Faults:

The timing chain broke at 63,000 miles while on the highway.

General Comments:

While at full highway speed, the engine stopped without warning. I was 80 miles at home with two kids in the car, stuck on the side of an interstate. After having it towed home and finding a ride for my wife and kids, it was diagnosed by a local repair shop as a broken timing chain. After having no success in finding a shop to fix it, I had it towed to a dealer for repair. The estimated cost for repair is around $2700. I filed a claim with Saturn and after they were willing to pay for 25% of the cost. The dealer was also willing to work with me on the labor charges, so my cost will ultimately be around $1800.00. The dealer stated they see this problem from time to time, and they stated the lowest mileage they have seen it with was 3000 miles. Seems to be a problem with this model Saturn. The dealer said that between him and me, the L-series is "not the best product Saturn has made".

Faults:

I've had the ignition switch replaced.

Dealer replaced Catalytic converter due to a recall.

I've already replaced the interior dome light and the left back brake light due to inferior parts.

Replaced the trunk seal, which has gone bad and caused leaking into the trunk compartment.

Timing chain just broke at 68,000 miles, and now I have to replace the engine.

General Comments:

Overall, I enjoy this car. It offers a lot of space in the interior. The trunk is one of the largest I've ever seen! (Bigger than my friend's Mercedes) I like the look of the car and have received many comments on it. The car responds well on the gas and handles well on rough roads.

The timing chain just broke, and I found out that my brother had the same problem with his Saturn S-series, as had a friend of mine.

Faults:

Most recently the timing chain broke at 32,000 miles.

The catalytic converter was replaced at 29,000 miles.

The wiring for the heater had to be completely rewired twice.

General Comments:

The car would not go more than 10 miles per hour after the timing chain broke. I had it towed to a auto-shop and they said that the valve is also bent.

They recommended that I take it to the dealer and open up a case at Saturn Assistance to get then to pay for a whole new engine. ($3,000+)

I was told, like others, that this happens when the oil is not changed. Yet I have changed the oil twice in the six months that I have owned the car. After going on the web, I'm relieved to see some of the same problems occurring.

Even if the oil wasn't changed, the timing chain should NOT go at 32,000 Miles on any car.

Faults:

I was doing reverse donuts in the parking lot where I work and had the wheel cranked to far to the right and lost my power steering pump.

General Comments:

This car is not to be underestimated. It is quick in the higher gears and the turbo really moves it.

Faults:

Timing Chain broke at 53,000. So far the dealer has the price of repair at $2800.00 but the price seems to be still going up.

Ignition Module has been replaced 2 times in the last 30 days.

General Comments:

While driving at 25 mph, I heard a loud pop from the engine, and the car stopped run immediately. I took it to the dealer, who so far has the repairs for the entire upper half of the engine at $2800.00. When I asked, he stated that it was probably because of lack of oil changes. I am a driver education instructor, and I am very meticulous about insuring the maintenance of my vehicle for state or parental inspections. I am usually 300 to 500 miles early on oil changes, just for that reason.

The ignition module went out in December. Unfortunately, I was never notified that it was under recall until after I had paid to be towed and had it replaced at a local garage. When I went to a dealer, they replaced the new one, along with a faulty catalytic converter.