Could it GET any worse?

[verucalise]

Hello everyone, writing to vent and get hopefully some responses.

My poor '02 Vue 2.2L FWD has had more problems than I could EVER imagine... Since the beginning of this year, at 117K, I've had nothing but grief. To sum it all up:

an engine replacement from a timing chain failure $1800
Rear wheel bearing replacement $360
Front wheel bearing $245
Faulty ECM ground $225 (It took them a week to figure this out, and tried changing my speed sensor first)

Now, I'm told at the shop, I have a very small trans seal leak and my RACK AND PINION is going. There's also a loud hum here and there up front on the drivers side, they tell me this might be due to the exhaust pressure?? This is of course, on top of general maintenance costs like flushing my transmission, oil changes, had my brakes overhauled for $500. I also need to replace my rear wiper motor, and my drivers side rear view mirror has a crack straight down the middle from the cold weather here in NY. I'm at 123K+ miles, with my original clutch. I'm fearing my clutch will be next :( I can't afford this. I don't know if I can take any more repairs, I'm in this vehicle $3500 ALONE THIS YEAR. I've always kept up on repairs and maintenance, I just don't understand. :( I need my vehicle to transport my youngest daughter to Albany Med, she's got major health issues, and it's at least an hour and 1/2 up there, sometimes 3 times a week. Anyone have this horrible luck with their Saturn?? I added up all the repairs on my vehicle since I've gotten it at 60K, and including the warranty repairs, it's over $10K IN REPAIRS.

What gives ..... :cry:

I'm totally upset, I've taken the utmost care of this vehicle, no fender benders, maintenance done regularly, put in the shop ASAP for repairs to prevent problems turning into worse problems. Just lost. Thanks for letting me vent.

[twosaturns]

Anyone have this horrible luck with their Saturn?? I added up all the repairs on my vehicle since I've gotten it at 60K, and including the warranty repairs, it's over $10K IN REPAIRS.


I'm totally upset, I've taken the utmost care of this vehicle, no fender benders, maintenance done regularly, put in the shop ASAP for repairs to prevent problems turning into worse problems. Just lost. Thanks for letting me vent.

maybe you should sell it.

the more miles racked up, the more potential for costly repairs. this is true for any vehicle. you're around 20K/yr, that's a lot of miles.
I feel for you, but I really can't identify w/ you; I've got 50K on my VUE, original brakes, clutch, engine, wiper motor and wheel bearings. only thing replaced is the tires. I love my VUE, great vehicle.
btw, why a tranny flush? AFAIK, that isn't required, ever. at least I've never had mine done.

[verucalise]

btw, why a tranny flush? AFAIK, that isn't required, ever. at least I've never had mine done.

Just figured, it had 120K miles, wouldn't hurt- just general maintenance. Did it last month, during the ECM ground problem. I would of even done the fuel filter, but after some research, found out that never is to be changed, I guess it's in the fuel tank itself.

And, even though it might not be required.... they also said that there wasn't a maintenance schedule on my timing chain (Except regular oil changes) and unfortunately, became one of the many fatalities of it snapping out of nowhere. So these days, I stick to the whole "preventative" plan.

[verucalise]

Oh, on a side note... I hope I'm not going to get in trouble asking this on this forum.... Sorry ahead of time to the moderators!

Just wondering if anyone reading this lived in Upstate NY around the Adirondacks that has experience fixing Saturns... That maybe wants to make a couple extra bucks?? I'm just getting killed with the costs, trying to find someone who will do the work for a fair price. If so, send me a message... I'd really hate to get rid of my car, I love it oh so much and by the time I'm thru, I might have practically a brand new car again haha.

Thanks!

[twosaturns]

Oh, on a side note... I hope I'm not going to get in trouble asking this on this forum.... Sorry ahead of time to the moderators!

Just wondering if anyone reading this lived in Upstate NY around the Adirondacks that has experience fixing Saturns... That maybe wants to make a couple extra bucks?? I'm just getting killed with the costs, trying to find someone who will do the work for a fair price. If so, send me a message... I'd really hate to get rid of my car, I love it oh so much and by the time I'm thru, I might have practically a brand new car again haha.

Thanks!

there's only one moderator, and I don't think Charlie will mind:)

there is a recall on the timing chain in the L200- there was talk that the VUE engine didn't have the same issues, but I would suggest you inquire w/ saturn. search on the L series part of the site here and read up on it.
many times, people are told there isn't a recall, they pay for a repair, and sometime later, a recall IS started. so, just because there isn't a recall now, there may be one in the future.

[Spazie]

Why not start to learn how to do the work yourself? I've learned just about everything I know about fixing my S-series from the knowledge base on this forum. It's not as scary as you might think, and most everything (except maybe the timing chain) you've had done you could have easily done yourself and saved boo-koo bucks. I do all my own maintenance except for tires/alignment/balance because I don't have the equipment for it. Brakes are a simple job, so are coolant, transmission fluid, and oil changes.

I'm very serious, and you'd be amazed how good you feel after you've done your own work on your car and realize how much money you've saved yourself! I love going into the auto parts store and ordering parts for work on my car, because they don't expect a young female to be doing all this on her own car. :) I dismantled part of my ignition system in Autozone's parking lot once to get my coil packs tested, the guys inside were pretty impressed.

[verucalise]

The sad thing, is actually I DO know how to do a lot of the basic work. I can change my own oil, spark plugs & wires, brake pads are so very simple... But I'm an at home mom and the husband is gone in a big rig all week. So it's hard to get 45 mins ALONE to do much of this work, especially if it's time consuming. I'm always up for a challenge, it's just with 3 little ones...!!

You get the idea :( NO TIME!

[verucalise]

there is a recall on the timing chain in the L200- there was talk that the VUE engine didn't have the same issues, but I would suggest you inquire w/ saturn.

I've been fighting with Saturn since January over the timing chain... I was willing to provide almost every oil change record, the only ones I didn't have were the ones I did here at home to prove no negligence, along with every OTHER maintenance record or repair bill. They really could care less... Saturn Corp. said that since the car had 117K and that I SHOULD OF CHANGED THE TIMING CHAIN AT 100K ... I said 'WHAT!??! You point that out in my owner's manual and I'll gladly step back." and they said if I had been taking it to a Saturn dealership for maintenance, they would of told me that. I replied that up until 92K, my car was repaired under warranty regularly at Saturn and I even paid 1 hours labor out of pocket to completely check over the vehicle for existing or POTENTIAL problems... I still have the receipt, it says "Vehicle in excellent condition overall" and you get the idea, back and forth.... :( In the end, it's still my fault it happened, of course.

I wasn't even trying to get them to pay the complete bill, I would of been completely happy with half the costs.