Engine Belts And Pulleys problems of the 2001 Saturn LS - part 2

I noticed about all the complaints throughout the internet and I decided to add my complaint to the NHTSA. I was driving on the highway out of town on cruise control at 70 mph when my vehicle lost all engine power. I was able to glide it off the road. I had it taken to my mechanic and he said that the timing chain has broke on it. I was under the impression that timing chains should never break. My car has less than 110k on it. Now I have a broken vehicle with payments still and a large cost to fix or replace the engine.

- the contact stated that when driving the 2001 Saturn l200 at approximately 45 mph she heard a loud popping sound, and experienced a complete engine failure, and a complete loss of power. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle would not start. The vehicle had to be towed to a mechanic, who informed the contact the timing chain sheared off. The contact stated the mechanic replaced the timing chain. There have not been any other occurrences with the vehicle since the replacement of the timing chain. The vehicle currently had 62,000 miles.

My family and I were traveling on u. S. 301 at 9:00 a. M. On our way home in our 2001 Saturn (l100) coupe. There was a clicking sound coming from the engine that had started while driving home. While going 65 mph, there was a popping sound and the oil light came on. The car quickly lost power and forced us to the side of the road. We were shaken by the thought what could have happen if we were in an area with heavy traffic. I was able to flag down a passing tow truck to help us out. The road service unit dropped the car off at a local mechanic and the family at home. The local car mechanic could not determine what was wrong with the car until it was taken apart and examined. The first examination determined that the timing chain and had failed and would have to be replaced. The mechanic also explain that the engine would have to be taken apart to determine the extent of the damage. I said yes, although I know it would be an expensive repair. I thought with the low miles (58,767) on the car, the work would be worth while. The examination of the engine revealed a damaged head and bent valves. What looked like a $1000. 00 timing change replacement quickly went to several thousand dollars worth of damage! I called the Saturn dealer to see about warranties that went with the car and what help they could provide. They explain that they couldn't consider a warranty without first examing the car in their own shop and having all the maintenance records provided to them. With the additional towing fees, examination fees from the local mechanic, and no gurantees from the Saturn dealer; I decide to allow the local mechanic to do the work. The following parts had to be replace due to the 'premature" failure of the timing chain: head, head gasket, valve gasket, front cover gasket, timing chain kit, valves, belt, spark plugs, wire set, filter, oil, and antifreeze. The total bill came to $ 2,480. 80. The car is running fine now.

My daughter was driving to work and a pop was heard from the engine, then the car quit and she was able to maneuver the car to the shoulder of the road. Event occurred at night on a unlit roadway. When the ar was towed to a mechanic, I was told the timing belt had broken and the engine would need to be replaced. Saturn said it was due to oil change maintenance but all oil changes were done on a regular basis. Saturn also claimed that the problem was not a major one, but after researching I found numerous complaints for the same problem. Saturn issued a TSB in June 2003 which stated that the oiler to the timing chain housing was not large enough to properly oil the chain, but refuses to take any responsibility for repeated failures. A class action suit on behalf of all owners with this failure may need to be started if Saturn continues to refuse to own up to the problem.

With my Saturn l-200 there was an occasional grinding noise when started, when I took it in to the dealer it would not make the noise because it had been running. I was on my way to a company meeting in kc, and the car all of a sudden would not accelerate when I stepped on the gas, it just stayed at a constant idle. I of course pulled off to the side of the road, and tried to restart it, and had no success. I had it towed to a shop. That is when I found out that the timing belt broke, and that it had done damage to the motor. The mechanic told me that it would cost between 2,000 - 7,000 dollar range to replace the motor. Not happy!.

I was driving with my two young children on I-75 in kentucky doing 70 miles per hour. I noticed that I lost the gas peddle and barely had steering. No lights were on in the dash and I had very little control over the vehicle. I managed to get my car to the right side of the road on a steep down grade crossing 3 lanes of traffic! had my car towed to a local mechanic (after sitting for 2 hours on the side of the highway with children). The mechanic said that the timing chain broke and caused additional damage to the engine. The car was then 3 hours from home with it needing a completely new engine!! I consider myself lucky to not have been hurt! my children and myself could have been seriously injured or killed on a busy highway with a car the decided to quit running on a steep grade and all the semis around!!.

