Have to replace it, forcing me to drive a loaner for 2 weeks because they had to order the part.
One month after they fixed the transmission, the battery needed to be replaced. I thought that was off since it was "Certified" and was not off the lot for more than 2 months. The warranty did not cover the battery, so I had to buy their battery for $150.
A month and a half after the battery died, my rear driver side power window quit working.
Two weeks after that was fixed, the rear passenger side window quit working.
Three months later, I started to get a squealing from under the hood for 5 - 10 minutes when the car was first started. I took it into the dealership and they told me that one of my fan belts needed replacing, which I found rather odd since the engine used a serpentine belt, therefore there was only one belt to replace. When I challenged them, they decided to look at the car more closely and needed to replace the tensioner. Since the part needed to be back-ordered, I had to wait another 2 weeks for it to be fixed. Of course, they somehow didn't want to reassemble the fan assembly, therefore I had another loaner car.
Shortly after getting the car back, the front driver-side window started to leak. When I took it into the dealership, they told me that it was the window seals and that I needed to pay them $250 to replace them since it was not under warranty. I paid the $250, and they kept the car overnight (Yes, another loaner). When I got the car back, the seals started leaking not more than 3 days after they had replaced them. Demanded my money back and wanted them to replace at no cost. They refused to do either, and told me that if I wanted them fixed, it would be another $250! Decided to go through the BBB, and it took almost 2 months for them to finally replace the seals, but still did not get my money back. About two weeks later, the passenger side window started to leak. Went through the whole process again, less the $250.
Then, the big problem happened. While driving back to Chicago from Milwaukee, I noticed that the engine started to lope from time to time while I was cruising at highway speeds. I took the car into the dealership and had them look at the engine. Two days later, they decided to replace the EGR valve.
As soon as I drove the car off the lot, it started lopeing again, but much worse this time. I made a U turn and went back to the dealership and explained that the car was acting up again. They kept the car overnight, and decided that it was a head gasket. Of course, they blamed me for the head gasket and wanted me to pay out of pocket because the warranty did not cover abusive driving. After going through the BBB once again, they replaced the gasket (the car sat at the dealership for two weeks during that time).
After I picked up the car, not more than three blocks away at a stoplight, the car began to lope again. This time, it was much worse than before. The RPM would drop from about 750 to 300. Finally, the engine died. I took the car back that night, and they told me that I was "imagining" the engine problem. Of course, when I offered to have a mechanic ride with me, they said it was a liability that they could not take.
Two days later, they called me and told me that they replaced the spark-plug wires. Again, picked up the car and it did the same thing. This time, thankfully, it did it while it was still in the bay, and a mechanic heard the problem. Car was there another week.
When they called me back, they said that they could not identify the problem, and I would be forced to live with the problem. At this time, I had retained a lawyer and started to sue under the Illinois Lemon Law.
Almost a year later, they settled out of court and I dumped the car the night I got the check. The car's condition only gotten worse during the litigation, and they still refused to acknowledge the problem.
I'm sure that Saturn has made some good cars, but this car was the worse piece of junk I had ever owned. The service made it even worse. The only good thing was that I actually drove the loaner car MORE than my own car, so I was driving a newer car every few weeks.
Although the exterior style of the car was nice, the interior road noise and handling was awful. Conversations above 50 MPH were non-existent.
The engine revved high for highway speeds. At 65 MPH, the car would rev at about 5,000 RPM. Way too much for a 4-cylinder.
The rain-gutter on the roof was a joke. If you opened the door after while the car was wet, you would get a nice puddle on the seat.
The button for "Normal" and "Performance" was a joke. It was supposed to force the transmission to shift at higher RPM when merging onto the highway, but they needed to add a few extra gerbils to the engine before any improvement could be seen.
Probably the most uncomfortable, noisy, and rough riding car I have ever owned.
I agree totally my friend. I ownned a 1993 Saturn SL2 and can honestly say this car was the absolute pits in terms of reliability and quality engineering. I myself never bothered with the main dealers as the vehicle was out of warranty. These cars go wrong once a month. The car burned so much oil It was as if I needed an oil tanker behind me!We warn everyone we can to stay away from Saturn.We are now huge Japanese fans!
It's funny you mentioned trying to talk above 50 MPH. I thought it was just OUR car. As for oil consumption, our '94 uses a quart every 300 miles. The car does have 160,000 on it, but my '89 Ranger has 245,000 and uses a quart every 3000. I've had the Ranger 12 years, the Saturn 5. I have put TWICE the money into that Saturn.
I must say I've had 2 Saturns both 1992 sedans and I am very happy with their performance. There is a problem with the window leaking on driver's side and serpentine belt problems, but other than that no problems, I will buy other Saturns in the future...
I own a 92 SL2 yes the driver window leaks yes the belt squeals like a stuck pig, yes the EGR is crap, but if you drill
out the rivets in the door for window regulator and bolt it in the window won't leak. if you replace the belt tenisioner it will stop squealing, if you un plug the EGR valve yes it will stop surging, but check eng light will come on then it won't smog, yes you have to puchase stock in a oil company cause going on a long trip just put a case of oil in the trunk
when you stop for gas just dump in 2 quarts. isn't this a great car. well I won't buy another saturn, but I am going to drive this one till the wheels fall off .
My SL2 is now thankfully being donated to charity, the only way I can sell this junk. This is the worst car I have ever owned. It regularly broke down or left me stranded. They certainly are a different kind of car company. The image that these cars now have is beyond a joke. Absolutely zero class. I really did feel like trash when I was driving this car. Yes I also had to buy oil by the caseload although it did not leak any.
