24th Jul 2007, 23:13

In October of 2001 I convinced my wife that we should buy not one, but two Saturn vehicles. I only wish now that I had listened to her and opted for the Toyota. We ended up getting a 2002 L300 and a 2002 LW300. While they were preparing our vehicles they loaned us a sedan to drive home to drop off our old car. We should have taken the hint; the loaner did not have a functioning odometer or speedometer. The sales rep said don't worry... but oh GOD we should have. These cars have been the worst piles of manure ever, a constant source of comedy for my coworkers. Once on the second replacement of the Body Control Module on our sedan because the stock Saturn alarm was going off on average 3 times a night, I was told by the service manager perhaps I didn't need to set the alarm (they actually replaced the module a 3rd time). Funny! deleting the alarm wasn't an option when I purchased the car and he didn't offer me a refund. My wife and I keep our cars for an average of 10 years; I only pray the next four are uneventful. At present both vehicles have less than 30k miles; Lord just think how these lemons would be if we actually drove them.

29th Jul 2007, 23:57

Um Didn't General Motors buy Saturn in 2001-02?? If so... there's your problems right there!

13th Aug 2007, 16:50

I have a 2001 LW300 wagon that we bought new in 2001. Other than replacing tires, battery and maintenance, we haven't put much money into this car.

But, now at 78k miles we are having engine issues- perhaps transmission - the car "jumps" gears - particularly from 1st to 2nd when we accelerate and decelerate. The "service engine soon" light is constantly on.

Last time I brought it to the dealer they couldn't identify the issue via the computer - they wanted to remove the engine = 3 hours labor + time/cost for whatever needs fixing!

Does anyone have experience with this problem so that maybe I can take it somewhere else and direct them to the issue?

14th Aug 2007, 09:10

To the above commenter: have your mechanic (or dealer) check and/or replace the MAF sensor. The mass airflow sensor tends to become contaminated on this engine, which confuses the transmission into performing overly firm shifts, as if the car has been given full throttle. It often will illuminate the SES light. It's a cheap part, about $100 and easy to replace.

If that doesn't solve it, check the transmission pressure solenoid, which has also been shown to be occasionally faulty on this car, but my money's on the MAF sensor. Good luck.

17th Aug 2007, 14:42

Thanks for the comment, mine is LW300, 2002. around 70k miles. reliable and stable to drive. I didn't pass the inspection because of the code #501 says something about full throttle, and the engine light is on after the failing inspection. I think the car testing machine trigger my engine light on. I had it on when -15 degree in winter, but when the weather warms up in spring, no light on untill today for inspection.

My mechanic reset my system to let the light off, he told me to drive another 100 miles to see if the light comes back up.

Well, thanks for the comment, I will mention that to him.

23rd Nov 2007, 14:53

We have owned the LW300 for 2 1/2 years now and have had nothing, but problems. Unfortunately, we thought we were going to be getting rid of our headaches, and so far, it has only made them worse. I don't know who to go to about this, because I feel I have been duped! Ten days out of the warranty, we had a major $1000.00 repair, and it's been downhill ever since. Besides the problems with the recalls, brake lights, seat belts, etc. It's been nothing, but a headache. Strange groan from the steering column, air conditioner compressor is shot-too expensive to fix now, and now it's in the shop for a new heating core! I had anti-freeze leaking into my car! I will never buy another Saturn!

2nd Jan 2008, 15:39

Our 2001 LW300 was a trouble free except for a leaking water pump and power steering pump that was repaired under our 60 month extended warranty. In December 2007 the dealer discovered leaks in the oil cooler, water pump (again), and power steering pump (again). I had all of these leaks repaired at a cost of $1,750. I have never had a car, domestic or foreign, that had these types of problems with less than 100,000 miles on the car.

Last week the "service engine soon" light went on. I borrowed an OBD2 code reader, which indicated a problem with the Mass Air Flow Sensor. The dealer estimated $450 to replace the sensor, but I replaced it myself at a cost of $150 for the part.

My previous Saturn was a 1994 SL2, which I owned for 150,000 trouble free miles. Too bad Saturn has become a typically unreliable GM car. I enjoyed the comfort, ride and powerful engine of the LW300, but I refuse to continue paying for repairs caused by either faulty design or poor manufacturing. I will be trading it in for a Honda or Toyota.

8th Apr 2008, 22:06

We own two Saturns - 2002 LW300 and 2001 Ion and we will never buy another one.

I've had a myriad of problems - right now the LW300 is in for a week due to misfire issues that seem to be related to coils but they aren't positive yet. I've burned through tires due to uneven wear issues. Had to have the entire oil pan replaced when the dealership screwed it up. They stood by their employees but they were clearly in the wrong (I've got a CD of photos) and we had another reliable mechanic take over - we'll never get Saturn service again. Have also replaced the water pump, heater, heated seats -- the list goes on and on. The Ion hasn't been as problematic though we went monthly with the brake lights for quite a spell there. Every time this car goes in for an oil change it ends up costing us $700+. My next Saturn will probably be a Subaru.

25th Apr 2008, 20:47

Bought my used Saturn LW300 in July, 2005 with 56K miles on it. Have driven it daily since, few major issues until March 2008 when it turned over 107K - now it's like the car imploded! I was getting 28-30 mpg (mostly highway driving, now getting 22-24 mpg, dealer says (among 15 other things) Coil Bank #2 bad but when it was replaced, no improvement.

A previous Honda/Toyota/Mazda driver, I'm going back - I expected too much from this car thinking it would get to 120 or 130K, I guess. I would never consider another Saturn.

15th Jun 2008, 15:48

I bought my 2002 LW300 in June 2004. It had 14000 miles on it then, now has 68000+.

Things started falling apart rapidly the closer I got to 60000 miles.

Rear brake lights (twice), check engine light constantly, mpg is probably 15 hwy now.

Air conditioning went out (no warning).

My feet are on fire when I drive and the passengers feet also, (with the heater off).

Just got a deal on repairs ($647) at a repair shop. Saturn wanted $1500.

Check engine light kept coming on and they had to replace the spark plug unit along with some other mechanical problems.

Having a problem keeping power steering fluid in it now. Started out as some weird groan from the steering column, would add fluid, okay for a short time, now I can't keep fluid in it.

I loved this car in the beginning, but now it's becoming my worst nightmare.