2001 Saturn LS Fuel system Problems

The contact owns a 2001 Saturn L200. The contact stated while driving, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with the fuel pump needing to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired however, the contact removed the fuel tank. The contact was relating the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was informed that a tow truck would pick up the vehicle and transport it to the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 226,000. THE CONUMER STATED THE PASSENGERS HAD HEADACHES, STOMACH ACHES, COUGHING AND BREATHING ISSUES WHILE RIDING IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID

11418062

Incident

Nov 1, 2019

Mileage

226,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN LS200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL LEAKED ONTO THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT AND CARPET. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE FUEL TANK FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND AGREED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CABLE DAHMER CHEVROLET OF INDEPENDENCE LOCATED AT (1834 S NOLAND RD, INDEPENDENCE, MO 64055), THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 264,000.

NHTSA ID

11317852

Incident

Oct 4, 2019

Mileage

264,000 mi

THE SATURN L SERIES WHEN FILLED WITH GASOLINE WILL STALL CAUSING IMMINENT HARM TO THE DRIVER, PASSENGERS, AND ANY OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD. IN ADDITION, THE DASHBOARD AT NIGHT IS SO DIM THAT IT CANNOT BE SEEN BY THE DRIVER. THERE ARE SEVERAL ELECTRICAL FAILURES INVOLVING THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11011455

Incident

Jul 13, 2017

GAS FUMES ARE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE PLASTIC GAS TANK HAS A SMALL CRACK. GASS APPEARS TO BE VAPORIZING. THERE IS NO LEAKAGE OF LIQID GAS THAT CAN BE IDENTIFIED. GAS VAPOR PERMEATES THAT INTERIOR TO VARYING DEGREE BUT IS USUALLY EVIDENT ON THE VEHICLE EXTERIOR. I CANT RULL OUT THAT THE LEAK MAY ORIGINATE FROM A RUPTURED LINE, FITTING, OR FAILED FILTER. AVAILABILITY OF NEW OEM FUEL TANKS IS A PROBLEM PROBABLY RELATED TO THE DISCONTINUATION OF THE SATURN LINE BY GM. I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER ACCOUNTS OF SATURN GAS LEAKS ON INTERNET BULLETIN BOARDS. GIVEN THE POTENTIAL CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES INCLUDING PROPERTY LOSS AND HUMAN INJURY AND DEATH, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION TO IDENTIFY THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT (S) AND INITIATE A RECALL TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. OF ALL THE VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED THIS IS THE ONLY ONE WHERE IN THE FACE OF MULTIPLE REPORTS BY CONSUMERS OF GAS ODORS/LEAKS FROM THE SATURN L SERIES, NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN TO INVESTIGATE AND INITIATE A RECALL. THIS IS A PROBLEM OF THE HIGHEST ORDER. INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE FAST TRACKED AND RELIEF SHOULD BE GRANTED TO SATURN OWNERS WHO HAVE TO SHOULDER THE BURDEN OF REPAIRING/REPLACING UNSAFE FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS.

NHTSA ID

10914287

Incident

Oct 1, 2015

Mileage

125,000 mi

SMELL OF GASOLINE R/S REAR HAD FILLER NECK AND CAP REPLACED; STILL ABLE SMELL GAS; CRAWLED UNDER CAR AND NOTICED A SMALL AMOUNT OF GAS ON SIDE OF TANK PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10614665

Incident

May 6, 2014

Mileage

73,000 mi

I BEGAN TO SMELL FUEL, TOOK TO A MECHANIC AND THEY COULDN'T FIND A HOLE WHERE FUEL WAS LEAKING SO I THOUGHT I MAYBE WAS WASTING GAS ON THE OUTSIDE OF MY CAR, BUT I BEGAN TO SMELL A STRONGER GAS SMELL SO I WAS CONCERNED AND I TOOK TO A NEW MECHANIC THAT PULLED THE CAR A PART AND FOUND THAT THE WELDED SEEM OF THE FUEL TANK HAD A CRACK ALL THE WAY DOWN THE WELD, SO I HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK AND I NEEDED IT IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE IT WAS MY TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM WORK SO I HAD TO REPLACE AT MY OWN COST, $800.00. *TR

NHTSA ID

10578859

Incident

Apr 16, 2013

I STARTED TO NOTICE THE SMELL OF GAS COMING FROM MY CAR, BUT I COULD NOT IDENTIFY WHERE THE LEAK WAS. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE IDENTIFIED THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY, PRESSURE LINE, RETURN LINE, AND SENDING UNIT ALL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DIFFICULT TO GET TO AND THE ENTIRE GAS TANK NEEDED TO BE REMOVED. PARTS ALONE COST $793.53 WHILE THE LABOR WAS $382.00 FOR A TOTAL AFTER TAX AND SHOP SUPPLIES OF $1257.28. IT WAS PRETTY SHOCKING TO ME HOW THIS CAR NEEDED TO HAVE A FUEL PUMP REPLACED AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE BUT I DID NOT WANT TO RISK A CAR FIRE OR EXPLOSION. THERE IS ANOTHER COMPLAINT ON THIS WEBSITE THAT ALSO MENTIONS THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10565018

Incident

May 5, 2009

Mileage

54,620 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L-SERIES. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THE FUEL CAP AND FUEL FILTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN A MECHANIC TWICE WHO STATED THE EMISSION CONTROL MODULE SEAL ON THE FUEL TANK WOULD HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE FUEL TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE EMISSION CONTROL MODULE SEAL WAS NOT SOLD SEPARATELY. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL TANK. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000. UPDATED 01/02/2013*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE FUEL TANK WAS REMOVED, THERE WERE GAS STREAKS FOUND WHERE THE GAS LEAKED OUT AROUND THE EMISSION SEAL AND ON TOP OF THE TANK. GAS HAD RAN DOWN THE SIDE OF THE GAS TANK CAUSING FIRE HAZARD. UPDATED 1/7/2013*JS

NHTSA ID

10486421

Incident

Aug 15, 2012

Mileage

137,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN LW300. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH A GASOLINE ODOR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS OFF OR ON FOR LONG TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPAIRED DUE TO A LEAK. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID

10370918

Incident

Oct 15, 2010

Mileage

110,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FUEL LEAK IN THE VALVE ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY SMELLED GASOLINE BUT DISREGARDED IT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE, BUT STATED THAT HER MODEL VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 00V309000, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE STORAGE TANK ASSEMBLY FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO HER YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45900. UPDATED 02/02/11 *CN

NHTSA ID

10369586

Incident

Dec 6, 2010

FUEL PUMP FAILURE ON 2001 SATURN. FUEL LINE CONNECTOR CRACKED AND LEAKING GAS FUEL PUMP AND FUEL GUAGE SENDING UNIT REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10368101

Incident

Nov 12, 2010

Mileage

105,184 mi

I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASED THIS USED 2001 SATURN IN 2001. I HAVE PUT 2 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, STEERING RACK, STABILIZER BAR, FRONT STRUTS, HAD A HEAD GASKET MAJOR PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED TWO OTHER NEW SATURN'S WITH NO PROBLEMS...I AM ROUGHLY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS CAR. ALSO MY DASH LIGHTS DIMMED WHEN SECURITY LIGHT FLASHED ON AND WHEN THAT HAPPENED ALSO MY TEMP GAUGE AND GAS GAUGE WOULD GO FROM RIGHT TO LEFT AND THEN BACK QUICKLY. I HAD TO HAVE A MODULAR REPLACED. AGAIN, I AM SOOOOO DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS CAR. WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNING THIS I HAD TWO INLINE FUEL FILTERS AS THE CAR JUST STOPPED WHILE DRIVING...SPEED WENT DOWN AND DOWN AND NOTHING. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS *TR

NHTSA ID

10320056

Incident

Feb 28, 2010

FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10237689

Incident

Aug 1, 2008

2001 SATURN L300 WON'T START, AFTER SEVERAL REPAIRS INCLUDING REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP, IT STILL WON'T START. AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED, CAN'T STILL FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10225305

Incident

Feb 15, 2008

Mileage

78,714 mi

STRONG SMELL OF FUEL AROUND REAR OF CAR. FUEL PUMP LEAKING FUEL. FUEL PUMP REPLACED, OLD FUEL PUMP PART AVAILABLE. 2001 SATURN L-200, 116,000 MILES. SMELL WAS SO STRONG AT TIMES A SPARK OR LIT CIGARETTE WOULD CAUSE EXPLOSION OR FIRE. DEALER SAID THIS IS A COMMOM PROBLEM AT 100,000 MILES. *JB

NHTSA ID

10188374

Incident

Nov 7, 2006

Mileage

116,000 mi

TIMING CHAIN ON 2001 SATURN L200 WITH 78,000 MILES BROKE WHILE DRIVING ALONG HIGHWAY, LOST ALL POWER. SATURN REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM. THISWAS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH MOST VEHICLES WITH A 2.2 L ENGINE MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 200-2003. THEY NEVER ISSUED A RECALL ON THE DEFECTIVE OIL NOZZLE, AND WERE TELLING THE CUSTOMERS IT WASTHEIR FAULT DUE TO NOT KEEPING UP WITH THE OIL CHANGES. HAVING A VEHICLE LOSE POWER ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY CONSTITUTED A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN.*AK

NHTSA ID

10187384

Incident

Mar 30, 2007

Mileage

78,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP LEAKED GAS PROFUSELY AND ON A WORSENING BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER SERVICED THE VEHICLE, AND NO FURTHER PROBLEMS HAD OCCURRED. UPDATED 12/15/06. *JB

