO ELECRIC AT ALL, UNPLUGGED BATTERY AND ALL WAS WELL.
PASSLOCK SECURITY LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY, NO PROBLEM WITH CAR START. ALSO PASSLOCK SECURITY LIGHT AND INTERIOR DOME LIGHT FLICKER SIMULTANEOUSLY (IN SYNC) WHEN INTERIOR LIGHT IN ON POSITION. ALSO ODOMETER LIGHT BULB WENT OUT ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO AS WELL. *TR
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
PASSENGER SIDE WIPER BLADE STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN.
BOTTOM ENGINE 2 CELLS GONE DEALERSHIP M676 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR BLEW EENGINE
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL CAUGHT FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FIVE TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN BACK TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000. MA 10/19/2015 UPDATED 11/28/2017*CN
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS STOPPING TO TURN RIGHT AT A RED LIGHT AND MY CARS BREAKS STOPPED WORKING. MY CAR RAN THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, STARTED VIOLENTLY SHAKING AND THEN STOPPED. THE CAR WAS STILL ON BUT IT WOULD NOT DRIVE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TRIED TO START IT UP 6 TIMES AND IT WOULDN'T WORK. THEN FINALLY IT STARTED AND I DROVE HOME. I WENT TO START MY CAR LATER THAT DAY AND NOW IT REFUSES TO START. THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON, THE CAR SHAKES, THERE'S A VERY LOUD TAPPING/RATTLING SOUND, THE ABS LIGHT FLASHES, THE 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON' LIGHT IS ON. IN THE VEHICLE INFORMATION SECTION OF THIS FORM, IT ASKING ME TO ENTER THE VEHICLES MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR. IT'S A SATURN L200 2002 BUT IT'S NOT GIVING ME AN OPTION FOR THE 2002. ONLY THE 2003.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200 WITH AFTER MARKET AUTO ZONE BRAKE SHOE PADS, PART NUMBER 405K5. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN HE ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND IT WOULD RESPOND. HE THEN DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND THERE WAS LIMITED BRAKING POWER BY FIFTY PERCENT. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT FOUND THAT THE AFTERMARKET BRAKES WERE ONE INCH LONGER THAN THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT BRAKES AND ONLY THE EXTREME OUTER EDGES WERE MAKING CONTACT WITH THE BRAKE DRUM, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WOULD PERFORM AN INVESTIGATION OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,100.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OR EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK, THE HEADLIGHTS TURN ON AND OFF, THE GAUGES CONSTANTLY FLASH ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THE DOOR LOCKS WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK THEMSELVES, AND THE WINDOWS WILL ROLL DOWN AND BACK UP AUTOMATICALLY. THE WINDOWS ARE CURRENTLY INOPERATIVE DUE TO THIS FAILURE. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DRIVES THE VEHICLE, HE SMELLS BURNING WIRES, BUT THERE IS NO SMOKE. HE FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BECAUSE HE BELIEVES IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL DUE TO THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE OWNER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
SOMETIMES WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME STARTING THE CAR OR THE CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK,THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON. WHEN THESE LIGHTS WERE ON, THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER DID NOT WORK. SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE ENGINE LOCK LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN NOTHING WORKED. THE DEFROST FRONT AND REAR, A/C, HEATING CONTROL, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AIRBAG FAILURE LIGHT LIT UP, SEAT BELT LIGHT LIT UP AND THE SELF LOCKING FOR THE DOORS DID NOT ENGAGE WHEN PUTTING THE CAR INTO GEAR. SOMETIMES I WOULD TURN THE CAR OFF AND ABOUT A HALF AN HOUR LATER, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD COME ON ALL BY THEMSELVES, SOMETIMES DRAINING THE BATTERY IF I DID NOT NOTICE THIS. I FELT TOTALLY UNSAFE DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THIS WOULD HAPPEN - I HAD NO SAFETY FEATURES TO RELY ON AND I DID NOT EVEN KNOW IF I WOULD HAVE A CAR THAT WOULD RUN. I TOOK THE CAR TO A SATURN DEALER AND HAD THE BCM (BODY CONTROL MODULE) REPLACED. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT SATURN IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THIS AND I HAVE ASKED OTHERS THAT OWN SIMILAR SATURNS ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. THIS WAS QUITE COSTLY TO REPLACE APPROXIMATELY $600.00 (THE CHEAPEST AROUND). OTHERS PAID MORE FOR THIS REPAIR THAN I DID. *TR
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIRBAG DASH LIGHT ON, TECHNICIAN SAYS CODE REFERS TO SHORT IN STEERING COLUMN. DASH LIGHT REMAINS ON
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING WITH TWO KIDS IN THE CAR MY STEARING BECAME ODD. I SLOWED DOWN AND MY CAR STARTED PULLING TO THE LEFT I COULD BARELY KEEP IT IN A STRAIGHT LINE. MY STEARING WHEEL WAS TURNED ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT WHEN SUDDENLY IT SOUNDED LIKE I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I STOPPED THE CAR THE WHEEL IT'S SELF LOOKED ODD. I GOT BACK IN AND TRIED TO DRIVE AND MY CAR MADE A AWEFUL NOISE AND I COULD NOT GO ANYWHERE! I WAS SRANDED IN THE DARK ON A HILLSIDE WITH THE KIDS. I HAD MY CAR TOWED HOME TO DISCOVER THE FRAME OF MY CAR HAS SPLIT AT THE A-ARM, THE ENGINE CRADLE HAS CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. MY INSURANCE WONT PAY THIS IS OUR ONLY CAR AND MY KIDS HAVE MEDICAL NEEDS PLEASE HELP !
