2004 Saturn L300: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2004 Saturn L300
On the 2004 Saturn L300, the failure owners report most often is other lighting problem, with 7 reports on file. Across every failure mode on this year, half the dated reports were filed before 67,500 miles. Overall it scores 60 out of 100, elevated risk for a 2004.
Elevated risk for a 2004 — 291st riskiest of the 329 2004 vehicles we can rate. 78 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
The failures owners actually file about
Owners have reported 26 named failure modes on the 2004 Saturn L300, and the three most-reported carry 24% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.
Other lighting problem leads with 7 reports and about 0.1 per 1,000 vehicles.
Fuel pump failure follows with 6 reports, median 60,000 miles.
Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure follows with 6 reports, median 85,000 miles.
By system, the reports fall mostly into electrical (15), lighting (14) and engine (13).
When these failures get reported
51 of the reports on the 2004 Saturn L300 came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 67,500 miles.
Cumulatively, 35% by 50,000 miles, 75% by 100,000 miles and 92% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed.
The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 16% of the dated reports.
29% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 26. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
How bad it is when it goes
Across the named modes, 3 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 2 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 4.14, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other lighting problem at $120–$1,200, fuel pump failure at $600–$2,600, control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure at $700–$3,000 and no-start or intermittent start failure at $200–$1,800. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
24% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other lighting problem | lighting | 7 | 3 | — | 20k | — | 0.1 | $120–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Fuel pump failure | fuel | 6 | 1 | — | 62k | — | 0.1 | $600–$2,600 | High |
| Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure | electrical | 6 | 6 | — | 86k | — | 0.1 | $700–$3,000 | High |
| No-start or intermittent start failure | engine | 5 | 4 | — | 84k | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Tail light, brake light or signal failure | lighting | 5 | 3 | — | 131k | — | 0.1 | $100–$900 | Moderate |
| Stalling while driving | engine | 4 | 4 | — | 125k | — | 0.1 | $300–$2,500 | Critical |
| Alternator or charging system failure | electrical | 4 | 4 | — | 22k | — | 0.1 | $450–$1,600 | High |
| Other engine problem | engine | 4 | 1 | — | 150k | — | 0.1 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 4 | 3 | — | 3k | — | 0.1 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Water pump failure | cooling | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $500–$2,200 | High |
| Airbag failed to deploy in a crash | airbag | 3 | 3 | — | 21k | — | 0.1 | $1,000–$5,000 | Critical |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 3 | 1 | — | 40k | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 3 | 2 | — | 71k | — | 0.1 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Overheating | cooling | 2 | 2 | — | 75k | — | 0.0 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Cruise control failure | adas | 2 | 1 | — | 60k | — | 0.0 | $200–$1,400 | High |
| Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure | steering | 2 | 2 | — | 56k | — | 0.0 | $700–$2,600 | High |
| Catalytic converter failure | emissions | 2 | 2 | — | 7k | — | 0.0 | $900–$3,500 | Moderate |
| Headlight failure or clouding | lighting | 2 | 2 | — | 17k | — | 0.0 | $150–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 2 | 2 | — | 90k | — | 0.0 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure | electrical | 1 | 1 | — | 66k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,500 | High |
| Premature brake pad or rotor wear | brakes | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $300–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Steering column or shaft failure | steering | 1 | 1 | — | 100k | — | 0.0 | $600–$2,500 | Critical |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 1 | 1 | — | 53k | — | 0.0 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Other suspension problem | suspension | 1 | 1 | — | 22k | — | 0.0 | $350–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other speed control problem | adas | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
| Unclassified problem | other | 2 | 1 | — | 127k | — | 0.0 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2004 Saturn L300 draws about 1.3 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 69th percentile of complaint rates among 2004 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 58,330 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2004 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
What owners wrote
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.
Other lighting problem
Tl* - the contact's 2004 saturn l300 with an odometer reading of 21000 miles, headlights, interior lights, and dash board lights flicker on and off while driving. The contact first noticed the failure in november of 2006, since the vehicle was driven mostly in the day time the failure may have been occurring previously. The contact took the vehicle to saturn of fishers in indiana, where after having the vehicle for two days he was told that a safety bulletin had been released about this issue and informed the contact that this is a normal condition for the vehicle. The contact believes this is a safety issue and may cause an accident. The contact is also worried that police may stop him due to the faulty lights.
Fuel pump failure
I own a 2004 saturn l300 and my dad owns a 2002 saturn lw300 (wagon). We both had troubles with a leaking fuel pump which is a terrible fire hazard. There have been many recalls on the saturn ions with the same problem, but the l300 have not been recalled. 2004 saturn - I had my fuel pump replaced on 5/23/2012 with 62,129 miles. I would parked the car and smell fuel so I decided to bring my car to my regular mechanic. The fuel was coming from the fuel pump towards the top of the pump. It cost me $881.01. At that time I thought I should have no problems with a fuel pump for another 75 to 100k miles. I was driving on the highway doing about 55 to 60 MPH and my car stalled out. At first I thought it was a computer glitch or just a bad sensor. Next day same problem. My car stalled out on the highway. So I took the car back to my regular mechanic. At the end result it was a defective fuel pump again. My car was not getting enough fuel pressure when the car reached 50+ MPH. The mechanic was very nice and didn't charge me for the part, but it cost me another $283.78 just for labor. Between the first pump / second pump it happened within…
Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure
I own a 2004 saturn l300 sedan. On october 25, 2007, I was driving my car on the highway in the passing lane going about 65 to 70 MPH and the car stalls and the gas pedal shows no response. The car engine warning light comes on along with the service engine light and loss of power light on the dashboard. I had to crossover a lane and pull the car over. While putting the car in park the car shakes. I turn the ignition off and start the car again and I am able to go but the transmission shifts very hard. There were no precursor signs that the car was having problems. The car was towed to the saturn dealership, and they expressed that code p0606 showed up and that they had to replace the engine control module (ECM/PCM) because it was faulty. On january 31, 2008, I was driving on the freeway and the car stalled again while I was in the passing lane. I took the car to an auto parts store so that they could get a quick scan on the computer. Again the code p0606 shows up. I had the gentleman print me out a copy of the code, for my own record. The receipt stated that the probable cause for the problem is a failed ECM. So I return to the…
I have a saturn l300 and was driving on the highway in the left lane one day and the car just shut down and stopped running. When my mechanic read the electrical code on the car it was the BCM that had failed. I had read that this is a known common issue with these vehicles and wanted to know why this is not a recall on the vehicle since it could be a safety issue as in my case. I did avoid and accident and got to the side of the road without getting hit or hitting someone else but it was definitely could have been worse and I had my 4 year old in the vehicle with me at the time. Since that happened I have notices other things going wrong on the vehicle that are attached the BCM, radio stopped working, keyless remote stopped working, defrost on side mirrors don't work...which are not safety issues but what cause it to shut my car down on the highway when I was driving was scary and unsafe!!! *tr
Recalls on the 2004 model year
NHTSA has issued 2 recall campaigns covering the 2004 Saturn L300, affecting an estimated 65,230 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover exterior lighting:brake lights and seat belts. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
One caution about reading these together: a recall usually raises the complaint count for the same part, because owners who read about it go and file. The mileages stay informative; the counts get noisy.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
291,652 vehicles 2005-06-02- Defect
- 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
- 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.
SEAT BELTS
20,701 vehicles 2005-04-20- Defect
- 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
- 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.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2004 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
Better and worse years of the same car
Elevated risk for a 2004 — 291st riskiest of the 329 2004 vehicles we can rate. Because the ranking is against the same model year only, age cancels out of it.
Across the 3 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2004 comes out best at 60 and 2005 worst at 61, with 2004 itself at 60.
No other year of this model scores meaningfully better than 2004, so if this generation is what you want, the year is not the lever.
Within the 2003–2005 generation specifically, 2004 is the strongest year at 60 and 2005 the weakest at 61.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Within the 2003-2005 generation, 2004 Saturn L300 scores best at 60 and 2005 Saturn L300 worst at 61.
What this page cannot tell you
78 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 78 reports, 51 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 65% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
The failure modes are assigned by software reading the owner's own words, which is accurate in bulk and wrong in individual cases. A mode with a handful of reports may contain a misfiled one.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Saturn L300?
The most-reported failures are other lighting problem (7 reports, median 20,000 miles), fuel pump failure (6 reports, median 60,000 miles) and control module (ecm/pcm/bcm) failure (6 reports, median 85,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
Is the 2004 Saturn L300 reliable?
It scores 60 out of 100 on our risk index, which is elevated — 291st riskiest of the 329 2004 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2004 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Saturn L300 is best?
Within the 2003–2005 generation, 2004 scores best at 60 out of 100 and 2005 worst at 61. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed