Saturn L-Series Saturn L300

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Saturn L-Series repairs by problem area

Engine (50%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (4%)

Brakes and Traction Control (3%)

Suspension and Steering (18%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (22%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (2%)

Other (1%)

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Chart based on 171 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the Saturn L-Series.

Saturn L-Series electrical repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (8%)

$500 - $999 (14%)

$100 - $499 (50%)

< $100 (28%)

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Chart based on 36 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2004 Saturn L300 4dr Wagon

182-horsepower 3.0L V6 4-speed automatic FWD

93000 mi

US $450
ground wire was not making good contact from the ac switch,  starter was replaced as well 

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2003 Saturn L-Series 4dr Wagon

135-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

229000 mi

US $150
Replaced original starter 
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. 
143000 mi

US $300
Replaced Body Control Module. 
153000 mi

US $70
Starting wearing out and making excessive noise on cold starts. 

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2003 Saturn L-Series 4dr Sedan

182-horsepower 3.0L V6 4-speed automatic FWD

88900 mi

US $110
Air conditioning compressor has failed. Dealer wants $1100 to fix it. 
95000 mi AC compressor never fixed. 
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. 

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2003 Saturn L-Series 4dr Sedan

135-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD

92000 mi

US $250
Replace A/C hose. Recharge system 
154000 mi

US $250
Change alternator and tensioner 
103100 mi

US $900
Replaced AC Compressor 

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2003 Saturn L-Series 4dr Sedan

135-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

15000 mi Passlock system 

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2002 Saturn L-Series 4dr Wagon

182-horsepower 3.0L V6 4-speed automatic FWD

194000 mi

US $1400
a/c blowing hot... compressor shot, just went ahead and replaced system under the hood (@ 196,000) - thought it was time. :) 
105000 mi

US $1
Replaced small bulbs in third brake light, required some trial and error. 

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2002 Saturn L-Series 4dr Wagon

135-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

142000 mi

US $360
AC compressor failure, burned belt. Quoted $1300 for entire system replacement, declined and went with used compressor acting as bypass pulley to get home. Break down occurred out of town. 
20000 mi

US $300
No AC, replaced condenser 

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2002 Saturn L-Series 4dr Sedan

182-horsepower 3.0L V6 4-speed automatic FWD

163000 mi

US $265
broken hose in a/c system needed to have a new hose fabricated as the part was not available from parts suppliers 
123000 mi

US $987
Actually spring 2014. AC went out. tried doing minor fixes but with no avail. Replaced entire ac pump. 
119000 mi

US $250
Replaced air conditioning compressor. 

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2002 Saturn L-Series 4dr Sedan

135-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD

93000 mi

US $130
Tail light would flicker and go out even after a new one was installed. 

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2002 Saturn L-Series 4dr Sedan

135-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

147100 mi

US $375
ac worked only a day. needed more repairs so now still no ac 
70900 mi

US $288
A/C Condensor 1800 had a hole 
130100 mi

US $3
Passenger side brake light. 
212100 mi

US $100
Had to replace starter before it died. It was starting wind on start up. Replaced before the gear was chewed up 
90000 mi Failure of the Body Control Module. No instruments or warning lights. Constant alarm chiming. Cost prohibitive to replace. 

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2001 Saturn L-Series 4dr Wagon

182-horsepower 3.0L V6 4-speed automatic FWD

124000 mi

US $850
A/C compressor would not engage even though freon in system. Replaced A/C compressor and rcvr/drier. Work done by dealer, parts purchased by owner. 
212000 mi

US $110
System would not cool - found to have lost all refrigerant 
94200 mi

US $600
Body control module failed, replaced with new unit that could only be programmed at a dealer 
99000 mi

US $400
Alternator failed and required replacement 
82000 mi

US $1080
AC clutch open circuit (electromagnet fail) Took an extra day to get the special order part ($300+). Due to the tight package/serpentine belt, diagnose/install was $600. This was at a Chevy dealer co-owned by the former Saturn dealer. 
93000 mi

US $300
Service Engine Soon light on. Had codes read at parts store -- 21 codes! Dealer diagnosed weak battery, low voltage during cranking causes the computer to throw codes. New battery has cured the problem. 
181000 mi

US $470
Check engine light came on then the lights went out. Stopped vehicle as it was dark and was towed. Alternator was replaced. Two days later, the car completely died and the battery was replaced. No recurrence in six weeks. 

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2001 Saturn L-Series 4dr Wagon

135-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

84100 mi new AC compressor installed 
207000 mi

US $50
Windshield washer pump needed replacing. I ordered a replacement online and installed myself 

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2001 Saturn L-Series 4dr Sedan

182-horsepower 3.0L V6 4-speed automatic FWD

146000 mi

US $2000
AC compressor leaking at front seal. Also, check engine light on because of faulty ECM 

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2000 Saturn L-Series 4dr Wagon

137-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

153140 mi Broken turn signal switch. 

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2000 Saturn L-Series 4dr Sedan

137-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD

227540 mi

C $500
AC Evaporator developed a leak 

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Saturn L-Series Electrical Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently Saturn L-Series problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.