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 (NA) SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE STRUTS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 5/29/15*CN UPDATED 10/05/2017*CN
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOTTOM ENGINE 2 CELLS GONE DEALERSHIP M676 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR BLEW EENGINE
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 SATURN AND WHEN I STOP IT MADE A NOISE IN THE ENGINE. WHEN I WENT TO START IT,IT TURNED OVER REAL FAST AND WOULD NOT START. IT HAS SPARK AND FUEL BUT NO NOT THINK IT HAS COMPRESSOR. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS CAR IS UNDER A RECALL FOR THE TIMING CHAIN. IT HAS 107,000 MILES ON IT. IT SEEM LIKE IT WOULD BE VERY COSTLY TO FIX. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FRONT BUMPER PLASTIC FASTENERS THAT HOLD THE BUMPER TO THE CHASSIS DEGRADE AND BREAK OVER TIME AND THE FRONT BUMPER WILL FALL OFF WITHOUT NOTICE. THIS HAPPENED TO ME AS MY CAR WAS SLOWLY MOVING FORWARD IN A PARKING LOT AND I HAD TO GET OUT AND PICK UP THE BUMPER AND PUT IT IN MY BACK SEAT TO GET IT HOME. WHEN I GOT HOME UPON INSPECTION I NOTICED THE PLASTIC FASTENERS HAD BROKEN AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT THE BUMPER BACK ON. I HAD TO USE WIRE TO ATTACH IT TO THE CHASSIS BECAUSE THE PLASTIC FASTENERS WERE ALL BROKEN AND BRITTLE.
WHILE DRIVING WITH TWO KIDS IN THE CAR MY STEARING BECAME ODD. I SLOWED DOWN AND MY CAR STARTED PULLING TO THE LEFT I COULD BARELY KEEP IT IN A STRAIGHT LINE. MY STEARING WHEEL WAS TURNED ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT WHEN SUDDENLY IT SOUNDED LIKE I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I STOPPED THE CAR THE WHEEL IT'S SELF LOOKED ODD. I GOT BACK IN AND TRIED TO DRIVE AND MY CAR MADE A AWEFUL NOISE AND I COULD NOT GO ANYWHERE! I WAS SRANDED IN THE DARK ON A HILLSIDE WITH THE KIDS. I HAD MY CAR TOWED HOME TO DISCOVER THE FRAME OF MY CAR HAS SPLIT AT THE A-ARM, THE ENGINE CRADLE HAS CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. MY INSURANCE WONT PAY THIS IS OUR ONLY CAR AND MY KIDS HAVE MEDICAL NEEDS PLEASE HELP !
