AI Damage2004 Saturn L300: common problems
Owners of the 2004 Saturn L300 filed 61 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and exterior lighting. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 61
- involving a crash
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
- 2 Exterior lighting 20% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 13% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 7% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 7% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 15 complaints (25% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 12 complaints (20% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 8 complaints (13% of all).
- Powertrain: 6 complaints (10% of all).
- Fuel system: 4 complaints (7% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 61 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The driver's frontal air bag failed to deploy. The contact suffered a bruise left arm and pain to the neck and lower back. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The failure mileage was 127,000.
The air bag did not deploy. The police were called and a police report was taken. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and repaired. The contact stated that the mechanic repaired the vehicle but never informed her what caused the failure. The failure mileage was 21000 and the current mileage was 23000.
The contact also stated that the frontal and side air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained major injuries and was taken to the hospital by an ambulance. A police report is available if needed. The failure mileage was 150,000.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 4,799 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 13% most complained about).
On average one model year of the L300 has 43 complaints (3 years in the data). This year has 61, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Saturn L300?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, exterior lighting, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 61. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: headlights and tail lights (21%), warning lights, check engine (20%), won't start (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2004 Saturn L300?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2004 Saturn L300 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2004 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.