Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
16,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data updated: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 25 complaints (28.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Engine operation
2
8.0%
Braking behavior
2
8.0%
Steering behavior
2
8.0%
Transmission and shifting
1
4.0%
Electrical and battery issues
1
4.0%
Fuel system concerns
1
4.0%
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
Electrical System
7
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
Power Train
2
Steering
2
Suspension:Rear
2
Unknown Or Other
2
Engine
1
Engine And Engine Cooling
1
Component breakdown data
Category
Count
Electrical System
7
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
Power Train
2
Steering
2
Suspension:Rear
2
Unknown Or Other
2
Engine
1
Engine And Engine Cooling
1
Electrical System: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Power Train: 2; Steering: 2; Suspension:Rear: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
12
25,000 to 49,999
3
50,000 to 74,999
2
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
2
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
12
25,000 to 49,999
3
50,000 to 74,999
2
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
2
150,000 and above
1
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 5 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
Electrical System leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
THE CAR ROUTINELY WOULD NOT START OR WOULD START AND STALL OUT ON THE FIRST START OF THE DAY OR AFTER SITTING FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE VEHICLE WOULD APPEAR TO RUN NORMALLY AFTER THE VEHICLE STARTED ON THE SECOND OR THIRD ATTEMPT. THE VEHICLE COULD THEN BE STARTED AND TURNED OFF NORMALLY. IF THE VEHICLE SAT AGAIN THEN THE PROBLEM WOULD APPEAR AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SATURN OF LAKESIDE WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE STALL IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THEY RETURNED THE VEHICLE AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS. THE V…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN L300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT HAD FRACTURED AND ENTERED INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IN ADDITION, THE MECHANIC NOTICED A LARGE HOLE IN THE ENGINE COVER, WHICH ALLOWED THE DRIVE BELT TO ENTER INTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE INDEPENDENT ME…
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BRAKING THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DETACHMENT OCCURRED WHERE THE SHOULDER HARNESS WAS ATTACHES TO THE PILLAR. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY WERE GOING TO CALL HIM BACK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE. *AK
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR OR BRAKE PEDAL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, BOTH WERE PRESSED DUE TO THE CLOSE PLACEMENT OF THE TWO. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THIS WAS THE WAY THE PEDALS WERE DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
MY NEW 2005 L300 HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES FOR THE SHAKING IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, IT THUMPS AND SHAKES THROUGHOUT THE FRONT BODY, PEDALS AND STEERING MAKING HANDLING DIFFICULT AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND ESPECIALLY IN SLUSH AND SNOW. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWO TIMES AND BALANCED 5 TIMES. EVEN THOUGH CHANGING TIRES NEVER STOPS THE SHAKING. I'VE LOST CONTROL ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE DUE TO THE CONTROL LOSS DUE TO SHAKING. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER CORRECTED SOME OF THE STEERING ISSUES ON THE LAST VISIT …
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NOT BE ABLE TO TURN AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED, AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTALED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN L300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED VIOLENTLY AND JERKED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY IN WARM WEATHER TEMPERATURES. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONER/HEATER FAILED TO OPERATE TO THE DESIRED SELECTION AND DID NOT CIRCULATE THE APPROPRIATE FLOW OF AIR THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION L3. THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY AND THE COMPUTER SYSTEM TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHOM INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
25 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
80.0%Usable mileage20 / 25 records
100.0%Valid incident date25 / 25 records
100.0%Valid filing date25 / 25 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates25 / 25 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
Component complaint heatmap
Component
2003
2004
2005
Electrical System
921.4%ODI 10159352 · 28,500 mi
DT*: THE CONTACTS STATED AFTER DRIVING LONG ENOUGH FOR THE MOTOR TO GET WARM THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER FROM DIM TO BRIGHT. THIS IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. IF THE HEATER OR AIR CONDITIONER FAN IS TURNED ON, THE FLICKERING BECOMES MORE RAPID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FOR THIS PROBLEM. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THIS WAS NORMAL OPERATIONS FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE.
THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS DIM ALMOST ALL THE WAY OUT UNPREDICTABLY. THE DASH LIGHT DIMMING DRAWS THE DRIVER'S ATTENTION AWAY FROM THE ROAD, WHILE THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMING DRAWS THE ATTENTION OF OTHER DRIVERS AND THE POLICE. MANY DRIVERS THINK THAT YOU ARE SIGNALING THEM AND THIS CAN LEAD TO ROAD RAGE INCIDENTS. ALSO, IN MANY STATES SIGNALING OTHER DRIVERS OF A POLICE PRESENCE IS AGAINST THE LAW. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS ON MANY OCCASIONS I HAVE LOST SIGHT OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING. IT IS ONLY BLIND LUCK THAT PREVENTED ME FROM BEING INV…
PURCHASED NEW 2003 SATURN L300 AND THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT REFLECTS LOWER THAN THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WHICH CREATES A STEP EFFECT WHEN LOOKING OUT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO RECREATE THIS SCENARIO IN THE GARAGE AND THEREFORE CONCLUDED THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP MUST BE WILLING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT TO VIEW THE PROBLEM.
THE HEADLIGHTS CREATED A SHADOW ON THE ROAD WHICH CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE DEALER INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER THAT THE HEADLIGHTS COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED TO REMOVE THE SHADOW. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NLM
ENGINE STALLS AFTER 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING. WON'T START AGAIN FOR 2 OR 3 HOURS ONLY TO RUN FOR 10 MINUTES AND STALL AGAIN. SOMETIMES ENGINE WILL STALL WHILE IDLING. SOMETIMES THE ENGINE LIGHT WITH THE WRENCH IN IT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE STARTS TO SHIFT ROUGHLY. IF I TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND START IT AGAIN, THIS LIGHT GOES OFF AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTS NORMALLY. *TR
2004 SATURN L 300, 6 CYLINDER . MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON AND THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF, LOOSING ALL POWER AND ALL SERVICE LIGHTS APPEARED. HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE. HOOKED UP A OBD SCANNER TO CAR. 8 CODES APPEARED. BCM/ECM MALFUNCTION.(4 CODES OF THIS), CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (2 CODES OF THIS), ENGINE RUNNING TOO RICH (2 CODES OF THIS). I HAVE READ MANY CASES ONLINE THROUGH FORUMS, AND THIS SEEMS TOO BE A BIG PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN L300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT HAD FRACTURED AND ENTERED INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IN ADDITION, THE MECHANIC NOTICED A LARGE HOLE IN THE ENGINE COVER, WHICH ALLOWED THE DRIVE BELT TO ENTER INTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE INDEPENDENT ME…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L300. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED NOR WAS THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
I CAN NOT GET A REPLACEMENT PART FOR MY 2004 SATURN WAGON. THE TAIL LIGHT IS BROKEN, GM SAID THE SUPPLIER QUITE MAKING THE PART. THE CAR IS NOT LEGAL TO DRIVE WITH A BROKEN TAIL LIGHT. *TR THANK YOU ROBERT EMANUEL
WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 65 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON, TAPPED BRAKE TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, RESTARTED THE ENGINE. POWER APPEARED TO BE RESTORED BUT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. DEALER RELOADED EEPROM SOFTWARE. *JB
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY 70 MPH ACCELERATION WILL DROP DOWN TO 5 MPH. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH COMPUTER THAT THREW THE VEHICLE INTO IDLE MODE. THIS PROBLEM ALSO OCCURRED IN THE OWNER'S PREVIOUS SATURN MODEL L200 2002. THE CAUSE WAS STILL UNDETERMINED. *AK
THE BATTERY WARNING AND EMERGENCY SERVICE LIGHTS (I.E., "THE CAR WITH THE WRENCH" SIGNAL) FLASHED ON MY 2004 SATURN L300 IN MID-MAY 2008. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME. AS I SLOWED DOWN TO EXIT THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED. I MADE IT HOME AND PARKED IT IN THE CAR PORT. I HAD IT TOWED TO SATURN OF BIRMINGHAM (SOB) THE NEXT MORNING. SOB HAS HAD IT FOR 4 DAYS NOW. THE SERVICE TECH'S (AT LEAST THREE HAVE LOOKED AT IT) HAVE HAD A DIFFICULT TIME DETERMINING WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. FOR NOW, THE POWER TRAIN (PCM) HAS BEEN REPLACED. BUT THE SERVICE REP INFOR…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN L300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED VIOLENTLY AND JERKED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY IN WARM WEATHER TEMPERATURES. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONER/HEATER FAILED TO OPERATE TO THE DESIRED SELECTION AND DID NOT CIRCULATE THE APPROPRIATE FLOW OF AIR THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
STEERING COLUMN CLUNKING. HAD INTERMEDIATE SHAFT REPAIRED WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 12/2007 WHICH I INCLUDED THE LUBRICATION OF THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND REPLACING THE SWAY BAR LINKS. IN 3/2008, PROBLEM OF CLUNKING NOISE RESURFACED. STEERING GEAR WAS FAILING AND LEAKING AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. IN 12/2008, CLUNKING NOISE RESURFACED. FIND TIE ROD WAS LOOSE AND THAT THE STRUT MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CLUNKING NOISE HAS RESURFACED IN LATE 2009, EARLY 2010. SATURN IS INVESTIGATING REPAIR NEEDS BASED ON PREVIOUS WORK PERFORMED. *TR
A YEAR AGO, A GRINDING NOISE CAME FROM THE STEERING WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME, WHILE I WAS MAKING THE APPOINTMENT, THAT IT WAS THE STEERING SHAFT. *JB
MY NEW 2005 L300 HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES FOR THE SHAKING IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, IT THUMPS AND SHAKES THROUGHOUT THE FRONT BODY, PEDALS AND STEERING MAKING HANDLING DIFFICULT AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND ESPECIALLY IN SLUSH AND SNOW. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWO TIMES AND BALANCED 5 TIMES. EVEN THOUGH CHANGING TIRES NEVER STOPS THE SHAKING. I'VE LOST CONTROL ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE DUE TO THE CONTROL LOSS DUE TO SHAKING. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER CORRECTED SOME OF THE STEERING ISSUES ON THE LAST VISIT …
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN L300. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, BENT THE FRAME AND DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONTAL AND SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AN AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
THIS COMPLAINT COMES AFTER 4 OTHER PREVIOUS ONES WITH THIS SAME VEHICLE. 1ST - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, 2ND - TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, 3RD AND 4TH - LOW COOLANT LIGHT. PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED FOR THESE ALREADY. NOW THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS DIM DOWN AND THEN COME BACK ON TO FULL POWER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. SATURN OF FOND DU LAC SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE OR TALKED TO ANYONE WHO EVER HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN. THIS IS NOT NORMAL. IF THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS "NORMAL" DIMMING OF THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS H…
MY 2005 SATURN L300, HAD AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS AND REMOTE START INCLUDED WITH THE PACKAGE UPON BUYING. AFTER APPRX 1 YEAR, AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS (NOT THE RUNNING LIGHTS) WOULD FAIL TO TURN ON AT NIGHT, TURN OFF DURING DAY. COULD NOT OVERRIDE PROBLEM BY MANUALLY TURNING ON LIGHTS. ISSUE WAS INTERMITTENT. SATURN COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM AND SUGGESTED THAT IT WAS THE REMOTE START CAUSING THE PROBLEMS. REMOTE START WAS REPLACED. SEPTEMBER 2006, HEADLIGHT ISSUE RETURNED. ONCE AGAIN, SATURN SUGGESTED IT WAS THE REMOTE START. BCM MODULE OF REMOTE ST…
THE CAR ROUTINELY WOULD NOT START OR WOULD START AND STALL OUT ON THE FIRST START OF THE DAY OR AFTER SITTING FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE VEHICLE WOULD APPEAR TO RUN NORMALLY AFTER THE VEHICLE STARTED ON THE SECOND OR THIRD ATTEMPT. THE VEHICLE COULD THEN BE STARTED AND TURNED OFF NORMALLY. IF THE VEHICLE SAT AGAIN THEN THE PROBLEM WOULD APPEAR AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SATURN OF LAKESIDE WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE STALL IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THEY RETURNED THE VEHICLE AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS. THE V…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN L300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED VIOLENTLY AND JERKED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY IN WARM WEATHER TEMPERATURES. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONER/HEATER FAILED TO OPERATE TO THE DESIRED SELECTION AND DID NOT CIRCULATE THE APPROPRIATE FLOW OF AIR THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AROUND 55MPH THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY LOSE THROTTLE RESPONSE. ALL THE ENGINE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AND THE CAR WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY UNTIL I TURN IT OFF AND THEN BACK ON. ONCE I DO THAT THE CAR DRIVES BUT SHIFTS VIOLENTLY. WAS TOLD IT WAS A PCM FAILURE. OCCURS MORE OFTEN IN COLD WEATHER. IT HAPPENS SO OFTEN THAT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY I QUICKLY PUT IT IN NEUTRAL SHUT IT OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON WHILE STILL ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
MY NEW 2005 L300 HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES FOR THE SHAKING IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, IT THUMPS AND SHAKES THROUGHOUT THE FRONT BODY, PEDALS AND STEERING MAKING HANDLING DIFFICULT AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND ESPECIALLY IN SLUSH AND SNOW. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWO TIMES AND BALANCED 5 TIMES. EVEN THOUGH CHANGING TIRES NEVER STOPS THE SHAKING. I'VE LOST CONTROL ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE DUE TO THE CONTROL LOSS DUE TO SHAKING. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER CORRECTED SOME OF THE STEERING ISSUES ON THE LAST VISIT …
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NOT BE ABLE TO TURN AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED, AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTALED.
OUR 2005 L300 HAS 17,000 MILES ON IT - ONLY DRIVEN 8 MONTHS, WITH NO ACCIDENTS, NOT EVEN A BUMPER-TO-BUMPER INCIDENT. WE ALREADY HAVE TO REPLACE TWO WHEELS (AT $417 EACH - OUT OF OUR OWN POCKET) BECAUSE THE RIMS BENT SO BADLY THEY ARE USELESS (THEY ARE BOTH SAVED AT OUR HOME). WE BELIEVE, SINCE THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM, THE RIMS MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE, AND WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR REPLACEMENT. WE ALSO HAVE TO REPLACE A STRUT, WHICH SATURN OF BLUE SPRINGS, MO SERVICE TELLS ME IS "SO RARE WE HAVE HARD…
4/1/06-LOUD THUMPING WHILE DRIVING. REAR 2 TIRES CUPPING. SATURN STATED IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND SAID IT NEEDED A BOLT SHIM KIT AND 2 NEW TIRES. 4/11/06-SATURN PUT ON BOLT SHIM KIT, 2 NEW TIRES AND ALIGNED THE CAR. 7/8/06-LOUD THUMPING WHILE DRIVING. REAR 2 TIRES CUPPING. SATURN STATED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIRES. SATURN REPLACED 1 OF THE NEW TIRES FROM 4/11/06 BECAUSE IT WAS WEARING BAD. 7/11/06-SATURN STATED THE ALIGNMENT WAS WAY OFF. SATURN ALIGNED THE VEHICLE AND PUT ON 2 NEW TIRES. ALSO LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON FOR TH…
THE CAR SMELLS OF GAS ON THE INSIDE AS WELL AS THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING ANYWHERE. EVEN WHEN ITS PARKED THE CAR SMELL OF GAS. THIS STARTED ABOUT 3 MOS AGO.
