48 problems related to car stall have been reported for the 2001 Saturn LS. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
On Sunday afternoon, June 29, 2008 I was traveling on a 3 lane in each direction highway at approximately 45 mph when my 2001 Saturn (with 41,000 miles)suddenly stalled, losing all power functions (steering, brakes and speed control). I was able to coast across 3 lanes of following traffic and one lane of parking lane where I beached the car into a parking lot and tried to restart it. Unfortunately, the car would crank, but not turn over. I eventually was able to arrange for a tow to my mechanic's nys licensed garage in the next town. My mechanic noted the timing chain failed and would need to be replaced as well as items damaged by the failure like inlet and exhaust valves as well as the head gasket needed to be replaced due to the required access to the parts and other parts involved. Using a search I found that over 20,000 Saturns with the 2. 2l engine (like mine) had been recalled for this same failure (NHTSA campaign id #07v519000). I called Saturn customer support, I was issued service request # . I provided her the details including my VIN number. I mentioned I the other Saturns of my year and model that also experienced the premature failure of the drive chain and requested my need for support. Saturn said looking up my VIN that my car did not qualify for the recall, although over 20,000 similar units were qualified, but if I brought the car to Saturn, they would evaluate it for me. I explained that the car needed to be towed and to tow it to the nearest dealer was not possible as the mechanic had already determined the problem and was working on it, and I could supply the receipt and broken parts as evidence. She said it was not under coverage as the car was over 5 years old. Three days later I received the bill for the repairs and towing (almost $2,700. 00) and called Saturn again to check to be sure there was nothing Saturn would do. Except for the old head gasket, I have all valves, timing chain and broken links involved in the repair.
Nhtsa complaint April 6, 2008 ref: 2001 Saturn l200 4-door sedan with 2. 2l dohc engine purchase date: July 15, 2004 with 27,309 miles date of incident: Feb. 27, 2008 what happened? my wife drove approx 13 miles, just pulled into the driveway at her workplace, and the vehicle died. She called and I drove to the location to attempt to diagnose the problem which I could not. I had it towed to a nation-wide auto repair center where I work as a technical service advisor. The vehicle was inspected by two of the master technicians as well as the service manager. They removed the valve cover and determined that the timing chain had separated and the 4 cylinders had no compression due to bent valves. The repair estimates are from $1,150. 00 to $3,800. 00. Results: I discovered there is a recall for correcting this problem from Saturn affecting approx 20,000 vehicles. I contacted a Saturn dealer in colorado springs and discussed the problem with the service manager. He checked and said our vehicle was not included in the recall and would contact the ?regional manager? and see what could be done. Two days later, he informed me that Saturn would install a new engine assembly but we would have to pay half of the total expense which is $7,200. Saturn has a problem with the timing chain and oiler nozzle in these engines. At eng idle, there is lack of lubrication to the timing chain resulting in failure. Saturn now has an improved timing chain and oilier design which "increases oil flow to the timing chain at idle". See Saturn technical bulletin "timing chain design change and revised service procedures #03-06-01-017 - (Jun 9, 2003). I've changed the oil and filter every 3-4k miles, using only specified oil. There were no symptoms nor any noise coming from the engine immediately prior to the failure. Hope you folks can help! best regards, william major.
I was driving my vehicle to the gym. As I was on a highway on ramp, my car suddenly stalled, and would not restart. I took the vehicle to a mechanic who stated that the timing chain went out, and when it did, it bent the valves and did damage to a piston, as evidenced by compression test failure and visual inspection. He also noted that even once the timing chain was grabbed, it could not be pulled free of the engine without complete disassembly. He stated that the parts could be replaced and engine repaired for approximately $3,400. 00 plus tax, or I could replace the engine for $3,500. 00 plus tax, and have a one year warranty on parts and labor. I opted to replace the engine instead of repair the defective parts. Saturn just notified me of the safety recall for this issue on my vehicle, but will only pay for replacement of the timing chain, not the damage caused when the timing chain broke.
My wife was on the on ramp to a very bust state highway when the car stalled, and she could not restart the vehicle. Turns out the timing chain broke, causing valves to bend and piston damage, which wound up costing 3746. 29 to replace the engine with a used engine to repair (replacement of parts was going to cost the same amount if not more. ).
