Four problems related to engine clicking and tapping noises have been reported for the 2002 Saturn LS. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The contact owns a 2002 Saturn l200. While driving approximately 40 mph, the contact heard a clicking noise when the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who informed the contact that the timing chain needed to be replaced and possibly the engine as well. The contact did not inform the dealer. The manufacturer advised the contact that her vehicle was not included in the previous recall. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The current and failure mileage was 142,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Saturn l200. While driving at approximately 65 mph, the contact noticed clicking noises from the engine area and the vehicle suddenly stalled. He was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop where he was informed that there was damage to the valve, piston and timing chain. The contact called the dealership and was told that there were no recalls for the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 154,500.
I was backing out of a spot and there was a clanking sound from behind the dash followed by a stall. The car was inoperable from that point. I had to push the car off of the street to avoid traffic. My vehicle was brought into Saturn of marietta and I was told that the timing chain had broken. It was stated to me that there was a design flaw in the engine and they were aware of it. It was stated that there was a recall for it but my car, currently, wasn't included. I inquired why and was told it would probably be expanded. I went ahead and paid for an engine to be installed for $2983. 53. I went about my life, waiting for the recall to be expanded. The replacement engine recently reached the same mileage that my old engine was at when it failed and it did likewise. Same issue with the defective timing chain. I was not notified if the replacement engine was affected by the recall or not, I believe it was. I tried to find details but the dealership has closed and records are lost (so I've been told). I have the paperwork from the replacement and gm is unwilling to help. I've seen numerous similar complaints online concerning the same issue. The recall was for cars built 11/00 - 2/01 and a new design went into effect in 5/02, my car was built in 8/01. . . Nine months before the new design was implemented. What about all of the consumers with vehicles made between 3/01 and 4/02? over a year worth of purchasers that were left out and put in a dangerous position. Gm is running over us and we need help.
My 18 year old daughter was driving our 2002 Saturn l200 with 2. 2 4 cylinder on Saturday June 8, 2007 through an extremely busy intersection of interstate route 93 and montvale avenue in stoneham massachusetts when the engine suddenly and without warning shut down, leaving her stranded in the middle of the intersection fortunately following vehicles were abel to swerve around her. The car was towed to Saturn of medford ,and I am awaiting final determination of problem ,but I suspect that the timing chain broke. I understand that there have been many other complaints regarding similar situations with Saturns and I would like to be added to this list. If Saturn has been aware of this probelm, it is irresponsible that we were not notified of such a problem. My daughter is very lucky! I had called the dealership last week to have a tapping noise checked out and they scheduled me for next Tuesday and made no mention on the phone that this could be such a serious problem.