Model year record

2003 Saturn L200 recalls & problems

The 2003 Saturn L200 has 4 safety recalls and 138 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (55 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints138filed by owners

Crashes · fires7 · 7reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths9 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingJun 2, 2005

Brake lights

Recall 05V245000291,652 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

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 beltsApr 20, 2005

Seat belts

Recall 05V15800020,701 vehicles

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.

Electrical systemJun 23, 2003

Ignition › Module

Recall 03V231000239,993 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L L4 (L61) ENGINES, A FAILURE OF THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE MAY CAUSE DETERIORATION IN IDLE QUALITY, REDUCTION IN OVERALL ENGINE POWER, AND THE VEHICLE MAY BE HARD TO START. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AFTER SUCH AN IGNITION MODULE FAILURE WILL RESULT IN THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT FLASHING, AND MAY LEAD TO SECONDARY FAILURES OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, OXYGEN SENSOR, AND EXHAUST RESONATOR.
Risk: FAILURE OF THE RESONATOR WILL CAUSE INCREASED EXHAUST NOISE. PROLONGED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING A RESONATOR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL (1) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE, (2) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE AND SPARK PLUGS, OR (3) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE, SPARK PLUGS, AND UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE CALIBRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT 3.

VisibilityOct 29, 2002

Windshield wiper/washer › Motor

Recall 02V2830001,448 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COULD FAIL DURING USE BECAUSE OF IMPROPER MANUFACTURE.
Risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR IN SEVERE WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 6, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT #3 OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

L200

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

L200

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemIgnition › Module; Horn	55	0	4	2	50,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Exhaust system	18	0	0	0	59,500 mi
Exterior lightingHeadlights; Turn signal	17	0	1	1	16,379 mi
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump; Delivery	14	0	0	0	51,252 mi
SteeringRack and pinion; Hydraulic power assist › Pump	12	0	2	0	106,000 mi
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core; Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Fan/motor	10	0	2	0	29,579 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)	9	0	0	0	57,000 mi
Engine	9	0	0	0	124,326 mi
Air bagsSide/window; Frontal	8	5	0	6	47,233 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components; Foundation components › Disc › Pads	7	1	0	0	4,000 mi
SuspensionFront › Control arm › Upper ball joint; Rear	7	1	0	0	66,000 mi
Interior lighting	5	0	0	0	16,379 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine and engine cooling
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn L200. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 45 MPH, an abnormal whirling sound was coming from the vehicle and the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact's wife was unable to restart the vehicle and with the assistance of a police officer, she coasted the vehicle off to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective timing chain which resulted in engine failure. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Aug 31, 2022
Visibility/wiper
PASSENGER SIDE WIPER BLADE STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN.
Dec 13, 2019 · 200,000 miles
Structure › Body
THE FRONT BUMPER PLASTIC FASTENERS THAT HOLD THE BUMPER TO THE CHASSIS DEGRADE AND BREAK OVER TIME AND THE FRONT BUMPER WILL FALL OFF WITHOUT NOTICE. THIS HAPPENED TO ME AS MY CAR WAS SLOWLY MOVING FORWARD IN A PARKING LOT AND I HAD TO GET OUT AND PICK UP THE BUMPER AND PUT IT IN MY BACK SEAT TO GET IT HOME. WHEN I GOT HOME UPON INSPECTION I NOTICED THE PLASTIC FASTENERS HAD BROKEN AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT THE BUMPER BACK ON. I HAD TO USE WIRE TO ATTACH IT TO THE CHASSIS BECAUSE THE PLASTIC FASTENERS WERE ALL BROKEN AND BRITTLE.
Jul 6, 2018 · 76,000 miles
Electrical system
BRAKELIGHTS HAVE QUIT WORKING TWICE. ALSO MULTIPLE ELECTRICLE PROBLEMS. ON 1 OCCASION, ABS LIGHT WAS OUT, CAME ON AGAIN WITH RESTART. ANOTHER TIME FUEL GAGUE SHOWED EMPTY, SHOWED FULL ON RESTART. ANOTHER TIME TURNED KEY AND NO ELECRIC AT ALL, UNPLUGGED BATTERY AND ALL WAS WELL.
May 20, 2018 · 162,000 miles
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 148,000.
Aug 16, 2016 · 148,000 miles
Structure › Body
WHILE DRIVING WITH TWO KIDS IN THE CAR MY STEARING BECAME ODD. I SLOWED DOWN AND MY CAR STARTED PULLING TO THE LEFT I COULD BARELY KEEP IT IN A STRAIGHT LINE. MY STEARING WHEEL WAS TURNED ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT WHEN SUDDENLY IT SOUNDED LIKE I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I STOPPED THE CAR THE WHEEL IT'S SELF LOOKED ODD. I GOT BACK IN AND TRIED TO DRIVE AND MY CAR MADE A AWEFUL NOISE AND I COULD NOT GO ANYWHERE! I WAS SRANDED IN THE DARK ON A HILLSIDE WITH THE KIDS. I HAD MY CAR TOWED HOME TO DISCOVER THE FRAME OF MY CAR HAS SPLIT AT THE A-ARM, THE ENGINE CRADLE HAS CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. MY INSURANCE WONT PAY THIS IS OUR ONLY CAR AND MY KIDS HAVE MEDICAL NEEDS PLEASE HELP !
Jan 25, 2017 · 150,000 miles
SteeringFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL CAUGHT FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.
Sep 4, 2016 · 160,000 miles
Electrical system
LIGHT FLASHING ON DASH BOARD, CLIMATE CONTROL GOES ON AND OFF ,OIL LIGHT KEEP COMING ON AND OF. EVERYTHING THAT'S ELECTRIC LIKE THE SUN ROOF. AM AFRAID OF GETTING STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGH WAY. PLEASE HELP ME. [XXX]. I LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS CAR IS ON RECALL. THANK YOU. WE ARE SECOND OWNER INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
May 14, 2014 · 179 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

