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Engine coolingPart report

2003 Saturn L300 Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
10%of 42 total for the year
Median mileage
60,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Saturn L300, 10% of the 42 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

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

“The contact owns a 2003 Saturn L300. The contact stated that the vehicle would exhibit a sharp and abnormal increase in engine rpms when attempting to accelerate. In addition, the vehicle would also exhibit an unusually loud roaring but would not respond. As a result, the catalytic converter failed. The dealer advised the contact that they are aware of the failure but they could offer no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was approximately 133,000. …”

NHTSA complaint #10357847, filed 2010-09, 133,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2003 Saturn L300. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing a recurring failure in which it would stall while driving at any speed, without warning. The contact would allow the vehicle to cool off before he was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to several authorized dealers as well as independent repair facilities where they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was repaired but to no avail. The vehicle continued to stall intermittently at any speed. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 62,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10361564, filed 2010-10, 60,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2003 Saturn L300. The contact stated that the vehicle recently ran out of warranty at 45,000 miles. Three separate failures have occurred on the vehicle. The check engine light illuminated and the mechanic diagnosed it as electrical failure. Fifteen minutes later, the failure recurred and the mechanic stated that the engine experienced master engine flow failure. Three months later the engine failed again. The contact has spent almost $1,200 on repairs. He has contacted the better business bureau and they refereed him to NHTSA. …”

NHTSA complaint #10192028, filed 2007-05, 44,000 miles

“Purchased 2003 Saturn l 300 on march 24, 2007 and had it in the shop on april 2, 2007 and april 9, 2007 with same problem. Interior lights, headlights, and fan pulsate which could cause a safety hazard on the highway. The longer you drive it the more it happens. They say it is normal.”

NHTSA complaint #10187493, filed 2007-04

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2005416%
2004813%
2003410%

Other parts of the 2003 Saturn L300

Electrical system
10 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsInterior lighting
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Saturn L300

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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