KnownCarProblems2003 Saturn L300 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Saturn L300, most often about the lights (24% of complaints, typically around 112,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about L300 model year since 2000.
Most common 2003 Saturn L300 problems
Lights
10 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 112,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, tail lights, turn signal, brake lights.
The contact owns a 2001 (na) Saturn L300. The contact stated that the anti-freeze warning indicator illuminated, the rear passenger side tail light failed, and the wiper motor did not operate normally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed that the anti-freeze hose and…
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn L300. The contact stated when the brake pedal was depressed the brake lights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was not repaired nor was the failure diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.
Electrical
10 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 85,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
Engine stalls after 10 minutes of driving. Won't start again for 2 or 3 hours only to run for 10 minutes and stall again. Sometimes engine will stall while idling. Sometimes the engine light with the wrench in it comes on and the vehicle starts to shift roughly. If I turn off the vehicle and start it again, this light…
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn L300. The contact stated that the vehicle overheated and there was a leak which allowed water to drip into the cabin. The contact also stated that the key failed to turn while in the ignition and was difficult to remove. The contact then mentioned that smoke emitted from the ignition and…
Engine
9 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 89,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn L300. The contact stated that the vehicle overheated and there was a leak which allowed water to drip into the cabin. The contact also stated that the key failed to turn while in the ignition and was difficult to remove. The contact then mentioned that smoke emitted from the ignition and…
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn L300. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but they could not diagnose the cause of failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 93,000.
Speed control
4 complaints · 10%While driving approx. 65 MPH with cruise control on, tapped brake to disengage cruise control. The service engine light came on and the vehicle lost all power. After stopping the vehicle, restarted the engine. Power appeared to be restored but the service engine light remained on. Took vehicle to dealer. Dealer…
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn L300. The contact stated that the vehicle would exhibit a sharp and abnormal increase in engine rpms when attempting to accelerate. In addition, the vehicle would also exhibit an unusually loud roaring but would not respond. As a result, the catalytic converter failed. The dealer advised…
Fuel system
4 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: delivery.
Sudden loss of power in engine, had to pull off road. Engine did not stall. After 5 minutes at idle, was able to contiue. First happend in june 2004. Mileage near 35000 on car. Dealership replaced tank fuel pump, said it was overheating and failed. Non shell gas has been used. May 2005, mileage near 52000, exact same…
Fuel pump failure -- disintegrated. Have over $1,000 of repairs. This is on top of $400 repairs last month to replace the heater core and a recommended $600+ to replace the oil cooler housing. The car has less than 80,000 miles on it and is not paid off for 2 more months. I've gone to the website www.carsurvey.org and…
Visibility and wipers
3 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: windshield wiper/washer, defroster/defogger/hvac system.
Twice we have complained to the dealership about the windshield wipers icing up so bad they lifted off the windshield and made it almost impossible to drive. During one snow storm we drove directly to the dealer, they changed the wiper but within 10 minutes the same problem occurred. We were told the first time to use…
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn L300. The contact stated that the vehicle would exhibit a sharp and abnormal increase in engine rpms when attempting to accelerate. In addition, the vehicle would also exhibit an unusually loud roaring but would not respond. As a result, the catalytic converter failed. The dealer advised…
Air bags
3 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: frontal.
In february, 2007 and in april of 2008 I was involved separate front end crashes while driving my 2003 Saturn L300. In both instances seatbelt restraints were used (as always), but the air-bags failed to deploy. Fortunately, no one was injured. In both instances, I believed that I was fortunate the air-bags didn't…
Wheels and tires
3 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: tread/belt.
(1) daily commute on I-25. 2) tread separation on left rear tire at 49,583 mi. Firestone p215/55r-16. (3) replaced all four tires (damaged tire is available).
2003 Saturn L300 has firestone tires that are dry rotted. The consumer stated the vehicle came equipped with 5 tubeless radial firestone tires which carried a manufacturer's date of 2002. Yesterday, the consumer noticed the right front tire had a gap around the circumference of the face of the tire where it joined the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Saturn L300 recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Timing chain failure
Summary
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) concerning timing chain failures in approximately 412,000 model year (my) 2000 through 2003 saturn l-series and ion vehicles with 2.2l engines. Gm's response included 1,020 owner complaints and field reports concerning timing chain failure, including 228 that alleged the failure cause
Questions about the 2003 Saturn L300
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Saturn L300?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: lights (10 complaints, typically around 112,000 miles); electrical (10 complaints, typically around 85,500 miles); engine (9 complaints, typically around 89,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Saturn L300 have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003 Saturn L300. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Saturn L300?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about L300 model year since 2000, with 42 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.