2003 Saturn L300 Problems

IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT START THE CAR. IT IS IN THE OFF POSITION. I AM HAVING A NEW SWITCH INSTALLED. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS CAR PART IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. ALL OTHER 2003 SATURNS ARE BEING RECALLED. *TR

COMPUTER WHICH RECORDS AND DISPLAYS SPEED, ENGINE RPM, MILEAGE, AND VEHICLE WARNINGS FAILED COMPLETELY. THIS FAILURE MEANT THE DASH NO LONGER RECORDS MILEAGE, AND WILL NOT DISPLAY SPEED OR RPM. DANGEROUS FAILURE FOR UNTRAINED DRIVER. UNKNOWN SPEED COULD LEAD TO UNSAFE DRIVING OR CRASH, HAVING POTENTIAL TO CAUSE DEADLY ACCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 (NA) SATURN L300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED, AND THE WIPER MOTOR DID NOT OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE HOSE AND CONNECTOR WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RESONATOR BEING DAMAGED BY ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO JERKED AFTER BEING OPERATED FROM A STOP. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 112,000. UPDATED 09/20/17*LJ *CN

IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT START THE CAR. IT IS IN THE OFF POSITION. I AM HAVING A NEW SWITCH INSTALLED. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS CAR PART IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. ALL OTHER 2003 SATURNS ARE BEING RECALLED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 (NA) SATURN L300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED, AND THE WIPER MOTOR DID NOT OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE HOSE AND CONNECTOR WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RESONATOR BEING DAMAGED BY ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO JERKED AFTER BEING OPERATED FROM A STOP. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 112,000. UPDATED 09/20/17*LJ *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO TURN INTO ANY DIRECTION AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT BOTH RED PLASTIC TAIL LIGHT COVERS FADED INTO A PINKISH COLOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

EXTERNAL FUEL TANK LEAKAGE DUE TO BROKEN PLASTIC PART ON FUEL PUMP MODULE. THIS SAFETY HAZARD COMPLAINT IS IDENTICAL TO THE JUST PUBLISHED 9/30/12 RECALL OF 2007-2009 SATURN IONS IN FLORIDA FOR THE EXACT SAME MECHANICAL FAULT - BROKEN PLASTIC PART ON FUEL MODULE CAUSING EXTERNAL FUEL LEAKAGE. GM/CHEVY WILL NOT HONOR RECALL ON MY 2003 SATURN L-300 FOR THE SAME DEFICIENCY AND SAFETY HAZARD. INFACT MY VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP FOR THAT REPAIR AT THE SAME TIME A RECALL WAS PUBLISHED FOR THAT PROBLEM. I REQUEST THAT MY VIN BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL REPAIR. *TR

I JUST PUT GAS IN THE CAR AND ABOUT 20 MINS LATER I ASKED MY 11 YR OLD DO YOU SMELL GAS AND HE SAID YES AND WITHIN SECONDS WE HAD SMOKE EVERYWHERE THIS COULD HAVE KIILED US. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A TREE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

ON A RAINY NIGHT, JAN 10, 2014, I CAME OUT OF WORK AND STARTED MY CAR. I THANKED GOD IT STARTED BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL. EVEN AFTER REPLACING ALMOST EVERY ENGINE PART INCLUDING THE COMPUTER. I STARTED DRIVING OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT AND I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING INSIDE THE CAR. THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING WILDLY UP AND DOWN. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR. WHITE THICK SMOKE FILLED THE CAR FAST. FLAMES STARTED SHOOTING OUT AT ME FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD. I WAS SO PANICKED THAT I COULD HARDLY GET OUT OF THE CAR. THE INSURANCE CO TOTALED IT AND I STILL OWE 500.00! I'VE SPENT MORE MONEY TRYING TO GET THE CAR TO START WHEN I WANT IT TO AND TO STOP SHUTTING OFF WHILE IM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY CHILDREN AND OR INFANT GRANDDAUGHTER. THIS 2003 SATURN L300 HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A FINANCIAL AND MENTAL NIGHTMARE ONLY TO GO UP IN SMOKE, RUIN MY CREDIT, AND LEAVE ME STRANDED WITH NO VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 (NA) SATURN L300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED, AND THE WIPER MOTOR DID NOT OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE HOSE AND CONNECTOR WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RESONATOR BEING DAMAGED BY ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO JERKED AFTER BEING OPERATED FROM A STOP. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 112,000. UPDATED 09/20/17*LJ *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT A SHARP AND ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO EXHIBIT AN UNUSUALLY LOUD ROARING BUT WOULD NOT RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THEY COULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 133,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER ALONG WITH THE HEATER, WHICH SEEMS TO COME INTERMITTENTLY. THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MOTOR AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 04/15/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,800.