I was driving yesterday, and my 2001 Saturn l200, just gave out on me. I could not turn my steering wheel, I had no control over my car. It wouldn't stop or anything. I was scared that I would crash into anything. I came about 2 inches away from hitting a light pole. Must of been god that stopped the car. I had my car towed, and they said it was the timing belt or chain. I been reading that there were so many complaints on this same issue. I could of been really hurt or got into a bad accident or anything. Right now I'm waiting on the cost of how much it will be for repairs.

2001 Saturn l-200 timing chain failure with only 70k miles seems to be a real problem that Saturn will not admit.

I own a 2001 Saturn l200 which I bought in 2003 used. I was driving on a very busy 6 lane major road when my car suddenly died and could not be restarted. I was able to pull into the right lane before rolling to a stop, but caused a major hazard sitting in the road with cars having to go around me. We had the car towed and found it was the timing chain that had broken, also damaging several valves in the process. The repair was completed after 12 days at a cost to me of $2700. I also had to rent a car for the time my car was being fixed at a cost of several hundred dollars. I had to take a loan to pay for the repair and rental. In doing a little research, I found that many, many Saturn l200's have had the same problem at various mileage marks. I have only 56,000 miles on my car and up until now, have had no other problems with the car, but this was major. I, like the other owners with the same problem, have kept my oil changed and kept up the maintenance on this car. I understand there was an investigation launched by the NHTSA which was closed. I have seen at least 45 pages of complains on the internet and wonder if anything is being done. Please do not wait until the death toll is significant to address this problem. Thank you.

: the contact stated while driving 30 mph on a city street, the timing belt fractured without warning and there was a loss of all vehicle power. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop who determined the engine was damaged when the timing belt fractured. The mechanic suggested replacing the engine as well as the timing belt. The manufacturer was alerted.

: the contact stated while driving 20mph, the timing chain fractured without warning. Afterwards, the vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop who determined that upon the initial fracture of the timing chain, the engine was damaged, and both components would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was alerted.

: the contact stated while driving 30 mph and turning a corner the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who determined the timing chain fractured and caused damage to two cylinder heads. The dealer replaced the timing chain and cylinder heads. The battery was replaced. Updated 09/13/06.

I have a 2001 Saturn Ls that I bought used in October 2004. It has about 54, 000 miles on it and the timing chain just broke. This caused damaged to the valves which is costing me over $2,000 to fix. This should not have happened.

2001 Saturn 200l key would not turn in engine, steering shook vigorously while driving. While driving 65 mph, on the day the vehicle was purchased, the vehicle's steering wheel began to vibrate and pull to the right. There was also a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle on the passenger side. The consumer assumer the problem would resolve itself but it didn't. Two weeks later the consumer called the dealer. The vehicle wa taken tot he dealer who determined that the problem was wheel balancing. The adjustment were made and the vehicle was returned tot he consumer. About a month later the vehicle would not start intermittently. The consumer called the dealer who explained that this was a safety feature. Several months went by and the problem continued to occur. Someone suggested tot he consumer that she needed a new starter. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but they were unable to duplicate the problem. The vehicle was returned to the consumer . Once again the vehicle began to not start. The dealer finally replaced the starter. The vehicle tie rod eventually had to be replaced. That was the noise the consumer heard when she first purchased the vehicle. On day while driving the vehicle sudden lost all power. The vehicle was towed to a service dealer who determined that the vehicle's timing chain had broken. None of these failures were covered by the vehicle extended warranty. The consumer contacted yhe manufacturer but they provided no assistance.