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
REARENDED AND SHOULDER STRAP FROM SEATBELT DIDN'T LOCK, I BUMPED MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL, AND SPRAINED MY LEFT SHOULDER; HEATING SYSTEM POPPED ON AT IMPACT AND NOW IT WON'T BLOW. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD NOT LATCH ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT. WHEN IT DOES FINALLY LATCH, THE SEAT BELT CANNOT BE UNLATCHED UNLESS THE CONTACT SPENDS AN HOUR ATTEMPTING TO UNLATCH IT OR CRAWL OUT. THE CONTACT PAID $149.12 TO REPAIR THE SEAT BELT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,889 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 7/3/08 *CN THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. UPDATED *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HOT AND STARTED SMOKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED AND THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUED TO SMOKE. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,274.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UP TO 30 MPH. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT; UPON RESTART, THE RPMS INCREASED RAPIDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
2003 SATURN VUE AUTO TRANSMISSION WENT OUT THREE TIMES WITHIN 8,000 MILES, LEAVING OUT FAMILY STRANDED IN 3 DIFF STATES, OUT OUR LIVES IN RISK, RUIN OUR VACATIONS, COST EXTRA MONEY ON CAR RENTAL ,INSURANCE,GAS, HOTEL! COST ME SEVERAL PANIC ATTACKS AND HORRIBLE ANXIETY, STRESS ETC... *TR
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A STOP ON 12/30/06 THE CONTACT TRIED TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC ON A 50 MPH HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, BUT THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE WOULD NOT TRAVEL AT AN ACCELERATED SPEED. WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE LIKE METAL GRINDING ON METAL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND SHE TRIED AGAIN TO GET VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE, BUT IT WOULD NOT. THE CONTACT CALLED FOR ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO SATURN OF HOLLAND. THE CONTACT DID CALL EDSATURN, AND FILED A COMPLIANT ,AND WAS GIVEN FILE# 1-22553734 FROM CUSTOMER SERVICE.*AK THE AXLE CV JOINT FAILED. THE INNER SPLINES STRIPPED AND THE OUTER AXLE CRACKED. UPDATED 01/29/07. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CAR STARTED MAKING A FUNNY NOISE AS I WAS DRIVING HOME. THANKFULLY I MADE IT HOME BUT AFTER I SHUT THE CAR OFF IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. ALSO MY REAR WHEELS WEAR ON THE INSIDE DUE TO THE POSITION OF THEM I AM GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE SHIMS PUT IN TO KEEP THE REAR WHEELS FROM ANGLING IN. *TR
PRECEEDING THE TWO ELECTRICAL FIRES IN MY VEHICLE, I HAD INTERMITTENT ISSUES WITH SHORTS IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (THE LOCKS UNLOCKING/LOCKING AT RANDOM; LIGHTS GOING ON AND OFF AND THE ALARM SYSTEM TRIGGERING EVEN WHEN NOT SET). THERE WAS ALSO LEAKAGE FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE CAR (EITHER THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD OR ELSEWHERE IN THE FRONT) THAT WAS QUITE NOTICEABLE DURING A HEAVY STORM. EARLIER THIS YEAR, I WAS EXITING A PARKING GARAGE WHEN I FIRST SAW AND THEN SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM OUT OF THE DASH. THE ELECTRICAL WIRES SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED A FIRE THAT MELTED A PORTION OF THE WIRING IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPAIR THE CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND DURING A STORM TWO DAYS LATER, THE ENTIRE SYSTEM SHORTED OUT AGAIN (LIGHTS AND OTHER COMPONENTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF) AND THE BATTERY COMPLETELY DISCHARGED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE LEAK WAS DUE TO A FAULTY WINDSHIELD PLACEMENT AND REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD (AND WATER-TESTED IT) ALONG WITH THE AFFECTED WIRING SYSTEMS, THE BATTERY AND THE CARPETING. NOW, JUST TWO DAYS AGO, I HAVE HAD A RECURRENCE OF THE SAME ISSUE. AGAIN, AFTER A HEAVY STORM, I WOKE TO DISCOVER THAT THE WIRING IN THE SAME AREA OF THE CAR HAD SHORTED OUT. THIS TIME, THE RESULTING FIRE MELTED THE PLASTIC HOUSING SURROUNDING THE FUSEBOX, AND THE HOUSING IS NOW A PILE OF MELTED GOO ON THE CARPET IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP HAS YET TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE SHORT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
PROBLEMS WITH TIRES, SATURN REPLACED ALL FOUR <20,000 MILES. UNABLE TO KEEP BALANCED. I HAD ALL OF MY DOCUMENTATION ON NUMBER OF TIMES THEY HAD BEEN BALANCED. STILL HAD PROBLEMS, REPLACED TWO OF THEM. STILL HAD PROBLEMS, REPLACED TWO AGAIN AT 36,000, I HAD TO PAY FOR ONE TIRE BECAUSE THERE WAS A NAIL AND THEY CLAIMED ROAD DAMAGE AND THAT THE WEAR WAS DUE TO LOW TIRE PRESSURE (SO EXPLAIN WHY OTHER TIRE WORE ALSO), EVEN THOUGH I HAD PICKED UP THE NAIL WITHIN THE PAST 3 DAYS. ALSO SAID THERE WAS A DENT IN THE RIM AND THAT WAS OFF BALANCE. WANTED 400.00 FOR ONE NEW STANDARD RIM. *JB
I WENT IN 2004 FOR A CAR INSPECTION AT 15000 MILES AND I FAILED DUE TO BALD TIRES. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO BLOW COOL AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED A CONDENSER AND A CLUTCH WAS NEEDED IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT IF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PROPERLY REPAIRED THE BELT WOULD SEIZE CAUSING AN ENGINE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .