2003 Saturn L300: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
42 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
61,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 35 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 42 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 11.9% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 9.5% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 9.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 7.1% |
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 | 9 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
Electrical System: 9; Engine: 5; Exterior Lighting: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 3; Air Bags: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 7 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 | 9 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2003: 9; 2004: 3; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 5; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 3; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 10; 2015: 1; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10005721 · 2003-02-12 (February 12, 2003)
PURCHASED NEW 2003 SATURN L300 AND THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT REFLECTS LOWER THAN THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WHICH CREATES A STEP EFFECT WHEN LOOKING OUT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO RECREATE THIS SCENARIO IN THE GARAGE AND THEREFORE CONCLUDED THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP MUST BE WILLING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT TO VIEW THE PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005721 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010557 · 2003-03-16 (March 16, 2003)
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 ONLY SATURN WIPERS, BUT THEY DON'T MAKE A "WINTER" WIPER?? THE SECOND TIME THE TECH. TOLD US TO TRY AND FIND SOME AFTER MARKET WINTER WIPERS. AFTER RUNNING AROUND FOR 3 DAYS TO "AUTO PARTS" STORES ALL OVER THE CITY WE FINALLY FOUN…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010557 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021617 · 2003-05-27 (May 27, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT COLLISION YET NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY. *NLM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021617 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022934 · 2003-06-12 (June 12, 2003)
WHILE PARKED VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022934 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024323 · 2003-06-18 (June 18, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 20/25 MPH VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND NONE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024323 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024324 · 2003-06-18 (June 18, 2003)
DRIVER SIDE SEAT IS VERY MOBILE. IT SLIDES BACKWARD AND FORWARD WHILE DRIVING.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024324 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10027322 · 2003-07-15 (July 15, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING HEAD LIGHTS /DASH LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS WOULD DIM WHILE AIR CONDITION WAS RUNNING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10027322 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041322 · 2003-10-06 (October 6, 2003)
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 RELOADED EEPROM SOFTWARE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 5,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041322 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.