Engine Stall problems of the 2002 Saturn LS

Engine stalled while driving at highway speeds around 65-70 mph. Engine could not be restarted and had to be towed back home. Mechanic inspection revealed complete loss of compression in two cylinders and partial compression loss in other two. Engine was permanently damaged and would have to be replaced or rebuilt at high cost in the thousands. Engine had 102,057 miles at time of failure.

While driving on highway at approximately 50 mph the car engine stalled and died. I pulled over to the side of the road and attempted to restart several times. I had 3 passengers with me and an arkansas state trooper helped us until a tow truck arrived. I had to have it towed about 10 miles. The mechanic on site told us it is going to be the timing chain as he has seen several of the same engine with this problem. He had just repaired on as well. I had the vehicle towed to my home and eventually to my mechanic. He confirmed the timing chain broke and that he had just repaired one with the same motor. The repair cost $2400.

After stopping waiting for traffic to pass I turned to pull into my driveway at 5 mph the timing chain broke and engine stalled causing me to get stuck in the middle of the road blocking traffic. Car gave no indication anything was wrong until it just stalled in the road. No noises or rough running or anything! valves were destroyed and engine is junk. Found out later that there was a recall on this car and system and may or may not have included my year car I have not yet called dealer to see if they will help in any way! but with only 80500 miles on this car I am really unhappy that I now need.

The contact owns a 2002 Saturn l 300. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 mph, the engine stalled. The vehicle was restarted but the failure was recurring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who performed a diagnostic but was unable to find a reason for the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000. Updated 5/27/cn.

The contact owns a 2002 Saturn l100. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, there was a noise coming from the engine and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was pushed home into the driveway. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and stated the timing chain failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 172,000.

The contact owns a 2002 Saturn Ls. While driving at various speeds, the engine stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the timing chain assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 249,000.

While driving my 2002 Saturn l100 2. 2l 4-cylinder vehicle on 9/13/2010 the engine's timing chain separated while the engine was running , the engine stalled , the vehicle lost all motive power and would not restart and caused significant damage to two of the engine's valves.

I was leaving work and pull onto a 2 lane highway when gaining speed and at approximately 45mph I heard a thump in the engine and the car stalled and coasted long enough for me to get it halfway of the highway. It was then towed to a nearby convenience store to get it off the road and then towed home for repair. Upon investigation, checking compression, it was found that the timing chain had in fact broke during operation on the highway. This intern has caused extensive damage to the internal engine and no fault of my own.

I was driving on the highway at +/- 18:50, on November 18th 2008 with my 2002 Saturn l200 when the engine suddenly stalled or cut out. I had to quickly try and switch lanes to get to the right-hand side of the highway while the car was losing speed. When the car stopped I tried to start it again but to no avail. I called my insurance company to have the vehicle towed to the nearest Saturn dealership I. E. Saturn of plano. The next morning I phoned the dealership to confirm that my car was there and that I would like them to investigate what is wrong. They phoned back explaining that my timing chain had broke and that it there is a very good chance that my valves where damaged and a 50/50 chance that my pistons were damaged as well. They can't tell exactly what might be damaged until they open the engine which is going to cost me $800 (on top of the investigation charges etc). They said I have 2 options: 1) let them open the engine and determine to see what is damaged of which the outcome might a. Valves are damaged - replace engine head for at least $2491 b. Pistons are damaged - replace engine with second hand for at least $3800 or 2) replace the engine from the beginning then I won't have to fork out the initial $800 and it would only cost me at least $3800 when I asked what I could have done to prevented this the answer was: "nothing" and that the chains normally last longer than 100,000 (I think my mileage on the car now stands at about 104,000). I serviced my car at least 3 times at that dealership in the past 12 months and have forked out about +/- $3000 already in the last 12 months - so spending another $3000 or more doesn't sound like a worthy investment. The thing that upsets me is the fact they don't mention that hundreds of other people have experienced similar issues and offer to fix it. Their customer service said that I should first pay the $800 for investigation before they could comment on possible assistance etc. Yet it is their fault.

Was driving at about 25-30 mph and the engine stalled and would not restart. Created an immediate traffic hazard in rush hour traffic and could not move off curbed roadway. Towed to repair where diagnosis is broken timing chain. After researching on the internet found recall on 2001 version of same vehicle. Now I read there is an investigation and same concerns in 1999-2003 versions of this vehicle. I also read that Saturn is claiming these would probably happen when the car is in park due to heavy load on chain at that time. Mine failed at approximately 25-30 mph! I also read that in reopening this case the NHTSA is especially interested in the number of these failures in years other than 2001 in which the vehicle was on the road. Mine fits this situation. My car is being repaired but I believe that Saturn should pay the bill as my engine is the same one that is recalled just a year later. Saturn didn't know about this problem in 2002 so why would they have made a change in the engine? Saturn obviously knows this is the tip of the iceberg and is hoping to get by with a one-year recall when it should be more. I have maintained timely maintenance of my 2002 Saturn with routine work (oil changes, etc). The vehicle has 99,000 miles on it.

My 2002 Saturn l series car had the exact same thing happen to it as your #07v519000. The timing chain broke while I was driving and engine stalled and it would not restart. Luckily there was no crash.

The contact owns a 2002 Saturn l200. While driving between 55-60 mph, the engine stalled and would not restart. The vehicle was coasted off the road and towed. There were no warning indications prior to the failure. The first diagnosis was that the fuel pump and fuel filter needed to be replaced. After they were replaced, the failure still persisted. The second diagnosis was that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 100,000.

My wife was driving our 2001 Saturn l200 to work at highway speed when the engine stalled and would not restart. She was able to coast to the side of the road without causing a collision. Diagnosis by a gm mechanic found that the timing chain had broken, causing 6 exhaust valves to bend. We are currently pursuing our options for repair.

The contact owns a 2002 Saturn l200. While driving 65 mph, the engine stalled and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the timing chain link separated. There is a recall for the engine and engine cooling (NHTSA campaign id # 07v519000) however, the dealer stated his VIN was not included. The dealer stated that they would pay 50% of the repair cost. The contact felt that his vehicle should be included as part of the recall. The current and failure mileages were 65,000.

Premature timing chain failure on my 2002 Saturn l200. I have a 2002 Saturn l200 with 54000 miles on it and the timing chain went out this morning with no warning. I was driving to work this morning on the express way when, without any warning, the engine stalled. I thought I was going to get hit by the semi behind me. Fortunately he was able to slow down and avoid me as I pulled off the road. I had a mechanic check the car out and he said it was the timing chain. I was informed that the engine might have to be replaced. After reading a number of other people with the same problem, I decided to file this complaint. When will something be done about this problem? Saturn should be forced to recall these cars and fix the problem at there own expense. Does someone have to die before something is done about this problem?.

2002 Saturn l200 when driving at night the lights flicker as well as the vehicle engine stalled out on expressway and the air conditioner became inoperative. Saturn suggested that the flickering was normal. In very hot/humid weather, the engine would run hot ad the air conditioner would stop running. On two occasions the vehicle refused to start. The service dealer suggested that the catalytic converter was plugged and the oxygen sensor was replaced due to the stalling. All four tires were replaced because of an alignment, toe and camber problem.