WHILE DRIVING 50-70 MPH FRONT END SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY. *AK THE BRAKES SQUEAK AND THE ROTORS WARPED. THE METALLIC SURFACE AREA RUSTED ABNORMALLY FROM "MORNING COMPENSATION." THE WHEELS WOBBLED AS A RESULT OF THE WARPED ROTORS. *SC

PURCHASED 2003 SATURN L 300 ON MARCH 24, 2007 AND HAD IT IN THE SHOP ON APRIL 2, 2007 AND APRIL 9, 2007 WITH SAME PROBLEM. INTERIOR LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, AND FAN PULSATE WHICH COULD CAUSE A SAFETY HAZARD ON THE HIGHWAY. THE LONGER YOU DRIVE IT THE MORE IT HAPPENS. THEY SAY IT IS NORMAL.*AK

CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING HEAD LIGHTS /DASH LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS WOULD DIM WHILE AIR CONDITION WAS RUNNING. *AK

2003 SATURN L300 HAS FIRESTONE TIRES THAT ARE DRY ROTTED. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH 5 TUBELESS RADIAL FIRESTONE TIRES WHICH CARRIED A MANUFACTURER'S DATE OF 2002. YESTERDAY, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD A GAP AROUND THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE FACE OF THE TIRE WHERE IT JOINED THE TREADS. *JB

(1) DAILY COMMUTE ON I-25. 2) TREAD SEPARATION ON LEFT REAR TIRE AT 49,583 MI. FIRESTONE P215/55R-16. (3) REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES (DAMAGED TIRE IS AVAILABLE). *AK

IN FEBRUARY, 2007 AND IN APRIL OF 2008 I WAS INVOLVED SEPARATE FRONT END CRASHES WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 SATURN L300. IN BOTH INSTANCES SEATBELT RESTRAINTS WERE USED (AS ALWAYS), BUT THE AIR-BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS INJURED. IN BOTH INSTANCES, I BELIEVED THAT I WAS FORTUNATE THE AIR-BAGS DIDN'T OPEN BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSE INVOLVED REPAIRING A DEPLOYED AIR-BAG. IN LATE FEBRUARY-2014, GENERAL MOTORS ANNOUNCED A LARGE RECALL OF NUMEROUS VEHICLES (SATURN ION, SATURN VUE, CHEVY COBALT AND OTHER VEHICLES WHICH ARE SIMILAR TO MY 2003 SATURN L300) SITTING A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH DISABLES THE ACTIVATION OF THE VEHICLES AIRBAGS WHEN IT IS INVOLVED AN ACCIDENT! 13 DEATHS HAVE BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH, THUSFAR. ALTHOUGH THE 2003 SATURN L300 IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED BECAUSE OF THE AIR-BAG ISSUE THAT I EXPERIENCED TWICE WITH MY L300. IN ADDITION, THERE IS A STARTING PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH, WHICH HAS ARISEN SINCE I'VE OWNED THIS CAR THAT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES DURING THE LAST 4-5 YEARS. EACH DAY THE L300 STARTS FINE THE FIRST TIME . HOWEVER, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF, (TO GET GASOLINE OR TO GO INTO A STORE) THE VEHICLE WILL FAIL TO RE-START. AFTER WAITING ANYWHERE FORM 15 MINUTES TO 1-1/2 HOURS, THE CAR WILL START LIKE NOTHING IS WRONG. ALTHOUGH THIS HAPPENS MOSTLY IN THE COLD WEATHER IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED DURING THE SUMMER TIME AS WELL. I BELIEVE THIS IS DUE TO THE SAME DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH/PASS-LOCK SENSOR ISSUE AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT 20/25 MPH VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND NONE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT.*AK

IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT START THE CAR. IT IS IN THE OFF POSITION. I AM HAVING A NEW SWITCH INSTALLED. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS CAR PART IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. ALL OTHER 2003 SATURNS ARE BEING RECALLED. *TR

