6th Sep 2006, 07:11

I agree, this is a clear case of an incompetent service department. It's not like the MAF sensor is unheard of--this is common and easy to diagnose. Also, it shouldn't cost more than $150 to replace. Let's place the blame where it belongs.

By the way, just so you are aware, your V6 engine is a wonder of BRITISH craftsmanship, not American. Although the car was assemble in Delaware, the engine is made by Vauxhall in Ellesmere, England.

10th Sep 2006, 06:10

I have a '02 L300 that has shakes for the first 10 miles if it sits for too long. Most recently I parked it at the airport for a week and when I tried to start it, it stalled the first time (the battery light came on) and then finally cranked the second time, but my check engine light started flashing and the car continued to shake for the next 10 miles. Does anyone have any advice before I spend a fortune at the dealer? I haven't noticed any hard shifting so I don't think this is the same problem as the previous posters.

15th Sep 2006, 22:35

The problems with the '01 and '02 L300s eating tires are well-known, and there is actually an after-market kit they install so the tires can be aligned properly. Apparently they CANNOT be aligned properly straight from the factory. I have an '03 and it ate up the tires too. The dealership told me that the problem was fixed on the '03 model before any shipped, so it couldn't be that. They said if I could prove I'd rotated my tires on the proper schedule, they might be able to discuss prorating the cost of a new set based on the mileage used (about 27,000 miles). Once I told them that I rotate my own tires, and therefore there is no record, the service manager said that if the tires were worn evenly, he might be able to work with me. Unfortunately, I'd already replaced the front set, as I had picked up a sidewall gash on the road some months earlier. He told me I was SOL. I paid Tire Discounters $600 for a new set of tires.

28th Nov 2006, 14:09

My 2002 L300 rips through tires too. At first I thought it was the Firestone brand that came with the car. Dealer replaced them free at 18000 miles. Next set lasted slightly longer. Replaced them with Continentals. They really sing as did the Firestone's. Saturn alignment did not help.

The high pressure power steering line split open and was replaced at 45000 miles. The two 'rods' that hold the front torsion bar were replaced. They are permanently lubricated and sealed and are not maintenance items. Both these problems occurred before my first brake job was needed.

Now my brake lights don't work. The socket shows signs of burning. The running light indicator on the dash does not work.

GM has a record of poor performance since the '70s when it converted the 350cid to diesel and cross matched parts on small cars into large cars.

I am buying Japanese from now on. No longer supporting American manufacturers.

30th Nov 2006, 18:57

I purchased my 2001 L300 when it had 28,000 miles. It had been a one owner car, sold originally from the dealer I was purchasing it from. The car had been "maintained religiously" by the first owner, through this dealership.

I bought the car in July of 2002. I then began a "religious maintenance" of this car. Every time I brought it in for an oil change, I ended up spending $300-$600 on everything and anything you could imagine. Oxygen sensors... awww... I can't even remember it all. I began to have anxiety attacks about getting an oil change.

The last time I was at this dealership, they told me I needed a new fuel pump. That was over a year ago. I have since had oil changes at local garages, still running with my "old fuel pump", without incident.

The car goes through tires like crazy... it seems to have no insulation, as I can hear road noise like all my windows were down.

I've had more repairs on this 'almost new' piece of crap, than I did on a 10 year old Ford Thunderbird. It's a lousy car. I'm going to have a real guilty conscience trying to get rid of it. Maybe my worst enemy would like a deal on a Crapturn.

26th Dec 2006, 14:34

I am happy to hear that I'm not alone with my problems with my 2001 Saturn L300. It was somewhat problematic up until this year, when it was paid off. But this year has been one thing after another. I spent $1500 in two trips in October (spertine (sp?) belt and fuel pump) then another $716 today on the ignition module.

1st Feb 2007, 06:35

I also have a 2001 L300 and have had trouble with it from the day I drove it off the lot. Most of the troubles have been with the tires. With the first set the car shook badly around 45 mph and I was told they were not appropriate tires for the car, even though it was a brand new car with seven miles on it. They changed those tires to a different set.

Problems continued. At 18,000 miles they replaced all four tires because they were almost bald. At 36,000 miles they replaced all four tires because they were cupping and installed a shim kit for alignment problems. At 51,000 miles I was told the back two tires needed to be replaced "soon". Now at 54,000 now three of the four tires need to be replaced "soon", which means there is 18,000 miles on these tires.

I have faithfully had my maintenance work completed and my tires rotated. They are not willing to put different tires on because they "have assisted me before". They claim it is not an alignment nor a suspension problem. I cannot believe that, but they won't move on it.

I also had many other problems with this car, the latest being a fuel pump leak. I have had the car not start many times. It has been a constant problem.

I will never purchase another Saturn. This was my second Saturn. I never had any problem with my other one.

7th Feb 2007, 11:58

I have a 2002 Saturn L300 that has exhibited many of the same problems people have posted.

At 55,000 miles, I'm on my third set of tires. I just paid $500+ to have the rear shim kit installed and everything realigned, which is supposed to stop the car from eating tires.

The transmission has started to intermittently shift hard. When it starts to shift hard, the service light comes on. The transmission upshifts fine, but downshifts (e.g. from first to second gear) are very hard, as is going from reverse to drive or vice versa. Turning the car off, waiting about 30 seconds, then starting it again temporarily solves the problem. The dealer tells me it's a solenoid in the transmission that will cost nearly $1,000 to fix.

The car also has also acquired a nasty habit of pulling to the right when accelerating, whether it's light or hard acceleration. The dealer chalks it up to torque steer, though it hasn't always done this.

I drove a 1991 Saturn SL for 11 years before my L300, and it was a great car. I wish I could say the same for the L300.