My wife and I own a 2001 Saturn l200 sedan that we have been very happy with. Over the years there have been nothing more than the normal little problems with the car. About two weeks ago my wife started noticing a 'ticking' noise coming from the engine. The sound came and went but mostly when she started the car. We had it in to a garage and they were unable to determine the cause, but assured my wife everything would be fine. Two days later everything was not fine. My wife, who is a nurse, went to start her car after work. The car started, with the noise, and then stalled. She tried to restart the car but was unable to. All of this happened Sunday July 9th at 4:00 am in the morning. We had the car towed the following Monday, at an increased expense because she was in a low clearance parking garage. We had the engine checked and it was discovered to be a timing belt failure. Lucky, for us it happened when she started the car not when she was driving, so there was no other damage done to the motor. As I stated earlier our car is a 2001 Saturn l200 that has only 78,000 miles. Never before have I heard of a timing chain failing, let alone at 78,000 miles. The last car we owned, a 1993 Nissan maxima had a timing belt and the manufacturer did not recommend replacement until 90,000 mile at that. I have had many cars and have driven them well beyond 100,000 mile mark and never have I had to fix a timing chain before.

July 4, 2006, several months after just having new computer installed on my 2001 Saturn l-series 200, I was driving with my mother and two sisters when suddenly the vehicle lost all power including steering and braking capability. The engine died and the vehicle was difficult to control. Fortunately, I was traveling at a low rate of speed rounding a rather innocuous bend. But had this taken place under different circumstances the casualty loss, both property and personal, could have been disastrous. The vehicle had to be towed to a dealership, where the next day a mechanic told me that it was the timing chain that broke. Proceeded to call Saturn, they said it would be roughly three-thousand dollars to fix. The car is outside of warranty, but I was still making payments. There is absolutely no reason why a car in today's day and age, should not be warranted against an unreasonable dangerous defect such as what is happening with the Saturn l-series 200. Please help with contacting Saturn and seeing about a replacement to cover my loss. Thank you.

We purchased a 2001 Saturn l200 from a Saturn dealer in 2002 with 14,000 miles on the vehicle. We had the vehicle properly maintained by a Chevrolet dealership mechanic. The oil was changed every 3,000 miles. The vehicle had timing chain failure at 57,000 miles resulting in sudden and complete loss of power while on an interstate highway. The cylinder head had to be replaced at a cost of $2,348. 00.

The timing chain on my Saturn l200 failed when I was traveling south on highway 169 in golden valley minnesota. At the time of the failure I was traveling at 65 mph and the vehicle became was difficult to control. Thankfully it was 3 am in the morning and there were no other vehicles on the road so I was able to successfully negotiate off the highway without incident. Upon investigating the failure I found out that this has already been logged in defect investigation pe06006. . Read more...

Car is a 2001 Saturn lw 200 station wagon, which had been maintained regularly with the dealer (last date of service was approximately 3 1/2 to 4 months prior to incident). Vehicle's timing belt failed during short local trip (2 miles from home) under normal driving conditions. Timing belt failure resulted in additional engine damage including dented valves. Driver had no warning of impending failure: engine simply stalled out and never started again. Car had been maintained regularly with dealer and dealer never indicated that timing belt was worn or required scheduled maintenance. Car is only five years old and had approximately 60,000 miles on it. Car was towed to repair shop for evaluation of problem. First repair shop believed problem was timing belt but was not equipped to handle the problem; recommended dealer service. Dealer estimated repair costs at $2300. Owners decided to delay repair pending potential sale or donation of the damaged vehicle.

1. Driving at highway speed on interstate. 2. The engine timing chain broke which caused the engine to immediately stop, all power was lost but fortunately traffic was light and I was able to maneuver to the shoulder of the road. 3. The broken timing chain caused engine valves to be damaged. The timing chain, head and valves had to be replaced at a cost of $1969. 00.

2000 Saturn l100 timing chain failure. Sudden power loss at 50 mph.

2001 Saturn Ls 4-door - timing chain went bad after barely 100,000 miles. Repair to fix will cost about $2,000. We relied on Saturn's claims that timing chains are better than timing belts because chains never have to be replaced. That being said, we now have a busted timing chain with exhaust valve problems on a 2001 Saturn Ls 4-door sedan.

My 2001 Saturn l200 with 69k miles on it had the timing chain break - it ripped through the engine, shearing off the gears and busting the valves. I now have no way to get to work, no money to fix the car, and have discovered online that this is a common problem with this make of Saturn and Saturn refuses to issue a recall or pay to fix the problem. Please help!.

