Ten problems related to suspension have been reported for the 2001 Saturn LS. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Replaced water pump, timing chain and pulleys at approximately 90k miles. App. 10k miles later, timing chain broke and had to be replaced again. Multiple issues with suspension, fuel sensors, oil filter casing.
Low bang noise in passenger side front end. Worse turning right or left. Sounded like major break, but nothing could be seen visually. Had car towed to mechanic. Had to replace upper strut mounts on both front and right struts. Passenger side upper strut mount was broken completely, and driver side upper strut mount was cracked. Upper strut mounts both made of a plastic based material. Service manager stated the shock could have broken through, and hit hood of car if we had not serviced it immediately. Replacement part made of same material. Had to have an alignment done. Very expensive to fix, and I am now concerned the car could be dangerous to drive.
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.
2001 Saturn l200 - heavy steering wheel vibration/noise and severe premature tire wear. I was told by the dealer on at least 6 occasions that this was normal on this year and model and many times nothing was even done, there have been 3 brand new sets of tires put on by the dealer over the past year or so as well as new front end components and 2 sets of alignment specifications. The new tires only lasted approx. 5-6mos before new ones were needed with the tire brand being firestone. This has become a serious saftey issue. A fourth set of tires were put on with 1/2 paid by dealer and 1/2 paid by me (pro-rated use) along with another new set of alignment specs. So far it appears to be good. However, it appeared as such every other time and all the while the warranty clock is ticking.
Alignment in the suspension causes excessive wear(cupping) on the inside of the tires.
Abnormally quick wearing out of tires. The service manager said something about the vehicle being set up for european roads and for $800 they could install a kit to make it align correctly for american roads. I said because of a manufacturing defect I should have to pay for a kit to resolve the problem. He said that was basically it. The outside the service garage he flagged me down and told me to complain to Saturn and if there were enough complaints it may be recalled.
Consumer has a concern that the vehicle has three and a half sets of tires replaced after the front end had been replaced by the dealer. The problem with tires wearing out excessively are still recurring. Please provide any further information.
Eight months after I bought a 2001 Saturn l300 I started having tire problems. It started out with the front right tire rubbing when I turned the wheel while backing up. I only had 6400 miles on the tires. Loud noises were coming from the tires at 12964 mileage. My Saturn service dept. Reset the fea to new specs and installed a camber caster kit and 4 new tires. This was the 2nd set of tires for my 2001 Saturn l300. At 17224 mileage the rubbing on the right front tire was back. This time the service dept. Re-secured the right front wheel house. Then on Nov 24, 2003 (25277 mileage) the loud noise was back. At this time the tech found the tires starting to slightly cup. He re-inspected and found all 4 tires out of specs and it was necessary to realign all. I took the car (27115 mileage) back in on Jan 16, 2004 and the tires were making loud noises. This time the tech confirmed that the tires were cupping and out of round. They replaced all 4 tires and reset to new factory specs. Also, did a wheel alignment. This was the 3nd set of tires. On Dec 20, 2004 I had a rattle on the right front. At this time they replaced the right front link bar(38871 mileage). March 29, 2005 the car was back in the service dept. With loud tire noise(42667 mileage). The tires had high and low spots. I was told I needed to replace the tires again. I took the car back in for new tires on June 22, 2005. At this time after calling Saturn customer service and the dealer manager, I agreed to buy 2 tires and Saturn buy 2 tires. Saturn paid to realign the tires. At this time I was told by a tech that Saturn had a manufacturing problem with the 2001 l300 series. It had to do with the tires cupping and making loud noises. He said that as long as the car drove and turned with no problems that Saturn did not consider the cupping, loud noises and replacing tires early a problem. He said if I could take the car to a nascar garage, it could be fixed and Saturn could find out how to fix the l300 series.
Consumer states steering wheel shakes and vibrates continuously while driving at highway speeds. The problem was first looked at with no success at fixing it. After the second attempt to have the vehicle repaired, consumer was informed that the shaking and vibrating was common and that manufacturer was aware of the problem. The dealer claim the fuel injector sensor had failed. Consumer states that vehicle now runs badly then before.
Vehicle has experienced massive vibration with cause still unknown . After several tire changes and parts, such as bushings and steering rod. This vibration reoccurs always after each additional 500 miles. Firestone tires, size 5519515. Please describe details.