MY 2005 SATURN HAS A GAS LEAK ,JUST LIKE MY 2009 CHEVROLET EQUINOX . MY CHEVROLET EQUINOX PROBLEM WAS CREATED BECAUSE OF THE HOT ARIZONA SUMMERS. DRIED OUT GASKETS ETC. WHY WAS THE EQUINOX COVERED AND NOT THE SATURN? WHATS GIVES?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN L300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT HAD FRACTURED AND ENTERED INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IN ADDITION, THE MECHANIC NOTICED A LARGE HOLE IN THE ENGINE COVER, WHICH ALLOWED THE DRIVE BELT TO ENTER INTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE INDEPENDENT ME…
LOW COOLANT LIGHT WOULD GO ON AND OFF . HOSE AND CLAMP WAS LEAKING. DEALER FIXED ONCE. 1 MONTH LATER THE SAME HOSE AND CLAMP WAS LEAKING AGAIN. DEALER FIXED AGAIN. THIS IS AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON (OXYGEN SENSOR) AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT DID NOT WORK. OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THESE ITEM WERE SUBMITTED. *NM
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-02
1
None
ODI 11719339
Drivers seat suspension separated under the seat. Sudden drop caused temporary loss of full visibility, poor driver controls contact, distraction and potential collision. Problem is permanent and therefore unrepeatable and not presented to dealer or service center. Managed somewhat poorly afterwards with a pillow atop the seat. Problem has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance representative or others. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to failure. None after failure.
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2004: 23 complaints · 2005: 14 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2004
15
18
23
2005
8
14
14
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
2004
59
1
1
2005
25
0
0
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
Component co-occurrence matrix
Component
Electrical System
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Power Train
Steering
Suspension:Rear
Unknown Or Other
Engine
Engine And Engine Cooling
Electrical System
—
0
1ODI 10506053 · 60,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN L300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED VIOLENTLY AND JERKED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY IN WARM WEATHER TEMPERATURES. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONER/HEATER FAILED TO OPERATE TO THE DESIRED SELECTION AND DID NOT CIRCULATE THE APPROPRIATE FLOW OF AIR THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN L300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED VIOLENTLY AND JERKED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY IN WARM WEATHER TEMPERATURES. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONER/HEATER FAILED TO OPERATE TO THE DESIRED SELECTION AND DID NOT CIRCULATE THE APPROPRIATE FLOW OF AIR THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
7 patterns with matching reports.
Warning lights and dashboard alerts
4 mentions · 16.0% of complaints
Median mileage: 75 mi (3 usable records).
ODI 10136761 · 27 mi
JANUARY 28TH, 2005 - PURCHASED 2005 SATURN L-300. 10 MINUTES AFTER THE CAR LEFT THE LOT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS BAD. THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY SATURN OF FOND DU LAC, WI. *JB
LOW COOLANT LIGHT WOULD GO ON AND OFF . HOSE AND CLAMP WAS LEAKING. DEALER FIXED ONCE. 1 MONTH LATER THE SAME HOSE AND CLAMP WAS LEAKING AGAIN. DEALER FIXED AGAIN. THIS IS AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON (OXYGEN SENSOR) AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT DID NOT WORK. OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THESE ITEM WERE SUBMITTED. *NM
THIS COMPLAINT COMES AFTER 4 OTHER PREVIOUS ONES WITH THIS SAME VEHICLE. 1ST - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, 2ND - TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, 3RD AND 4TH - LOW COOLANT LIGHT. PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED FOR THESE ALREADY. NOW THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS DIM DOWN AND THEN COME BACK ON TO FULL POWER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. SATURN OF FOND DU LAC SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE OR TALKED TO ANYONE WHO EVER HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN. THIS IS NOT NORMAL. IF THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS "NORMAL" DIMMING OF THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS H…
