2004 Saturn L300 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other L300 years
- Not enough data 1st of 3 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 61 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Saturn L300. That is the most of any L300 model year in the database (3 years). The most reported problem area is electrical system (15 complaints, 25%), typically at around 53,005 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 1 fire, 4 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 61owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 3complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2004 Saturn L300 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 15 | 25% | 53,005 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 12 | 20% | 21,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 8 | 13% | 84,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 6 | 10% | 91,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 7% | 71,140 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 7% | 40,500 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 3 | 5% | 127,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 3 | 5% | 125,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 5% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 3 | 5% | 56,250 | — | — |
| Structure | 3 | 5% | 70,679 | — | — |
| Tires | 3 | 5% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 3% | 128,171 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 3% | 53,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 2% | 74,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 2% | 22,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2004 Saturn L300 recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Exterior lighting:brake lights
Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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
Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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. Thereâs an error…
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…
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…
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
Other Saturn L300 years
See all Saturn L300 problems by year, every Saturn model, or the VIN decoder.
Similar Saturn models
Embed this 2004 Saturn L300 badge on your site
Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Saturn L300?
Owners most often report electrical system, exterior lighting, engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 15 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Saturn L300?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2004 Saturn L300 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other L300 model years, the 2004 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.