I am in total agreement with all of you... I have had my 95' SL2 for a year now, and spent $4500 on it. It burns about 2 quarts eveey 1000 miles, and now it has begun making constant clicking noises, especially while idling, or going under 15 RPMs. The driver's side window leaks like no other. other than that it's great! oh, sis I mention tha a week after buying it with 38,000 miles, I had to replace the starter, aint that a b****.
93 Saturn SL2, I have had many of the problems this discussion has pointed out. My car is at 160k miles now, it now has service engine light, the passenger door window won't come up any more since last 2 weeks. The mechanic to $80 to diagnose and told me to junk it, as it will not pass smog. It just is weird that people had the same oil consumption, driver side seat-belt clicking, EGR valve stuck, ignition coils burnt/corroded, water pump seized, alternator replaced, engine mounts broken, etc, etc.. I tell you these problems did not happen in the 100k+ range, but in the 50 to 100k range. You have to know when exactly to add oil. After spending 160k miles with the car any sound out of the ordinary is cause for bigger trouble with a Saturn. I hate Saturn's reliability and crappy workmanship.
I only thing I like about my Saturn is even after 11 years, its Silver color is intact, when I wash the vehicle it still looks new. Sun or rain nothing affects the color. I will have to donate this car in a month or so, I cannot have it in the winter.
I opened the front window outer panel, to see if I could move the glass window up manually, it was not possible, is there a trick to just disconnect the motor and roll it up manually?
I've had my '93 Saturn SL2 for a little over a year now. I always have a case of oil in my trunk because it goes through it so quick. My driver window stops going up when there's still a 1/4 inch gap and starts making a cracking/cranking sound. My check engine light comes on after about 15 minutes of driving. I've replaced the muffler 3x. My heater blows cold and my a/c blows hot. Traction control is a joke. RPM is always too high. Only get about 22 mpg. Shifts out of park hard unless I give it 3 minutes for the RPM to slow down to a normal idle setting. Sometimes skips a gear when driving. Always been able to get me from A to B though...that's about all I can say for it..
Okay, I guess the SL2 was not a good model. I have an SL1 and I love it to death, wouldn't trade it for anything.
But I do get the squealing noise you talked about. On mine, it only happens when the outside temperature is below 50 degrees, it goes away temporarily when you accelerate, and it stops all together once the car warms up.
I've taken it to several reliable mechanics (including my own brother) and they have all agreed: 1- no one knows why it does it and 2- it doesn't affect the performance of the car. I've had the serpentine belt (and the entire tensioner assembly) replaced because they really did go bad at about 60K. The noise from this problem was louder and didn't go away. Your mechanic should have been able to tell the difference. My diagnosis: the problem isn't your car, it's your mechanic. He also should have been able to tell you why the car burns oil so fast. And "It's a common problem" is not a satisfactory answer. If you ask your mechanic about a problem, he/she should explain to you exactly what happened and why. Even if you don't understand it, it shows they're not trying to pull a fast one. Anyone who dismisses a problem with "it's a common problem" and then charges you out the nose for diagnoses is a crook.
Guys! I respect all of you who had bad experiences with yours Saturns. But... I m sorry. you should had been a bad luck. Similar things happened to me with Phillips TV. I hate it, but some people love it. I had one Saturn 1991 SL2 and now I have a 1995 SL2. I drive it about 60 mile every day and I've never had a problem besides of the "it drinks some oil that you don't see where it has gone". Otherwise the machine is strong and fast (5 speeds). Resistant to the holes on the road and better than all, very very low price. For a car like that, this car has been amazing to me.
I have loved my 95 SL2 for years. After it hit 150k it has started to show it's age. It uses some oil, but always starts (except when my daughter left the lights on) Couple quarts of oil per oil change is still less than a car payment.
One thing I did learn, replace the belt tensioner with EVERY belt change- the timing cover is very hard to find without buying a new engine.
I totally agree, my Camry cost about $4000 in repairs after just five years of use. Now I'm driving a $1000 Saturn SL cause the Camry's engine froze up, no, not exploded, froze. Apparently the quality rep is so good even the dealer seems to forget I exist.
I guess I've been one of the lucky ones. I own a 1996 SL2 and have never had a single long-lasting problem with it. Sure, I had to replace the radiator and the coolant reservoir last year, but it's been a champ for the past ten years. Long live my SL2!!
Well, I suggest not paying so much for repairs and doing some research to learn how to fix problems on your own. Many of the problems are basic fixes and could be done fairly quick. At least quick compared to what the repair shop was making you wait. My girlfriend has an 95 SL2 and it is great. Other than a resister for the fan switch going out and one window that sticks a little their has been no trouble. Oh I switched serpentine belt once for her. took me ten minutes would have been faster, but there isn't much room for hands in that engine compartment. Any ways.. yeah it's been a great car she has drove 100 thousand plus and it only has had one change in pads and oil changes. Beyond those things she has spent only $30 on car repair. (for the resistor).. I am amazed to hear of the bad luck people have had. Wierd.
Oil consumption:
A good piston soak with GM top engine cleaner (maybe twice) will make it better. This can be done for about $5 a can, and a new set of spark plugs along with a few minutes of time.
And had the oil been changed at proper intervals with good oil (not the cheap oils loaded with paraffins), those oil rings wouldn't be stuck and you wouldn't be burning so much oil.
Those of you griping about how much it costs to maintain, that's what happens when you have 'Joe's auto, tobacco, and guns' do the work. Why does it keep breaking down? Same reason. Stop being cheap, go to a good shop and have it done right, or get to know someone who actually knows how to work on cars.
Example:
I just fixed my wife's friend's 1996 Cavalier. It was leaking around the #2 fuel injector. The shop told her "it is missing the O ring." The O ring was still there, it had just dropped down when they removed it for no reason. I put it back on and WOW!! No fuel leak.