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Engine coolingPart report

2003 Saturn L200 Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
18about this part
Share
13%of 138 total for the year
Median mileage
59,500miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Saturn L200, 13% of the 138 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 59,500 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The timing chain on my 2003 Saturn L200 with 108,000 miles is about to fail and apparently there is a known (NHTSA investigated even) problem with these vehicles. $1300 I don't have to fix it. This is along with a series of air conditioner problems (improper tube mounting such that it wore through) costing over $1000 dollars since I purchased the vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #10240092, filed 2008-08, 105,000 miles

“I was driving my Saturn L200 on a country road at about 35 MPH. The engine suddenly stopped running, and would not restart. The car became difficult to steer and stop without the power steering and brakes. I came close to running into a ditch as a result of the difficulty in controlling the car.”

NHTSA complaint #10237437, filed 2008-08, 67,000 miles

“My service engine light came on. The first time I took it to Saturn dealership in lynchburg, virginia they told me they could not find a problem. It has come on again and is reading the same code. I have to take it back again for the same problem. The code reads p1887. I truly think that this is a problem with the Saturn l 2003.”

NHTSA complaint #10130701, filed 2005-07, 49,728 miles

“2003 Saturn L200 with 48,000 miles died while driving. We had to quickly swerve to opposite side of road where there was a shoulder in order to get out of the traffic lane(no shoulder on the lane we were in). Car was towed, and was diagnosed with a broken timing chain, probable engine damage, and possible fuel pump failure. Since I just put a new alternator and battery in the vehicle three weeks prior, I contacted manufacturer and talked with dealer about working with me to fix this car. …”

NHTSA complaint #10173625, filed 2006-11, 48,400 miles

“Premature failure of timing chain on 2003 Saturn L200 at 69,400 miles. This car has the same timing chain components as involved in the 2000 model year recall. The parts were not revised until after this car was built. The car was maintained with recommended oil change intervals, but the chain still failed prematurely.”

NHTSA complaint #10308410, filed 2010-02, 69,400 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20031813%

Other parts of the 2003 Saturn L200

Electrical system
50 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsExterior lighting
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsInterior lighting
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Saturn L200

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology