| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
Expensive Saturn L-Series repairs by problem area
Engine (55%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (10%)
Brakes and Traction Control (0%)
Suspension and Steering (20%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (15%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (0%)
Other (0%)
Select a problem area
Chart based on 20 repairs.
Saturn L-Series repair cost distribution
$2500+ (33%)
$1000 - $2499 (67%)
$500 - $999 (0%)
$100 - $499 (0%)
< $100 (0%)
Chart based on 12 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2003 Saturn L-Series 4dr Sedan
182-horsepower 3.0L V6 4-speed automatic FWD
| 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. |
| 88900 mi US $110 |
Air conditioning compressor has failed. Dealer wants $1100 to fix it. |
| 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. |
2003 Saturn L-Series 4dr Sedan
135-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 109740 mi C $1000 |
Thermostat and waterpump needed to be replaced. |
2003 Saturn L-Series 4dr Sedan
135-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 93700 mi US $350 |
Replaced sway bar linkage |
| 107000 mi US $1880 |
Replaced rack&pinion, p.s. pump, serp belt, alignment |
| 108000 mi US $450 |
Total rebuild of rear drum brakes. |
| 108900 mi US $600 |
Needed most of a new exhaust system. my Mazda ran until 246K miles and never needed a new exhaust. |
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. :) |
2002 Saturn L-Series 4dr Sedan
135-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 129130 mi US $230 |
Loss of coolant. AZ didn't have adapter to pressure test. The heater hoses were leaking an difficult to take off. Wet carpet on passenger side was relatively easy to fix with two O-rings from Graingers...bag of 50 $5, so I have 48 spares. |
| 135600 mi US $800 |
New tires and alignment after I changed the tie-rod ends, struts and ball joints. |
| 143000 mi US $600 |
Replaced timing and balance chain. Sheared off bolts in the process because of poor work instructions from GM and a very complicated job for one person. |
| 143000 mi US $2500 |
Took it to my mechanic and they replaced the chains again. Also cylinder head valve job. The engine did not hold compression because the valve faces had eroded. |
2001 Saturn L-Series 4dr Wagon
182-horsepower 3.0L V6 4-speed automatic FWD
| 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. |
| 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 |
Cracked transmission housing. Creaking from rear suspension Exhaust system noise |
| 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. |
| 77300 mi US $300 |
Hard shifts (auto trans), "wrench" icon lit and all shifts after that were very hard. Reset when car was restarted (no light). Similar problem solved years ago (35K miles) with trans fluid flush, and this seems to have worked again. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 143000 mi US $1200 |
While having all 4 struts replaced, found left front coil spring broken. Replaced both front coil springs and both front sway bar links, along with all 4 struts. |
| 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. |
| 212000 mi US $110 |
System would not cool - found to have lost all refrigerant |
2001 Saturn L-Series 4dr Sedan
182-horsepower 3.0L V6 4-speed automatic FWD
| 146000 mi US $2000 |
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 AC compressor leaking at front seal. Also, check engine light on because of faulty ECM |
2001 Saturn L-Series 4dr Sedan
135-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 119000 mi US $1500 |
Rear springs broken and struts excessively worn. Muffler rusted out |
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