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2003 Saturn L-Series repairs by problem area

Engine (39%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (9%)

Brakes and Traction Control (7%)

Suspension and Steering (22%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (24%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (0%)

Other (0%)

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Chart based on 46 repairs.

See TSBs and recalls for the 2003 Saturn L-Series.

2003 Saturn L-Series repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (9%)

$500 - $999 (20%)

$100 - $499 (31%)

< $100 (40%)

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Chart based on 45 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

See repairs for all Saturn L-Series model years.

Saturn L-Series in Minnesota, United States Feb 2015 - Apr 2015
Mar 2015 48000 mi US $972	Check engine light reset. Valve cover gaskets replaced.

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Saturn L-Series in Ohio, United States Apr 2014 - Aug 2017
Sep 2014 148000 mi US $450	Plugs and timing
Apr 2017 229000 mi US $150	Replaced original starter

Saturn L-Series in Virginia, United States Jun 2014 - Apr 2016
Apr 2015 156000 mi US $565	RR wheel cylinder blew out while driving. Tore brake shoe support apart, bent backing plate severely. Tow (included in repair) was $125 for 8 mile trip.rnMechanic said LR cylinder broke apart whenever they removed that drum. Replaced both.

Saturn L-Series in Texas, United States Jun 2013 - Jun 2018
Oct 2013 139300 mi	Complete loss of gauge illumination due to blown fuse. Diagnosed as a short in wiring harness for interior / dashboard illumination. Faulty wire (power for traction control button backlight) was located and isolated from harness.
Mar 2014 143000 mi US $300	Replaced Body Control Module.
Mar 2016 153000 mi US $70	Starting wearing out and making excessive noise on cold starts.
Apr 2017 153000 mi US $70	Radiator replaced, leaking at tank
Jul 2017 153000 mi US $70	Knuckle bushings replaced, boots were torn and starting to make noise

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Saturn L-Series in California, United States - Jan 2007
Aug 2004 11000 mi	Replaced leaking head gasket. Sales consultant stated that it appeared that the head gasket was slightly misaligned on assembly. Repaired under warranty.
Apr 2005 21000 mi	Replaced steering rack.
Feb 2006 35000 mi	Replaced auto climate control module. This was to repair a onetime situation where the heater was turning on by itself. Diagnostics revealed an error code, so they replaced the module. Repaired under warranty.
Jan 2007 65000 mi US $150	Intermediate shaft lubrication to repair rough steering in turns. Repair worked fine.

Saturn L-Series in South Carolina, United States Oct 2013 - Aug 2015
Dec 2013 73000 mi US $900	Oxygen sensor
Dec 2014 79000 mi US $500	Replace thermostat and hoses

Saturn L-Series in Wisconsin, United States - Oct 2008
Mar 2008 42670 mi	Thermostat replaced under CPO warranty
Jun 2008 48100 mi US $11	MIL on, found broken clamp on vac hose. Clamps not covered under CPO warranty.
Jul 2008 51780 mi	Power steering pump leaking, seal replaced under CPO warranty.
Aug 2008 53600 mi	Oil leak. Oil filter canister was cracked/damaged during dealer oil change. Dealer replaced at no cost since it was their error.
Oct 2008 57122 mi US $1724	Oil in coolant, oil cooler cracked. Thermostat housing found to be warped, also replaced. Parts ran to $400, the rest was labor, as GM decided that making stuff impossible to get to is good for dealer profits.

Saturn L-Series in Washington, United States Jun 2013 - Jan 2018
Mar 2015 110000 mi	key could not be removed from ignition when you attempted to put shift lever in park. Sensors were replaced by GM at no charge.

Saturn L-Series in Utah, United States Jun 2013 - Jun 2016
Oct 2013 78000 mi	Occasionally the "service engine soon" light comes on and the transmission (4-speed slushbox automatic) shifts very, very roughly. Shutting down the car for a few minutes "cures" it temporarily. We weren't able to pull any codes.
May 2014 85000 mi US $1400	Pressure control solenoid was faulty. Caused intermittent rough shifting and SES light illumination. Known issue with this horrible vehicle, there is a TSB. Dealer replaced two solenoids in the valve body to fix the issue.
May 2015 88900 mi US $110	Air conditioning compressor has failed. Dealer wants $1100 to fix it.
Jun 2016 95000 mi	AC compressor never fixed.

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Saturn L-Series in Ontario, Canada Jun 2013 - Apr 2015
Jan 2014 109740 mi C $1000	Thermostat and waterpump needed to be replaced.

Saturn L-Series in California, United States Jun 2013 - Aug 2016
Aug 2014 103100 mi US $900	Replaced AC Compressor
Oct 2014 104300 mi US $900	Gas tank cracked

Saturn L-Series in Missouri, United States Sep 2014 - Jan 2017
Apr 2015 144000 mi US $350	Catalytic converter needed replacing. The O2 sensors appear fine. P0420 error
Jan 2017 141000 mi US $250	Change alternator and tensioner

Saturn L-Series in Florida, United States - Oct 2004
Oct 2004 92000 mi US $250	Replace A/C hose. Recharge system

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Saturn L-Series in Georgia, United States Dec 2016 - Apr 2017
Feb 2017 60000 mi US $300	Control Arm Replaced

Saturn L-Series in Minnesota, United States May 2014 - Dec 2016
Jun 2014 75000 mi US $225	Car was loosing power when accelerating. When pedal was barely pressed it went faster. Turned out the Catalytic converter was bad. Replaced it at exhaust shop and was good to go.
Nov 2016 94600 mi US $550	Exhaust leak. Fixed by replacing the manifold.

Saturn L-Series in Minnesota, United States Jun 2013 - Jun 2016
Dec 2013 146000 mi US $360	Front wheel bearing replacement
Nov 2015 160100 mi US $200	Front wheel bearing replacement.

Saturn L-Series in Minnesota, United States Jun 2013 - Jun 2017
May 2014 93700 mi US $350	Replaced sway bar linkage
Oct 2014 97200 mi	Replaced knock sensor
Dec 2015 106000 mi	Power steering went out, needs new pump, rack and pinion, and alignment and the cost would have.been almost $1900. Decided to wait.
Mar 2016 107000 mi US $1880	Replaced rack&pinion, p.s. pump, serp belt, alignment
Jun 2016 108000 mi	Right rear tire won't back up. it will go forward but jams in reverse. Will probably scrap or sell for parts/repair. Two months ago I dumped $1800 into it. I've never liked Saturns and won't own another one even if they were in business.
Jul 2016 108000 mi US $450	Total rebuild of rear drum brakes.
Nov 2016 108700 mi US $600	Needed most of a new exhaust system. my Mazda ran until 246K miles and never needed a new exhaust.
Mar 2017 110500 mi	Rear brakes started squealing. Thought it was the brakes in front but they needed to redo the rear because of faulty parts installation or adjustments from a previous repair. They replaced some hardware and made adjustments and removed a piece of rusted dirt shield. Repair warranty covered it.