14th Jan 2011, 17:49
Just purchased a used 2003 Saturn L300, and took it straight to a common oil change place that rhymes with sniffy tube, did a full service including tranny oil change and fuel filter.. The car has 145k miles, and rides good except for the fact that next day, going 55-75 mph, the front end shakes (like other owners cars), so I go to Autozone and purchase new rotors and brake pads, considering the ex-owner just changed the strutbars, but failed to further comment why.
So I changed them and no more shaking, maybe just a tire balance, and will further run like a champ.
Then when my wife took the car to work (30 miles), she said the wrench light came on and started changing the gears with a bump. So next day, I ran the car till the light turned on, which was about 37 miles, and then took it to the shop of my uncle. Connected it to the computer, and said it was the code P1811 Maximum adapt and long shift. He straight told me sell it as soon as you can. The cost of repairs and time consumed to fix this will cost 1/3 of the car. Some people say it's just a solenoid, but which one? Can an average Joe change this or test it out?
I contacted GMC service tech, and they said it costs 115 an hour for labor. No way. So my uncle advised maybe by changing the tranny FLUID AGAIN, because the place I took it to might have used recycled oil, so I changed it and they added an additive to help alleviate the problem. Well I ran the car, and it turned on at about 40 miles. LAME.
Never again will I buy a Saturn or any car that isn't extremely popular. I had a Honda, and worked like a champ until someone crashed it. Lame.
8th Feb 2011, 17:17
I drive a 2003 L300. Same problems as everybody else.
Had 35 codes one time, replaced the battery, seemed to stop throwing so many at once.
Rough shifting, pressure solenoid, expensive fix, all day job, had the transmission filter changed for $65 and have not had any problems in a few years.
Terrible gas mileage (14 in winter city driving). Already tried the general tune up possibilities including fuel filter. Next step is to replace the ECT (and maybe the O2 sensor also?).
Someone else commented about the unusual wear on tires. I did not know that they had different ratings. I have fancy chrome rims and they leak an unusual amount of air.
Great site. Wonder why it took me so long to find it.
inarowitz@yahoo.com.
23rd Mar 2011, 13:08
I have 2002 LW300 that I have had since 2005. I bought it used with about 40K miles, and it now has ~145K.
Up until 100K I had absolutely no problems with this car, and thought it was the best car I ever owned, and that was right after I traded my Subaru in for it.
At 100K I had the complete tuneup with replacement of the timing belt, plugs, wires, and water pump for a total of about $1000.
Last year I left the car at my son's house when I went on a business trip. When I returned, he was going to pick me up, and found the battery dead and jump started it. On the way to pick me up, he noticed the speedometer didn't work and the SES light was on. This was right after Saturn went out of business, so I took it to a Chevy dealer. They weren't familiar with it, and suggested I take it back to SC where I live, and have it serviced there. It was running OK otherwise.
When I returned home, I took it to another dealer, who told me it need a BCM at the cost of $640 plus 3 hours labor. We ordered the part, and I took the car home.
The next day, I again had a dead battery, so I called AAA to come out to replace the battery. After he put the new battery in, the car started right up, the speedometer worked and the SES light was off. I went back to the dealer and got my money back for the part I had placed on order.
About 2 months later, the car just stopped one day. I called another Chevy dealer who came and got it towed it in, and told me I needed at Crank Sensor. They replaced that at a cost of about $800.
Next the SES light came on again, and this time it was the O2 sensor.
Next the SES light came on again, and it was the coolant sensor.
Over this past weekend, I started the car one morning and the SES light was on, the wrench light was on, and the ABS light was on, along with the air bag light, and I had no speedometer, tach or fuel/temp gauge. I pulled the fuse for the instrument cluster and put it back in. Lights went off and I had gauges again.
Yesterday the car would not start at all. I disconnected the battery cable and reconnected it. The car started and no lights were on. Two hours later, same problem.
This morning I disconnected the battery again. It started and I drove it to a garage. The mechanic checked out everything and got no readings on the status of the PCM. So he thinks it is the PCM. So now I am looking for a PCM and a buyer.
25th Mar 2011, 08:01
I am sure as all these other poor Saturn owners have found out, myself included, that the Aura is just another good looking piece of junk. I have had my 2001 Saturn L300 for about 45 days, and it only had 107,000 miles on it, and now has 112,000 miles on it, and it has left me stranded twice; would not start after shutting off for no reason. The service engine light soon came on, and will not go off, and the service "wrench" light comes on, and then the car shifts very hard. 3 strikes and you're out is my rule. I am going to replace the MAF sensor, because that is what the dealer's computer said was wrong, but one more time and I am done.
26th Mar 2011, 13:52
Sounds like the heater core has gone bad, and now leaking coolant onto your passenger floorboard. Have your local mechanic change it out.
8th Apr 2011, 13:05
Got a 2003 L300, that has had 'Murphy' show up as soon as the extended warranty ran out AND Saturn closed.
Similar issue... Speedometer died (or frozen in place), tach went to 0, multiple indicators in-op with multiple warning lights. DO NOT ignore this... When I finally took it in when the instrument panel died, I was told that the body control module was bad. I was also told that only those dealers with the "Blessing of God" can change this part out. Took it to the dealer, and they called the instrument panel bad. 2 weeks later (After Fed-Ex lost the first instrument panel), we finally got it back. Drove it for about 10 miles, and the same thing happened. It was Friday night, and as soon as we left, the place turned into a ghost town. Luckily someone had stayed late and the car was put back in the bay. Saturday morning arrived, and we get a phone call that the body control module had taken out the first instrument panel, so that had to be replaced too.
Long story, a little longer, got it back (total 3 weeks), and now the emergency brake cable is also broken (Hmmm, just had all 4 brakes and rotors down by Saturn 6 months earlier, with no problem; $1200), and also now have a code for the thermostat. WHAT GENIUS INSTALLS A $10 THERMOSTAT INSIDE THE ENGINE. They want $700 to fix it. Just running on...
9th May 2011, 20:10
Any resolution to your horn honking issues? My 2002 L300 (112k) started doing the same thing. Coincidentally (or not) my A/C compressor stopped working at the same time.
12th May 2011, 09:57
I am having the same problem. My service light came on, and then my ABS and airbag lights came on and my gauges are going berserk. My traction light is blinking and my lights are blinking, and I am unable to put it in drive. Wow. I have put a ton of money into this car already. I would not buy another one, and would suggest no one else does either. Any idea how much this repair will cost? Anyone?
31st Oct 2010, 09:40
This is why Saturn is no longer around. They built junk, and now everyone is stuck with junk.