A Quality car has a long term, QUALITY warranty! Sorry SATURN !
Tim of Hoover, AL (12/17/01): I own a '95 Saturn SL-1 which I bought new. In January 1999 (only months after the 3-year warranty expired), the cylinder head cracked. I took the car in to get it fixed. The sales rep who sold me the car told me that offically Saturn wouldn't admit fault, but if I made calls, I might get assistance with the repairs. I worked my way up the chain of command at Saturn and eventually they offered to pay for labor if I paid for parts.
Later, when the company bulletin came out explaining a flaw in the mold of the cylinder head (which caused several to crack), they refunded me the remainder of the service bill. I was happy with this.
However, in December 2001 the cylinder head cracked again. After calling customer service, I found that the original crack occurred at
52,700 miles. This new crack occured at 105,000 miles. This is almost exactly the same number of miles it took to crack the first head. When I took my car to Saturn, they noticed immediatly what was wrong with the car and called their area rep for a solution. They called me a day later offering to pay parts if I pay labor.To me, this was the same problem as before and I felt that Saturn should again be responsible for placing faulty parts in my car. They didn't see it that way stating that the bulletin authorizing replacement of the cylinder head was only good for one replacement. They also made it clear that they were under no obligation to offer the deal they were currently offering.
Saturn stated that "nobody can predict the future". I explained to them that I could given that the pattern of the two heads cracking places the odds of another head crack happening at 150,000 miles VERY likely. Saturn ended our talks by stating that there is nothing more that can be done and that (paraphrasing) I should be happy that I am getting any assistance at all. They make cars whose heads crack twice in 6 years, and I should be happy? I don't think so.
Jason of Ft. Mitchell KY (9/12/03): I bought a 95 Saturn SC1 with 100,000 miles and also purchased a one-year powertrain warranty to accompany it. After a few weeks of driving, I noticed oil consumption at the rate of about a quart every
400 miles. I took the car to the dealership, explained the situation, and showed them the warranty. After a period of monitoring the situation, I convinced the dealership to replace the motor.The new motor had 75,000 miles on it. It only took a week to notice the oil consumption - about a quart every 800 miles. Once again, I took the car to the dealership and flashed them the warranty. After another period of monitoring, they replaced the motor. This time the motor had only 50,000 miles on it and the oil consumption was minimal. However, that same motor is now up to about 75,000 miles and is using a quart every 500 miles. This is absurd! What is wrong with Saturn's motors?
Steve of Richmond VA (8/8/03): My Saturn started burning oil at 72,000 miles. I had extended warranty to 75,000 miles. I noted this on the service ticket at 72,000 miles. The service dept. at Saturn did not offer to do an oil consumption test until the car got to 77,000 miles. Saturn Corp. will not cover the problem under the warranty even though the problem started while the car was still under warranty. I belive that: 1) The Saturn Warranty is not worth the paper it is printed on 2) Saturn does not want to stand behind their product.
To rebuild the engine will cost about $1800.00 - but I have yet to find someone willing to do that type of work to the engine; a new engine will range in price from about $2600.00 - $3200.00 (labor included)
Raquel of McKeesport PA (6/30/03): I purchased a 2000 Saturn LS1 in December 20001, used with 26,000 miles on it. When it got to 36,000 miles my engine failed. They claim an oil filter caused my engine damage. I had oil changes every 3 months but since it was not done at the Saturn dealer Saturn did not help with replacing my engine. The mechanic at the dealership stated that the timing chain slipped and cracked the cylinder head. Well, they gave me and estimate of $3,000 and that was no guaranteed fix. I spoke to Saturn headquarters and I was treated very rudely because I had bought the car used.
Carole of Waveland MS (5/6/03): Engine Oil in coolant reservoir. Diagnosis: Crack in engine head. June
1999 letter from Saturn had notified me that this could happen to my engine, and told of "...Special Policy for cylinder head coverage for a period of six years from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first." (My car exceeded the year requirement but only had 90,087 miles.) Company bulletin 99P01 explained a flaw in the cylinder head mold. No matter the years or miles, I don't think I should have to come up with big bucks to fix my car because their cylinder head mold was flawed.Saturn Customer Service in Tennessee offered $400.00 off the charge for fixing my engine. I told them that I thought the charge of $2700 was exorbitant and the $400 offer was an insult. Saturn of Slidell estimate to replace head and related parts is $2,748.19, covered for 12 mos or
12,000 miles. Estimate to replace with a rebuilt engine is $3,231.38, covered for 3 yrs or 36,000 miles. June 1999 ltr also states that time needed to replace a cylinder head is ten hours.In 1995 I was working when I bought my Saturn. I retired in 1998 on early, unexpected, disability retirement. I am 60 years old, single, and my income is poverty level. It would be a tremendous hardship for me to cover this cost.
Regina of Blackburn MO (12/4/01): I bought a 1999 Saturn in April of 1999. On 9-9-00, I complained that it was burning oil. They did an oil consumption test and said it was only 1/2 quart every 1,300 miles and that, "Saturns burned a little oil." On 11-01-00, I returned with the same complaint. Another test was done and this time it burnt 1 quart, "still within normal expectations".
On 1-27-01, I took it to Wal-Mart for an oil change and they told me it was 1 quart low and that it should NOT be burning any oil. Again I spoke to Saturn who said it was normal. On 2-24-01, Wal-Mart changed my oil and had me sign a disclaimer to change it as it was again 1 quart low. On 3-24-01, I had to sign the disclaimer again for the oil change. Wal-Mart suggested I push Saturn a little harder to ...