NHTSA ID

10173879

Incident

Nov 16, 2006

Mileage

33,000 mi

I BOUGHT MY CAR WITH 36,000 MILES ON IT AND SPENT $8000. LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS LATER, I HAD TO SPEND ALMOST $2000 TO FIX A TIMING CHAIN. THEN WHEN IT HAD 61,000 MILES ON IT, I HAD TO HAVE A FUEL PUMP FIXED. I HAVE FOUND OUT THIS IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM, THERE IS A FIX IT KIT FOR IT. THEY REFUSE TO ASSIST ME IN GETTING IT FIXED BECAUSE I WILL NOT PAY FOR A SECOND TOW TO TAKE IT TO THEIR RETAILER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED BECAUSE MY CERTIFIED MECHANIC LETS ME MAKE PAYMENTS. THEY ALSO REFUSE TO RECALL THE DEFECTIVE PART. *NM

NHTSA ID

10170792

Incident

Oct 10, 2006

Mileage

44,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, GAS FUMES WERE NOTICED AND THE GAS GAUGE DROPPED AT AN ACCELERATED RATE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR A FEW MONTHS. ONCE WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY A LEAK WAS OBSERVED UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE FUEL LINE CLIP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

10170403

Incident

Oct 6, 2006

Mileage

59,500 mi

DT: 2001 SATURN L SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THE GAS TANK WAS LEAKING GAS IN THE GASKET AREA. THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS ON APRIL 27, 2005. THE CONTACT ALSO, THERE WAS GAS FORMING ON THE GROUND UNDER HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MAY 27, 2005. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE GASKET, BUT THE ENTIRE GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10140195

Incident

Apr 27, 2005

Mileage

72,000 mi

DURING THE MONTH OF JULY 2005, WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 SATURN L300, I NOTICED STRONG GASOLINE FUMES ENTERING THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AND ALSO ON THE EXTERIOR. THE MILEAGE HAD DROPPED DRASTICALLY AND I WAS USING HALF TANK OF FUEL TO DRIVE 120 MILES. THINKING IT COULD BE A TORN OR LOOSE FUEL LINE, I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC OF TRUST FOR AN INSPECTION. HE FOUND THE FUEL TANK LEAKING AND ADVISED ME TO REPLACE IT. I CONSENTED BECAUSE I NEEDED THE CAR TO COMMUTE TO WORK IN TAMPA ON A DAILY BASIS. HE REMOVED THE TANK AND FOUND THE FUEL PUMP MODULE CRACKED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. AGAIN I CONSENTED TO REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. MY WIFE CALLED MITSUBISHI MOTORS OF HERNANDO, WHERE I HAD PURCHASE THE VEHICLE AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. SHE WAS TOLD THAT WE NEEDED TO CONTACT SATURN OF PORT RICHEY DEALER. I CALLED THAT DEALER AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM AND WAS REFERRED TO GM SATURN (1-800-553-6000) AND SPOKE TO MARY FROM CUSTOMER SERVICE. I TOLD HER THAT I HAD INFORMATION ON A RECALL FOR THE SATURN FOR THAT PARTICULAR PROBLEM. I EVEN READ HER THE CAMPAIGN NUMBER AND THE DATE (00V309000 - 2000 OCT 12). SHE PUT ME ON HOLD AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE COULD NOT FIND ANY RECALL FOR THAT MODEL BUT SHE WOULD CHECK AND CALL ME BACK WHEN SHE DID FIND IT. SHE HAS NOT DONE SO TO THIS DATE. THE REPAIRS (REPLACEMENTS, PARTS, AND LABOR TOTALED $1,010.71. I AM SENDING THE NHTSA COPIES OF THE RECALLS AND THE REPAIR ESTIMATES. I WOULD LIKE FOR GM SATURN TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE UNNECESSARY EXPENSES INCURRED DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY. *JB

NHTSA ID

10132014

Incident

Jul 27, 2005

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP. *MR THE FUEL PUMP WAS BAD. THE MECHANIC STATED WHEN HE PULLED THE GAS TANK AND STARTED TO REMOVE THE FUEL PUMP PART OF THE FUEL PUMP FELL APART WHICH WAS NOT NORMAL. THE TWO REAR TIRES WERE REPLACED. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID

10089426

Incident

Jun 26, 2004

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE OPERATES ROUGHLY AND ERATICALLY, LOSING POWER. CHECK ENGINE AND GAS GAUGE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED THE DASH. *AK

NHTSA ID

10026693

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE OPERATES ROUGHLY AND ERATICALLY, LOSING POWER. CHECK ENGINE AND GAS GAGE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, BLINKING ON AND OFF. THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE RPM WILL FALL TO ZERO AND COME BACK UP TO WHERE IT SHOULD BE WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 4 CYNLINDER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID

10026691