Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
24
Latest Mar 28, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
9%
of 276 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2
What this page shows
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Saturn Vue submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 24 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming engine
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Mar 28, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE KEY FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE THAN TWICE WHILE DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL SQUEAKY AND RATTLING SOUND WHILE BEING TURNED. EXCESSIVE FORCE HAD TO BE USED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE POWER STEERING AND IGNITION FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PROPER ELECTRIC TOOLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000.
NHTSA ID
11192156
Incident
Mar 12, 2019
Mileage
250,000 mi
EngineFuel systemSteering
Filed Feb 9, 2019
WHILE MY CAR IS RUNNING I CAN'T TAKE MY KEY OUT ALSO WHEN I TURN MY HEATER ON MY CAR WILL JERK ETC
NHTSA ID
11175942
Incident
Feb 6, 2019
Mileage
226,980 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 4, 2015
I PULLED UP TO A STOP SIGN AND THE ENGINE DIED. WHEN I TURNED THE KEY, I COULD HEAR THE PISTONS IMPACTING THE VALVES. THE TIMING CHAIN SLIPPED AND BECAUSE THIS IS AN INTERFERENCE ENGINE, IT DESTROYED THE ENGINE. MY MECHANIC HAS OFFERED A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE WITH A WARRANTY FOR $3000+ OR A USED JUNKYARD ENGINE FOR $2000+. THE VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION BUT WILL MOST LIKELY NEED TO BE SCRAPPED BECAUSE IT'S NOT LOGICAL TO SPEND THAT MUCH MONEY ON A CAR THAT IS ONLY WORTH $1800. ALL OF THIS AFTER I'VE SPENT OVER $1000 REPLACING THE WHOLE SUSPENSION, SHIFT CABLES, BRAKES, AND CALIPERS. THIS ENGINE AND TIMING CHAIN SETUP HAS BEEN USED IN MANY GM VEHICLES AND HAS BEEN RECALLED IN THE SATURN LS. BUT NOT IN ANY OF THE OTHER MODELS WHICH USE THE SAME SETUP. IT'S RIDICULOUS AND THEY SHOULD HAVE ALL BEEN RECALLED.
NHTSA ID
10746132
Incident
Aug 1, 2015
Mileage
163,147 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 27, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,200.
NHTSA ID
10702192
Incident
Mar 11, 2015
Mileage
100,200 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 16, 2014
I CAN PULL MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE IT IS RUNNING. I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE AN ACTIVE RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT IS DOING THE SAME THING AS THE SATURN VUES THEY ARE RECALLING. *TR
NHTSA ID
10664700
Incident
Nov 11, 2014
Mileage
131,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 7, 2014
THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED IN THE MORNING TO MOVE IT A SHORT DISTANCE. UPON ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE LATER IN THE MORNING, IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO START THE ENGINE. IT ATTEMPTED TO TURN OVER AND MADE SOME MUFFLED NOISES AND THEN WOULD ONLY CRANK WITH NO SIGN OF FIRING. UPON RESEARCHING THE ISSUE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A TIMING FAILURE WAS LIKELY. ONCE THE TIMING COVER WAS OPENED IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PLASTIC CHAIN GUIDE HAD BROKEN INTO FOUR PIECES. ADDITIONAL DAMAGE INCLUDED A PARTIALLY SHEARED OILER NOZZLE, STRIPPED BOLT HOLES FOR BOTH LOWER AND UPPER ATTACHMENT POINTS FOR THE PLASTIC CHAIN GUIDE, BENT INTAKE VALVES ON EVERY CYLINDER AND DINGS ON THE INTAKE SIDE OF THE PISTONS. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO FITTED WITH THE OLD STYLE TENSIONER (FLAT BOLT HEAD STYLE) AND THE ORIGINAL TIMING CHAIN OILER. THE TIMING CHAIN WAS EVALUATED AGAINST A NEW CHAIN AND WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE STRETCHED THE LENGTH OF ONE LINK. THE HEAD WAS PULLED AND SENT FOR REPAIR WHERE THE VALVE DAMAGE WAS EXPOSED; IN ADDITION THREE VALVE GUIDES WERE CRACKED AND THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT ABRADED AREA ON ONE OF THE CAM RACES. THE HEAD WAS DETERMINED TO BE A LOSS AND A NEW HEAD WAS PURCHASED. THERE APPEARS TO BE MINOR DAMAGE TO THE PISTON TOPS, AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY BEING EVALUATED. SO FAR THIS INCIDENT HAS COST APPROXIMATELY $1000 IN PARTS AND DIY LABOR. IT HAS CAUSED ME TO MISS OVER TWO WEEKS OF WORK ($600-$800) AS AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR WHO RELIES ON THIS VEHICLE. GIVEN THE EXTENT OF SIMILAR EXPERIENCES INVOLVING THE ECOTEC 2.2 L ENGINE THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH, IT IS SURPRISING THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ID
10662623
Incident
Nov 24, 2014
Mileage
194,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureEngine+1 more
Filed Nov 24, 2014
Crash reported2 injuries reported
I WAS ON MY WAY HOME IN MY 2004 SATURN VUE WHEN A BUCK JUMPED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. I STOMPED ON THE BRAKES, HOWEVER, I ENDED UP HITTING THE BUCK (DEER) THAT THEN RAN AWAY. MY ENTIRE FRONT IN WAS SMASHED IN, THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED, THE SEAT BELTS DIDN'T LOCK WHEN I STOMPED ON THE BREAKS. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE BOTH IN THE FRONT SEATS AND WE BOTH WENT FORWARD MESSING UP BOTH OF OUR NECKS AND BACKS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10660575
Incident
Oct 27, 2014
Mileage
74,000 mi
Body & structureEngine
Filed Aug 13, 2014
I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY AUTO REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE OF THE RECENT ONSET OF AN UNUSUAL RUMBLING SOUND WHEN DECELERATING. AFTER A TEST DRIVE AND INSPECTION THE MECHANIC WROTE THESE COMMENTS ON THE REPAIR INVOICE. "DETERMINED FRONT FRAME RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING EXTREME MOVEMENT OF ENGINE CRADLE AND ENGINE ASSEMBLY. UNIBODY IS RUSTED OUT. THIS VEHICLE IS PROBABLY TOTALED AND THIS INFORMATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE NHTSA. CAUTION: THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE STREET IMMEDIATELY." BOTH THE MECHANIC AND MYSELF FEEL THAT THIS SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPEDED TO A TEN YEAR OLD CAR WITH LESS THAN 86,000 MILES THAT HAS BEEN PRPERLY MAINTAINED. THE MECHANIC ALSO PHOTOGRAPHED THE DAMAGE. YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR
NHTSA ID
10621979
Incident
Aug 13, 2014
Mileage
85,987 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 30, 2014
I TRIED TO RESTART MY ENGINE. ALTHOUGH IT TURNED OVER, IT WOULDN'T START. SO I TOOK MY CAR TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, AND HE CONCLUDED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A SHORTAGE IN THE SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED A FUSE TO BE BLOWN. HE REPLACED THE FUSE, AND MY CAR STILL DIDN'T START. AFTER THAT, HE USED HIS DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE, AND SAW THAT I NEEDED A NEW IGNITION SWITCH, WHICH IS WHY IT DIDN'T START. *TR
NHTSA ID
10607230
Incident
Jun 29, 2014
Mileage
88,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 18, 2014
THE TRANSMISSION FOR MY SATURN VUE (2004) WAS REPLACED IN 2010 WHEN MY VEHICLE HAD 77637 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN 2010 AFTER RECEIVING A LETTER FROM SATURN NOTIFYING OF ISSUE WITH INTELLIGENCE (VTI) TRANSMISSION AND MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCING ISSUES. MY NOW SECOND TRANSMISSION IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS THE FIRST TRANSMISSION HAD. THE MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE HAS SAID THAT IT IS NOT NORMAL FOR A VEHICLE TO HAVE THE SAME TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND I KNOW MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS HAVE NOT EXPERIENCE THIS TYPE OF ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLES. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND THAT THE ISSUE WITH THE INTELLIGENCE (VTI) TRANSMISSION HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. I AM ASKING FOR GMC TO COVER THE COST TO REPLACE THE NEW DEFECTED TRANSMISSION FOR MY VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE FOR THIS ISSUE TO BE ESCALATED. MY EXPERIENCE WITH GMC PRODUCT AND CUSTOMER SERVICES I RECEIVE FROM JAY HAS LEFT ME VERY DISAPPOINTED AND DISSATISFIED WITH GMC. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANYONE WHO CAN HELP ME FIGHT THIS ISSUE WITH GMC. *TR
NHTSA ID
10564878
Incident
Feb 9, 2014
Mileage
145,192 mi
EngineFuel systemTransmission
Filed Jun 22, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 07/06/12 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED SHE RETURNED TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, TO FIX THE FUEL GAUGE PROBLEM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE A FAULTY 02 SENSOR. UPDATED 10/02/12
NHTSA ID
10462725
Incident
Jun 15, 2012
Mileage
115,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 1, 2011
THE TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY, AND COSTS MORE TO REPAIR THAN THE PRICE OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10433759
Incident
May 11, 2011
Mileage
142,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 29, 2011
TIMING BELT BROKE AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 45MPH, THIS IN TURN CAUSED MAJOR VALVE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. POOR ENGINEER DESIGN/FLAWED. STILL PAYING PAYMENTS AND NOW OWE LARGE REPAIR BILL. IT WAS 1,500 MI OUT OF EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED AT THE DEALER. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE BARELY 2 YEARS AND IT HAS BEEN IN FOR MANY MISC. REPAIRS INCLUDING BOTH BRAKE CYLINDERS. *TT
NHTSA ID
10427969
Incident
Sep 22, 2011
Mileage
73,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 11, 2011
WHEN THE CAR IS IDLING, THE AC STOPS ALTOGETHER. WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION, IT SOMETIMES WORKS AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT. WHEN IT DOES WORK, IT DOES RUN AT FULL CAPACITY AND WILL SOMETIMES EVEN BLOW HOT AIR EVEN THOUGH THE AC IS TURNED ON. IT IS HIT OR MISS WHEN TURNING THE VENT SETTINGS AS IT DOESN'T ALWAYS REDIRECT THE AIR FLOW. ALSO, IT IS HIT OR MISS FOR THE AC TO TURN OFF WHEN SWITCHED TO THE OFF POSITION (HOT OR COLD AIR MAY CONTINUE TO BLOW). *TR
NHTSA ID
10418543
Incident
Apr 1, 2011
Mileage
105,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 15, 2009
I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT ON MY 2004 SATURN VUE. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF LOOKING AROUND ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES ON THE SATURNS. I RECENTLY HAD MINE GO OUT ON MY VUE AT 90,000 MILES AND AM IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING IT FIXED WHICH COULD COST ME UPWARDS OF $2,000. IS THERE ANY FORM OF A RECALL O THIS AND WHAT ARE IF ANY ARE MY OPTIONS FOR EITHER SATURN FIXING IT OR REIMBURSING ME ANY AMOUNT. COULD YOU PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY INFORMATION YOU HAVE . THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP. *TR
