Saturn horror stories- could (will) happen to you!

A Quality car has a long term, QUALITY warranty! Sorry SATURN !

Tim of Hoover, AL (12/17/01):
I own a '95 Saturn SL-1 which I bought new. In January 1999 (only
months after the 3-year warranty expired), the cylinder head cracked. I
took the car in to get it fixed. The sales rep who sold me the car told
me that offically Saturn wouldn't admit fault, but if I made calls, I
might get assistance with the repairs. I worked my way up the chain of
command at Saturn and eventually they offered to pay for labor if I
paid for parts.

Later, when the company bulletin came out explaining a flaw in the mold
of the cylinder head (which caused several to crack), they refunded me
the remainder of the service bill. I was happy with this.

However, in December 2001 the cylinder head cracked again. After
calling customer service, I found that the original crack occurred at
52,700 miles. This new crack occured at 105,000 miles. This is almost
exactly the same number of miles it took to crack the first head. When
I took my car to Saturn, they noticed immediatly what was wrong with
the car and called their area rep for a solution. They called me a day
later offering to pay parts if I pay labor.

To me, this was the same problem as before and I felt that Saturn
should again be responsible for placing faulty parts in my car. They
didn't see it that way stating that the bulletin authorizing
replacement of the cylinder head was only good for one replacement.
They also made it clear that they were under no obligation to offer the
deal they were currently offering.

Saturn stated that "nobody can predict the future". I explained to them
that I could given that the pattern of the two heads cracking places
the odds of another head crack happening at 150,000 miles VERY likely.
Saturn ended our talks by stating that there is nothing more that can
be done and that (paraphrasing) I should be happy that I am getting any
assistance at all. They make cars whose heads crack twice in 6 years,
and I should be happy? I don't think so.

Jason of Ft. Mitchell KY (9/12/03):
I bought a 95 Saturn SC1 with 100,000 miles and also purchased a
one-year powertrain warranty to accompany it. After a few weeks of
driving, I noticed oil consumption at the rate of about a quart every
400 miles. I took the car to the dealership, explained the situation,
and showed them the warranty. After a period of monitoring the
situation, I convinced the dealership to replace the motor.

The new motor had 75,000 miles on it. It only took a week to notice the
oil consumption - about a quart every 800 miles. Once again, I took the
car to the dealership and flashed them the warranty. After another
period of monitoring, they replaced the motor. This time the motor had
only 50,000 miles on it and the oil consumption was minimal. However,
that same motor is now up to about 75,000 miles and is using a quart
every 500 miles. This is absurd! What is wrong with Saturn's motors?

Steve of Richmond VA (8/8/03):
My Saturn started burning oil at 72,000 miles. I had extended warranty
to 75,000 miles. I noted this on the service ticket at 72,000 miles.
The service dept. at Saturn did not offer to do an oil consumption test
until the car got to 77,000 miles. Saturn Corp. will not cover the
problem under the warranty even though the problem started while the
car was still under warranty. I belive that: 1) The Saturn Warranty is
not worth the paper it is printed on 2) Saturn does not want to stand
behind their product.

To rebuild the engine will cost about $1800.00 - but I have yet to find
someone willing to do that type of work to the engine; a new engine
will range in price from about $2600.00 - $3200.00 (labor included)

Raquel of McKeesport PA (6/30/03):
I purchased a 2000 Saturn LS1 in December 20001, used with 26,000 miles
on it. When it got to 36,000 miles my engine failed. They claim an oil
filter caused my engine damage. I had oil changes every 3 months but
since it was not done at the Saturn dealer Saturn did not help with
replacing my engine. The mechanic at the dealership stated that the
timing chain slipped and cracked the cylinder head. Well, they gave me
and estimate of $3,000 and that was no guaranteed fix. I spoke to
Saturn headquarters and I was treated very rudely because I had bought
the car used.

Carole of Waveland MS (5/6/03):
Engine Oil in coolant reservoir. Diagnosis: Crack in engine head. June
1999 letter from Saturn had notified me that this could happen to my
engine, and told of "...Special Policy for cylinder head coverage for a
period of six years from the date the vehicle was originally placed in
service, or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first." (My car exceeded
the year requirement but only had 90,087 miles.) Company bulletin 99P01
explained a flaw in the cylinder head mold. No matter the years or
miles, I don't think I should have to come up with big bucks to fix my
car because their cylinder head mold was flawed.

Saturn Customer Service in Tennessee offered $400.00 off the charge for
fixing my engine. I told them that I thought the charge of $2700 was
exorbitant and the $400 offer was an insult. Saturn of Slidell estimate
to replace head and related parts is $2,748.19, covered for 12 mos or
12,000 miles. Estimate to replace with a rebuilt engine is $3,231.38,
covered for 3 yrs or 36,000 miles. June 1999 ltr also states that time
needed to replace a cylinder head is ten hours.

In 1995 I was working when I bought my Saturn. I retired in 1998 on
early, unexpected, disability retirement. I am 60 years old, single,
and my income is poverty level. It would be a tremendous hardship for
me to cover this cost.

Regina of Blackburn MO (12/4/01):
I bought a 1999 Saturn in April of 1999. On 9-9-00, I complained that
it was burning oil. They did an oil consumption test and said it was
only 1/2 quart every 1,300 miles and that, "Saturns burned a little
oil." On 11-01-00, I returned with the same complaint. Another test was
done and this time it burnt 1 quart, "still within normal
expectations".

On 1-27-01, I took it to Wal-Mart for an oil change and they told me it
was 1 quart low and that it should NOT be burning any oil. Again I
spoke to Saturn who said it was normal. On 2-24-01, Wal-Mart changed my
oil and had me sign a disclaimer to change it as it was again 1 quart
low. On 3-24-01, I had to sign the disclaimer again for the oil change.
Wal-Mart suggested I push Saturn a little harder to ...

 

i just got done rebuilding my 1995 saturn sl1.it also had a cracked head

 

if any one needs rebuild my email is ill do it
cheep cheep cheep

 

Instead of making a broad ASSumption why dont you clearify that it only
affects SOHC (SINGLE CAM) 1.9L motors of a narrow production. And dont
use outdated thread titles...