2001 Saturn L200 from North America - Comments

First day I had the car, the steering wheel was crooked and shook due to misalignment of tires, the speaker in the driver's side door was broken, and there was a slight knocking underneath. I also had a broken power mirror switch. The dealer replaced and fixed all of these problems.

Within six months of me owning the car, I did a lot of driving (11000 miles) but have had nothing, but problems the whole time. The tail lights never seem to work properly, they are either constantly burning out or are so dim to the point it looks as if they are not on. When the daytime running lights are on and you apply the break, the radio light goes out and comes back on when the break is released. The stabilizer bar links broke, were replaced and broke again two hours later, to find out the part received from the Saturn dealer was defective, so had to be replaced again a week later. The compressor on the a/c does not work at all, dealer refuses to fix it, even though I have never used the a/c since I've owned the car. The windshield wiper on the passenger side doesn't even touch the top of the windshield and the washer fluid dispenser barely works, so I can never see out of the passenger side of the car during the winter.

When I was shopping for a car, everyone I talked too told me they loved their Saturn, they would never buy anything else. I trusted the good name that they have and the fact that they cannot be dented and handle well. Boy was I fooled!

The car was a complete waste of money, definitely not worth the $9000 I paid, even with the few options I have on it, including a sunroof, CD/tape player, heated mirrors, power seat, and a BROKEN a/c!

Buyer beware, dude. If all that stuff was wrong with it at the beginning, why exactly did you buy the car?

Obviously, you're not much of a shopper. That's WAY too much money for this car--the resale value sucks on this model, so you should be able to get a good deal. You didn't.

And, you bought the ecotec model, which is famous for busted timing chains. Just check some of the other reviews for the L200. If the chain breaks, it's bye-bye engine. You think you hate the car now??

I agree with the buyer beware comment above. Did you not do a Carfax or any research on the car before you purchased it?

I have had an L200 since new and my ONLY problems with it have been due to two accidents (not my fault) Also my AC compressor just went, but hey with 140k on the clock and still going I am not surprised.

Other than that the car has been flawless. Sounds to me like you got a lemon and you should have looked up your local lemon laws as well as done some research BEFORE buying it.

9 grand for that car is WAY overpriced. NADA RETAIL on mine is 3500 at BEST.

Let me follow up to my June 8. 2007 comment on my 2001 Saturn L200...First off, I did do a Carfax report which told me ABSOLUTELY NOTHING of importance other than who owned it before me. Total waste of $30...Let me tell you all something about Carfax as well. If there is any type of accident or any damage that was NOT reported through a dealer or police or anything, it WILL NOT show up on Carfax. I have seen this happen more than once, so I do not trust the whole Carfax report garbage. Second, when all was wrong with the car when I received it, I tried to back out of my contract, since in NY you have 3 days to do that, but they refused to let me, only fixing the current problems. Within a month or so, after my warranty had expired due to mileage, things started going wrong left and right. And what is an ecotec model??

I Purchased a 2001 L Series a month ago 5.800.00. When I bought the car everything looked good. The guy said it only has 2 owners and had NOTHING wrong with it. I took it to have the oil changed and found it will cost 500 bucks for a timing chain! Had to have new rotors etc.. all together 920.00!Then 2 days later, I was at the red light, turned right and the passenger side axel broke into... I have tried for 3 weeks to get the right axel and NOBODY seems to be able to order the right part! I will NEVER own another SATURN!

The service guy even said it was a PLASTIC RIDE, they melt them down...

I also own a 2001 Saturn L200. Everything was great; just the typical maintenance, until last month. I started with a tune up, then had to have new bearings, spindles, and brake pads installed. When all that was finished I took the car on a trip to pick up my son in Florida. Needless to say I never made it home. I was driving about 65 mph on an interstate when suddenly my car just cut off. Come to find out, the timing chain had broken and damaged the engine. Repairs will cost at least $3000. However, Saturn is aware of this problem so hopefully there will be a recall soon. If not, then a class action lawsuit. 'L'-series Saturns are known for their problems; that's why they quit making them.

Yet another follow-up to my July 2nd comment now... since then, I have been blessed with a whole new problem with my '01 L200...First, once the car dropped below a quarter of a tank of gas, it would not start. A week later, it was a half a tank, now, three-quarters...the car will only take around $15 in gas, then does not start once that is used up. The security light and service light also keep coming on. I've been stranded numerous times because I have quote on quote "run out of gas" (although I will have three quarters of a tank in there)...as soon as gas is added, the car starts with no other problems. I have taken it to a mechanic and was told there was nothing wrong with it. I wish they would put Saturn out of business for selling nothing, but GARBAGE cars.

I Have had the exact same problem

First, once the car dropped below a quarter of a tank of gas, it would not start. The security light and service light also keep coming on..as soon as gas is added, the car starts with no other problems.

WHAT IS IT???

To anyone else who has had this problem with the car starting... Saturn apparantly is aware of this problem, however they do not know WHAT the problem is or any idea how to fix it!! Go figure!! Anyways, here's the trick that I've been told: When it will not start, but the radio, lights, etc. all work, put the car into accessory mode (key is turned 3/4 of the way, but car is not started), leave it like this for ten (10) minutes and the restart, it should work like a charm. Apparently the car's computer needs to "reset" itself every once in awhile that you drive it. Its pretty pathetic when the people that make the machine can't even fix it!