IllustrationNOTICED LOUD RUMBLING SOUND FROM TIRES. HAD CAR IN FOR OIL, TIRE ROTATION AND BALANCE AND WAS TOLD THE TIRES ON THE REAR ARE WEARING IN A WAVY MANNER. WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. COULD FEEL WAVES ON TIRES WHEN FELT WITH HAND. *JB
2004 Saturn L300
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all L300 years →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
120–25K
225–50K
950–75K
875–100K
5100–150K
4150K+
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
Tires complaints
3 reportsI HAVE A 2004 SATURN L300. AROUND 34,000 I NOTICED NOISES COMING FROM MY TIRES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, WHICH IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND FOUR NEW TIRES. THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE FACTORY BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY AND WOULD COST ME OVER 700.00. I NEVER HAD TO G…
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I HAVE A 2004 SATURN L300. AROUND 34,000 I NOTICED NOISES COMING FROM MY TIRES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, WHICH IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND FOUR NEW TIRES. THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE FACTORY BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY AND WOULD COST ME OVER 700.00. I NEVER HAD TO GET A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT THIS EARLY ON A CAR AND I TAKE CAR OF MY CARS. I THINK THIS IS INSANE, I CALLED SATURN IN TENNESSEE COMPLAINED, THEY STATED THAT TIRES AND ALIGNMENTS ARE PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE. WELL HOW ABOUT THAT. I EVEN PAID THE EXTRA FEES, INCLUDED IN MY PAYMENTS TO COVER OIL CHANGES AND ALIGNMENTS. IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM, THEY SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT IT WHEN THE CAR WAS BEING SERVICED. ANYWAY, WHILE DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, THERE ARE OTHER CASES OF THIS OUT THERE, LOTS OF THEM. CHECK OUT WWW.SATURNFANS.COM, WWW.AUTOMOTIVEFORUMS.COM AND EVEN THIS SITE, WWW.NHTSA.DOT.GOV. SO MUCH FOR PEOPLE FIRST. I PLAN TO POST THIS INFORMATION ON OTHER FORUMS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. GRAVIS346@AOL.COM *JB
RECENTLY PRURCHASED A NEW SATURN L300 WAGON WITH FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTX TIRES (STANDARD). THE ROAD VIBRATION FROM THESE TIRES IS CONCERNING, IT CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE BODY OF THE CAR AND STEERING WHEEL PARTICULIARLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. OCCASIONALLY A TIRE MAY ALSO FEEL AS THOUGH IT HAS A FLAT AND RIDES ROUGH, UPON INSPECTION IT …
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RECENTLY PRURCHASED A NEW SATURN L300 WAGON WITH FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTX TIRES (STANDARD). THE ROAD VIBRATION FROM THESE TIRES IS CONCERNING, IT CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE BODY OF THE CAR AND STEERING WHEEL PARTICULIARLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. OCCASIONALLY A TIRE MAY ALSO FEEL AS THOUGH IT HAS A FLAT AND RIDES ROUGH, UPON INSPECTION IT IS FINE. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER THREE TIMES, THEY HAVE BEEN BALANCED TWICE, AND TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR THESE TIRES. THEY HAVE EVEN STATED PER THEIR DISTRICT MANAGER THAT OTHER SATURN'S ARE EVEN WORSE THAN MINE!!!! I GIVE UP. I HAVE ALSO SENT AN E-MAIL TO FIRESTONE WITH NO RESPONSE!!!!! ALL I WANT IS RESOLUTION SO I CAN FEEL I AM DRIVING A SAFE CAR WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT.*AK
Official recalls
205V245000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.