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2004 Saturn L300

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

40 reports with mileage · 21 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

61 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2023
Fuel/propulsion System

My vehicle is leaking fuel from the fuel pump. I can see the fuel collecting on the side of the fuel tank from the top of the tank where the fuel pump is located. This issue has been releasing gas fumes around my car and occasionally in the cabin. This not only makes my car invalid for emissions testing in many states across …

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My vehicle is leaking fuel from the fuel pump. I can see the fuel collecting on the side of the fuel tank from the top of the tank where the fuel pump is located. This issue has been releasing gas fumes around my car and occasionally in the cabin. This not only makes my car invalid for emissions testing in many states across the country, it also poses a risk to the overall safety of the vehicle. This issue is extremely common on these cars, I have seen many reports on Saturn forums talking about the issue and just how dangerous / expensive it has been for them to deal with. Due to the way GM has made this car, you cannot replace this part without dropping the exhaust and fuel tank.

NHTSA ODI #11515990

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2022
Fuel/propulsion System

Our 2004 Saturn L300 developed a fuel leak at the fuel pump (cracked) which is not normal. There is a strong fuel smell while driving and after the vehicle is parked. We are afraid that the fuel leak could cause a fire. The fuel pump has been inspected by an independent mechanic. There’s an error code that says that there’s a le…

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Our 2004 Saturn L300 developed a fuel leak at the fuel pump (cracked) which is not normal. There is a strong fuel smell while driving and after the vehicle is parked. We are afraid that the fuel leak could cause a fire. The fuel pump has been inspected by an independent mechanic. There’s an error code that says that there’s a leak in the fuel system. I looked online and it seems that a lot of people are experiencing the same problem with this car. Other cars of the same manufacturer (General Motors) have been recalled for the same problem.

NHTSA ODI #11447698

155,000 miles · Jun 8, 2020
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN L300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE THE GEAR SHIFTER CEASED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START-UP. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SHIFTER CABLE WAS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN L300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE THE GEAR SHIFTER CEASED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START-UP. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SHIFTER CABLE WAS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

NHTSA ODI #11327720

131,342 miles · Nov 26, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

MY BRAKE LIGHTS AND MY 3RD BRAKE LIGHT THAT IS ON THE INSIDE OF THE REAR WINDOW IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY AND AT TIMES MY FRONT INSIDE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WILL GO DIM AND NOW HAVE COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING AND ALSO MY INSIDE INTERIOR LIGHTS HAVE STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY (EXAMPLE) WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOORS NO INTERIOR LIGHTS…

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MY BRAKE LIGHTS AND MY 3RD BRAKE LIGHT THAT IS ON THE INSIDE OF THE REAR WINDOW IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY AND AT TIMES MY FRONT INSIDE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WILL GO DIM AND NOW HAVE COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING AND ALSO MY INSIDE INTERIOR LIGHTS HAVE STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY (EXAMPLE) WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOORS NO INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON AT ALL AND ALSO WILL NOT EVEN COME ON WHEN YOU TRY TO TURN THEM ON BY HAND AND MY MAP LIGHTS ON THE UNDER SIDE OF MY INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR OR MAP LITES HAVE STOPPED WORKING AND THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHTS LOCATED INSIDE THE CENTER OF THE REAR WINDSHIELD NOW HAVE 2 LITES THAT ARE COMPLETELY STOPPED COMING ON AND MY TAG LIGHTS DO NOT WORK ANY MORE AND ALL THIS STARTED APPX. 4 MONTHS AGO WHEN A POLICE OFFICER PULLED ME OVER AFTER DARK AND TOLD ME ABOUT MY BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY AND NO TAG LITE AND 3 WEEKS PRIOR IS WHEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INSIDE STARTED ACTING UP AND NOW NO LIGHTS WORK AT ALL INSIDE AND THIS HAPPENS WHETHER THE CAR IS MOVING OR NOT AND WITH IT SITTING IN PARK AL THIS HAPPENS AND ALSO NO TRUNK LITE OR GLOVE BOX LITES UP !