STEERING COLUMN CLUNKING. HAD INTERMEDIATE SHAFT REPAIRED WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 12/2007 WHICH I INCLUDED THE LUBRICATION OF THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND REPLACING THE SWAY BAR LINKS. IN 3/2008, PROBLEM OF CLUNKING NOISE RESURFACED. STEERING GEAR WAS FAILING AND LEAKING AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. IN 12/2008, CLUNKING NOISE RESURFACED. FIND TIE ROD WAS LOOSE AND THAT THE STRUT MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CLUNKING NOISE HAS RESURFACED IN LATE 2009, EARLY 2010. SATURN IS INVESTIGATING REPAIR NEEDS BASED ON PREVIOUS WORK PERFORMED. *TR

LEFT FRONT SPRING IN MACPHERSON STRUT SNAPPED AT THE BOTTOM. THE POINT OF THE BREAK WAS HEAVILY RUSTED. REPAIR HAD TO BE MADE WITH USED PARTS, COSTING ABOUT $800, AS AFTERMARKET PARTS FOR THIS VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE, AND DEALER PARTS ARE OVERPRICED TO ALMOST BEING AT VEHICLE BLUE BOOK VALUE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING 50-70 MPH FRONT END SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY. *AK THE BRAKES SQUEAK AND THE ROTORS WARPED. THE METALLIC SURFACE AREA RUSTED ABNORMALLY FROM "MORNING COMPENSATION." THE WHEELS WOBBLED AS A RESULT OF THE WARPED ROTORS. *SC

SATURN 2003 L300, PURCHASED NEW, MULTIPLE ISSUES. INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER. CAR WILL NOT START WHEN GAS IS UNDER 1/4 TANK, DEALERSHIP SAYS OPERATING PER DESIGN. IGNITION, KEY FROZE, WOULD NOT TURN, KEY STUCK, CAR HAD TO BE TOWED, IGNITION REPLACED. MAJOR ISSUE: STEERING. INTERMEDIATE SHAFT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. IN ADDITION TO GEAR BOX. PROBLEM MAKES STEERING LOOSE, CLUNKING FEEL AND NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 SATURN L300. THE CONTACT'S ATTORNEY STATED THAT A FORD VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND STRUCK THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE CONTACT'S WIFE STRUCK HER HEAD ON THE LEFT SIDE AND HER HAIR WAS CAUGHT IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN HER AND SHE DIED DUE TO HER HEAD INJURY. HER SON, SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, WAS PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. A SAFETY RESTRAINT EXPERT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT SHOWED WITNESS MARKS OF PROPER RESTRAIN, BUT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT SHOW ANY WITNESS MARKS. PARKER HEIGHTS POLICE FILED REPORT NUMBER 05-00081. THE DEALER AND SPEED INFORMATION WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

WHILE DRIVING FRONT BUMPER GUARD CAME OFF.*MR FRONT BUMPER CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEED. CONSUMER THINKS THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF A LOW FRONT AND A SUNKEN DRIVEWAY. EVEN THOUGH THEY NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER VEHICLES AND VISITORS VEHICLES. CONSUMER NOTED WHEN PULLING INTO AND BACKING OUT THE DRIVEWAY, THERE WAS SCRAPPING SOUND. THIS CAUSE SOME PLASTIC CONNECTORS ON THE BUMPER GUARD TO BECOME DISLODGED. CONSUMER THINKS THAT THE HIGHWAY WIND CAUSED THE BOLTS COME OFF AND THE BUMPER FELL OFF. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS A DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR COLLISION. *PH

STEERING COLUMN CLUNKING. HAD INTERMEDIATE SHAFT REPAIRED WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 12/2007 WHICH I INCLUDED THE LUBRICATION OF THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND REPLACING THE SWAY BAR LINKS. IN 3/2008, PROBLEM OF CLUNKING NOISE RESURFACED. STEERING GEAR WAS FAILING AND LEAKING AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. IN 12/2008, CLUNKING NOISE RESURFACED. FIND TIE ROD WAS LOOSE AND THAT THE STRUT MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CLUNKING NOISE HAS RESURFACED IN LATE 2009, EARLY 2010. SATURN IS INVESTIGATING REPAIR NEEDS BASED ON PREVIOUS WORK PERFORMED. *TR