1993 Saturn SL Engine problems

Tl* the contact owned a 1993 saturn sl-2. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact attempted to coast the vehicle off to the right shoulder, but lost control and crashed into three poles. The air bags failed to deploy and ejected the contact through the front windshield. A police report was filed. The contact sustained broken ribs and a permanent head injury. The contact was in a coma on life support for three weeks. The vehicle was towed and the insurance company declared that it was destroyed. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 10/05/17*lj *js *tr

While driving this vehicle, the motor would just stop and then would not start until it cooled off. Had to have it towed 6 times within 6 months. Have not been able to drive it since.

Problems with the harmonic balancer having excessive run out causing improper serpentine belt alignment which created excessive belt wear. If problem is left unattended, serpentine belt/balancer can separate causing engine stall and loss of power steering which may cause accident. Contacted manufacturer but did not acknowledge a problem existed even though the balancer was redesigned. Balancer was replaced by the owner as a precautionary measure to prevent potential hazards. I also noticed several failure notices...

The alternator belt broke four times since ownership. On one occasion, the consumer was driving at 50 mph and the belt broke, which caused the power steering to become inoperative, and almost resulting in an accident. Dealer and the manufacturer have been informed of the problem.*Ak the serpentine belt fell off while driving, dealer replaced. *Ts *jb

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD.*JB *TS

Valve train seems to fail at about 95-160 thousand miles with unknown cause. Called both dealer and repair shops. Both seem to say the same. Either valve seats or piston rings fail at these points of milage. Between 95,000 to 160,000 miles with unknown cause. Some said might be the aluminum head defect, others said that there are stress cracks from the molding of the head. They all say can not really tell until taken apart and visually checked. High cost to do this. But no known recalls on the head defect or valve seat or valve train system. Also on the door hinge, the door seals let water down to the hinge and it rots out the hinge on the door, causing the door to fall or rot off.

The consumer added coolant several times but the low coolant light kept coming. The dealer determined the cause to be a cracked cylinder head which was a manufacturing defect that caused the engine oil to be contaminated with the antifreeze. *Yh

My biggest problems is with the stalling of the car in the middle of traffic. I have almost been in one accident and there has been alot of times at which this car has stalled. This vehicle is very dangerous to me and my 4 year old boy and the place at which I am still paying for this car as not been cooperative in fixing this problem which was brought to there attention from day one. Anna cole. *Ak

TIMING CHAIN AND GUIDES FAILED. *SLC

Engine access mount collapsed due to age and because it has worn out, causing vehicle to shake and rattle bad. *Ak *ml

I was told the problem could possibly be with the valve guildes and to see if there was a recall because it is a common problem with older saturns. I can not find anything on this and hope you can help. *Ak

Since I have purchased my vehicle in 1996, I have had to have a number of repairs done to averging $200. Or more . I am having repairs done about every two months. I got the history of my car and found that it has been this way since the day it was ready to be sold. No safety defect listed in the summary. *Ak

Engine block has split near the location of alternator ,causing it to be lose and cut into the belt. The block busted upon starting the vehicle. Transmission has a problem when shifting, and saturn has told me they can't find anything odd about it. Nor is there anything odd about the engine overheating during barely warm days in the summer. Possibly connected. *Ak

Aluminum engine cracked at mounts on right side -- engine is hanging

ENGINE RUNS ROUGH, STALLING CONTINUALLY.

ENGINE VALVES FAILED.

Engine cylinder head cracked, resulting in oil leak due to improper manufacturing.

Vehicle will run at high idle and sometimes will stall.

Brakes have never worked properly. Have to brake ahead of time to avoid accident. Dealer replaced and resurfaced rotors 2 times. Transmission leaking. Replaced valve body cover gasket. Another mechanic claims crack in tranmission. First half was done under warranty. Second time rotors/pads warranty had expired. Defect is still reoccurring. *Ak

Valve body failure causing vehicle to take 10-20 seconds to move in reverse gear. Yh

CRACKED ENGINE HEAD. *AK

THE ENGINE FLOODED WITH RAIN WATER AND STALLED.

TIMING CHAIN REPLACED.

CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED.

UPPER MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED 2 TIMES.