Car Stall problems of the 2001 Saturn LS - part 1

Vehicle stalled while driving and would not turn back over. Found out later it was timing chain failure. The vehicle was traveling at highway speed in sourt carolina.

The contact owns a 2001 Saturn Ls. When the vehicle was started, it immediately stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 07v519000 (engine) the manufacturer was notified of failure. The failure mileage was 62,000.

While driving my cars idle dropped and stalked my car in the middle of a turn. I got it restsrted and made it home. The next day driving out of town with infant in the back it stalled again. This time leaving us stranded in a intersection. Kind people pushed us off the busy roadway I had to have it towed my husband discovered it was my iac valve. To replace this its over 150 dollars it continues to leave me stranded when I turn and when im in a intersection! my interior on my drivers seat has sunk to below the metal seat frame I have to sit on pillows to see properly!.

Timing chain broken, stalled while driving.

I recently purchased a 2001 Saturn l-200 series with only 75k original miles. Best running vehicle I had come across in along time. I had the car a little under a year and the timing chain stretched at 78k. This was a horrific incident being that I had my children in the car when it stalled in the middle of the road and would not restart. I found out that there was a recall on my specific vehicle but not my VIN and Saturn would not cover the expenses. It was crazy that Saturn would send out a recall on the whole Saturn l- series but only repair certain vehicles in the series based on VIN's.

The contact owns a 2001 Saturn l100. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle jerked and then stalled. The vehicle did not restart. The vehicle was towed to the contacts house where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the timing chain, head and valve needed to be replaced. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 143,183.

The contact owns a 2001 Saturn l series. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The contact was informed that the timing chain would need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 127,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Saturn l200. The contact stated that while making a left turn, the vehicle stalled and all the warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 80,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Saturn l2. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop and attempting a right turn, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic for inspection. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic where it was determined that the timing chain failed. The mechanic advised that there was a recall for the vehicle under NHTSA campaign id number: 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling), but the manufacturer advised that the vehicle was not included in the recall campaign. The failure and the current mileage was 146,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Saturn l200. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling) that may be related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Saturn l200. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled. The failure recurred without warning. The contact attempted to restart vehicle, but to no avail. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised that the failure was related to the timing chain. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue however, no further assistance was provided. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The approximate current and failure mileage was 100,000.

The contact owns 2001 Saturn l200. The contact stated that that vehicle stalled whenever braking to a stop. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where the exact failure was not found however the transmission filter and fluid was replaced. The failure ceased for three weeks but later recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling). They did not provide any further assistance. The contact secured an appointment with the dealer for further inspection. The current mileage was 151,362. The failure mileage was 150,762.

The contact owns a 2001 Saturn Ls200. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 132,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Saturn l200. While the contact was driving approximately 20 mph, the engine reduced speed and immediately stalled. The vehicle failed to restart and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who recommended that the vehicle be taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer who informed the contact that the timing chain would need to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling); however the contact's VIN was not included in the recall campaign. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.

Timing chain has slipped causing car to speed up and slow down and stall. Narrowly avoided causing an accident. This failure is reported in security bulletin 06074 yet dealer refuses to honor recall.

The contact owns a 2001 Saturn l200. The contact was driving 55 mph when the vehicle stalled and all of the warning lamps in the instrument panel illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and realized that the timing chain was fractured. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling). The VIN was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 112,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Saturn l200. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while accelerating from a stop. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed a new motor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 07v519000(engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 135,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Saturn l series. The contact was driving 50 mph when the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle coasted to a stop and the contact was unable to restart the engine. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop for failure diagnosis. The repair shop diagnostic a timing chain failure. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that the contact's VIN did not qualify for repair under NHTSA campaign id number: 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired and the VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileage was 95,000. Updated 08/31/2011.

Driving car when noticed it was no longer accelerating. Pushed on gas pedal, nothing, the car had stalled out on a very busy road. Had to try to coast off the road. Steering & brakes were very difficult to use. Car would not re-start. Had it towed, timing chain had broken causing damage to the cylinder.

The contact owns a 2001 Saturn l100. While attempting to decelerate with the brakes pressed, the contact noticed that the vehicle stalled without warning and was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic who inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the timing chain was fractured and needed to be replaced. Both the dealer and manufacturer advised the contact that his vehicle had not been included in NHTSA campaign id number: 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling) and offered no additional assistance. No repairs were performed. The approximate failure mileage was 114,736.

The contact owns a 2001 Saturn l200. While driving approximately 25 mph, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning similar to NHTSA campaign id number: 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic where they performed a diagnostic test which concluded that the timing chain would need replacing. The vehicle was awaiting repairs. The dealer was notified who informed the contact that her vehicle had not been included in the previous recall. The current and failure mileages were 103,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Saturn l series. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly stalled without any warning. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and it was towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was advised that the timing chain was fractured and damaged the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that intermittently, when trying to start the vehicle the key would not turn in the ignition. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Saturn l200. While traveling 20 mph, there was an abnormal thump from the exterior of the vehicle. Seconds later, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact was informed that the engine would need to be replaced. There were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileage was 86,000.

