2004 Saturn L300 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
61 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
64,070 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 40 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 61 complaints (16.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 7 | 11.5% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 9.8% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 9.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 8.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 8.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 3.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 7 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
Electrical System: 10; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 7; Exterior Lighting: 4; Power Train: 4; Air Bags: 3; Engine: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 4
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 21 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 14 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2003: 1; 2004: 14; 2005: 4; 2006: 2; 2007: 7; 2008: 8; 2009: 2; 2010: 5; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 4; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 3; 2020: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10124867 · 2005-06-09 (June 9, 2005)
CAR WILL HESITATE AND STALL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THE CAR WILL AT TIMES NOT BE ABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILING AND CLOGGING THE EXHAUST SYSTEM
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10124867 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10157810 · 2006-05-18 (May 18, 2006)
MULTIPLE EPISODES OF CAR NOT STARTING AND STALLING. CAR ACTUALLY LOST ALL POWER AND STOPPED RUNNING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. CARS WERE ABLE TO SWERVE AROUND ME AND AN ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED. I AM PURSUING LEMON LAW. AM VERY AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR!*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10157810 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090301 · 2004-09-02 (September 2, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND FRONT BRAKES PULSATED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10090301 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10236336 · 2008-07-29 (July 29, 2008)
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. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 53,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10236336 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10104115 · 2004-12-20 (December 20, 2004)
RECENTLY PRURCHASED A NEW SATURN L300 WAGON WITH FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTX TIRES (STANDARD). THE ROAD VIBRATION FROM THESE TIRES IS CONCERNING, IT CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE BODY OF THE CAR AND STEERING WHEEL PARTICULIARLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. OCCASIONALLY A TIRE MAY ALSO FEEL AS THOUGH IT HAS A FLAT AND RIDES ROUGH, UPON INSPECTION IT IS FINE. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER THREE TIMES, THEY HAVE BEEN BALANCED TWICE, AND TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR THESE TIRES. THEY HAVE EVEN STATED PER THEIR DISTRICT MANAGER THAT OT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10104115 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10181043 · 2007-01-29 (January 29, 2007)
GRINDING NOISE FROM POWER STEERING WHILE MAKING TURNS. HAD TWO MECHANICS LOOK AT THE CAR AND WAS TOLD THE RACK AND PINION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT IS A COMMON FAILURE IN THIS MODEL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 51,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10181043 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073115 · 2004-05-25 (May 25, 2004)
WE JUST RECENTLY PURCHASHED OUR NEW CAR. WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. THE LIGHTS (HEAD LIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS) KEPT GETTING DIM ALMOST AS IF THEY WERE GOING TO GO OUT. WE THOUGHT MAYBE WE HAD A WIRE THAT HAD NOT BEEN TIGHTENED OR THAT HAD COME LOSE. OTHER CARS THINK WE ARE BLINKING OUR LIGHTS AT THEM. WHAT HAPPENS IF A BIG TRUCK THINKS WE ARE GIVING HIM THE "ALL CLEAR TO COME OVER IN FRONT OF ME"? THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN TO THE SERVICE DEPT AND WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS "INTERMITTENT DIMMING (FLICKERING) OF HEADLAMPS AND/OR INST…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10073115 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10229004 · 2008-05-27 (May 27, 2008)
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 NEXT MORNING. SOB HAS HAD IT FOR 4 DAYS NOW. THE SERVICE TECH'S (AT LEAST THREE HAVE LOOKED AT IT) HAVE HAD A DIFFICULT TIME DETERMINING WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. FOR NOW, THE POWER TRAIN (PCM) HAS BEEN REPLACED. BUT THE SERVICE REP INFOR…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10229004 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10489661 · 2012-12-13 (December 13, 2012)
CPSC#20121128. 2004 SATURN L300. CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL PUMP CRACKED, RELEASE FUEL AND HEAVY GAS SMELL INTO CAR MAKING CAR UNDRIVEABLE. *LN THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 350.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10489661 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10566680 · 2014-03-02 (March 2, 2014)
I OWN A 2004 SATURN L300 AND MY DAD OWNS A 2002 SATURN LW300 (WAGON). WE BOTH HAD TROUBLES WITH A LEAKING FUEL PUMP WHICH IS A TERRIBLE FIRE HAZARD. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY RECALLS ON THE SATURN IONS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THE L300 HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED. 2004 SATURN - I HAD MY FUEL PUMP REPLACED ON 5/23/2012 WITH 62,129 MILES. I WOULD PARKED THE CAR AND SMELL FUEL SO I DECIDED TO BRING MY CAR TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC. THE FUEL WAS COMING FROM THE FUEL PUMP TOWARDS THE TOP OF THE PUMP. IT COST ME $881.01. AT THAT TIME I THOUGHT I SHOULD…
Owner-reported narrative. 62,129 miles reported. Look up ODI 10566680 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10217964 · 2008-02-13 (February 13, 2008)
I OWN A 2004 SATURN L300 SEDAN. ON OCTOBER 25, 2007, I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE PASSING LANE GOING ABOUT 65 TO 70 MPH AND THE CAR STALLS AND THE GAS PEDAL SHOWS NO RESPONSE. THE CAR ENGINE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON ALONG WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND LOSS OF POWER LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD. I HAD TO CROSSOVER A LANE AND PULL THE CAR OVER. WHILE PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK THE CAR SHAKES. I TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND START THE CAR AGAIN AND I AM ABLE TO GO BUT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD. THERE WERE NO PRECURSOR SIGNS THAT T…
Owner-reported narrative. 81,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10217964 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10439123 · 2011-12-09 (December 9, 2011)
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. VEHICLE WOULD START IMMEDIATELY AFTER, WITH HIGH RPM AT IDLE AND HARD SHIFTS INTO GEAR. VEHICLE WOULD ONLY EXHIBIT THESE PROBLEMS WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT GEARS, USUALLY BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR. /// REPAIR HI…
Owner-reported narrative. 91,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10439123 at NHTSA ↗