My daughter was driving my 2001 Saturn on a county road at 55 mph when the car just stopped. Luckily, she was able to get off the road safely and was not injured. The mechanic at the dealership told me that the motor was shot due to the timing chain breaking. I now have to pay 1500 for a new motor to be installed. I still owe more than 4,000 on the car. In researching the Saturn, I found that there were many complaints about this same problem but there has never been a recall of the Saturn for this. I believe it is time for action to be taken against gm regarding this problem with the timing chain in the Saturn.
My 23 year old son was driving my 2001 Saturn l200 down a highway on Thursday, June 28, 2007, about 8pm, doing approximately 45 miles per hour, when the car stalled while driving. Luckily, he was able to pull over on the shoulder. But, this could have been a tragedy. The car was towed to a Saturn dealer who is indicating a $ 2800. 00 charge for a known defect, timing chain failure, with an ever increasing trend. It is inexcusable that there is not a recall on this extremely dangerous defect. I have lost all confidence in Saturn and it's company after finding out that many thousands of other Saturn owners have had to live through this extremely dangerous experience. I encourage the NHTSA to quickly recommend a recall before a life is lost due to Saturn not taking responsibility in this matter.
Timing chain failure at low speed resulting in stall. Car restarted after a few tries and was able to be driven about 2 blocks home with very poor performance. After turning off engine vehicle would not restart. Independent mechanic diagnosed timing chain failure.
My 2001 l-series Saturn developed a low speed miss, was diagnosed as a sticking valve at Saturn of frederick, MD. Three days later on a narrow road my timing chain broke at 55 mph. Causing a sudden shut down of the vehicle. Fortunately, I was able to drift the vehicle over to a very narrow shoulder. The vehicle was towed to a local auto repair shop. Diagnosis was made as broken timing chain which also caused bent valves in the cylinder head. New timing chain kit was installed and the head was re-done with new valves and gaskets. It should be noted that the new timing chain kit was and updated kit correct early design problems with an oilier nozzle.
After driving five minutes, I was accelerating my 2001 Saturn lw300 up a gentle slope to enter a highway on-ramp when the engine unexpectedly and for no apparent reason stalled. Engine could not be restarted. Problem has not yet been diagnosed by Saturn of austin.
I have a 2001 Saturn l-series, 2. 2l engine. I was driving under 30 mph,engine died. Diagnosis: timing chain broke, + all the valves bent cost to me $2400 (see odi id #10142499. ) also see complaint odi id #10129780, dated 7/16/05. This vehicle was a 2000 Saturn l-series, passenger car. This individual was driving on highway 101 in California when his motor suddenly stopped working. He was told several days later that the timing chain broke and in his case the entire motor needed to be replaced. I am sure in his case because he was driving at a higher rate of speed and the valves continued to hit the pistons damaging the entire engine. Had he been in heavy traffic this could have resulted in a serious safety issue. I don't know if Saturn has issued any technical service bulletins, my dealer says no but I would guess they have since the area (engine rebuilders association) has issued a technical bulletins dated April 2004 which says, "the area technical committee offers the following information regarding changes to the timing chain and oiling nozzle on the 2000-2003 Saturn 2. 2l engines. All gm timing chain kits available through gm service have a revised nozzle included in the kit. The revised nozzle has higher flow rate characteristics that will increase oil flow to the timing chain under low rpm operating conditions. Whenever replacing the timing chain, it is important to replace the oil nozzle. " this same engine is in at least the chevy cavalier. I contend that the original timing chain oil is faulty, it does not maintain the proper oil to the timing chain under low rpm, thus causing it to heat up and over time break, which causes major engine damage and expense to the customer. This could be a serious safety problem should this happen in rush hour traffic around any major city putting innocent people's lives in jeopardy. Gm should issue a recall and fix this problem by installing or in mine and I am sure others cases paying for the repair.
The vehicle stalled while driving at 30 mph. Then vehicle failed to restart when a jump was attempted. Vehicle was towed to the dealership, who indicated that the engine collapsed due to a manufacturing defect.
While driving at 65 mph and without any warning, the vehicle stopped stalled there was no indication that anything was wrong with the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the consumer that the timing chain snapped and a new engine was needed.
Car stalls while driving for no apparent reason - computer analysis shows no problem - most pumps, plugs, starter have been replaced - still stalls while driving.