2003 Saturn L300 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 12%of 42 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 93,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Saturn L300, 12% of the 42 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 93,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“Ignition switch will not start the car. It is in the off position. I am having a new switch installed. I do not understand why this car part is not on the recall list. All other 2003 saturns are being recalled.”
NHTSA complaint #10627094, filed 2014-08, 140,000 miles“Engine stalls after 10 minutes of driving. Won't start again for 2 or 3 hours only to run for 10 minutes and stall again. Sometimes engine will stall while idling. Sometimes the engine light with the wrench in it comes on and the vehicle starts to shift roughly. If I turn off the vehicle and start it again, this light goes off and the vehicle shifts normally.”
NHTSA complaint #10466854, filed 2012-07, 84,500 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Saturn L300. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but they could not diagnose the cause of failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 93,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10592355, filed 2014-05, 93,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Saturn L300. The contact stated that the vehicle overheated and there was a leak which allowed water to drip into the cabin. The contact also stated that the key failed to turn while in the ignition and was difficult to remove. The contact then mentioned that smoke emitted from the ignition and engine compartment and the instrument panel erroneously dimmed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was repaired. The contact was unsure of what exact repairs were done. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximately failure mileage was 86,112.”
NHTSA complaint #10573351, filed 2014-03, 86,112 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10211658May 2, 2022This service bulletin provides policy information on warranty administration guidelines for multiple repairs with independent causes (GM Canada Dealers Only).
- 10178387Jul 27, 2020This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10176326May 21, 2020This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10176607May 8, 2020This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank…
- 10167437Oct 14, 2019This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the…
- 10160987May 7, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10160983May 6, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10144451Aug 8, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible…
- 10129097Jan 25, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10129073Jan 18, 2018This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Saturn L300
10 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaintsEngine cooling
4 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