2002 Saturn LS Steering Problems

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT 30 MPH ON CITY STREET, ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING WITH LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. COASTED VEHICLE TO A SIDE STREET & STOPPED. HAD CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC. WE WERE QUOTED $1700 BILL TO REPAIR DUE TO BROKEN TIMING CHAIN. RESEARCHED RECALLS AND FOUND THAT NHTSA HAD A RECALL #07V519000 FOR 2001 SATURN L100. THIS SEEMS GROSSLY SHORTSIGHTED ON THE PART OF NHTSA, AS THERE HAVE BEEN DOZENS OF DUPLICATE COMPLAINTS. THIS PROMPTED THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CONSUMERS COUNCIL TO ISSUE A DEFECT PETITION FOR 2000-2003 SATURN L SERIES WITH THE 2.2L ENGINE WITH THE NHTSA. IT IS SURPRISING HOW LITTLE EFFORT THE NHTSA HAS MADE IN LIGHT OF THE SCOPE OF THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11257582

Incident

Sep 19, 2019

Mileage

175 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11056381

Incident

Dec 23, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN LS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER WAS ENGAGED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE LEFT OR RIGHT TURN SIGNALS WERE ENGAGED. THERE WERE NO FLAMES PRESENT. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V231000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10845598

Incident

Jul 14, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN SATURN LS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SMOKING, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WAS SMOKING AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.

NHTSA ID

10789655

Incident

Nov 7, 2015

Mileage

186,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L300. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICE SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BATTERY LOW AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND IGNITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID

10626866

Incident

Dec 15, 2013

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L300. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICE SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BATTERY LOW AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND IGNITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 10/23/14*CN

NHTSA ID

10626858

Incident

Dec 15, 2013

Mileage

120,000 mi

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 COULD NOT RESET IT. TOLD ME IT NEEDS A NEW BCM. STATED ECM AND BCM ARE UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE. SO THAT UNTIL THE MODULE IS REPLACED THE CAR IS INOPERABLE. STATED THEY KNEW THE BCM'S GO BAD, STATED THEY HAVE HAD ALOT OF THESE GO BAD ( ALOT)???. THE SERVICE TECH STATED " THEY ARE LIKE A COMPUTER HARD DRIVE ON STEROIDS" . STATED THEY BURN OUT WITH NO WAY TO CHECK THEM OR FIX THEM. HE SAID THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TOFIX THE CAR. BUT THEY DO NOT KEEP ANY BCM IN STOCK. IT WILL BE A WEEK BEFORE THEY CAN GET THE PART. AFTER REPLACING THE BCM I WAS TOLD THE CARS INFORMATION WILL NOT BE ACCURATE. THEY TOLD ME THE ODOMETER GOES BACK TO ZERO. HOW CAN THAT BE THE DEALER JUST TURN BACK THE ODOMETER ISN'T THAT ILLEGAL? I WAS TOLD THAT SOMETIMES THERE MAYBE SOME OTHER ISSUES ALSO AFTER INSTALLING A NEW BCM?? IF THEY KNOW THAT THE BCM IS A PROBLEM, AND THAT WHEN IT GOES BAD, THE CAR IS COMPLETELY USELESS! WHY ISN'T SOMETHING BEING DONE ! YOU ARE AT THE MERCY OF SATURN / GM BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE IS ALLOWED TO FIX THE CAR. I WILL NOW BE WAITING A WEEK FOR MY VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED. ONLY TO HOPE IT RUNS CORRECTLY AFTER IT'S REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10275029

Incident

Jun 23, 2009

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, HE NOTICED A SUDDEN JOLT. HE ALSO EXPERIENCED LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND THE STEERING COLUMN FAILURE CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK. HE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THERE WHERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, INSPECTED AND ADVISED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR COST WOULD BE $2,500.00. THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN PERFORMED. THE CONTACT WILL NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 152,000.

NHTSA ID

10252741

Incident

Dec 23, 2008

Mileage

152,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A POP AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAME TO A ROLLING STOP. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS NEEDING A NEW TIMING CHAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 43,000. *AK

NHTSA ID

10188615

Incident

Apr 12, 2007

Mileage

43,000 mi

2002 SATURN L100 MADE CLANKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING SHAFT AND THERE WAS WEAR IN THE CRADLE BUSHINGS AND EVENTUALLY THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10145324

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE DRIVE SHAFT REPLACED, THE MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED, THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY REPLACED, THE STEERING ASSEMBLY REPLACED AND I TOO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE DASH LIGHTS DIMMING. THE TECHNICIANS AT THE LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP ARE NOTHING BUT RUDE. THEY DONT FIX THE PROBLEMS YOU BRING THE CAR IN FOR AND YOU END UP HAVING TO TAKE IT BACK THE NEXT DAY OR EVEN SOMETIMES THAT SAME EVENING FOR A REPAIR THAT WASNT DONE PROPERLY. I THOUGHT THIS WAS GOING TO BE A GOOD CAR BUT IT HAS BEEN CONSTANT TROUBLE AND IS CONSTANTLY IN THE REPAIR SHOP.

NHTSA ID

10126779

Incident

Jun 25, 2005

Mileage

26,000 mi

THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKERED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEKS, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *AK THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE ONLY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT. THE SUSPENSION LINK WAS REPLACED. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE VEHICLE AND THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SKIPPED WHEN BEING ROLLED DOWN. THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULB HAD BURNED OUT, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WENT ACROSS THE WINDOW HALF WAY BEFORE IT SQUIRTED ANY SPRAY AND THEN SCRATCHED THE WINDSHIELD. *JB

NHTSA ID

10038015

Incident

Sep 2, 2003

Mileage

6,068 mi