The contact owns a 1997 Saturn SL2. While driving 35 mph, the contact noticed smoke rising from the hood. He then pulled over as the smoke turned into flames. After he extinguished the fire, he restarted the vehicle and oil sprayed out from the cylinder head. The dealer has not inspected the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 131,000. Updated 01-11-08. Updated 12/12/07

- Lake Orion, MI, USA

A extreme problem with oil consumption since the time of ownership of the vehicle and the problem is getting worse with every mile driven. I am at the point now of putting/adding 2-3 quarts of oil every 300-400 miles. Engine freeze is now on the horizon due to sludge build-up. And I've been told this is what Saturn do. Can this be right to the consumer.

- Redford, MI, USA

The contact stated while driving vehicle stalled intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop. They found that it was the cam shaft sensor that was defective. No repairs were made.

- Loves Park , IL, USA

Head gasket blew at 68,00 miles in my 1997 Saturn SL1. Saturn customer service told me it was not due to any negligence on my part, and they were unable to explain the reason for this defect.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

Defective engine cylinder head assembly, engine runs hot & oil mixed with coolant in engine. The consumer was not informed of the defects when purchasing the vehicle. No recall for consumer problems with vehicle.

- Gardnerville, NV, USA

Defect details: Design flaw in the engine cylinder head assembly causes cracks in the cylinder head. Allows motor oil to leak into the cooling system/radiator mixing with engine coolant in the engine coolant recovery reservoir. Makes the car run hot, result in overheating with potential to result in crashes. Solution: To replace cylinder head assembly GM/Saturn response: Complaint filed with GM on September 10, 2004 via written letter. GM response to that letter was a courtesy call to "thank" us for our "feedback" and how it will be put in a database for their engineers to utilize in future design. What a joke. No help or resolution offered. No recall or any other notice was sent verbally or in writing to us. Refused to stand behind their defective product. Had prior knowledge of defect and failed to disclose to us. Amounts to fraudulent business and unfair trade practices. GM/Saturn knew about this flaw in 1997 Saturn Sl-1 when they sold the car to us, but never disclosed it and never offered to fix it. Refer to bulletin number 96T65 and bulletin date: November 1996 on www.edmunds.com. in the last 12 months, our car had to be brought to a mechanic twice due to "close to overheating". the car is 7 1/2 years old and has less than 85,000 miles on it with oil changes on time & all recommended maint. On time. Since GM/Saturn dealership in reno, Nevada did not offer to fix the defect, we got it fixed by another mechanic. Cost = $1827.25. We believe this is fraudulent business practice on part of GM/Saturn to knowingly sell their defective car to consumers without disclosing this at the time of sale and never offering to fix the defect eventhough it may cause accidents and put safety of the occupants at risk. We are seeking for reimbursement of the cost of repairing this known defective product from GM. A copy of that request will be mailed to you separately. We hope your Agency has the authority and passion to do something about it.

- Gardnerville, NV, USA

Excess oil consumption: Vehicle could stop without warning as a result of engine burn-up. Saturn denies responsibility for defective engine.

- Burke, VA, USA

Vehicle is leaking oil, needed to replace the head gasket. Dealer stated never heard something like this.

- Manhattan Beach, CA, USA

The vehicle stalled without warning.

- Albany, NY, USA

The consumer stated that the torque axis motor mounts had broken at 30,000 miles and at 60,000 miles. Mr scc

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

Engine cylinder head had a crack, and this was causing oil to leak into radiator fluid. Consumer felt engine could burn up.

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

We got car from Saturn of warwick leased then bought outright. The service issue we are about to tell was done at the Saturn of seekonk loc. It is actually closer to our house. On Jan, 16, 2002 we had to bring the Saturn in for service because we started that day loosing anti freeze quickly then the car began to run hot but did not over heat, meanwhile the regular heat control didnt work 3 days prior to this incident and we had it sheduled for service that coming sat. We drop it off, car running hot but never overheated the tech only put that in his report. Keep in mind we had no symptoms described by dealer letting us know that we were having problems like run sluggish, not starting at all etc. We had just driven 900 miles up and back over the thanksgiving holiday absolutely no problems. The tech contacts david my husband the next day to tell him the problem. The tech states we have a cracked head and even though its out of manf. Warranty Saturn would fix it under warranty suddenly I get a call at my work the service tech says found more damage underneath engine that it had been burn oil and transmission fluid together which no evidence of this existed, didnt seem right stating we really need a new engine which runsabout $3200 and they say they wont replace it instead rebuild it if we make a donation of $600. To Saturn. We know this wasn't right from the start they could'nt tell us what caused this to happen instead blamed it on poor maint. And claimed to be doing us a favor by only charging $600 to rebuild engine which we know was the cost of the new head dealer covering up. This is why they made it look like they were doing a favor the car was maint. And engine heads just dont crack at 70,000 miles. Plant person in tenn. Just agreed with deaier. Pls check edmunds.com Saturn repair compl. Plsck we arent only snow job rec. Pls. Can you help us? we want out of the car still owe $4000. Who would buy with this issue can you help solve.

- Barrington, RI, USA

Head gasket leaking - replaced (cost about $1200).

- Basking Ridge, NJ, USA

Was driving approximately 50mph and was merging into traffic when transmission locked in gear and failed to change. Consumer stated prior to purchasing vehicle she complained of a clunk noise when changed gears into reverse, also the driver side brake light is inoperable, also the right side mirror needed to be replaced, engine mounts were replaced, brakes were replaced, serpentine belt was cracked, engine overheats.

- West Islip, NY, USA

When driving at any given time and speed vehicle will cut off without prior warning. Also, when air conditioner wason high and upon depressing accelerator pedal, there was a very slow take off. Vehicle died out. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer stated due a large amount of pressure put on air conditioner compressor problem has occur.

- Centereach, NY, USA

Engine rod bearings failed.

- San Jose, CA, USA

Possible design flaw is causing the steel timing chain to break resulting in engine failure. Nlm

- Carmel, NY, USA