NHTSA ODI #11282504

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2019
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL PUMP ON A 2004 SATURN L300 CRACKED AND RELEASE FUEL AND HEAVY GAS SMELL INTO CAR MAKING CAR UN DRIVEABLE. THERE IS ALREADY A RECALL ON ANOTHER MAKE OF SATURN FOR THE SAME INCIDENT. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11234433

175,320 miles · Jul 19, 2019
Exterior Lighting

THIRD BREAK LIGHT OR OVER HEAD BREAK LIGHT HAVNT WORKED SINCE I'VE BOUGHT THE CAR OUT SO BEEN OUT B4 I BOUGHT IT AND DASH LIGHTS DIMMER SWITCH FLICKERS IN AND OUT UNLESS WEDGE THE DIMMING SWITCH UP BEEN LIKE THAT SINCE BOUGHT THE CAR DON'T KNOW WHEN OR HOW IT HAPPENED BUT IT'S GOT MINOR SHORT AND EVERYTHING WORKS AS SHOULD DIMME…

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THIRD BREAK LIGHT OR OVER HEAD BREAK LIGHT HAVNT WORKED SINCE I'VE BOUGHT THE CAR OUT SO BEEN OUT B4 I BOUGHT IT AND DASH LIGHTS DIMMER SWITCH FLICKERS IN AND OUT UNLESS WEDGE THE DIMMING SWITCH UP BEEN LIKE THAT SINCE BOUGHT THE CAR DON'T KNOW WHEN OR HOW IT HAPPENED BUT IT'S GOT MINOR SHORT AND EVERYTHING WORKS AS SHOULD DIMMER SWITCH MOVES AS IT SHOULD

NHTSA ODI #11233264

100,000 miles · Oct 22, 2018
Electrical SystemFire

WIPER SWITCH HEATS UP ON IGNITION AND ALSO RANDOMLY WHILE RUNNING - CAUSING SMOKE AND BURNING SMELLFROM STEERING COLUMN AND WIPERS TO TURN ON BY THEMSELVES. FIRST REPLACEMENT DONE BY CERTIFIED MECHANIC WITH CERTIFIED GM PART COST $365. 3 YEARS LATER, IT'S THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN!

NHTSA ODI #11141749

100,000 miles · May 16, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

WHILE DRIVING AND PARKED THERE IS A BAD ODOR OF GAS THAT MAKES YOU FEEL SICK.

NHTSA ODI #10865261

125,000 miles · Mar 8, 2015
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND WOULD NOT RESTART. CAR ALSO FAILED TO START ON SOME MORNINGS AND ALSO AFTER FILLING AT GAS STATION. ITS SEEMS THAT THIS ISSUE CAN GO ON FOR SOMETIME BETWEEN THE TIMES IT HAPPENS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10692792

150,000 miles · Feb 25, 2015
Engine

I WAS DRIVING UP A SMALL INCLINE, PREPARING TO STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT, ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE, I COULD NOT STOP, BRAKES WERE FINE BUT ENGINE WAS RACING. I HAD TO PUT CAR IN PARK, CHECKED FOR BLOCKAGE WITH FLOOR MAT, THERE WAS NOT ANY. PUT 4 -WAY BLINKERS ON, SHUT CAR OFF. RESTARTED CAR AND IT WAS FINE. HAPPENED AGAIN ON FEB. 22N…

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I WAS DRIVING UP A SMALL INCLINE, PREPARING TO STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT, ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE, I COULD NOT STOP, BRAKES WERE FINE BUT ENGINE WAS RACING. I HAD TO PUT CAR IN PARK, CHECKED FOR BLOCKAGE WITH FLOOR MAT, THERE WAS NOT ANY. PUT 4 -WAY BLINKERS ON, SHUT CAR OFF. RESTARTED CAR AND IT WAS FINE. HAPPENED AGAIN ON FEB. 22ND THIS TIME TRIED 4 TIMES SHUTTING DOWN AND STILL RACED. HAD TO PARK CAR, UPON RETURNING 2 HOURS LATER CAR WAS FINE. I HAVE ALSO HAD TROUBLE STARTING CAR, STARTED IN JUNE 2014, IF IGNITION DID NOT ENGAGE WHEN KEY WAS TURNED CAR HAD TO SIT FOR 1/2 HOUR BEFORE STARTING. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10690661

Official recalls

2

05V245000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

Jun 2, 2005

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

05V158000 · Seat Belts

Apr 20, 2005

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.