NHTSA ID
10295918
Incident
Nov 19, 2009
Mileage
90,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 2, 2009
REPEATED FAILURE OF IGNITION CONTROL MODULE/COIL PACK ON 2004 VUE 2.2 ECOTEC MOTOR CAUSED DAMAGE TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND O2 SENSOR JANUARY 6, 2009 THEN AGAIN MARCH 31, 2009. *TR
NHTSA ID
10263982
Incident
Jan 6, 2009
Mileage
107,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 6, 2008
CAR HAD A STRANGE TICKING NOISE ,DROPPED THE CAR OFF AT SATURN DEALER SHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE A TIMING CHAIN,FOR A FEE OF 1,000 DOLLARS ,I SEARCHED NHTSA AND FOUND A RECALL EXACTLY LIKE THIS ONE BUT FOR A 2001 ONLY. MY CAR IS A 2004 AND ONLY HAS 34,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ID
10241149
Incident
Aug 28, 2008
Mileage
34,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 26, 2008
SATURN VUE AWD 2004 PISTON ROD BECAME BENT , ACCORDING TO A MECHANIC THAT LOOKED AT THE CAR, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS PLENTY OF OIL IN THE CAM CASE, THE ENGINE WIL NOT RUN AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THIS MODEL VEHICLE CONCERNING THE ENGINE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10216162
Incident
Nov 25, 2007
Mileage
76,050 mi
EngineFuel systemOther / unspecified+1 more
Filed Dec 27, 2006
I HAVE UNFORTUNATELY OWNED MY SATURN 2004 VUE FOR 2 YEARS. THE FIRST 3 MONTHS OF HAVING IT, AFTER HAVING TO REPLACE MY 2003 VUE FOR ALL THE PROBLEMS IT HAD WAS IN THE SHOP THE FIRST 4 MONTHS OF PURCHASE. THE POWER ENGINE FAILURE LIGHT WOULD GO ON AND I WOULD LOSE ALL POWER TO THE CAR. THEY HAD NO IDEA HOW TO FIX IT. THEN THE BACK WINDSHIELD SHATTERED. THE GAS MILEAGE IS HORRIBLE AND THE WHOLE GAS TANK AND ODOMETER HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WOULD FEEL THE CAR UP WITH GAS AND THE ODOMETER WOULD GO TO FULL AND MOVE BACK UP TO HALF FULL. THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP AGAIN FOR THROTTLE AND ENGINE PROBLEMS AGAIN. HAVE HAD THE REAL DISPLEASURE OF WORKING WITH A VERY RUDE LADY AT SATURN BY THE NAME OF MARCIA WHO CLEARLY DOES NOT CARE ABOUT ONES SAFETY IN THEIR VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO SATURN THE NEWER VEHICLES HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS FIXED. HOWEVER, I MUST SAY HAVING BEEN A SATURN OWNER FOR 12 YEARS NOW MY FAITH IN THEIR PRODUCT IS GONE. *JB
NHTSA ID
10177110
Incident
Dec 26, 2004
Engine
Filed Apr 1, 2006
CHIME SOUNDS WHEN STARTING VEHICLE AND PLACING INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. CAR SOMETIMES STALLS WHEN CHIME IS SOUNDING. ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER, THE CHIME INDICATES A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER, SATURN, IT IS COVERED BY TSB 1700388. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE AUGUST OF 2005. INCREASE IN FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY. DEALER UNABLE TO FIX PROBLEM EVEN WHEN FOLLOWING TSB. *NM
NHTSA ID
10154333
Incident
Aug 24, 2005
Mileage
12,786 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 10, 2005
NEW 2004 SATURN VUE(2WD) WITH 3.5 LITER V6, PURCHASED IN JULY 2004 1ST SYMPTOM: POOR FUEL EFFICIENCY 16MPG CITY INSTEAD OF 20MPG; WORSE DURING RAIN 22-24MPG HWY INSTEAD OF 28MPG; 19MPG OVERALL AVERAGE -DEALER RESPONSE NORMAL FOR FIRST 5K MILES, I'M NOW OVER 8K 2ND SYMPTOM: ENGINE BACKFIRES AFTER COLD START; WORSE DURING RAIN -DEALER RESPONSE NO TROUBLE FOUND, CHANGED OIL 3RD SYMPTOM: SLOW TO START WHEN PARKED ON SLIGHT UPWARD INCLINE -HAVEN'T NOTIFIED DEALER YET 4TH SYMPTOM: LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON BUT COOLANT LEVEL WAS OK -WILL BE TAKING IT IN TO DEALER I'M CONCERNED ABOUT TAKING IT IN FOR SERVICE AFTER READING SIMILAR REPORTS ON THIS VEHICLE AND NUMEROUS TALES OF POOR RESOLUTION. PLEASE NOTIFY OR POST ABOUT ANY NEW BULLETINS OR RESOLUTIONS THAT MAY BE HELPFUL.*AK
NHTSA ID
10116691
Incident
Jul 22, 2004
Mileage
216 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 30, 2005
ENGINE STALLED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, WHICH WAS DANGEROUS WHILE ON THE ROAD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A CHECK UP, BUT THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK VEHICLE ACCELERATED TOO FAST WHEN PRESSING GAS PEDAL TO START AUTO AFTER STALLING. *BF *NM
NHTSA ID
10113257
Incident
Mar 1, 2004
Engine
Filed Nov 22, 2004
NEW VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 2,500 MILES-2004 VUE. THEY WANT TO "FIX" REPLACE/REPAIR ENGINE FAILURE. WE KNOW THAT OTHER SYSTEMS CAN/WILL BE AFFECTED BY TOTAL BREAKDOWN ON INTERSTATE-IMMEDIATE ENGINE BLOW-NO POWER ETC. WE ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE "OFFER" OF REPAIR AND MINIMUM "WARRANTY" COVERAGE AS "ADDITIONALLY COURTESY OFFER". *JB
NHTSA ID
10100362
Incident
Nov 19, 2004
Mileage
2,400 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 28, 2004
I PURCHASED A 2004 SATURN VIEW, NEW, AUGUST 21, 2004. ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2004 I DROVE THROUGH WATER ON THE ROAD, ANKLE DEEP. THE ENGINE STOPPED, AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED. THE CAR HAD 2,000 MILES ON IT. THE MECHANIC WHO WAS SENT BY SATURN'S 800 ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE NUMBER LOOKED AT THE CAR AND SAID I PROBABLY BURNED OUT THE ALTERNATOR BECAUSE IT'S ON THE BOTTOM. HE SAID THE PROBLEM WAS TO BE RECTIFIED ON THE 2005 MODEL. WHEN I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON 9/20 THE SERVICE PERSON (EITHER JACOB OR BRIAN) I SPOKE TO SAID THAT THE AIR INTAKE, NEAR THE BOTTOM HAD SUCKED ROAD WATER INTO THE ENGINE AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. IT WAS PROBABLY BECAUSE WHEN I DROVE THROUGH THE WATER IT CREATED A WAVE AND THE WAVE WATER WAS SUCKED INTO THE AIR INTAKE. THEY WOULDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TAKEN APART. HE ALSO SAID IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY BECAUSE IT IS NOT A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT (ALTHOUGH I WOULD BEG TO DIFFER SINCE WHAT MANUFACTURER PUTS AN AIR INTAKE WHERE ROAD WATER CAN BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE) AND HE ALSO SAID THE L300 MODEL ALSO HAVE THEIR AIR INTAKE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE. I CONTACTED SATURN IN TENNESSEE (CLAIM 1-13554677) AND AN AREA SERVICE MANAGER NAMED MARCIA TOLD ME THAT AFTER THEY REVIEWED MY SITUATION THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME. WHAT I HAVE IS AN SUV WITH AN AIR INTAKE THAT IS IN A POSITION WHERE EVERY TIME THERE'S WATER, I RISK DAMAGING MY ENGINE , AND THE LAST 3 YEARS WE'VE AVERAGED 103 INCHES OF SNOW EACH WINTER). I DID ASK SATURN TO GET ME OUT OF THIS VEHICLE AS IT IS NOT FIT FOR PERFORMANCE AS WARRANTED FOR AN SUV, BUT THEY SAID NO. THIS VEHICLE, BY EXPLANATION FROM THE MECHANIC AND SERVICE PERSON, WAS DEFECTIVELY DESIGNED WHICH CAUSED THE AIR INTAKE TO SUCK WATER INTO THE ENGINE DAMAGING IT. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR LOOKING INTO THIS AND HOPEFULLY BEING ABLE TO OFFER ME A SOLUTION TO MY HAVING TO RETAIN A DEFECTIVELY DESIGNED, UNRELIABLE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ID
10093256
Incident
Sep 18, 2004
Mileage
2,040 mi
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.
Other components reported on this vehicle
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