Common problems

I would STRONGLY (I can't emphasize this enough) recommend that you AVOID this car for several reasons: Saturn discontinued the L Series after the 2004 model year, Saturn and Pontiac no longer exist..so even though GM still exists, major parts availability would be questionable...keep in mind this car was discontinued. According to Consumer Reports, there were several problem areas, namely: Engine Cooling, Fuel System, and Electrical System. You'll be inheriting someone else's problem child.

http://www.edmunds.com/saturn/l-series/2003/consumer-reviews.html

NOOOO!! Don't do it. I bought this car in 2007, with 21K miles on it. After the first few years it was one problem after another and they are all very expensive repairs. In the past year and a half I've put approximately $2K into repairs -- electrical issues, failed passlock module, and a whole bunch of other things. And now my service engine light is on and the car is shifting hard between first and second gear. I realize your post is several months old, but I hope you didn't buy the car!

hell yes Ihave a2006 saturn v6 wag it had 71000 mi, on it .first the key switch wasmessing up,had turn it off on off on,sometimethe motor would smooth out ,most times it didnt .then after that the going down the road it wouldnt changeor shiff without me stoping and restarting it.I had it at the dealer, and four other shops. now my ext waranty is out. onley 1000,000,miles and its a yard orderment.

I have 2004 saturn L300 won`t start ,but it turnover ,i already changed the crankshaft sensor

Probably late but sounds like torque converter wentbad causing pressure control solenoids to go bad parts not that expensive but is a time consuming job also .ostlikely cause would be in proper transmission fluid level car must be running and perfectly level then all gears ran thru while suspended !!!! Remove a bolt on passenger side of transmission while at 4unning temp I'm Then you have to add tra s fluid till it starts tospill out .and then replace bolt all while car is running and suspended perfectly level really gm wtf

2004 LW300 over 340,000 miles 2003 L200 370,000 miles Don't know what you folks do to your cars but Saturn brand has saved me 10's of thousands

I bought a 2003 L300 3 years ago......still going strong.....in fact my daughter drives it to and from school and work Only problems I has was a muffler and plugs

I agree haha. I've had my 04 l300 v6 and its great. Pretty fast for a saturn and Reliable.

Mine is still going strong with 208k! It’s a 2002 Saturn L200 and it still runs & drives like a car with half that mileage. Love my Saturn and I would drive it any where and I know it would get me there. Where ever I want to go my Saturn takes me! Most reliable car I’ve ever had in my life

First person is wrong so is second, stop reading after that. 1. I worked for Saturn from January 2004 until they were closed. Fall of 2009 or 2010 don’t remember exactly. The Saturn L-series L-100 was done after 2003, the L200 and L-300 were done in 2005. I baught a 2005 L300 for my wife that I have to this day. It has recently become one of my kids first car. I have used it as my personal daily driver since 2014. It has 146k on it and is still running. Every car needs maintenance. Anyone car say this car or that car is a Pyle of crap, if you don’t know what’s needed to be fixed or what the shop is selling you. I would think that a Saturn forum would be a good place to look for info but with people saying they baught a 2006 L-300, I have had to change my mind. The L—series was made from 2000- 2005. Facts are facts. Every car model has is down sides. If you are not a mechanic you will spend money on maintenance and repairs on any car. I now work for ford and buy fords because I get discounts on ford parts and new ford vehicles. If you want an honest ipinion, ask someone that knows the car and brand, not someone that drove their dodge truck like a mustang and are mad it gets bad fuel mileage. My 2 cents

Where is the located at transmission control module or transmission computer same in a 2003 Saturn L300 and how do u take it out and can anyone show a video or a picture

don't do it. this car is a nightmear, i have nothing good to say about saturn. in 10 months i've replaced water pump, coil packs, timing belt, fuel pump, and now i am having issues with the module not communicating with the transmission, starts but won't drive. I have already put $1850.00 in to this car in the past 10 months, that does not include the current problem. not sure if it is the body control module, or the TCM or just wiring, but this car is a damn disaster no wonder why they were discontinued! first it was an issue with the oil pressure, then it was over heating because water pump, then the fuel pump went out and the car wouldn't even start, now it starts but it won't drive, i also have a power steering leak at the line, just a matter of time before that goes out, i'd rather drive a dodge neon then this hunk of shit!