1) the car was driven two blocks from home to bring a family member to work. The car started normally, drove fine and gave no warning of anything going wrong. There were no strange noises or anything. No warning lights came on either! 2) with a load banging noise, the timing chain inside the engine broke causing the engine to immediately stop. All power assisted steering and braking went out and the car coasted to a stop. It was navigated through traffic to pull into a store parking lot narrowly avoiding being hit by other cars on the road. It was a very frightening experience. 3) the engine was fully disassembled to replace the timing chain, related tensioner(s) and 6 bent valves. Several gaskets and other miscellaneous parts and kits were used to reassemble the engine.

(01-03-05) consumer Saturn timing belt broke. The blower fan was inoperative. The consumer stated the manufacturer re-designed the oiling nozzle and included it with a kit when replacing the timing chain, because they were aware of the potential failure of the timing chain.

I purchased a 2001 Saturn l200 in October 2004. It had roughly 64000 miles on it. This past October my daughter was driving the vehicle. The car slowed to a complete stop. The car would not start. We had it towed to a service station and the next day I was told that the timing chain was broke. I contacted the local Saturn dealership : Saturn of saginaw. After I explained what happened ,they made it sound like it was my fault . They claimed that I was negligent with my oil changes. I told them that I had every oil change receipt and that they were always around the 3000 mile limit. They informed me that there was no service bulletin about this problem. They informed me that it would cost $2500 for a new chain and repairs(bent valves) or $ 4000 for a new engine. They claimed that I should expect no help from Saturn. So I had the engine repaired for $1700 from the station that initially diagnosed the problem. Since the repairs, the car is running fine, I read on the web about other people that has had the same problem as myself. My car had 71000 miles on it when it failed.

While traveling at highway speed, the timing chain failed in my 2001 Saturn l200. This caused sudden loss of power on a major highway. The vehicle had to be towed. The timing chain had snapped, causing significant damage. The damage was repaired by a Saturn dealer, costing approximately $2000.

On October 1, 2005 will driving home, my car stopped with no warning. After having three machincs inspect the vechile, the diagnosis was the timining chain had broken and caused serious damage to my engine. I brought the car used with 38,000 miles and it now has 50,000 miles. The repairs Saturn quoted me was 4,700 to repair the engine.

The timing chain on my wife's 2001 Saturn l-200 unexpectedly broke, causing permanent engine damage, requiring (according to the dealer service dep't) a rebuilt engine. Driving conditions were normal (flat surface, in-town driving, broke about 3 blocks from home), and no previous warning signs were available (sputtering, loss of power, etc. ). This part is labeled as not needing servicing/replacing until 100,000 miles. My wife's chain broke at approximately 75,000 miles. The dealer refuses to accept responsibility, even though the vehicle has had its regularly scheduled maintenance visits. $3000 for a rebuilt engine to repair damaged caused by an advertised "maintenance-free" part is ridiculous.

While driving at 65 mph engine failed due to timing chain which caused the valves in the engine to bend. Had a local mechanic check engine and was told consumer needed a new engine.

After making a left turn vehicle felt as if it was out of gas. Vehicle was towed to dealer for inspection, and it was later discovered that timing chain was defective.

Following routine maintenance by the dealer our Saturn l300 experienced stuttering and hesitation. I immediately brought the car back to the dealership and expressed my concern for the timing belt. Under the dealership's care the timing belt failed and the engine siezed, causing $3,000 worth of damage and subsequent repairs. The timing belt was not due for recommended service for another 6,000 miles.

Timing chain tensior failed, resulting in loud engine knocking sounds and difficulty turning steering wheel. Interior lights will dim when pressing brake pedal or turning on headlights. Charging system tests normal.

2001 Saturn l 200 series customer states that the car would not start and then after getting a booster the car started smoking and sparks came out of the ignition area* the consumer has experienced several problems with the vehicle. The ignition switch had burned out due to the starter being stuck. The dealer had to replace the burned out starter, ignition switch, ignition housing and ignition cylinder. On another occasion, the battery would not hold a charge, and had to be replaced. The air bag light was on, the dealer found a code and the bcm had to be recalibrated. The serpentine belt was replaced. The air condition was inoperable, the dealer stated the ac control had shorted out.