TIMING CHAIN FAILUREClosed
ON DECEMBER 12, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A DEFECT PETITION (DP05-008) REQUESTING THE INVESTIGATION OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES THAT COULD CAUSE STALLING IN SATURN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.2L (L61) ENGINE. ODI OPENED PE06-006 ON JANUARY 24, 2006, WITH 24 VEHICLE OWNER COMPLAINTS THAT ALLEGED A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP OPERATING.ON APRIL 12, 2006, ODI RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM GENERAL MOTORS (GM) CONCERNING TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN APPROXIMATELY 412,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 THROUGH 2003 SATURN L-SERIES AND ION VEHICLES WITH 2.2L ENGINES. GM'S RESPONSE INCLUDED 1,020 OWNER COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS CONCERNING TIMING CHAIN FAILURE, INCLUDING 228 THAT ALLEGED THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING.GM ALSO PROVIDED WARRANTY CLAIM DATA THAT SHOWED 1,902 SUBJECT VEHICLES RECEIVING TIMING CHAIN REPAIRS, INCLUDING 261 WHICH INDICATED THAT A STALL WHILE DRIVING…
PE06006 · opened Jan 24, 2006 · closed Jun 6, 2006
TIMING CHAIN FAILUREClosed
ANALYSIS UNDERTAKEN IN RESPONSE TO THE PETITION IDENTIFIED 26 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN MY 2000-2003 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.2L L4 ENGINE.MOST COMPLAINTS OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURE REPORTEDLY RESULTED IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND STALLING.ODI ALSO NOTED THAT CERTAIN MY 2002-2003 SATURN VUE AND MY 2003 SATURN ION MODEL VEHICLES WITH THE 2.2L ENGINE VEHICLESCOVERED BY A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (03-06-01-017) THAT ADDRESSED TIMING CHAIN DESIGN AND SERVICE PROCEDURE CHANGES, EXHIBITED NO COMPLAINTS OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURE.ODI WILL GRANT THE PETITION AND OPEN A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO ASSESS THE FREQUENCY, TREND, SCOPE AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.REFER TO PE06-006.
DP05008 · opened Dec 20, 2005 · closed Feb 6, 2006