10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
16,836 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #14

Dec 052000

(reported on)

SL

  • miles
Casting of cylinder head was cracked. This caused engine to stall out. Took vehicle to dealership & was informed by mechanic that problem was a factory defect in casting of cylinder head. It needed to be replaced.

- Baldwin, MI, USA

problem #13

Jan 012000

SL

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While traveling, consuemr heard a clanking noise which turned out to be a crack in the cylinder head, customer is upset due to the fact that this failure happened after 100000 miles which would not be covered under Saturn special policy regarding an extra coverage for 6 years or 100000 miles. Consumer states that the air conditioning system has a degradable O-ring connection which causes massive freon leaks.

- Baldwin, MI, USA

problem #12

Jul 102000

SL

  • miles
Excessive use of oil for life of car. Head gasket has now blown

- Harwich, MA, USA

problem #11

Jul 032000

SL

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
While driving at about 60 mph heard a rattle. As consumer was pulling over, heard a thump. Piston went through the engine block. Consumer opened hood and the engine was on fire. Took vehicle to dealer, and they were not very helpful. Another mechanic said he saw four or five different Saturn that had same problem within a month.

- Clifton Park, NY, USA

problem #10

May 242000

(reported on)

SL

  • miles
Spark plugs failed at 30000 miles. Replaced piston rings. Now at 70000 miles, same problem. Repaired at Saturn of renton, not bellevue.

- Kent, WA, USA

problem #9

Feb 092000

SL

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Consumer noticed an oil leak at the engine cylinder head. Also, engine cylinder head was cracked. A tsb was issued on the same problem. Dealer and manufacturer refused to correct the problem.

- Syosset, NY, USA

problem #8

Feb 132000

SL

  • miles
While driving about 40 mph consumer heard a popping noise from the engine. Then, vehicle stalled. It was towed to dealer where technician told consumer that it was due to a engine piston wearing out.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #7

Jun 291999

(reported on)

SL

  • miles
Engine mounts have worn out. Dealer replaced the engine mounts.

- Randallstown, MD, USA

problem #6

Mar 301998

SL

  • miles
Engine head cracked and water pump failed.

- Apex, NC, USA

problem #5

Mar 011999

SL

  • miles
Engine head was found to have a crack in the 5th journal. Car running normally, was diagnosed by the presence of oil in the coolant. No trauma occured to the engine to sustain crack. All suggested regular maintenance performed on vehicle. Light driving with no insult to vehicle to stress engine. Repair included replacement of engine head and entire coolant system.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #4

Nov 061997

SL

  • miles
Timing chain wore prematurely.

- Owings Mil, MD, USA

problem #3

Jun 121998

SL

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Head gasket cracked causing failure of other components. (qcaw)

- Jacksonvil, FL, USA

problem #2

May 051998

(reported on)

SL

  • miles
Screeching noise upon start up.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #1

Oct 241997

SL

  • miles
While drivng, the vehicle just stopped completely in the middle of traffic. Vehicle was towed to a shop, where the alternator and battery were replaced. Owner still experienced problems with vehicle. When taken to the dealer, the alternator was replaced again. The alternator has been replaced (3) times within a (2) year period.

- Redlands, CA, USA