Hi there, we have a 2002 lw300. It has 135,000.mi I am a Ford master tec. and have also work on and repaired almost every make of vehicle made. We have had only one issue with the car. A coolant leak that required the removal of the intake manifold. While I was in there I did the timing belt, (should have been done at 100,000.mi.) tensioner, idler pulleys, water pump, power steering pump(tiny leak)and alternator (just because of its age).I can say that this is a high quality car, It has nice suspension stiff body structure, the engine is a state of the art V6 designed buy Opel for racing with a water to oil cooler and PVC centrifuge system(nice stuff). The switches and controls are first class and are all still working like new. The car handles, accelerates and drives with very good precision. It may not be as nice a car as our big BMW but for an american car from that time...It is a quality machine.

I got my 2003 Saturn l300 used. It started out on. But after sometime, I started getting an engine car light on my dash Everytime the car wanted to shift into first and second. I figured out how not to let it shift hard. Drive fast when I take off. But I have had this issue for about going on 2 years. I also smelled something burning while driving. I can hear a clicking sound when I hit my brakes. My a/c doesn't work well either. I want to trade this car in for an RV. Just not sure how much money I will get for my car.

I brought my 2001 Saturn L300 5 years ago after my Pontiac Grand Prix was stolen by me being stupid. I brought the Saturn for 1,800 cash, and really wanted it just to get me through the winter months so I won't have to ride my motorcycle in the winter. Well here it is five years later and It is still my only car. It now has 220K miles and I trust it and drive anywhere. I have to travel on my job, and I drive it across the South East US. My company pays me mileage in addition to my time, so since my Saturn was paid for in one shot five tears ago, I make money by driving it. It is loaded with features and everything still works except the heated seats( I think the heating element is burned out) I still can't bring myself to by a new car because my Saturn still looks and runs just as good as the much newer cars,. I have upgraded the stereo so I have audio/navigation technology. Purchasing that Saturn is one of if not the best decisions in my life.

My 2001 Saturn LW300 has 161,000 miles and always starts and goes. Bought new in '01 in Minnesota. Recently has some transmission issues so I'm debating an $1,800 replacement job or just driving it into the ground. All four windows go up and down, heater works, radio works on half the speakers, great car for the kids to use to get around town. Was our primary family car through 2014 when we got a new family car and basically let the kids drive the Saturn full time. I've maintained and also had a few repairs along the way but never thought about trading or junking until this week.

I’d have to strongly disagree with anyone who says not to get this car. I’ve owned 2 of them so far a 6 cylinder and now a 4 cylinder and my 4 cylinder has $250,000 miles and only thing I’ve ever did was new brake lines a belt and oil change it’s one of the most reliable car I’ve owned to date. Gm took it over so yes they still make parts for them

id say it all depends on the work done to it. I have an 03 l300 it 164,000 on it I've owned it for a few months but that's not to say I haven't done a thing to this car because I have I've done a lot to get it ready. basically, I got this car from my grandpa for free but with that came a very few expensive issue back story to the car grandpas daily then sat for 4 years outside. no rust no paint fade no dents. but engine issues I drove the car about a week then the alternator went out 300 dollars the cv axle wheel speed sensor was rusted out aswell 64 dollars then there were a couple of chewd wire we found some heat shrink and fixed it free then crank shaft sensor went out 36 dollars then replaced air filter 15 dollars now it runs completely fine and I got it at 160,000 mile my grandpa only ever brought it to the dealer ship for maintnece and repair he put over 3k into it due to ac system but other than that there great car that run amazing I can tell flying 90 down high way at 8:00 pm at night no cops and 4 friends in the car ill tell ya its a good time