2001 Saturn l200 timing chain failure. Car stalled in busy traffic. Car had 50k miles on it. Repairs cost $3,200.

I was driving to work and suddenly the engine started running rough, then stalled. I coasted off to the side of the road to get out of traffic. It would not re-start, so I had my car towed home where I started troubleshooting. After investigating, I found it was the timing chain. The chain had enough slack in it to jump about 6 teeth. This caused a total loss of compression in all cylinders.

Upon driving home from work, my Saturn 2001 l200 suddenly stalled - braking, accelerator, and steering became completely unresponsive. With difficulty, I managed to get to the side of the road and eventually get towed 40miles to my local repair center. They advised me that the timing chain had broken and may have also damaged the engine valves. I was advised by Saturn, that there was a recall on the timing chain for this model but my VIN was not included and all repair costs would be at my expense. My complaint is the dangerous nature of how this issue can manifest itself and also that I was not made aware of this potential danger earlier as part of the ongoing recall notice.

The contact owns a 2001 Saturn l200. The contact stated that when driving the vehicle intermittently stalled without any prior warnings. When attempting to start the vehicle it exhibits a no start condition. Upon further inspection, he noticed that the links in the engine's timing chain separated. The dealer was notified in reference to recall # 07v519000, engine and engine cooling. A technician concluded that because the VIN number was excluded from the VIN range, he was ineligible for a free remedy. No repairs have been made. The failure mileage and current mileages were 106,012.

After 2 timing chain replacements in less than three years,the timing chain broke again on my Saturn 2001 l200 damaging the top half of the engine. Towed it to Saturn of toms river n. J. They said that since I have already had 1 chain replaced on the recall that I was not eligible for the recall. I was told when the chain was replaced under the recall (at Saturn of freehold which is out of business)that this was not the same chain but a new and improved design. I was told today that my repair was not really worth fixing but if I'd like they could install a used engine for $4300. This is just plain neglect from a dying company. Why would they replace a chain that's just going to go again and worsen the damage to my vehicle even more. Saturn/gm needs to make good for their poor history if they're ever going to right the ship. I really feel ripped off.

The contact owns a 2001 Saturn l series. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle decelerated without warning. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle still would not budge. The vehicle stalled and was towed to an auto body shop. The timing chain was diagnosed as the cause of the failure and needed to be replaced. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle has not been repaired and is currently at the dealer. The failure and current mileages were 117,887.

The contact owns a 2001 Saturn l series. The vehicle stalled while it was parked and in idle. The vehicle was towed to an auto shop and then towed to another auto shop with a better quote. It was diagnosed that the timing chain failed and needed to be repaired. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was repaired at the owner's expense. The failure mileage was 140,000 and current mileage was 140,500. Updated 02/24/09. Updated 02/05/09.

The contact owns a 2001 Saturn l series. When attempting to reverse out of a parking space at 5 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning and would not restart. A local mechanic stated that the timing chain failed. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling); therefore, they would not assume financial responsibility for any repairs. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 120,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Saturn lw300. Intermittently, while driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled when attempting to decelerate. Typically, fifteen minutes after the failure, the vehicle was able to be restarted. There were no warning indicators illuminated prior to the failure. The contact is in the process of taking the vehicle to the dealer to determine the cause of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 69,000. Updated 3/3/09 the crankshaft position sensor was the cause of the failure. Updated 03/04/09.

I have been having trouble with my Saturn 2001 l200 series engine; where it will stall the first time starting the engine in the morning. I researched the problem on the internet and found that the vehicle was part of a recall for the timing chain. I called the dealership to make an appointment to have the vehicle serviced under the recall. I was told that my vehicle was not part of the recall, because my VIN# was outside of the recall range. I asked the dealership "what is the range"? I was told the excluded range is between 1y504884 and 1y559453. I then asked the dealership "what is the life expectancy for the timing chain"? I was told the chain should last the life of the vehicle; as long as I change the oil according to the vehicle's maintenance schedule. I did further research on the timing chain issue a found that vehicles in the excluded range have had timing chain failures as well. I called the dealership again and I was told that there was nothing they could do for me. I have not attempted to start the vehicle since the stalling problem; for fear that I may cause damage, if not already, to the vehicle. I been told, by several mechanics, that the repair could cost any where for $2500 to $4000; depending on the damage to engine. How can the manufacturer get away with picking and choosing whose vehicle is repaired under the recall, when they know that this is obviously a serious manufacturer defect. Suppose my vehicle had stalled on a crowded high speed highway; in front of a car or a bus or a tractor trailer? would the manufacturer respond to my request, after my or someone else's demise. I would like to see the NHTSA force the manufacturer to live up to their ethical and legal responsibilities, when it comes to a reliable and safe vehicle. It appears that the manufacturer knew about this problem throughout the 2001 and 2002 model years and chose not to do anything about the problem. That is a total disregard for public safety.

On Thursday September 11 2008 while driving my 2001 "l" series Saturn stalled, cut off in traffic and would not restart. Luckily no one was behind me. I have contacted customer service, and a couple of people at the main office. 2 people from the main office stated I should have been included in the warranty work of the service bulletin and 2 people from customer service stated I was not included. I have transcripts of every conversation, a copy of the service bulletin, my receipts and photos.

The contact owns a 2001 Saturn l series. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle spontaneously stalled. After two hours, the vehicle was able to be restarted. Months later, while driving at an unknown speed, the failure recurred. The manufacturer stated that her VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling); therefore, they would not assume responsibility for any repairs. The failure mileage was 80,000 and current mileage was 82,000.