Underbody Shield Problems of Saturn LS

Driving down the road the vehicle started making noise and steering was uncontrollable. I trailered the vehicle back home. Closer inspection revealed the front subframe/engine cradle was completely rusted through in multiple spots, very dangerous!!! I contacted the dealer to get a new subframe and I was advised the subframe is no longer available and to try finding one in a salvage yard. I contacted a salvage yard and they said they had a few and it would be no problem to pull one. I got the call today saying they were sorry but all of the front subframes on the Saturn l series they have are rusted through and are not usable. I contacted other yards with the same response. I ended up having to find a salvage yard down south that had a usable subframe. I went online to find numerous forum posts discussing this topic and I'm finding it is very common on this vehicle. Why was there never a recall for this with such a widespread safety hazard? from what I can tell it happens on all model years of the l series. The irony is the rest of the car is very clean, no rust on the rest of the undercarriage. There is no clear explanation why the subframe would have corrosion perforation at such low mileage with no other rust/corrosion on the rest of the vehicle. At a higher rate of speed this could have had a bad outcome. Thank you.

See all problems of the 2000 Saturn LS 🔎.

My Saturn has a massively rusted subframe.

Subframe on Saturn totally rusted away only thing holding passenger wheel on was strut bracket.

When I went to get new tires for this car I was told there was a problem with my frame and should go right to a dealership. I contacted Saturn and they authorized it for me to go to my nearest dealership, at the dealers convenience and my expense for a review of the problem. I made the appointment but in the mean time the front wheels stated to shake and shimmy. I was losing control of the car, so I pulled into the nearest repair shop and was given the advice to leave this car parked. Do not drive it at all. Contacting Saturn at this point they refused to even look into this problem. Never have I heard of a frame supporting the engine, and front wheels ever rusting through on a car before. They said it was my choice to have it fixed, therefore they had no obligation to look into this any longer. I believe I had no choice other than to get it fixed right there and then. Not only because it had to be done but for the safety of my family.

The front subframe rusted through. Mechanic stated was not normal wear.

The steering was not performing correctly which made the car unstable and scary to drive so I took it to a mechanic to find out the problem. I was advised the subframe had rusted all the way through and needed to be replaced. They told me all that held the subframe together was some rusty parts. This could have caused a bad crash if it had failed on the highway. I know I live in an area that they salt the roads but there is no reason a 9 year old car should have a subframe that has failed.

See all problems of the 2002 Saturn LS 🔎.