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What is this discussion about? Saturn VUE, Saturn ION, Saturn L-Series, Saturn Relay, Electrical, Engine, Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, SUV

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#622 of 860 Any Alternatives? by nonnemacher Feb 21, 2006 (7:49 pm)
I've had several Saturns. Generally the older ones were better. I've not had major engine trouble with any of them, but the dealerships generally can't fix anything - even the little problems, unless you really complain about it and force the issue.   My 2004 ION has been reliable, but has need multiple visits to the dealer for what I think are "soft recalls." Saturn knows that certain problems exist and has found remedies for most of them, but Saturn has chosen not to recall the cars because most of the items are not safety issues. It seems that they do not share these remedies with their service departments very quickly either.   For example, the fuel gauge was inaccurate for 24,000 miles. They checked it twice and could not fix it. On my last visit to the dealer for another issue, I mentioned that the fuel gauge operation was still unacceptable. They wrote up no paperwork on it, but when I picked up the car they said that they updated the computer so it should work better. Guess what - it does work better! Why so many visits and so much secrecy about the solution to the problem? This makes no sense.   The only remaining issue I have on the car is that it DOES NOT get anywhere near its rated MPG - especially on the highway. I have been told that there is no fix for this - all 5 spd automatics are like this in the ION.   I am seriously looking at the new Dodge Caliber. It can be bought fairly inexpensively in my area and we have some Dodge dealers who actually know how to service their cars. Several years ago we had a Caravan that developed small oil leaks in the head gaskets after only 25K miles, but it was more than 3 years old, so the warranty was expired. When the local Dodge dealer found the problem, they went to bat for me with Dodge and it was repaired at no cost.   The reviews on the 2007 Caliber are pretty promising. I know its not a Honda Civic, but it not $18k either. I drove one and its a nice riding 36 mpg car(5spd) with plenty of style. Side airbags are also standard on the Caliber. I can get a nice 5 spd Caliber for $14k. To me, this repesents a good value.   I also think that Dodge has learned from its own mistake. Known problems are best addressed promptly without hassles. That gives me some purchasing confidence that I do not have now.   The Honda and Toyota dealers act as if their cars NEVER have problems. The fact is they sometimes do ahev problems, and I do not know if they are good at fixing them. I have heard that Honda, in particular, tries to opt out of fixing major problems if you did not take the car to a dealer for all the regular maintenance. This sounds like corporate blame-shifting to me.   What I want is a reasonably priced car that I know will be serviced properly when needed. Maybe I should order a Caliber.   Any thoughts?
#623 of 860 Saturn Agony(repost) by phoenix1212rc Feb 23, 2006 (7:10 pm)
I have been stewing about this for a long time and need to get this off my chest.My wife and I bought a satrun L-300 2002 new from the dealership.We were very pleased with our purchase at first,but due to the fact that she had cancer we ran into a few problems, as the cancer spread to her back we found it harder to get in and out of. So we went back to the dealership to trade up to a vue. We had only had the car a couple of months and the mileage was very low, car was still like new and very well taken care of.WE paid around $24,000.00 so we asked what we can do about trading up. They looked the car over went and talked for a few minutes and came out to us to tell us what they could do for us.Well it was like getting slapped in the face, an american car supposedly better than most because it is made here.So when they told us the value of the car after two months was only $9,000.00 we were in shock.So the cars value trade in for the same year vue was pathetic, and insult and a company that could care less about a person in need. And a car that is from the american dream of a true value.Along with there cold attitude and lack of compassion. Since then my wife did pass way and I still have the car.I tell people its good car but I will never but one again.Now at 62000 minles and no warranty the problems begun.I will not take it to a satrun dealership other than my free-oil changes, the timing jumped, the water pump went out and the cylinder heads had to be fixed, plus the gear behind the pump cracked. When the mechanic's asked for help from saturn, after buying all the parts they needed from them, they were rude and refused any type of assistance, (good customer service)so after showing their tru clors they found some one who could help.Car is almost done now and I cant wait to get it back so I can trade it in for a car that might with out a doubt be a better deal. So buyer beware!!! REC
#624 of 860 Re: SATURN AGONY [phoenix1212rc] by marcus7 Feb 24, 2006 (9:11 am)
Replying to: phoenix1212rc (Feb 19, 2006 6:30 pm) try going through saturn's national office for intervention & resolution.... Saturn Customer Assistance Center 100 Saturn Parkway, PO Box 1500 Sopring Hill, TN 37174-1500 phone: 800-553-6000.   If you explain your situation in a letter you will be given a "case number" and it will initially be handled by an "area manager." But you need to take it to the next level, asking for a "territory manager." They have more decision-making power within the org.   Never mind my case... but I just went through this process as an extremely upset Saturn customer. If there is anyone that can help you it will be through a territory mgr at Saturn national. They intervene on your behlf when the dealer screws up.
