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2001 Saturn L-Series repairs by problem area

Engine (60%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (5%)

Brakes and Traction Control (2%)

Suspension and Steering (18%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (16%)

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

Other (0%)

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Chart based on 62 repairs.

See TSBs and recalls for the 2001 Saturn L-Series.

2001 Saturn L-Series engine repair cost distribution

$2500+ (9%)

$1000 - $2499 (6%)

$500 - $999 (14%)

$100 - $499 (34%)

< $100 (37%)

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Chart based on 35 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

158000 mi US $225	Leaking coolant at the firewall quick-connect for the heater hose.
196000 mi US $315	Crank Position Sensor failed - No Start. After cool down period, was able to get engine started and drove car to shop. Shop verified with scantool and replaced CPS.
200339 mi US $3100	While changing upper radiator hose, discovered that plastic neck of radiator was too brittle to remove old hose and install new one. Required replacement of radiator. Valve Cover Gaskets were leaking oil - needed to be replaced (old gaskets were extremely hard and brittle). System had a slow coolant leak (would lose about 12 ounces over 2 weeks of normal driving). Found to be weepage and leaking from O-rings on fittings in engine valley for the oil/water heat exchanger. Replaced all O-rings and gaskets in valley related to cooling system.
209735 mi	Loss of coolant started slowly (a pint over about 100 miles) and accelerated to a pint in 13 miles of driving. Shop performed pressure test of system and found fittings on the new radiator were leaking. Fitting were sealed using coolant hose. Work performed at no charge to owner.

199000 mi US $65	My vehicle developed a sudden coolant leak with a loss of a quart of coolant over the course of one week.
201000 mi	Engine began to run roughly and the "service engine soon" light cam on. The mechanic diagnosed no firing on cylinder three. Repair required replacement of the one-three-five ignition coil.
203000 mi US $380	Check engine light came on. A trip to my mechanic turned up two codes indicating problems with the EGR valve. It had never been replaced before, so it was replaced.
218000 mi US $2900	Exhaust system noise
223000 mi US $30	Oil leak. Turns out it was from the main bearing seal. Not worth spending the money to repair, will try oil additives. Update: added Blue Devil Bearing Seal stop leak, and after two weeks it seems to have worked.
223300 mi US $322	I was getting an intermittent battery warning light and occasional cut out of the power steering during turn when it was raining. I suspected the serpentine belt was slipping. It and the belt tensioner were faulty and replaced.

92000 mi US $75	Oil filter housing cracked when trying to change filter element
101000 mi US $350	water pump was leaking and needed replacement.

92000 mi US $550	Rear muffler developed leak on top (against a heat shield). Repaired by independent muffler shop. Other than the price (shop claimed this was because this is a fairly low volume car) the repair seems OK.
98000 mi US $1000	Fuel filler neck rusted through -- I live in a high salt area, so while unpleasant, I can't fault the car for this problem. My Chevy (former Saturn) dealer had the fuel filler neck in stock.

70000 mi

US $255

Low fuel pressure, leaking fuel pump. Replaced w/ OEM delphi pump. replaced power steering/fan belt idler pulley after it's bearing froze completely and shredded the belts causing loss of power to steering and extreme engine overheating due to loss of coolant flow. towed to dealer for repair.

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141000 mi US $400	Timing belt slipped; destroyed engine, replacement installed Camshaft position sensor failed, rendering vehicle inoperable. Yes, I know, I got shafted on the price of this repair... Oxygen sensor failed. Also on this trip, replaced taillight wiring pigtails, as they had melted
132000 mi	Main ECU threw every code in the book, and because Saturn no longer exists, replacement ECUs were $1200 plus labor to install

105400 mi

US $167

oil cooler housing leaks - declined to have repairs done ($687)

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130480 mi C $800	The shop replaced the exhaust flexible and the manifold linking with the muffler assembly.
151900 mi	replace flexible exhaust pipe

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130000 mi

The timing belt went out, and the car wasn't worth the trouble to fix it.

159000 mi

Melted pipe inside the radiator. I had to fill the radiator daily.

109200 mi US $120	Heater core leaking, replaced with new heater core. Cause of leak - bad o-rings.
130800 mi US $30	Throttle position sensor failed. Replaced with new OEM sensor.
140000 mi US $5	Replaced Throttle Position Sensor. Had to pay for a different part due to previous supplier no longer carrying part. Replaced under part warranty.

150000 mi

US $250

Cooling system leak. Replaced coolant fan & radiator cap.

92000 mi

US $470

Timing chain rattle, possible skipped link. No valvetrain damage. Had chain, oiler, sprockets, and tansioner replaced. Also did oil change and new sparkplugs. Timing chain rattle, possible skipped link. No valvetrain damage. Had chain, oiler, sprockets, and tansioner replaced. Also did oil change and new sparkplugs.