Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Saturn L200 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn L200. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 45 MPH, an abnormal whirling sound was coming from the vehicle and the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact's wife was unable to restart the vehicle and with the assistance of a police officer, she coasted the vehicle off to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective timing chain which resulted in engine failure. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
I was stopping to turn right at a red light and my cars breaks stopped working. My car ran through the intersection, started violently shaking and then stopped. The car was still on but it would not drive. I turned the car off and tried to start it up 6 times and it wouldn't work. Then finally it started and I drove home. I went to start my car later that day and now it refuses to start. The battery light comes on, the car shakes, there's a very loud tapping/rattling sound, the ABS light flashes, the 'service engine soon' light is on. In the vehicle information section of this form, it asking me to enter the vehicles make, model and year. It's a Saturn L200 2002 but it's not giving me an option for the 2002. Only the 2003.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Saturn L200. While starting the vehicle, the check engine indicator illuminated and an abnormal noise was heard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.
2003 Saturn L200 with 48,000 miles died while driving. We had to quickly swerve to opposite side of road where there was a shoulder in order to get out of the traffic lane(no shoulder on the lane we were in). Car was towed, and was diagnosed with a broken timing chain, probable engine damage, and possible fuel pump failure. Since I just put a new alternator and battery in the vehicle three weeks prior, I contacted manufacturer and talked with dealer about working with me to fix this car. They would not even discuss next step until I authorized (paid for) a $750 tear down of the motor to "fully diagnose" the problem. I refused to to authorize, because all of the burden at that point would be on me, whatever happened. Situation was never resolved; I traded the car (at a drastic reduction of value due to its non-working condition).
Problems with vehicle's power steering system. Consumer noticed the failure when driving off the lot but thought I was due to cold weather. Later she learned the rack and pinion needed to be replaced due to fluid leaking. After the repair, consumer started hearing grinding noise when turning. On 10/08/03, the consumer learned the steering pump had to be replaced. After picking up the vehicle on this date, consumer heard more noises. This time it was a air pocket in the steering fluid. In addition, the automatic climate control system fails to work as designed. It's programmed at 87 degrees when its cold outside. Instead of heat, it would blow warm then cold air. The computer was reprogrammed and the problem became worst than at first. There were countless other problems with this vehicle.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Saturn L200. The contact stated that her son's vehicle failed and completely shut down twice. The contact also stated that the vehicle would make a loose, rattling noise while making a turn. She stated that there was a recall on the vehicle involving the steering module. The steering wheel would lock and her son could not return it to the proper position. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they proceeded to sell her son a warranty, although the vehicle was already under warranty. The dealer was unable to locate any failures. The speed was unknown. The current mileage was 55,253 and failure mileage was 42,300. Updated 04/29/08. The vehicle would not shift out of park , the engine, air bag and ABS lights illuminated. Updated
I am mortified by all of the complaints of engine failure of the L200 series due to the timing chain and am even more devastated that there is no recall information on it. My car had 78K miles on it and did not start today. It was towed to a shop and they called me to inform me that it was my engine due to the timing chain. The repair shop also said that it was the 4th Saturn with the same exact problem that they had seen this month. I am a college student without a car that is still making car payments living on my own. Saturn better be happy that it no longer exists, but GM better have some answers for me. There are recalls for the same problem for 2001 models, there are even more reported issues with later models. How has GM gotten away with this?
Tl*- the contact owns a 2003 Saturn l series. While driving at 30 MPH the electrical warning light illuminated ,and the front end began to shake. The check engine light also illuminated. The contact stated that she pulled over and turned the vehicle off, and restarted the vehicle after waiting about ten minutes. The check engine light remained illuminated, white smoke started exiting the exhaust pipe and the vehicle began to shake. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The contact stated this occurred on five different occasions. The dealer had replaced the pump and/or gas coolant, insulator assembly front suspension support, oxygen sensor and exhaust system. The current mileage was 48,000.
Body-control module failure: within 3 months of each other, the body-control module (BCM) and engine coolant thermostat had to be replaced. Saturn dealer, on 3/28/2009 told me that the BCM, if not replaced, could lead to serious failures, such as failure to start, overheating and other problems. Over prior several weeks, there were intermittent readings on dashboard, including check engine, service engine, airbag warning light and ABS warning light. Apparently nothing wrong with the engine, airbag or brakes themselves, but the BCM was going bad, causing the readings on dashboard. BCM replacement approx. $450 and engine coolant thermostat replacement cost approx $300.
Tl* - the contact's 2003 l series Saturn wagon stalled. The contact's vehicle was towed to the dealer in greensboro, nc. No warning lights or noises were experienced. The contact was driving 72 miles an hour at the time of the incident, the car drifted after it loss power and would not restart. The warranty ended 3 to 4 months ago and she incurred the cost for the repairs. The contact reviewed a notice on NHTSA website defect petition dated January 23, 2006 states number pe06006 which states that the timing chain can cause failure and stalling.
NHTSA investigations
Timing chain failure
On December 12, 2005, odi received a defect petition (dp05-008) requesting the investigation of timing chain failures that could cause stalling in Saturn vehicles equipped with the 2.2l (l61) engine. Odi opened pe06-006 on January 24, 2006, with 24 vehicle owner complaints that alleged a broken timing chain caused the vehicle to stop operating.on April 12, 2006, odi received information from general motors (GM)…
Timing chain failure
Analysis undertaken in response to the petition identified 26 complaints alleging timing chain failures in my 2000-2003 Saturn l-series vehicle equipped with the 2.2l l4 engine.most complaints of timing chain failure reportedly resulted in a sudden loss of engine power and stalling.odi also noted that certain my 2002-2003 Saturn vue and my 2003 Saturn ion model vehicles with the 2.2l engine vehiclescovered by a…
Engine complaints in other L200 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2003 Saturn L200?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Saturn L200, 20% of the model year's 138 complaints. The component named most often is engine (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Saturn L200 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2003 Saturn L200, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Saturn L200 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.