2002 Saturn L300 Reviews - Page 4 of 5

I have owned a 2002 L300 since it was brand new; we have taken the vehicle to the Saturn Dealerships here in Houston for oil changes and for extensive maintenance. I have spent nearly $7,000 in repairs alone to keep this car running decently, and yet the oil leaks and the alignment problems continue.

I am very disappointed at myself for not buying a car made in Japan such as Toyota or Honda. I still have my Saturn parked in the Garage as I am embarrassed to sell it to anyone. We have had several major repairs on this vehicle, and it hasn't even reached the 80k miles & the warranty has expired already.

The problems started nearly since we brought the car home from the dealership. We have had multiple issues with the lights, the A/C; the motor and the doors; it's all plastic; it rattles here there and everywhere. We have had sensors go bad; the pulley on the tensioner went out at 65,000 miles; we have had thermostat problems; it eat tires so fast that we have to buy them with additional warranties to make sure that we have some extra coverage. We found out the car is not GM but a refurbished OPEL, & the body is that of a SAAB.. I would not buy another Saturn or GM product as long as I live.

I have the records and the paperwork to prove that what I am saying is the truth. EGR valve replaced; Computer Module replaced... timing belt and water pump and all the major undertaking of the side of the engine had to be totally re-done as a result of a pulley that went out causing major havoc; overheating the engine and so forth... very costly.

This vehicle does not have a timing belt. I think your repair facility has been hosing you?

How many miles do you have on your vehicle?

I have followed regular maintenance on my vehicle and have had more problems than I ever had with my SL2. (I finally gave the SL2 away to a friend after 9 years and over 200,000 miles on it.) Problems with the L300 include:

Oil cooler leaking anti-freeze within first 3 yrs, but passed warranty,

Timing belt breaking - supposedly good for 100,000 miles, had been replaced according to maintenance guidelines and should have been good for 40,000 more miles when it broke. There is no clearance on these engines which means if it breaks when you are moving your engine is toast. Replaced engine with a used one.

Thermostat going now

Short in Lights switch on the column causing high-beams to come on by themselves even when the car is off.

SL2 was much more reliable. I am trying to keep the L300 running until I can purchase a new car in the fall. After 14 yrs, it won't be a Saturn and it probably won't be an American manufacturer.