THE CAR ROUTINELY WOULD NOT START OR WOULD START AND STALL OUT ON THE FIRST START OF THE DAY OR AFTER SITTING FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE VEHICLE WOULD APPEAR TO RUN NORMALLY AFTER THE VEHICLE STARTED ON THE SECOND OR THIRD ATTEMPT. THE VEHICLE COULD THEN BE STARTED AND TURNED OFF NORMALLY. IF THE VEHICLE SAT AGAIN THEN THE PROBLEM WOULD APPEAR AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SATURN OF LAKESIDE WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE STALL IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THEY RETURNED THE VEHICLE AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS. THE V…
4/1/06-LOUD THUMPING WHILE DRIVING. REAR 2 TIRES CUPPING. SATURN STATED IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND SAID IT NEEDED A BOLT SHIM KIT AND 2 NEW TIRES. 4/11/06-SATURN PUT ON BOLT SHIM KIT, 2 NEW TIRES AND ALIGNED THE CAR. 7/8/06-LOUD THUMPING WHILE DRIVING. REAR 2 TIRES CUPPING. SATURN STATED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIRES. SATURN REPLACED 1 OF THE NEW TIRES FROM 4/11/06 BECAUSE IT WAS WEARING BAD. 7/11/06-SATURN STATED THE ALIGNMENT WAS WAY OFF. SATURN ALIGNED THE VEHICLE AND PUT ON 2 NEW TIRES. ALSO LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON FOR TH…
Matching rule\b(parasitic drain|battery drain\w*|dead battery|won.t start|would not start|no.start)\b
Fuel smell or leak mentions
2 mentions · 8.0% of complaints
Median mileage: 93,501 mi (2 usable records).
ODI 10821224 · 2 mi
THE CAR SMELLS OF GAS ON THE INSIDE AS WELL AS THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING ANYWHERE. EVEN WHEN ITS PARKED THE CAR SMELL OF GAS. THIS STARTED ABOUT 3 MOS AGO.
MY 2005 SATURN HAS A GAS LEAK ,JUST LIKE MY 2009 CHEVROLET EQUINOX . MY CHEVROLET EQUINOX PROBLEM WAS CREATED BECAUSE OF THE HOT ARIZONA SUMMERS. DRIED OUT GASKETS ETC. WHY WAS THE EQUINOX COVERED AND NOT THE SATURN? WHATS GIVES?
THE CAR ROUTINELY WOULD NOT START OR WOULD START AND STALL OUT ON THE FIRST START OF THE DAY OR AFTER SITTING FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE VEHICLE WOULD APPEAR TO RUN NORMALLY AFTER THE VEHICLE STARTED ON THE SECOND OR THIRD ATTEMPT. THE VEHICLE COULD THEN BE STARTED AND TURNED OFF NORMALLY. IF THE VEHICLE SAT AGAIN THEN THE PROBLEM WOULD APPEAR AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SATURN OF LAKESIDE WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE STALL IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THEY RETURNED THE VEHICLE AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS. THE V…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN L300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT HAD FRACTURED AND ENTERED INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IN ADDITION, THE MECHANIC NOTICED A LARGE HOLE IN THE ENGINE COVER, WHICH ALLOWED THE DRIVE BELT TO ENTER INTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE INDEPENDENT ME…
Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b
Brake response concerns
1 mentions · 4.0% of complaints
Median mileage: 11,000 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 10170681 · 11,000 mi
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR OR BRAKE PEDAL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, BOTH WERE PRESSED DUE TO THE CLOSE PLACEMENT OF THE TWO. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THIS WAS THE WAY THE PEDALS WERE DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN L300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED VIOLENTLY AND JERKED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY IN WARM WEATHER TEMPERATURES. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONER/HEATER FAILED TO OPERATE TO THE DESIRED SELECTION AND DID NOT CIRCULATE THE APPROPRIATE FLOW OF AIR THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NOT BE ABLE TO TURN AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED, AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTALED.