Saturn Corporation, to date, has made over 100,000
cars with casting flaws in the engine's cylinder head.
This flaw causes the head to crack - usually just after
the warranty expires! The flaw affects 1994-1996
models.
When Saturn discovered the flaw 5 years ago, they
fixed the problem on their 1997 to 2002 models, but
they witheld the defect information from customers and
the public intil June 1999. They did this so that they
could get as many cars as possible - over the warranty
mileage as they could - so that they would not be
liable for the repair. They knowingly (the dealer and
manufacturer) allowed us to continue to drive the car
over the warranty period - until it cracked in January
of 2000.
Had Saturn warned us when they knew of the problem
(1996), we would have had the engine inspected for
telltale signs of a cylinder head crack developing
(for instance: oil in the coolant). Saturn would then
have been required to replace the head. Our loss was
$3800.
That's the way Saturn does business. Neither will
the dealer or the corporation apologize to us for
failing to send us their warning notice.
Saturn is a horrible company to do business with.
They have a lot of nerve slapping a warranty on this
costly defect. Because it affected over 100,000 cars-
the government should have forced them to recall this
engine.
It is my view that warranty periods should cover a
quality product on parts which WEAR OUT under normal
driving conditions during a reasonable warranty
period. The laws of our country and our states should
not allow a car company to get away with slapping a
warranty limitation on gross DEFECTS!
My advice: you should demand a lifetime warranty
from the dealer against an engine crack due to a
company flaw-or you most certainly may be sorry. You
should demand this regarding ANY type of flaw. If the
dealer will not give you one - that should say
something about the car he would like to sell you!
Before Saturn tells you that this is not a problem-
look at keywords: SATURN COMPLAINTS on any server on
the Internet.
Grand Rapids, Mich. Saturn Dealer
2600 28th S.E.
Grand Rapids, Mi. 49512
Michael
Baldwin, Michigan
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