Model year record

2004 Saturn L300

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 78 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V245000

Exterior lighting: brake lights

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
291,652
Reported to NHTSA
2005-06-02
Owners notified
2005-10-17

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND WAGONS, THE PLASTIC HOUSING IN THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME DISTORTED IF THE BRAKE LAMPS REMAIN ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.

Safety risk

THIS CAN CAUSE (1) AN INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB OR (2) A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT OPENS A FUSE CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMPS (INCLUDING THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP) OR TAIL LAMPS. A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW TAIL LAMP REINFORCING SOCKET ADAPTERS AND SOCKETS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V158000

Seat belts

Component
Seat belts
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
20,701
Reported to NHTSA
2005-04-20
Owners notified
2005-04-25

Defect description

CERTAIN WAGONS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE HOLDING THE REQUIRED TEST LOAD FOR THE REQUIRED TIME.

Safety risk

IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED IN CRASH, THE RIGHT AND CENTER REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REAR SEAT CENTER BELT ANCHOR REINFORCEMENT PLATE TO THE FLOOR PAN OF THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system1066,010 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights78,300 mi
Exterior lighting4131,342 mi
Power train491,000 mi
Air bags3127,000 mi
Engine3125,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling391,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline362,129 mi
Fuel/propulsion system3100,000 mi
Tires340,000 mi
Vehicle speed control321,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash23,700 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2
Service brakes2125,000 mi
Steering261,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition114,089 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module168,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electronic stability control (ESC)174,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine177,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system17,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor17,000 mi
Equipment1
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch122,000 mi
Interior lighting1
Power train: automatic transmission1
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)181,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic153,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Steering: rack and pinion151,500 mi
Structure155,357 mi
Structure: body: bumpers186,000 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Suspension: rear: springs122,000 mi
Unknown or other1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1

The 2003 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2005 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.