2004 Saturn L300: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2004 Saturn L300: 2 recalls, 61 owner complaints and up to 25 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #05V158000 · 2005 · 20,701 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If a separation occurred in crash, the right and center rear seat occupants May not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
The 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.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #05V245000 · 2005 · 291,652 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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…
The fix: Dealers will install two new tail lamp reinforcing socket adapters and sockets free of charge. The recall began on October 17, 2005.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 4 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (15): the most common themes are electrical failure (4), won't start (3).
- Exterior lights (12): the most common themes are electrical failure (2).
- Engine & cooling (8): the most common themes are warning light on (4), stalls / loses power (4).
- Transmission & drivetrain (6): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3), hard / delayed shifting (3), warning light on (2).
The 2004 Saturn L300 has 61 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 3 L300 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 43). Complaints peaked in 2004 (14 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 64,069 miles. Neighboring years: 2003 (42 complaints, 0 recalls), 2005 (25 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 31 | 25 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2004 Saturn L300.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2004 Saturn L300 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2004 Saturn L300. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2004 Saturn L300 problems?
Owners have filed 61 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (15), exterior lights (12), engine & cooling (8).
What gas mileage does the 2004 Saturn L300 get?
EPA ratings run up to 25 mpg combined (2.2 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2004 Saturn L300 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.