2000 Saturn SL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
147 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
57,714 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 model year. Data snapshot: . 59 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 22 of 147 complaints (15.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 24 | 16.3% |
| Braking behavior | 19 | 12.9% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 6.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 5.4% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 4.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 22 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 11 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 10 |
| Tires | 10 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 6 |
| Power Train | 6 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 22; Engine And Engine Cooling: 11; Electrical System: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 10; Tires: 10; Electrical System:Ignition: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 6; Power Train: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 14 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 17 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 14; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 17; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 88 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 17 |
| 2001 | 18 |
| 2002 | 25 |
| 2003 | 19 |
| 2004 | 17 |
| 2005 | 14 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2000: 17; 2001: 18; 2002: 25; 2003: 19; 2004: 17; 2005: 14; 2006: 4; 2007: 6; 2008: 5; 2009: 4; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2014: 12; 2016: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 24 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001122 · 2002-12-18 (December 18, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, CONSUMER FELT THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKING UP. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICE BY THE DEALERSHIP WHO INDICATED THAT THE PIN IN THE TRANSMISSION BROKE IN TWO. THIS RESULTED IN THE BOLT COMING LOSS AND BUSTING CASING AROUND THE TRANSMISSION. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001122 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002483 · 2003-01-10 (January 10, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH,VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL, AND ROLLED OVER. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN AN INJURY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002483 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005204 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH CAR,
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005204 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011512 · 2003-03-12 (March 12, 2003)
THE VEHICLE POWERED DOWN FROM 70 MPH TO 5, THE DEALER REPAIRED/REPLACED NUMEROUS PARTS ON THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011512 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014846 · 2003-04-10 (April 10, 2003)
THE RETAINING PINS WERE NOT REMOVED FROM THE REAR BRAKES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TWO YEAR WITHOUT REAR BRAKES *MR *SCC *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10014846 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020119 · 2003-05-19 (May 19, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER THEN SUDDENLY WENT DIM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO A TECHNICIAN 13 TIMES FOR THE LIGHT SENSOR BRAIN CONTROL SWITCH. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020119 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020256 · 2003-05-21 (May 21, 2003)
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAUSE WAS UNKNOWN. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020256 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023712 · 2003-06-24 (June 24, 2003)
LEAKING EXHAUST FAILURE OF THE RESONATOR INCREASED EXHAUST NOISE. REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS FOUND CODES: P0133 AND P0301 SLOW RESPONSE FROM 02 SENSOR AND MISFIRE IN CYLINDER 1 AND BAD CHECK VALVE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 53,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023712 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
7 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V309000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 2000-10-12 (October 12, 2000)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INADEQUATE VENT VALVE WELD ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK.
Consequence: FUEL SPILLAGE COULD OCCUR DURING REFUELING OR IF THE VEHICLE WERE INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO ENSURE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE IS PROPERLY WELDED. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗00V310000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
Reported: 2000-10-12 (October 12, 2000)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY. IF IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED, IT IS POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.
Remedy: SATURN IS ASKING OWNERS AND RETAILERS TO PERFORM A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY OPERATION, AND IF NECESSARY, TO HAVE THE CABLE ADJUSTED. IF OWNERS ARE NOT COMFORTABLE PERFORMING THE FUNCTIONAL CHECK THEMSELVES, THEY CAN HAVE THEIR DEALER PERFORM THIS INSPECTION FOR THEM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V230000 · Unknown Or Other
Reported: 1999-08-23 (August 23, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH WELDS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CARRIER ASSEMBLY THAT DO NOT MEET SATURN QUALITY STANDARDS.
Consequence: A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT, PARTICULARLY AN UNBELTED OCCUPANT, MAY HAVE AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE'S INSTRUMENT PANEL CARRIER ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V231000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
Reported: 1999-08-24 (August 24, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH BRAKE PIPE ATTACHMENT NUTS THAT MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS.
Consequence: IF THE BRAKE PIPE NUTS ARE NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED, BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE BRAKE'S STOPPING DISTANCE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE PIPE NUTS FOR LEAKAGE, VERIFY THEY ARE TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS, AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPES IF NEEDED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V232000 · Structure:Body:Bumpers
Reported: 1999-08-23 (August 23, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 581, "BUMPER STANDARD." THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH REAR BUMPER FASTENERS THAT MAY BE LOOSE OR MISSING.
Consequence: IF THE FASTENERS ARE LOOSE OR MISSING, THE REAR BUMPER MAY NOT ABSORB ENERGY AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO IN THE EVENT OF A REAR END COLLISION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL VERIFY THAT THE REAR BUMPER BEAM FASTENERS ARE PRESENT AND PROPERLY TIGHTENED AND, IF MISSING, INSTALL NEW FASTENERS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V280000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 1999-10-20 (October 20, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." SOME OF THE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS THAT WERE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED AT THE CENTER PILLAR AND COULD FALL OUT, MAKING THE SEAT BELT INOPERATIVE.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND TORQUE OF THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V297000 · Structure:Body
Reported: 1999-10-27 (October 27, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A CONSOLE ARMREST FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACTS." THE ARMRESTS WERE PRODUCED WITH A LATCH THAT WILL NOT WITHSTAND THE VERTICAL FORCE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE LATCH MAY OPEN AND THE ARMREST OR THE CONTENTS OF THE CONSOLE COULD INJURE AN OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE ARMREST LATCH.
NHTSA campaign record ↗