general problems of the 2001 Saturn LS

I was driving my car and it stalled and would not restart. I had it diagnosed by a mechanic and it is the timing chain. From what I've researched, this year make and model vehicle had a recall but only on specific ones made within a four month period but my car falls into the recall description and I'm not sure about the time frame. My car was being driven on the highway at about 55 mph when this happened.

Car stopped while at a stop light just after exiting the freeway , and would not restart. After walking home, had car towed to a car repair shop. They determined that the timing cable had broken and had damaged other parts of the engine. We noticed that there is a recall in place for some Saturns, but don't know if our car is included in the recall.

Car is 2001 Saturn l200 with less than 100,000 miles and the timing chain broke as the car was pulling into the driveway. My VIN is not covered by the timing chain recall issued by gm, so I now have a completely unusable car which is rated in good condition other than the timing chain unless I want to spend the 1000 plus to fix it. Gm/NHTSA issued recall number 07v519000 for other similar Saturns in year and model for the timing chain, why not all of them in the same years? after speaking with gm and researching the part number, my chain was built in the same wilmington delaware plant with the manufacture default diagnosis as the other recalled timing chains belonging to other 2001, 2002, 2003 Saturn l series cars. This needs to be a covered recall for this car as well as there is obviously an issue with these chains breaking in the cars- thank goodness I was only pulling into the driveway when it broke rather than driving in heavy traffic on the road. Make this right gm- and cover this repair for this car.

Ignition cylinder seized in ignition housing.

My 2001 Saturn l-series 2. 2l had the timing chain break. This was in a parking lot. I had started the car and backed out. I put the vehicle in drive. Didn't touch the gas pedal and the car quit. I was left crosswise the drive lane and blocking traffic. If this had happened at highway speeds, I probably have been seriously hurt or more likely have been killed.

I have a 2001 Saturn l200. I was driving on the highway when I felt a pop. My car started to lose speed and I was lucky to be able to pull over on the side. I tried starting the vehicle but it wouldn't. I had it tolled to my garage at home. I had a mechanic come over the next day and he showed me where the timing chain had broke. I had the car pushed to the Saturn dealership in arlington, TX and they confirmed the timing chain had broken. They quoted me a price of $2300. 00 to repair it and I refused and had it tolled back to my home.

Fuel system integrity.

1. The battery died exactly one year after I purchased the car. 2. Tires don't last. They wear out very fast. I read that it's due to a front end suspension problem, and can be fixed with a kit that costs over $500. 00, which I can't afford at all. 3. Heater core went bad and leaked engine coolant into the passenger side floor board. 4 after my car died in two separate intersections, and a service engine light was on, I found out the problem was the mass air flow sensor and crank sensor was bad. Those parts were around $400. 00 to replace. 5. While driving a reduced power light came on and the engine lost power, luckily I was able to pull off to the side before it completely went out. 6. Another service engine light has come on. The computer reader says it is a lean fuel distribution. The mechanic is checking any possibilities for the problem, but it is looking like the fuel pump needs to be replaced. 7. Service engine light with the wrench is on. The car jolts pretty hard when shifting gears. This used to happen on a very rare occurrence. Now it has been on the past few days, so that also needs to be looked at by my mechanic. 8. Once hitting 60mph the steering wheel shakes. The cause to this is still undetermined. 9. The oil filter has been replaced twice this month and is still leaking oil. So this problem needs to be fixed as well. 10. The rear brakes and lighting system has been recalled. The sockets look as though they have been burned and melted. Saturn has produced a very unreliable car. I, along with the thousands of other consumers who are faced with these problems are outraged, and feel as though Saturn should be held responsible for this. Because no matter the mileage or age this model, we are all experiencing the same issues. As consumers, we should not have to put up with this. I wish there were something that could be done, and I am going to do my best to get the word put out in the open. No more american made cars for me.

2001 l300 Saturn 2. 2 l v6 timing belt tensioner seized while driving in late April 2008. Timing belt broke and engine jumped time and bent all valves according to Saturn of rt. 33, pennsylvania. Vehicle does not start, nor will run. Saturn dealership offered to change engine for $4500 and Saturn hotline offerred discount on new or used vehicle. No recalls were mentioned. Engine has 57-58,000 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.

Vehicle had been taken to dealership with concerns that it would sometimes accelerate without warning while using cruise control and then would continue to accelerate with application of the service brake. Dealership could not find any problem. Independent mechanic found the positive crankcase ventilation system was clogged. System cleaned and problem never resurfaced.

Lower radiator gasket has been replaced 2 times and reinstalled 3 times. The enging coolant leakage happened 2 times within the first year of purchase. The light/turn indicator broke off where it attaches to the steering column while driving at night. Battery acid was leaking which was caused by the electrical system not working properly and overcharging the battery. And somehow the serpentine belt is now damaged. The dealership is having trouble with the starter not wanting to turn off and are going to replace it in hopes this cures the problem. Dt.