#625 of 860 Re: Jumpy acceleration and heat problems [summer4077] by taltibo Feb 24, 2006 (9:04 pm)
Replying to: summer4077 (Jan 27, 2006 5:56 am) Change your EGR valve , around $ 200,00 . I had the exact same problem,,, cost $ 800,00 to find out it was the egr Valve...
#626 of 860 Saturn L200 Manual Transmission Agony by taxnerd Mar 01, 2006 (2:19 pm)
I bought my Saturn new in 2001. 4 cylinder with 5 speed stick. 6 months later I drove to Detroit for Thanksgiving (post 9-11). In Indianapolis it would not shift out of 5th as I was going up an exit ramp off the freeway. (It finally shifted out when the engine lugged at the stop sign, and was okay for local driving.) Took it to a dealer in Detroit. Had to rebuild the clutch (incorrectly we later found out) Clutch crapped out again at 20k miles. Local dealer determined clutch was missing a few parts. New clutch installed. At 28k miles new slave cylinder installed. Unfortunately out of warranty, last month at 60k, new master cylinder installed when no pressure on clutch pedal and hard to get out of any gear. Now, yesterday, I start the car and pull out of the parking spot. I shift from 1st to 2nd and the shifter just floats in my hand. No gates, nothing. I look underthe hood and I can move the linkage by hand, but it feels like it is not copnnected to anything inside the trannie. Any idea what broke this time?
#627 of 860 Re: fjclark@adelphia.net [fjclark] by taxnerd Mar 02, 2006 (2:58 pm)
Replying to: fjclark (Feb 03, 2006 9:03 am) I had the same complaint with my 2001 a couple of years back. I went up on the online tire store sites and researched which tires had the quietest ride, and I was then able to special order them online from COSTCO for pickup an installation at the local store. I forget which Michelin model it was but the down side was that they had a crappy treadware rating.
#628 of 860 Re: Used Saturn purchase questions. Fiberglass?! [dtownfb] by donebeingcool Mar 08, 2006 (10:51 am)
Replying to: dtownfb (Feb 13, 2006 1:57 pm) Hi dtownfb, thanks for the tip, I ended up buying a 99 toyota corolla instead, it does seem they get better reviews and have a higher JD Power satisfaction rating. It was cheaper and has only 30 K miles more than the Saturn I looked at (88 vs. 65 K miles) and Toyotas are well known to go to 200,000 miles without problem whereas with american cars it's not uncommon to start talking about engine rebuilds after 130,000 miles.   Thanks again!   Peter
#629 of 860 rkachmar by rkachmar Mar 08, 2006 (5:23 pm)
I have a 2005 ION,when you turn the key nothing happens no cranking or anything. I have check all fuses and relays which seem to be fine. Battery is fully charged.Has anyone found a fix to this problem? Replies to this message: taxnerd (Mar 09, 2006 12:07 pm)
#630 of 860 Re: rkachmar [rkachmar] by taxnerd Mar 09, 2006 (12:07 pm)
Replying to: rkachmar (Mar 08, 2006 5:23 pm) My L series did that when I first got it. No power to accessories either (radio, vents). Normally on a cold or foggy morning. Dealer never found the gremlin.   It is like it hasn't cleared a security kill switch, or something. There is supposed to be some sort of key fob activation requirement that locks out the ignition for five minutes if you manually opened the door with the actual key, or a brick.   Take the key out of the ignition and Cycle with your key fob (lock/unlock the doors a couple of times). Now put the key back in and turn it. If the accessories wake up (radio is a good indicator), then the car should be happy and you can start. Might have to repeat 2 or three times to get it to catch.
#631 of 860 Re: 97 sl1-Cold starting issues [robert98374] by taxnerd Mar 09, 2006 (12:16 pm)
Replying to: robert98374 (Feb 10, 2006 7:10 am) Sounds like a temp related problem. Put it in warm garage or wait for spring? Hopefully the block heater worked.   Odd thing that killed my mazda to just a click once was the ground wire/pig tail had rotted out, so check to see if the complete circuit is there. Other idea is to put full synthetic oil in so it has less friction to fight.

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