2005 Saturn L300: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
16,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 25 complaints (28.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 2 | 8.0% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 8.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 8.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.0% |
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 | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Suspension:Rear | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
Electrical System: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Power Train: 2; Steering: 2; Suspension:Rear: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1
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 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 5 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 |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2005: 7; 2006: 6; 2007: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 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 10116337 · 2005-04-04 (April 4, 2005)
I BOUGHT A 2004 SATURN ION LEVEL 2, WITHIN 6 MONTHS THE STARTER WENT OUT, I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET TO WORK, SO I TRADE IT IN HOPING NOT TO HAVE THAT PROBLEM AGAIN...AND I GET THE BEST ONE A L 300 TOP OF THE LINE,,25,000...3 MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD THE FRONT TIRES SQUEAK AND THERE IS BLACK SOOT STUFF ALL OVER THE RIMS, YOU CANNOT EVEN SEE THE RIMS THAT WERE SILVER AND NOW BLACK...I DO NOT RIDE MY BREAKS, SO I AM THINKING PERHAPS I NEED TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE AND PURCHASE A CAR WITH LESS PROBLEMS...AS I FEEL THIS COMPANY HAS NOT GOT A GOOD PRODUCT. *AK…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10116337 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10136761 · 2005-09-16 (September 16, 2005)
JANUARY 28TH, 2005 - PURCHASED 2005 SATURN L-300. 10 MINUTES AFTER THE CAR LEFT THE LOT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS BAD. THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY SATURN OF FOND DU LAC, WI. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 27 miles reported. Look up ODI 10136761 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10136763 · 2005-09-16 (September 16, 2005)
TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10136763 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10136765 · 2005-09-16 (September 16, 2005)
LOW COOLANT LIGHT WOULD GO ON AND OFF . HOSE AND CLAMP WAS LEAKING. DEALER FIXED ONCE. 1 MONTH LATER THE SAME HOSE AND CLAMP WAS LEAKING AGAIN. DEALER FIXED AGAIN. THIS IS AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON (OXYGEN SENSOR) AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT DID NOT WORK. OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THESE ITEM WERE SUBMITTED. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 75 miles reported. Look up ODI 10136765 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10136767 · 2005-09-16 (September 16, 2005)
THIS COMPLAINT COMES AFTER 4 OTHER PREVIOUS ONES WITH THIS SAME VEHICLE. 1ST - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, 2ND - TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, 3RD AND 4TH - LOW COOLANT LIGHT. PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED FOR THESE ALREADY. NOW THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS DIM DOWN AND THEN COME BACK ON TO FULL POWER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. SATURN OF FOND DU LAC SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE OR TALKED TO ANYONE WHO EVER HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN. THIS IS NOT NORMAL. IF THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS "NORMAL" DIMMING OF THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS H…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10136767 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10137790 · 2005-09-26 (September 26, 2005)
OUR 2005 L300 HAS 17,000 MILES ON IT - ONLY DRIVEN 8 MONTHS, WITH NO ACCIDENTS, NOT EVEN A BUMPER-TO-BUMPER INCIDENT. WE ALREADY HAVE TO REPLACE TWO WHEELS (AT $417 EACH - OUT OF OUR OWN POCKET) BECAUSE THE RIMS BENT SO BADLY THEY ARE USELESS (THEY ARE BOTH SAVED AT OUR HOME). WE BELIEVE, SINCE THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM, THE RIMS MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE, AND WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR REPLACEMENT. WE ALSO HAVE TO REPLACE A STRUT, WHICH SATURN OF BLUE SPRINGS, MO SERVICE TELLS ME IS "SO RARE WE HAVE HARD…
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10137790 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10145120 · 2005-12-13 (December 13, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BRAKING THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DETACHMENT OCCURRED WHERE THE SHOULDER HARNESS WAS ATTACHES TO THE PILLAR. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY WERE GOING TO CALL HIM BACK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 4 miles reported. Look up ODI 10145120 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10152484 · 2006-03-11 (March 11, 2006)
MY NEW 2005 L300 HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES FOR THE SHAKING IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, IT THUMPS AND SHAKES THROUGHOUT THE FRONT BODY, PEDALS AND STEERING MAKING HANDLING DIFFICULT AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND ESPECIALLY IN SLUSH AND SNOW. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWO TIMES AND BALANCED 5 TIMES. EVEN THOUGH CHANGING TIRES NEVER STOPS THE SHAKING. I'VE LOST CONTROL ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE DUE TO THE CONTROL LOSS DUE TO SHAKING. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER CORRECTED SOME OF THE STEERING ISSUES ON THE LAST VISIT …
Owner-reported narrative. 36 miles reported. Look up ODI 10152484 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.