KnownCarProblems2004 Saturn L300 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 61 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Saturn L300, most often about the electrical (25% of complaints, typically around 53,000 miles). It is the most complained-about L300 model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2004 Saturn L300 problems
Electrical
15 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 53,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring.
The battery warning and emergency service lights (I.e., "the car with the wrench" signal) flashed on my 2004 Saturn L300 in mid-may 2008. I was on the highway at the time. As I slowed down to exit the speedometer stopped. I made it home and parked it in the car port. I had it towed to Saturn of birmingham (sob) the…
2004 Saturn ion - will not start if outside temp is below freezing. Service vehicle light comes on. If you wait 5-10 minutes then the car will start. This has happened 15+ times to me in the last month.
Lights
12 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 21,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
While driving headlights flashed from bright to dim. This occurred every 30 seconds. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, and was told that what was happening with the headlights was normal. Consumer later contacted the manufacturer, and they also said that what the vehicle was experiencing was normal.
- the contact's 2004 Saturn L300 with an odometer reading of 21000 miles, headlights, interior lights, and dash board lights flicker on and off while driving. The contact first noticed the failure in november of 2006, since the vehicle was driven mostly in the day time the failure may have been occurring previously.…
Engine
11 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 91,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Problem synopsis: while driving at freeway speeds (65 miles per hour) the vehicle lost power, causing the "reduced engine power" (rep) and "service vehicle soon" (svs) lights to illuminate. Upon pulling to the side of the road and shifting the vehicle into park, it would idle roughly until shutting the engine off.…
I was driving my 2004 Saturn L300 at 55 MPH. The car suddenly cut off. I was able to drift to the side of the road. I tried to restart the vehicle and it would not start. This has happened to me in a parking lot approximately 3 other times. I took the car to a mechanic and he said it may be the crankshaft position…
Fuel system
7 complaints · 12%Parts named most often: delivery.
Gas filler pipe neck rusty and flaking. Could start leaking causing a fire and leaking on the ground if not fixed. Want to know where , how and how much to get the part. Saturn dealership said Saturn has stopped making many parts and this is one. If starts leaking will not be able to get sticker. Trying to talk with…
Transmission
6 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 91,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
Problem synopsis: while driving at freeway speeds (65 miles per hour) the vehicle lost power, causing the "reduced engine power" (rep) and "service vehicle soon" (svs) lights to illuminate. Upon pulling to the side of the road and shifting the vehicle into park, it would idle roughly until shutting the engine off.…
Car stalled while driving in traffic and would not restart. Car also failed to start on some mornings and also after filling at gas station. Its seems that this issue can go on for sometime between the times it happens.
Brakes
4 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: foundation components.
Trouble with ABS system. Light came on, car was taken to dealer who finally determined it was the ABS control unit. Repair est. Over $1200.
Car stalled while driving in traffic and would not restart. Car also failed to start on some mornings and also after filling at gas station. Its seems that this issue can go on for sometime between the times it happens.
Speed control
4 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: cruise control.
I have a 2004 Saturn L300.1 sedan with cruise control. A couple of times over the past years when using the cruise control and pressing the cruise control accelerate button, the button stuck in the accelerate position causing the car to accelerate until the cruise control was turned off by brake or switch. Knowing…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Saturn L300. The contact was driving approximately 20 MPH and depressed the brakes very gently when the vehicle accelerated. The motored roared after accelerating. The vehicle crashed into a trailer that was in front of it. The contact then put the vehicle in neutral. The contact was able to…
Wheels and tires
3 complaints · 5%Noticed loud rumbling sound from tires. Had car in for oil, tire rotation and balance and was told the tires on the rear are wearing in a wavy manner. Was told this is a common problem with this model. Could feel waves on tires when felt with hand.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Saturn L300 recalls
Lights: brake lights
Risk: This can cause (1) an intermittently inoperative brake/tail lamp bulb or (2) a short circuit that opens a fuse causing inoperative brake lamps (including the center high-mounted stop lamp) or tail lamps. A following driver may not know when the brakes have been applied, and a rear-end crash could occur without prior warning.
Fix: Dealers will install two new tail lamp reinforcing socket adapters and sockets free of charge. The recall began on october 17, 2005. Owners may contact saturn at 1-800-972-8876.
Full defect summary
On certain sedans and wagons, the plastic housing in the rear tail lamp assembly can become distorted if the brake lamps remain on for an extended time.
Seat belts
Risk: If a separation occurred in crash, the right and center rear seat occupants may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Fix: Dealers will install a rear seat center belt anchor reinforcement plate to the floor pan of the vehicle free of charge. The recall began on april 25, 2005. Owners may contact saturn at 1-800-972-8876.
Full defect summary
Certain wagons fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages." the seat belt anchor may separate from the floor of the vehicle before holding the required test load for the required time.
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.
Questions about the 2004 Saturn L300
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Saturn L300?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (15 complaints, typically around 53,000 miles); lights (12 complaints, typically around 21,000 miles); engine (11 complaints, typically around 91,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Saturn L300 have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 2, 2005 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Saturn L300?
- It is the most complained-about L300 model year since 2000, with 61 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.